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Infection Biology

Infection biology research group focuses on mycobacterial infections, especially biofilm formation and drug persistence. The goal is to find better drugs against tuberculosis.

Open positions

We are looking for enthusiastic and talented PhD students / postdocs to join our team. Please contact us for more information.

Latest publications

Mycobacterium marinum, a slow-growing Actinobacterium, typically induces tuberculosis-like disease in fish. Here, we report a new reference sequence for M. marinum ATCC 927T, along with its DNA methylome. This aims to maximize the research potential of this type of strain and facilitates investigations into the pathomechanisms of human tuberculosis.

Savijoki, K, Deptula, P, Roberts, RJ, Hammarén, M, Yli-Kauhaluoma, J, Varmanen, P, Parikka, M. 2024. Revised whole genome and DNA methylome of Mycobacterium marinum type strain ATCC 927T. Microbiol Resour Announc 13:e01016-23. doi: 10.1128/mra.01016-23.

 

 

We explored the complexity of treating tuberculosis by focusing on biofilm-forming mycobacteria, which have high tolerance to antibiotics. Using Mycobacterium marinum as a model, we identified surface-exposed proteins in biofilms both in vitro and within granulomas from zebrafish. We also developed synthetic nanobodies that can bind to these proteins, suggesting a potential strategy for targeted treatment of persistent infections.

Hammarén, MM, Luukinen, H, Sillanpää, A, Remans, K, Lapouge, K, Custódio, T, et al. 2023. In vitro and ex vivo proteomics of Mycobacterium marinum biofilms and the development of biofilm-binding synthetic nanobodies. mSystems 8:e01073-22. doi: 10.1128/msystems.01073-22.

 

 

 

 

How can biofilm proteomics help develop better treatments against tuberculosis? Our study is the first proteomic insight into aging mycobacterial biofilm extracellular matrix. The study indicates that biofilm subtype-dependent mechanisms confer increased adaptive potential and virulence of mycobacteria.

Savijoki, K, Myllymäki, H, Luukinen, H, Paulamäki, L, Vanha-Aho, LM, Svorjova, A et al. 2021.
Surface-Shaving Proteomics of Mycobacterium marinum Identifies Biofilm Subtype-Specific Changes Affecting Virulence, Tolerance, and Persistence. mSystems. 2021;6 (3):e0050021. doi: 10.1128/mSystems.00500-21.

 

 

 

 

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