News, national meetings and science popularization
2012
Interview: Prof Eva-Mari Aro was interviewed by Viva magazine about her life and career in plant science, and about the future clean energy production. (January, 2012)
Interview: Prof Eva-Mari Aro was interviewed by Turun Sanomat to ask her about what kind of progress in the developing of clean energy will ideally happen during the next twenty years "Hyppy vuoteen 2032" (January 8, 2012)
2011
Interview: Prof Eva-Mari Aro was interviewed by the Swedish radio P1 in a program "Vetandets värld" about artificial photosynthesis. (December 1, 2011) The link to the broadcast is here
Interview: Prof. Eva-Mari Aro was interwieved by Turun Sanomat about how plants defend themselves against stress "Stressi saa kasvit sotajalalle" (October 4, 2011). Article in Turun Sanomat web sites
Scientific board rated plant biology research at University of Turku to have an excellent unit that should maintain its strategy, and which results in very high quality research. The evaluation was carried out by international panel and organized by the Academy of Finland. Plant science research at nine Finnish university units and three research institutes was reviewed by the evaluation panel. In general plant science in Finland was evaluated to hold a high standard. Link to an article in UTUonline (in Finnish) and to web-pages of Academy of Finland where the evaluation report can be downloaded.
Interview: Prof. Kaarina Sivonen was interviewed by Apteekin hyllyltä about toxic cyanobacteria as a possible source of chemical compounds (2:201, 2011)
Mari Raulio’s PhD thesis won Best PhD Thesis 2010 award of The Finnish Society for Environmental Science (May 6, 2011).
Prof. Mirja Salkinoja – Salonen organized a workshop at SciFest - science, environment and technology festival for children and their teachers. In workshop children had an opportunity to observe the effect of different toxins to the mobility of pig sperm. SciFest was organized at Joensuu (April 13–16, 2011).
Minna Lintala’s PhD thesis won one of the four year 2010 awards of Finnish Academy of Science and Letters. Finnish Academy of Science and Letters is the largest general scientific and academic society in Finland (April 15, 2011).
High school student Olavi Misin was placed seventh at science competion Viksu organized by Academy of Finland. His science project was done at FCoE in Integrative Photosynthesis and Bioactive Compound Research at Systems Biology Level (April 7, 2011).
Sumathy Shunmugam wrote an article to Education Plus of "The Hindu" titled "Lovely Turku for pursuing research" (March 21, 2011).
Helsingin Sanomat and Tekniikka&Talous magazine published an article about GMO appeal delivered to members of parliament by Prof. Eva-Mari Aro and colleagues (January 19, 2011).
Prof. Eva-Mari Aro and colleagues delivered an appeal to the members of parliament for science based evaluation of the new GMO legislation (January 18, 2011).
Interview: Prof Eva-Mari Aro was interviewed by Kansan Uutiset about the Solar BioFuels (January 7, 2011).
2010
Interview: Prof. Kaarina Sivonen was interviewed by local newspaper Kiuruvesi (journalist Jaana Selander) titled "Woman who found toxic cyanobacteria" (2010)
Interview: Prof Eva-Mari Aro was interviewed by BioRefine NEWS about the Solar BioFuels (2/2010).
Prof. Eva-Mari Aro participated in a dinner debate on the challenges of Food Security and Climate Change, organised by EU and EPSO (European Plant Science Organisation), in Brussels on 1st December 2010.
Prof. Eva-Mari Aro gave a lecture "Towards solar fuels" in Tekes BioRefine – New Biomass Products programme and Forestcluster Ltd’s Future Biorefinery (FuBio) Programme Annual Seminar in Marina Congress Center in Helsinki 30th of November, 2010.
Academic dissertation. Minna Lintala was awarded with "Distinction" by the faculty of Mathematics and Natural Sciences of the University of Turku, for her PhD thesis. "Leaf-Targeted Ferredoxin-NADP+-Oxidoreductase (FNR): Electron Transfer Properties and Thylakoid Association in Arabidopsis thaliana". The thesis was defended on Nov 19th, 2010. It was supervised by Docent Paula Mulo and the opponent was Prof. Poul-Erik Jensen, Copenhagen University, Denmark.
The joint group meeting of CoE was held at Dentalia, Turku on November 16th, 2010.
Interview: Prof Eva-Mari Aro was interviewed by Helsingin sanomat, Turun sanomat and Kauppalehti about the DirectFuel project coordinated by the University of Turku, which received a fund of over 3.7 million euros from the EU (October 1, 2010).
Prof. Eva-Mari Aro, Prof. Kaarina Sivonen and Drs. Natalia Battchikova, Jouni Jokela, Yagut Allahverdiyeva-Rinne, David Fewer, Mika Keränen and Taina Tyystjärvi participated in CoE brainstorming meeting (Turku September 28, 2010).
Interview: Prof Eva-Mari Aro was interviewed by Turun sanomat about clean solarenergy production (August 26, 2010).
Prof. Eva-Mari Aro was an invited lecturer in SOLAR H-2 Summer School in BRC Szeged, Hungary, July 4-11, 2010.
Prof. Eva-Mari Aro was invited to the Scientific Advisory Board of Max Planck Institute of Molecular Plant Physiology, Golm, Germany (2011-2017).
Prof. Eva-Mari Aro was a member of the international panel of experts, which recommends the Laureates and ultimate winner of the Millennium Technology Prize in Helsinki 14th of June, 2010.
Prof. Mirja Salkinoja-Salonen: "Työhuone sairaana?" ("Your office sick?" in Finnish), TELMA journal, journal of the Finnish Work Environment Fund and Center for the Working Safety /Työturvallisuuskeskus, Volume 2010, issue 2, p 31.
Salkinoja-Salonen, M., Mikkola, R., Andersson, M.A., Alenius, H., Matikainen, S., Salin, P., Rasimus, S., Mattila, S. 2010. Solumyrkyllisiä aineta työpaikkailmassa. SIY Raportti (Proceedings of the Indoor Climate Seminar, 13.3.2010, Espoo Finland, editors Jorma Säteri, Helka Backman), Vol 28, 93-98. Sisäilmayhdistys ry (the Finnish Indoor Air Society).
"Wrong Microbes around us". Prof. Mirja Salkinoja-Salonen was an invited lecturer at Nottingham University (Dept of Parasitology), UK, 26th of May, 2010.
Prof. Eva-Mari Aro, Dr. Paula Mulo, Dr. Saijaliisa Kangasjärvi, Michele Grieco, Grzegorz Konert and Moona Rahikainen participated in the Plant Physiology day in Joensuu 18 – 19 of May, 2010.
"Human exposure to mitochondrioactive metabolites". Prof. Mirja Salkinoja-Salonen was an invited lecturer at the 5th Japan-Finland Biotechnology Symposium 2010, Turku, Finland, 8 -11th of May, 2010.
Prof. Eva-Mari Aro gave a lecture “Cyanobacterial photosynthesis - implication for production of SolarFuels" in Viikki Biocenter Lecture in Helsinki 10th of May, 2010.
Radio interview of Prof. Mirja Salkinoja-Salonen, YLE Radio 1, morning program "ykkösaamu" 24 March 2010 at 8.35-8.50 hrs (direct broadcast).
Interview: Prof. Mirja Salkinoja-Salonen was interviewed by Helsingin Sanomat (journalist Janne Toivonen), published 21 March 2010, page A6 "Inland news", titled "Better funding requested for mycotoxin researchs in buildings".
Interview: Prof. Mirja Salkinoja-Salonen was interviewed by Helsingin Sanomat (journalist Janne Toivonen), published 18 March 2010, page A3 (main news page) and page A9 "Inland news" titled: "Strongly cytotoxic microbially emitted substances found in moisture troubled buildings" and “Cytotoxic toxins fooun in indoor air".
Prof. Mirja Salkinoja-Salonen was an invited speaker in "Sisäilmastoseminaari 2010, Solumyrkyllisiä aineita työpaikkailmassa", Otaniemi Espoo 17.3.2010. Indoor Air Society, Annual Seminar, invited lecture titled: "Cytotoxic substances in indoor air at workplaces", March 17th, 2010, Espoo Finland.
Interview: Prof. Mirja Salkinoja-Salonen was interviewed by reporter Saara Hirvonen (A-lehdet) for the periodical Meidän Talo titled "Microbial cytotoxins – a health risk?", published in Vol 4/2010, page 54.
The scientific advisory board of the CoE had a meeting at Viikki, Helsinki. (Mar 8-9)
Prof. Mirja Salkinoja-Salonen evaluated and chaired the area "Biorepositories – Microorganisms" for the European Strategy Forum on Research Infrastructures (ESFRI), hosted by BMS (Bonn, Germany), February-April 2010 ( final meeting in Bonn, 8 April .2010).
Mirja Salkinoja-Salonen was one of the three external experts for evaluating the science merits of applicants (n = 17) for the professorship "Professor of analytical chemistry, with focus on biogeochemistry and/or environmental chemistry", Linköping University. Sweden.
Prof. Eva-Mari Aro was invited to serve on the Review Editorial Board of Frontiers in Plant Physiology. (Feb 2010)
2009
Prof. Kaarina Sivonen’s editorial activities on a year 2009: Environmental Toxicology, Applied and Environmental Microbiology, Toxicon and International Microbiology.
The fourth joint group meeting was held at Viikki, Helsinki on Dec 21th, 2009.
Mirja Salkinoja-Salonen: "Homevaurioista peräisin olevat myrkyt sisätiloissa". (Microbial toxins in indoor living and work environment). 9.12.2009 Expert presentation upon invitation of members of the Finnish Parliament (Eduskunta), Helsinki.
Dr. Marion Eisenhut has got a Postdoctoral Researcher´s project from Academy of Finland for the period of 1.1.2010-31.12.2012 (3.12.2009).
EU FP7 Harvest start-up meeting, Naantali, Finland, was organized by Prof. Eva-Mari Aro 29.11.-2.12.2009.
Mikko Tikkanen participated in the seminar of the Environmental Program of the Southwest Finland in Uusikaupunki. 25th of November, 2009.
The planning office of Helsinki City Traffic Works (Helsingin kaupungin liikennelaitos) asked Mirja Salkinoja-Salonen for a teach-in on the topic of indoor environment contamination by toxic microorganisms. This event took place on Nov 12, 2009.
Työsuojelurahasto (Finnish Foundation for Work Environment) signed on 27 October, 2009 a contract of €110 000 with University of Helsinki (2009-2010) to execute research on human exposure to microbially produced toxins in work environment (“ToxicDust, grant 109124). The project will be led by prof. Mirja Salkinoja-Salonen at Helsinki University. Collaboration partners are the Finnish Occupational Health Institute (FIOH) and InspectorSec Ltd.
Prof. Eva-Mari Aro was invited to the Board of the Finnish Academy of Science and Letters in July 2009.
Susanna Rautio (University of Helsinki; web page) interviewed Prof. Mirja Salkinoja-Salonen, in Yliopistouutiset (Helsingin Yliopisto) posted on July 22nd, 2009. Interview was titled "Uraa uurtava sisäilmatutkimus etsii myrkkyä hometaloista".
Interview: Prof. Eva-Mari Aro was interviewed by TV1 morning tv about an energy production (17th of July, 2009).
Janne Toivonen from Helsingin Sanomat, interviewed Prof. Mirja Salkinoja-Salonen on microbial toxins, published on 14 July, 2009, section A4 (inland news) titled "Researchers in attack against supertoxins inside moldy buildings".
Interview: Prof. Kaarina Sivonen was interviewed by Mari Karppinen, commercial TV channel MTV3 and by Hanna-Riikka Hosio, commercial TV channel Nelonen about using cyanobacterial toxins as a cancer treatment (July 7, 2009.).
Interview: Prof Kaarina Sivonen was interviewed by four journals, Uusi Suomi, Aamulehti, Iltalehti and Pohjalainen, about using cyanobacterial toxins as a cancer treatment (July 7, 2009).
Anna Bäck interviewed Prof. Mirja Salkinoja-Salonen for Huvudstadsbladet (newspaper), "Mögelhundar säller i allt fler hus", published on June 23, 2009
Academic dissertation. Sari Sirpiö was awarded with "Distinction" by the faculty of Mathematics and Natural Sciences of the University of Turku, for her PhD thesis. "Novel Proteins involved in dynamics of the Photosynthetic apparatus". The thesis was defended on June 17th, 2009. It was supervised by prof. Eva-Mari Aro and the opponent was prof. Toshiharu Shikanai, Kyoto University, Japan.
A French TV-group visited in Turku to make a document about the Centre of Excellence and prof. Eva-Mari Aro´s research (16-17th of June, 2009).
Prof. Eva-Mari Aro gave a lecture "Towards sustainable energy sources; Bio-produced hydrogen as a sustainable solution for our global energy needs" in Environmental Seminar, 11th of June 2009, as a part of the European Day of the Entrepreneur EDE2009 at Turku School of Economics.
An interview: Prof. Eva-Mari Aro and Mikko Tikkanen (MSc) were interviewed by YLE RADIO1 (3rd of June 2009).
Finnish Chemical Congress in Helsinki on 29th of May 2009; Prof. Eva-Mari Aro gave a lecture "Biological hydrogen production as a source of clean fuel" hosted by the dep. of Biotechnology in Finnish Chemistry Society.
Prof. Eva-Mari Aro was invited to give a lecture " New electron transfer routes in cyanobacteria -towards photobiological hydrogen production" at Bioscience Days in Helsinki ( 27th of May, 2009).
Prof. Eva-Mari Aro was invited to give a seminar at the Bioinformatics Day in Turku (13rd of May, 2009).
Interview: Prof Eva-Mari Aro and Dr Marjaana Suorsa were interviewed in YLE Prisma Studio (Apr 29, 2009).
The Finnish Chemical Society honoured Mirja Salkinoja-Salonen´s contribution for the promotion of the aims of the Society, the Society Medal of Merit, on the occasion of the Society´s 90th Anniversary celebration, on 24th of April, 2009.
Hao Wang (Univ. of Helsinki) received the best Master degree thesis in Biotechnology of the year 2008 award from the Biotechnology Division of Finnish Chemical Society on Apr 23th, 2009. Title of the thesis "Whole genome assebly and gap closure of the toxic bloom-forming cyanobacterium Anabaena sp. strain 90."
The third joint group meeting was held at Turku on Apr 22th, 2009.
Sari Soininen from the National Broadcasting Company (Yleisradio) interviwed Prof. Mirja Salkinoja-Salonen in "A case in investigation" (Tutkiva juttu) for the TEEMA channel, on toxins produced by microorganisms. It was broadcasted on April 9, 2009. The program is also accessible on-line via YLE-Areena.
Docent Paula Mulo and Dr Saijaliisa Kangasjärvi have got Academy Fellow Posts for the period Aug 2009 - Jul 2014. (Apr 2nd, 2009).
Mari P. Heikkilä interviewed Prof. Mirja Salkinoja-Salonen in Mediuutiset (newspaper for the medical sector) April 2009, titled "Mold is not the main problem, in sick builidings it is the toxins that make you sick". Mari P Heikkilä also wrote an article based on the interview in the Finnish science periodical "Tiede lehti", 6/2009, pp. 40-43.
Prof. Kaarina Sivonen and her research group were interview by Gilbert Granholm (journalist) in Yliopisto-lehti 2009/3:16-21 “Mysterious cyanobacteria" (in finnish).
Academic dissertation: Prof. Eva-Mari Aro acted as an opponent in a doctoral dissertation at Umeå University (27th of March, 2009).
Jari Mäkinen and Miina Melanen, of the Prisma-Studio Science programs of the national TV channel 1, reported on the research by Prof. Mirja Salkinoja-Salonen and Maria A. Andersson of stable microbial toxins to which humansmay get exposed. It was broadcasted on 25 March, 2009.
The annual "Indoor Climate" seminar (Sisäilmastoseminaari), arranged by Sisäilmayhdistys (The Indoor Climate Society) was held at the Technical University of Helsinki, at Espoo Finland, March 18, 2009, with Prof. Mirja Salkinoja-Salonen as the invited speaker on "Microbial toxins in indoor space".
"Manuriihi" - course of scientific writing was held with the support from the CoE at the University of Helsinki. The course was organized by Prof. Mirja Salkionja-Salonen and Academy Professor Kaarina Sivonen (In the frame of Applied Bioscience Graduate School). Total of 12 students prepared their first manuscript during the course. Supervisors, senior and post doctoral researchers participated as advisors and reviewers.
The Finnish Cultural Foundation awarted professor Eva-Mari Aro for her eminent work promoting high quality Finnish national culture. (Feb 27, 2009) (link).
Prof. Eva-Mari Aro participated in "CyanoBioEnergy-the next step", a brainstorming meeting to establish an European Consortium. Max- Planck Institut fur Bioanorganische Chemie, Mullheim, Germany. On 26th of February, 2009.
Prof. Mirja Salkinoja-Salonen gave an inveted lecture on "Ionophoric and mitochondrio-reactive microbial toxins from food and indoor environment" at University of Turku on February 25, 2009.
Academy Professor Sivonen gave an invited lecture on "Cyanobacterial toxins and bioactive compounds" at Haartman Institute, University of Helsinki on February 12, 2009.
Mirja Salkinoja-Salonen gave an invited lecture "How to analyse and document the prevalence of microbial toxins in indoor space", at the OSKE Regional Centre of Expertise, University Centre “Chydenia", Analytics Day, in Kokkola on February 5th, 2009.
Academy Professor Sivonen gave an invited lecture on "Cyanobacteria" at Turku Immunology Center, Microbiology Institute ( February 4th, 2009).
"Scientific break through in sight? Research on the syndrome of moldy buildings". Terttu Iiskola interviewed Prof. Mirja Salkinoja-Salonen, for the the periodical IKÄplus, published in issue 2/2009, pp. 28-33.
Prof. Eva-Mari Aro participated in European Plant Society Organisation´s (EPSO) meeting in London on January 2009 as a board member.
EPSO activities: A seminar held by prof. Eva-Mari Aro in Copenhagen (29th of January, 2009).
Prof. Mirja Salkinoja-Salonen gave an invited lecture on "Toxic microbial evolution in man made environments" at University of Oulu, 22.1.2009.
2008
The second joint group meeting was held at Viikki, Helsinki on Dec 12th, 2008.
Prof. Eva-Mari Aro`s editorial activities on a year 2008: Editorial Board member in "Photosynthesis Research" and in "International Open Access Journal BMC Plant Biology"; Subject Editor in "Physiologia Plantarum"; Assistant Editor in "BMC Plant Biology" and Advisory Editor in "Plant Biology and Biochemistry".
Academic dissertation. Camelia (Apetroaie)-Constantin was awarded with "Distinction" by the Faculty of Agriculture and Forestry of Helsinki University, for her PhD thesis "Cereulide Producing Bacillus cereus and Amylosin Producing Bacillus subtilis and Bacillus mojavensis. Characterisation of Strains and Toxigenicites". The thesis was defended on Dec 1st, 2008. It was supervised by Mirja Salkinoja-Salonen. The opponent was prof.dr. Christophe Ngyen-the (Universite Avignon and INRA, Avignon, France).
Academic dissertation: Prof. Kaarina Sivonen acted as an opponent in a doctoral dissertation at University of Helsinki (21th of November, 2008).
Prof. Mirja Salkinoja-Salonen gave an invited lecture "Critical evaluation of the potential for formation of cereulide, the ionophoric toxin of Bacillus cereus, in the gut" at Second Finnish Gut Day, November 7, 2008.
Prof Mirja Salkinoja-Salonen wrote an invited column to magazine Kaari (Evira). Column was titled "Kun rakennus sairastaa" (October 2008).
Dr Marjaana Suorsa gave an invited lecture on "Biological H2 production in microorganisms" in the FC Salo Cluster -project (Development of Fuel Cell Technology) on Friday Oct 28.
Professor Erika von Mutius gave a lecture on "ALLERGY PROTECTIVE EXPOSURES IN FARM ENVIRONMENTS" on Fiday Oct 17 Host: prof. Mirja Salkinoja-Salonen.
Professor Mirja Salkinoja-Salonen gave an invited lecture on "Food-poisoning: Heat Stable microbial toxins and their producers in food and human living environment" at 6th Finnish Microbial Pathogenesis Day, Haartman Institute, Helsinki University. (Oct 10)
The Research Council for Biosciences and Environment of the Academy of Finland has decided to fund Dr Anne Rantala's project "Environmental effects on transcriptome and proteome of bloom-forming microcystin-producing Anabaena (cyanobacterium)". (Sep 30)
The board of the Nessling foundation visited at Turku. (Sept 26)
Professor Aro was interviewed by Nick Amies (Deutche Welle, DW-WORLD.DE). ( link)
Professor Salkinoja-Salonen was interviewed by Teija Horppu (Kemia - Kemi). (link)
Prof Aro gave an invited lecture on "Women in Science" at FESBP meeting at Tampere, Finland.
Academy professor Sivonen gave an invited lecture on "Biosynthesis of cyanobacterial peptide toxins". at the 30th European Peptide Symposium. Finlandia Hall, Helsinki, Finland (31.08-5.09. 2008).
Inverview: Prof. Mirja Salkinoja-Salonen was interviewed by TV channel 2 (Ajankohtainen kakkonen) about mould funguses contaminating houses (August 26, 2008).
Interview: Prof Mirja Salkinoja-Salonen was interviewed by magazine Asunto ja Kiinteistö (2008). Interview was titled: "Supermyrkyt hometalojen synkkä salaisuus" 3(2):20-23.
Interview: Prof Mirja Salkinoja-Salonen was interviewed twice by journal Keski-Uusimaa. Interviews were titled: "Hometalojen ilmasta löydettiin voimakkaita myrkkyjä" and "Luovan insinöörin ja huippututkijan yhteistyö toi myrkyt esiin" (August 17, 2008).
Professor Eva-Mari Aro visited at Brasil as a member of the delegation from the Academy of Finland. (Jun 28 - Jul 4)
The scientific advisory board of the CoE had a meeting at Turku. (Jun 2-3)
Prof. Mirja Salkinoja-Salonen gave an invited lecture “Household microflora" at DIABIMMUNE Meeting, May 29, 2008, Helsinki.
"The whole genome of the cyanobacterium Anabaena strain 90". Prof. Kaarina Sivonen was an invited speaker in the Advanced Large Scale Expression Profiling - Focus on miRNA, ChlP-on-chip/seq., and Whole Genome Sequencing. Turku Biocity, May 19-22.2008.
Professor Aro gave an invited lecture on "Photosynthesis as a energy source" in the annual meeting of teachers in physics and chemisty of Finnish Universities of Applied Sciences. (May 6)
"Microbial toxic peptides in food, feed and indoor air". Prof. Mirja Salkinoja-Salonen was an invited lecturer in Microbiology, upon invitation of Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey, USA. 21 April, 2008.
Inverview: Prof. Mirja Salkinoja-Salonen was interviewed by TV channel 1 (A studio) about global warming (April 18, 2008).
"Environmental diagnostics of hepatotoxic cyanobacteria". Dr. Anne Rantala was an invited speaker in the White Biotechnology - course on environmental biotechnology. Turku, Biocity, 17.4. 2008.
Professor Aro gave an invited lecture on "Bioenergiaa auringosta (Bioenergy from the Sun)" in the symposia organized by Finnish Academy of Science and Letters. (Apr 16) ( video)
Prof. Aro organized an ESF-EMBO symposium " Molecular Bioenergetics of Cyanobacteria: Towards System Biology level of Understanding" at Hotel Eden Roc, Sant Feliu de Guixols, Spain. (Mar 29 - Apr 3) (link)
Prof. Mirja Salkinoja-Salonen gave an invited lecture on "Mikrobit ja mikrobitoksiini (Microbes and microbe toxins)" for the personnel of the Regional Council of Päijät-Häme, Lahti, Finland. (Mar 16)
Prof. Mirja Salkinoja-Salonen gave an invited lecture on "Mikrobiologinen työturvallisuus (Safety in microbiological work)". in the training session for laboratory personnel of University of Helsinki, ( 50 participants), Viikki, Helsinki. (Mar 3)
Academic dissertation. Elina Jääskeläinen was awarded with "Distinction" by the Faculty of Agriculture and Forestry of Helsinki University, for her PhD thesis "Assesment and Control of Bacillus cereus Emetic Toxin in Food". The thesis was defended on Feb 1st, 2008. It was supervised by Mirja Salkinoja-Salonen and mentored by Maria A. Andersson. The opponent was prof.dr. Jacques Mahillon (Universite Catholique Louvain-la-Neuve, Belgium.)
Dr Pengpeng Zhang's project "Towards Genetic Engineering of Metabolic Pathways in Cyanobacteria: Modulation of Carbon Fixation and Hydrogen Production" is funded by Academy of Finland. (Jan 1, 2008 - Dec 31, 2010)
The first joint group meeting was held at PharmaCity, Turku on Wednesday Jan 16, 2008.
