Institute for Molecular Medicine Finland (FIMM)

Women’s health is under-researched – Pioneering study lays the groundwork for more equal and precise medicine | University of Helsinki Researchers at the University of Helsinki are using extensive genomic data that will help more effectively and precisely to identify, treat and prevent diseases occurring in women.

Women's health is globally under-researched. At FIMM, @helsinki.fi, we are building a new and more equitable foundation for personalized medicine. By donating you can support our work!
Read more from the interview with our Vice Director, Elisabeth Widén:
www.helsinki.fi/en/news/one-...

Naisten terveys on maailmanlaajuisesti alitutkittua, mikä näkyy sekä diagnostiikassa että hoidossa.

Lahjoittamalla naisten terveystutkimukseen autat meitä täällä FIMMissä rakentamaan yksilölliselle lääketieteelle uutta, yhdenvertaisempaa perustaa:
www.helsinki.fi/fi/innovaati...

Study reveals genetic balancing act between autoimmunity and cancer risk Researchers pinpoint genetic factors linked to both higher risk of a common autoimmune disorder and lower cancer risk

Large-scale FinnGen-based study by Reeve et al., just published in Nature Genetics, provides the most detailed genetic map of autoimmune hypothyroidism to date and reveals a surprising inverse relationship between hypothyroidism risk and skin cancer risk.
www.broadinstitute.org/news/study-r...

Portrait of Tero Aittokallio, professor, smiling, in a black shirt against a blue background. To the left is a quote: "FIMM provides an excellent environment for early-career computational scientists to become leaders in translational research. What makes FIMM unique is easy access to large-scale data cohorts, close collaboration between clinical, experimental and computational researchers, and long-term support from the institute leadership toward multi-disciplinary grand challenge projects with a real clinical impact.” Below the quote: Tero Aittokallio, Professor FIMM-EMBL Group Leader 2011-2020 University of Helsinki and FIMM logos appear at the top right.

We are recruiting 1-2 early-stage Group Leaders in Data Science and AI for Molecular & Health Data!
This is an excellent chance for an ambitious data scientist to build your own team as a FIMM-EMBL Group Leader @helsinki.fi.

Apply here by 15 March:
jobs.helsinki.fi/job/Helsinki...

Spotlight on Eva D'haene, NORPOD Fellow | Nordic Embl Partners

Welcome to Eva D'haene, the newest @nordicembl.bsky.social NORPOD Fellow!
Eva works with @hkilpinen.bsky.social at FIMM & @thomasdwkim.bsky.social at DANDRITE, and together they are investigating chromatin regulators in neurodevelopment and disease.
🔗 www.nordicemblpartnership.org/items/spotli...

Portrait of Simone Rubinacci, PhD, smiling and seated, wearing a black top. Blue background. To the right is a quote: "What makes FIMM special is how seamlessly everything is integrated. Biologists, clinicians, and data scientists work closely together, not just in theory but in practice. On top of that, access to large-scale national data enables us to ask questions that simply couldn’t be explored elsewhere." Below the quote: Simone Rubinacci, PhD FIMM-EMBL Group Leader since 2024 Logos of the University of Helsinki and FIMM are at the top right.

We are recruiting 1-2 early-stage Group Leaders in Data Science and AI for Molecular & Health Data!
If you dream of analysing population-scale datasets with cutting-edge tech, Finland is calling!
Apply here by 15 March:
jobs.helsinki.fi/job/Helsinki...
@helsinki.fi @hilife-helsinki.bsky.social

#mdc #berlin #barcelona #milan #ieo #internationality #weareeulife | EU-LIFE “Science is a journey — more like a backpacking trip than an all-inclusive vacation at a resort. It takes you to unexpected places, and real discoveries come not from the comfort of a tour bus but fro...

We are highlighting voices from EU-LIFE member institutes that embody the alliance's priorities.

Today, we showcase #Internationality with Martin Schaefer, Group Leader at the European Institute of Oncology (IEO) in Milan ⬇️

#WeAreEULIFE

A teal-colored graphic titled ‘FIMM Young Investigator of the Month.’ On the left is a photo of Adithi Sundaresh, the December 2025 awardee, smiling and wearing a red top. On the right is a photo of Mikaela Hukkanen, the January 2026 awardee, smiling and wearing a black shirt with sunglasses on her head. Logos for FIMM and the University of Helsinki appear in the top right.

We’re happy to introduce FIMM’s latest Young Investigators of the Month!
• Adithi Sundaresh (cellular and molecular mechanisms of neurodevelopmental disorders)
• Mikaela Hukkanen (mechanisms of biological aging)
Congrats to both on recent first-author publications!
www.helsinki.fi/en/hilife-he...

An in vivo and in vitro spatiotemporal profile of human midbrain development - Nature Communications This study provides a comprehensive profile of human fetal midbrain development and its comparison with lab-grown midbrain cultures. These findings demonstrate that midbrain organoids recapitulate fet...

Read the original @natcomms.nature.com publication:
www.nature.com/articles/s41...

New study maps human midbrain development and validates stem cell models for disease research | HiLIFE – Helsinki Institute of Life Science | University of Helsinki The study provides the most detailed spatiotemporal profile to date of early human midbrain development, offering a powerful new reference for neuroscience and regenerative medicine.

A study from @hkilpinen.bsky.social's lab provides the most detailed spatiotemporal profile to date of early human midbrain development, and validates stem cell models for disease research, offering a powerful new reference for neuroscience and regenerative medicine.
www.helsinki.fi/en/hilife-he...

A screenshot of the web page of the NeuroCOV project where the interview has been published, with a photo of Tatiana Cajuso.

To celebrate the International Day of Women & Girls in Science, NeuroCOV project interviewed our very own Tatiana Cajuso about what truly supports women in academia and how inclusive research environments can shape the way science serves society:
neurocov.eu/news-events/...
#IDWGS #WomenInSTEM

Cancer cells surprised scientists — the body’s own defense may be the key to longer survival | HiLIFE – Helsinki Institute of Life Science | University of Helsinki A new study sheds light on why some patients with the most aggressive form of ovarian cancer respond better to treatment than others. Tumors positive for a molecule called MHC class II are linked to s...

New results from @afarkkila.bsky.social lab shed light on why some patients with the most aggressive form of ovarian cancer respond better to treatment than others.
The Cancer Discovery paper positions MHC class II as a key molecular signal linked to longer survival:
www.helsinki.fi/en/hilife-he...

A teal-colored graphic announcing a doctoral dissertation. On the left, large white text reads “WEIKAIXIN KONG” and “Machine Learning-Based Multi-Modal Prognostic Modeling in Leukemia.” Below it are icons showing the date “13 February 2026 at 13.00” and the location “Haartman Institute, Lecture Hall 2.” A dark banner states “Opponent: Riccardo De Bin, University of Oslo, NO.” University of Helsinki and FIMM logos appear at the bottom. On the right side, there is a circular photo of a person wearing glasses and a dark sweater, standing indoors in front of metallic pillars and bright windows.

Upcoming FIMM dissertation! 📢
Weikaixin Kong (group Aittokallio) will defend his thesis "Machine Learning-Based Multi-Modal Prognostic Modeling in Leukemia" in the Faculty of Biological and Environmental Sciences, @helsinki.fi on 13 Feb at 13:00. Welcome!
tapahtumat.helsinki.fi/en-FI/page/6...

Graphic with a blue 3D chromosome on the left and text on the right: “Group Leaders in Data Science and AI for Molecular and Health Data.” Logos of University of Helsinki, FIMM, and HiLIFE. “Apply by 15 March.”

We're recruiting 1-2 Group Leaders in Data Science and AI for Molecular & Health Data!
Candidates with strong background in ML/AI/data science and interest in applying analytical methods to large-scale molecular and health data are particularly encouraged to apply:
🔗 jobs.helsinki.fi/job/Helsinki...

The journey starts here: Welcoming our 2025 International PhD Programme Students to FIMM | HiLIFE – Helsinki Institute of Life Science | University of Helsinki Now in its 16th year, the FIMM-EMBL International PhD Programme has become a cornerstone of FIMM's mission to train the next generation of scientists. We are delighted to have five talented new doctor...

Could this be you?
📢 Final call - you have two days left to apply for the 2026 FIMM–EMBL International PhD Programme here:
jobs.helsinki.fi/job/Helsinki...
Last autumn, we were delighted to have these five talented early-career researchers join the programme:
www.helsinki.fi/en/hilife-he...

Onnellisten tähtien syöpäpotilaat | Akuutti Jenna Sirkiä kaatui sähköpotkulaudalla ja loukkasi vatsansa. Tästä alkoi tapahtumasarja, jonka päätteeksi häneltä löytyi munasarjasyöpä. Siihen sairastuu joka vuosi noin 500 suomalaista. Eniten diagno...

Tänään, maailman syöpäpäivänä, kannattaa käyttää puoli tuntia tämän YLE:n Akuutti-ohjelman katsomiseen. Jaksossa seurataan syöpään sairastuneiden naisten elämää ja Anniina Färkkilän munasarjasyövän immunogenomiikkaan erikoistuneen tutkimusryhmän työtä.
#WorldCancerDay
areena.yle.fi/1-72491135

University of Helsinki - 45 Years of the Finnish Twin Cohort Study In the 1970s the Finnish Twin Cohort studies began, with the aim to assess all like-twin pairs born in Finland before 1958. Along with the later addition of opposite-sex…

Hyvää kaksosten teemapäivää 2.2.2026 ja lämmin kiitos kaikille tutkimuksiimme osallistuneille kaksosille ja kaksosten perheille!
Suomalaisen kaksostutkimuksen pioneerin Jaakko Kaprion myötä myös meillä FIMMissä tehdään paljon kaksosaineistoihin perustuvaa tutkimusta:
vimeo.com/642262543

Can AI-Supported Digital Microscopy Bridge the Diagnostic Gap in Primary Health Care? A scoping review published in JMIR examined AI-supported digital microscopy at the primary healthcare level. The study finds that AI systems often achieve diagnostic performance comparable to expert m...

“Can AI Supported Digital Microscopy Bridge the Diagnostic Gap in Primary Health Care?”
A recent scoping review by Doctoral Researcher Joar von Bahr et al. finds that AI systems show promise in expanding access to diagnostics.
Read more from his blog:
communities.springernature.com/posts/can-ai...

FIMM – Understanding Disease to Enable the Future of Precision Health At the Institute for Molecular Medicine Finland (FIMM), HiLIFE, University of Helsinki, we are driven by a fundamental question: Why do some people get sick while…

📢 10 days left to apply for the 2026 FIMM–EMBL International PhD Programme @helsinki.fi offering an opportunity to rotate before selecting a PhD group!
jobs.helsinki.fi/job/Helsinki...
Curious whether FIMM could be the right place for you? Get a feel for our work and community:
vimeo.com/1077484380

New @natgenet.nature.com study coauthored by @hannaollila.bsky.social & Vilma Lammi identified genetic markers associated with infection with the Omicron variant of the coronavirus. Interestingly, the results differ from previous COVID-19 GWAS findings.
@ssi-dk.bsky.social
en.ssi.dk/news/news/20...

YouTube video by Mac4Me Sidney van der Zande

Mac4Me is a European doctoral network aiming to provide new treatment options for metastatic neuroblastoma, prostate and breast tumours.
Meet Sidney van der Zande, one of the 18 @mac4me.bsky.social doctoral candidates, supervised by Teijo Pellinen at FIMM:
📽️ www.youtube.com/watch?v=ficq...

Applications are officially open for the 2026 Leena Peltonen School of Human Genetics!

📅 When? July 26-30, 2026
📍 Where? Wellcome Genome Campus, Hinxton, UK
📝 Apply by: March 6, 2026
🌐 For more information: lpshg.com

@eshg.bsky.social @fimm-uh.bsky.social @sangerinstitute.bsky.social

The team is currently looking for an AI/ML expert with experience in biological microscopy image analysis and a strong interest in applying ML to cancer related challenges. Is this resonates with you, apply here by Feb 2, 2026:
jobs.helsinki.fi/job/Helsinki...

Abstract watercolor-style background in shades of blue, teal, and beige with soft circular shapes. On the right, a semi-transparent white rectangle contains the text “KUDOS” in gray with “Cellular Twins” below it and an orange molecular/network-style icon. Graphic: Minttu Polso

The project “KUDOS – Cellular Twins” aiming to improve pediatric cancer care has been awarded Business Finland Research to Business (R2B) funding for a 2-year period. Warm congratulations to the project team Vilja Pietiäinen, Minttu Polso & Lassi Paavolainen ! 🎉👏 @hilife-helsinki.bsky.social

Maija Puhka & Karina Barreiro from the FIMM HiPREP core unit are inviting everybody interested in extracellular vesicles and their RNAs to join this four-hour virtual education day on transcriptomics in EV research.
More information: www.isev.org/gusev-educat...

Private funding boosts transformative research in Alzheimer’s and other neurodegenerative diseases | University of Helsinki A private foundation has made a significant donation to the University of Helsinki to accelerate research on neurodegenerative diseases at the Institute for Molecular Medicine Finland (FIMM). The dona...

We have received our first private donation. Thank you! 🌹

"Neurodegenerative diseases affect so many individuals and families. There is now a new opportunity to help many, potentially in a relatively short time frame," said the donor who wishes to remain anonymous.

www.helsinki.fi/en/news/brai...

Yksityinen lahjoitus vauhdittaa Alzheimerin taudin ja muiden rappeuttavien aivosairauksien käänteentekevää tutkimusta | Helsingin yliopisto Yksityinen säätiö on lahjoittanut Helsingin yliopistolle merkittävän summan etenevien aivosairauksien tutkimiseksi Suomen molekyylilääketieteen instituutissa FIMMissä. Lahjoitus saatiin Suomen ja Helsingin yliopiston tarjoamien poikkeuksellisten tutkimusmahdollisuuksien ansiosta.

Olemme saaneet merkittävän lahjoituksen etenevien aivosairauksien tutkimiseksi. Lämmin kiitos! ❤️ Aivosairaudet vaikuttavat lukemattomiin ihmisiin ja perheisiin. Lahjoittaja halusikin tukea tutkimusta, jolla olisi mahdollisimman laaja yhteiskunnallinen vaikutus. @fimm-uh.bsky.social

#technology #weareeulife | EU-LIFE "When I joined CEITEC Masaryk University in 2012, I had no idea how fascinating the world of research infrastructures would become for me. Over the years, I’ve learned that managing core facilities is...

We are highlighting voices from EU-LIFE member institutes that embody the alliance's priorities.

Today, we showcase #Technology with Kateřina Hošková, Secretary for Research Infrastructure @ceitec.eu @masarykuniversity.bsky.social ⬇️

#WeAreEULIFE

FIMM-EMBL International PhD Programme | HiLIFE – Helsinki Institute of Life Science | University of Helsinki As part of the Nordic EMBL Partnership for Molecular Medicine, outstanding doctoral researchers are recruited to the institute-level rotation programme through the annual call. The recruited doctoral ...

📢As part of the Nordic EMBL Partnership for Molecular Medicine, @fimm-uh.bsky.social is now recruiting doctoral researchers in the FIMM-EMBL International PhD Programme.

tinyurl.com/553jzfuy
Deadline for application February 6, 2026 👇

🚨 Upcoming deadline: submit your abstract for a poster session at #iDR26!

Showcase your work, stories, and experiences to an international audience of professionals and thought leaders in the drug repurposing field.

🔗 Submit your abstract by 16 January: https://loom.ly/FJ0Clno