Noora Kotaja is a Professor of Molecular
Medicine at the Institute of Biomedicine, University of Turku, Finland. She
obtained PhD in Biomedicine at the University of Helsinki under supervision of
Profs. Olli Jänne and Jorma Palvimo. The title of her PhD thesis was
"Function of PIAS proteins in steroid receptor-dependent signaling" ,
and it was approved with distinction and awarded with PhD theseis award from
the Finnish Academy of Science.She did her postdoctoral training at the
Institut de Génétique et de Biologie Moléculaire et Cellulaire, Strasbourg,
France, in the research group of Dr. Paolo Sassone-Corsi on germ cell-specific
regulation of gene expression. In 2006, she returned back in Finland to
establish her own research group at the University of Turku, where she received
first an Academy Research Fellow post from the Academy of Finland, followed by
a tenure track Professor position in 2012. Her scientific achievements have
been recognized by L'Oreal Finland for Women in Science award in 2006, Unto
Uotila award form the Finnish Endrocrine Society in 2008 and Young Researcher
award from the International Netwolrk of Young Researchers in Male Fertiliy in
2011 and Yourn Andrologist award from the International Society of Andrology in
2013.

Noora Kotaja's research focuses on the mechanisms of spermatogenesis and
germline-mediated epigenetic inheritance. In particular, her research group is
interested in the epigenetic and posttranscriptional regulation of gene
expression in meiotic and post-meiotic male germ cells, and the role of large
germ cell-specific ribonucleoprotein granules (germ granules) in the control of
germ cell's transcriptome. The research in the Kotaja group combines experimental animal studies
with human cohort studies to elucidate key epigenetic processes required for
the production of fertile spermatozoa and correct transgenerational
transmission of epigenetic information. The research may provide important
novel insights into the development of diagnosis, treatment and prevention
strategies for male infertility. Importantly, the research will also clarify the
mechanisms of epigenetic inheritance, which could help us to understand and
potentially prevent the transmission of acquired diseases such as metabolic
disorders. 

1. Molecular biology
2. Biomedical research methods
3. Reproductive biology