Ulla Pentikäinen
FT, Dos
ulla.pentikainen@utu.fi +358 50 501 2574 Tykistökatu 6 Turku : 5090 |
Structural biology; X-ray crystallography; SAXS; protein-NMR; theoretical biophysics
I am structural biologists having a wide expertise in chemistry, biochemistry, protein chemistry, structural biology, and theoretical biophysics. I have gained this expertise by working in different research projects and groups both in Finland (University of Turku, University of Kuopio, University of Jyväskylä) and abroad (University of Bristol, UK, University of Illinois, USA). What I do not know yet, I can learn. I am interested in to understand how human diseases are developed at molecular level, what goes wrong at atomic, molecular, and protein level so that we got sick. This kind of research will help to develop new therapeutics towards different diseases, such various cancer types.
Why diseases are developed? What goes wrong at molecular level in our body so that we get sick? The aim of my group is to learn to understand the molecular and structural level the underlying mechanisms behind different human diseases. Currently, we are focused on 1) mitral valve disease caused by the mutations in a cytoskeletal protein Filamin, and 2) cancer types developed due to the inhibition of protein phosphates 2A by different proteins. In addition, we are interested in how mechanical forces are mediated and propagated in cells, crucial for tissue development and having important implications for various diseases such valvular diseases, osteoporosis, and cancer.
In our research, we employ various structural biology methods, such as X-ray crystallography, protein NMR-spectroscopy, SAXS, as well as different theoretical biophysical simulations including MD and SMD simulations.
- Wide teaching experience on biochemistry and chemistry
- Responsible teacher in various lecture- and laboratory courses both in Turku and Jyväskylä universities
- Responsible on study- and degree modules
- Teacher's pedagogic qualification
- University teacher's pedagogic qualification
- Determination of binding site residues responsible for the subunit selectivity of novel marine-derived compounds on kainate receptors (2006)
- Molecular Pharmacology
- Subtype selectivity and flexibility of ionotropic glutamate receptors upon antagonist ligand binding (2006)
- Organic and Biomolecular Chemistry
- Vascular amine oxidases are needed for leukocyte extravasation into inflamed joints in vivo (2006)
- Arthritis and Rheumatism
- Preparation of azacrown-functionalized 2 '-O-methyl oligoribonucleotides, potential artificial RNases (2004)
- Bioconjugate Chemistry
- Stabilisation of the transition state of phosphodiester bond cleavage within linear single-stranded oligoribonucleotides (2004)
- Organic and Biomolecular Chemistry
- The base sequence dependent flexibility of linear single-stranded oligoribonucleotides correlates with the reactivity of the phosphodiester bond (2003)
- Organic and Biomolecular Chemistry
- Azacrown tethered oligonucleotides: Potential artificial RNases (2002)
- Collection Symposium Series
- The cleavage of RNA phosphodiester bonds by metal ions (2002)
- Collection Symposium Series
- The reactivity of phosphodiester bonds within linear single-stranded oligoribonucleotides is strongly dependent on the base sequence (2002)
- Nucleic Acids Research
- The cleavage of phosphodiester bonds within small RNA bulges in the presence and absence of metal ion catalysts (2001)
- Journal of the Chemical Society, Perkin Transactions 2
- The effect of secondary structure on cleavage of the phosphodiester bonds of RNA (2001)
- Cell Biochemistry and Biophysics
- Allopurinol does not increase free radical scavenging capacity during reperfusion in coronary artery bypass graft patients (2000) Tarkka MR, Kaukinen S, Holm P, Kaukinen U, Sisto T, Kataja J, Huang WQ
- Effect of allopurinol on myocardial oxygen free radical production in coronary bypass surgery (2000) Tarkka MR, Vuolle M, Kaukinen S, Holm P, Eloranta J, Kaukinen U, Sisto T, Kataja J
- Age-related changes in the peroxyl radical scavenging capacity of human plasma. (1997)
- Free Radical Biology and Medicine