ACTIONABLE RECEPTOR TYROSINE KINASE SIGNALING

Our goal is to understand how receptor tyrosine kinases (RTK) regulate the pathogenesis of human diseases, such as cancer. This information is needed for the development of molecularly targeted therapies. To recognize aberrations of RTK signaling in diseased tissue our laboratory also works on the molecular mechanism by which RTKs control normal processes, such as embryonic development. The work mainly focuses on the ErbB family of RTKs. Our laboratory has contributed to the field by e.g. by characterizing novel RTK signaling mechanisms, by identifying novel ErbB4 isoforms, and by determining the role of ErbBs and their ligands in angiogenesis.

Current topics

• Screens for predictive RTK mutations
  
• Novel RTK signaling mechanisms
  
• Development of preclinical models for development novel RTK inhibitors
  
• Sequencing of RTK inhibitor drug administration with cytotoxic agents
  
• In vitro “basket trials” with ErbB inhibitor drugs
  
• RTK signaling in angiogenesis and cardiovascular diseases
  
• RTKs in pediatric malignancies
  
• Biological role of novel ErbB4 isoforms in diseases and development

• Anne Jokilammi, PhD
  
• Elli Narvi, PhD
• Deepankar Chakroborty, MSc
  
• Juho Heliste, MD
  
• Marika Koivu, MSc 
  
• Johannes Merilahti, MSc
  
• Veera Ojala, MSc
  
• Janne Nordberg, MD
  
• Fred Saarinen, MSc
  
• Katri Vaparanta, MSc
• Kaisa Aalto, BM
  
• Maria Helkkula, BM
  
• Matias Mäenpää, BM
  
• Peppi Kirjalainen, BM
  
• Jori Torkkila, BM