Head of the Research Group
Prof. Urpo Lamminmäki, PhD
My research is largely focused on recombinant antibodies and other bioaffinity molecules. I am interested in developing techniques used for tailoring such molecules as well as applications of these molecules in various fields including diagnostics, drug development, and biomarker discovery.
Latest publication: Islam, M. K., Mahmud, I., Ali, K., Salminen, T., Taimen, P., Boström, P. J., Leivo, J., Lamminmäki, U., Martiskainen, I. High‐sensitivity detection of urinary extracellular vesicles with upconverting nanoparticle‐based lateral flow immunoassay. Journal of Extracellular Biology 4, e70053 (2025).
Senior Researchers
Eeva-Christine Brockmann, PhD
Senior Researcher
Latest publication: Ahola, V., Saraste, M., Nylund, M., Matilainen, M., Luoma, A., Vuorimaa, A., Lehto, J., Laaksonen, S., Brockmann, E-C., Kuhle, J., Leppert, D., Soukka, T., Lamminmäki, U., Airas, L. Plasma CHI3L1 associates with brain volume loss and glial activation in multiple sclerosis. Journal of Neurology, Neurosurgery and Psychiatry 0, 1–8 (2025).
University Teachers
Tuomas Huovinen, PhD
University Lecturer
Latest publication: Leimu, L., Holm, P., Gąciarz, A., Haavisto, O., Prince, S., Pesonen, U., Huovinen, T., Lamminmäki, U. Epitope-specific antibody fragments block aggregation of AGelD187N, an aberrant peptide in gelsolin amyloidosis. Journal of Biological Chemistry 300, 107507 (2024).
Hanna Sanmark, PhD
University Teacher
In my research, I construct antibody phage libraries and use these libraries to develop binders with novel specificities. Together with my coworkers, I have built several universal phage libraries and at the moment new libraries with improved characteristics are under construction using molecular biology methods. Phage display is used to enrich specific binders from the libraries. The method can be used to create binders against any target antigen.
Latest publication: Salmela, M., Sanmark, H., Efimova, E., Efimov, A., Hytönen, V. P., Lamminmäki, U., Santala, S., Santala, V. Molecular tools for selective recovery and detection of lignin-derived molecules. Green Chemistry 20, 2829-2839 (2018).
Postdoctoral Researchers
Archana Vishwakarma, PhD
Postdoctoral Researcher
Hi, I ’m Archana Vishwakarma, a postdoc working on immunoassays.
My research focuses on biosensors, diagnostic assays, and advanced detection technologies, with a goal of making experiments faster, more sensitive, and more reliable.
Outside the lab, I enjoy traveling, dancing, and spending time with my dog.
Latest publication: Saranya, E., Vishwakarma, A., Mandrekar, K. K., Leela, K. V., Ramya, M. A label‑free DNAzyme‑based colorimetric sensor for the detection of Leptospira interrogans. World Journal of Microbiology and Biotechnology 40, 401 (2024).
Doctoral Researchers
Sultana Akter
Project Researcher/Doctoral Researcher
Latest publication: Wejnerowski, Ł., Dulić, T., Akter, S., Font-Nájera, A., Rybak, M, Kamiński, O., Czerepska, A., Dziuba, M. K., Jurczak, T., Meriluoto, J., Mankiewicz-Boczek, J, Kokociński, M. Community structure and toxicity potential of cyanobacteria during summer and winter in a temperate-zone lake susceptible to phytoplankton blooms. Toxins 16, 357 (2024).
Sami Oksanen
Doctoral Researcher
In my research, I focus on exploring the vast possibilities of using next (and third) generation sequencing technologies to enhance antibody screening in terms of throughput, accuracy, and efficiency. Equipped with a strong DIY attitude, I love delving deep into methods I use in my projects, even if it means learning a totally new programming language from scratch. Python, UNIX, 3D printing and microcontrollers have become essential tools in my arsenal, providing solutions to nearly any challenge encountered.
✉️ sajook@utu.fi
Latest publication: Oksanen, S., Saarinen, R., Korkiakoski, A., Lamminmäki, U., Huovinen, T. Genotyped functional screening of soluble Fab clones enables in-depth analysis of mutation effects. Scientific reports 13, 13107 (2023).
Anastasiia Kushnarova-Vakal
Doctoral Researcher
Latest publication: Kushnarova-Vakal, A., Aalto, R., Huovinen, T., Wittfooth, S., Lamminmäki, U. Controlled labelling of tracer antibodies for time-resolved fluorescence-based immunoassays. Scientific Reports 14, 18113 (2024).
Oskar Haavisto
Doctoral Researcher
Latest publication: Leimu, L., Holm, P., Gąciarz, A., Haavisto, O., Prince, S., Pesonen, U., Huovinen, T., Lamminmäki, U. Epitope-specific antibody fragments block aggregation of AGelD187N, an aberrant peptide in gelsolin amyloidosis. Journal of Biological Chemistry 300, 107507 (2024).
Ida Bäckström
Doctoral Researcher
My research focuses on developing antibodies and non-competitive immunocomplex assays for steroid hormones, with focus on testosterone. I am part of the research and commercialization team of an R2B project based on our immunocomplex technology (ICDx), which has sparked my interest in visual design and public outreach. Another, entirely different, research interest of mine is biomaterials, to which I have sadly not yet found a connection with antibody engineering (one has to choose their battles). In my free time, I enjoy reading reality-detached novels, going to my favorite Zumba-step class, and participating in a weekly pottery class.
Susanna Lammi
Doctoral Researcher
My research focuses on ultra-stable scFv antibodies and developing a mammalian cell display platform to enable the production of these ultra-stable, and biophysically favorable antibodies. I conduct part of this research in collaboration with the Cancer Laboratory, FICAN West in the Institute of Biomedicine. In my free time, I enjoy taking dance classes and listening to podcasts. I also enjoy photography but I wish I had more time for it.
Researchers
Irene Callus
Project Researcher
I have been working within the Antibody Engineering Group since 2023 and my time here has been very fruitful. First I started as a research assistant and then continued with my Masters thesis project. Currently I am working on anti-immunocomplex antibodies and finding applications for them. I am very interested in research related to human health and diagnostics, and how antibody engineering can be incorporated into it. In my free time I enjoy baking, trying (and mostly failing) different craft projects, and travelling back home to Malta for sea and sun.
MSc Thesis Researchers
