Enteroviruses are common human pathogens, which can cause severe diseases such as aseptic meningitis, myocarditis and hepatitis. Infections with these viruses have also been linked to the development of type 1 diabetes and chronic dilated cardiomyopathy. Our groups is interested in both the mechanisms by which enteroviruses cause disease and in the development of preventative therapies, such as vaccines. The research in our laboratory focuses on the interactions between the virus and the host cells, as well as in the development and pre-clinical testing of novel vaccine candidates. We use multi-disciplinary approaches including bioinformatics, molecular biology, protein biochemistry, in vivo models and patient tissues. Our work is conducted in close collaboration with the groups led by Vesa Hytönen, BioMediTech, and Heikki Hyöty, Dept. of Virology, UTA. The common goals of our joint efforts are the development of new diagnostic tools to detect enteroviruses as well as novel vaccine and antiviral therapies, which can be tested in a clinical setting.

We are always interested in recruiting talented PhD students and postdoctoral fellows. Please feel free to contact Dr. Malin Flodström Tullberg (malin.flodstrom.tullberg@staff.uta.fi) for further information on current opportunities.