Laura Kakkola profile picture
Laura
Kakkola
Docent, Institute of Biomedicine
Laboratory Manager, Institute of Biomedicine
Adjunct Professor, Bioturvapäällikkö/Biosafety Officer

Contact

+358 29 450 4555
+358 46 921 4211
Kiinamyllynkatu 10
20520
Turku

Areas of expertise

virology
immunology
infection
zoonoses
biosafety

Biography

I am a researcher with the cell biologist's background interested in intra-cellular events on infection, immunological responses (innate and adaptive), effect of host genetics in infectious diseases, and viruses' counteractions on these - including emerging pathogens, virus surveillance and diagnostics. I act as a Biosafety Officer at the Institute of Biomedicine and my responsibilities are to coordinate, supervise and educate laboratory work with infectious pathogens (viruses and bacteria). I am a Laboratory Manager in the Research Center Infections and Immunity, I teach on university courses, supervise MSc and PhD students, and conduct independent research.

Teaching

I have taken the course on Medical pedagogics. I am co-supervising MSc and PhD students, and am a member of thesis committees for PhD students. I have given lectures and taught on laboratory courses at the university level.

Research

My research interests are on virus-host interactions, how viruses interfere with immune responses, and could these events be utilized in vaccine, antiviral drug or diagnostic test development. At the moment I am working with coronaviruses, influenza viruses, filoviruses and flaviviruses.

Publications

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Image-based and machine learning-guided multiplexed serology test for SARS-CoV-2 (2023)

Cell reports : methods
Pietiäinen Vilja, Polso Minttu, Migh Ede, Guckelsberger Christian, Harmati Maria, Diosdi Akos, Turunen Laura, Hassinen Antti, Potdar Swapnil, Koponen Annika, Sebestyen Edina Gyukity, Kovacs Ferenc, Kriston Andras, Hollandi Reka, Burian Katalin, Terhes Gabriella, Visnyovszki Adam, Fodor Eszter, Lacza Zsombor, Kantele Anu, Kolehmainen Pekka, Kakkola Laura, Strandin Tomas, Levanov Lev, Kallioniemi Olli, Kemeny Lajos, Julkunen Ilkka, Vapalahti Olli, Buzas Krisztina, Paavolainen Lassi, Horvath Peter, Hepojoki Jussi
(A1 Vertaisarvioitu alkuperäisartikkeli tieteellisessä lehdessä )

Persistent T cell-mediated immune responses against Omicron variants after the third COVID-19 mRNA vaccine dose (2023)

Frontiers in Immunology
Belik Milja, Liedes Oona, Vara Saimi, Haveri Anu, Pöysti Sakari, Kolehmainen Pekka, Maljanen Sari, Huttunen Moona, Reinholm Arttu, Lundberg Rickard, Skön Marika, Österlund Pamela, Melin Merit, Hänninen Arno, Hurme Antti, Ivaska Lauri, Tähtinen Paula A., Lempainen Johanna, Kakkola Laura, Jalkanen Pinja, Julkunen Ilkka
(A1 Vertaisarvioitu alkuperäisartikkeli tieteellisessä lehdessä )

Comparative analysis of COVID-19 vaccine responses and third booster dose-induced neutralizing antibodies against Delta and Omicron variants (2022)

Nature Communications
Belik M, Jalkanen P, Lundberg R, Reinholm A, Laine L, Väisänen E, Skön M, Tähtinen PA, Ivaska L, Pakkanen SH, Häkkinen HK, Ortamo E, Pasternack A, Ritvos MA, Naves RA, Miettinen S, Sironen T, Vapalahti O, Ritvos O, Österlund P, Kantele A, Lempainen J, Kakkola L, Kolehmainen P, Julkunen I
(Vertaisarvioitu alkuperäisartikkeli tai data-artikkeli tieteellisessä aikakauslehdessä (A1))