Tuuli Lappalainen

Genomics is the study of our genetic material - the genome - to increase understanding of what lies behind human diversity. Better understanding of the molecular processes that cause disease improves opportunities to develop new drugs and treatments. Perhaps there are simple ways to prevent disease? 

Tuuli Lappalainen’s research group focuses on how different genetic variants affect the molecular and cellular processes that contribute to disease risk and other human traits. Rather than studying specific diseases, Lappalainen’s research focuses on general patterns of how genetic variants affect molecular and cellular functions.

Their research uses a combination of experimental methods and computational analysis of large human genomics data sets. This is based on readings of different people’s genomes and cellular functions, and combining it with compiled health data. Many projects are based on international research collaborations in the field.

These insights are derived from application of groundbreaking methods, including CRISPR technology and large-scale sequencing. This provides insights of how changes in the genome affect cellular functions.