Lehenkari Petri
Photo: Cultured human mesenchymal stem cells labelled with Mitotracker and quantum dots, by Pietilä, Lehenkari & Uemura
Bone and Stem Cell Biology Research Group
Group leader: professor Petri Lehenkari
Background and significance
Stem cells are the body's main facilitator in the development and the growth and regeneration and maintenance of adult tissues. Stem cells are deeply involved in the inflammatory process and enable the regulation of any tissue repair after injury.
Our stem cell research group examines the mesenchymal stem cells isolated from various tissues of adult and cord blood. We investigate cell activity under normal circumstances, rheumatoid arthritis, organ repair and cancer. Stem cells are collected in Oulu University Hospital patients who have given their consent to the study. We do not do research on embryonic stem cells.
We have made a breakthrough in the observations of adult stem cell biodistribution and energy metabolism regulation. In addition, we have shown that the transfer of stem cells could be useful for severe congenital pseudoarthrosis and as adjuvant therapy after myocardial infarction.
Future goals
In the future, we will focus our basic research in the stem cell activity in rheumatic diseases and cancer. We hope to be able to progress to new series of experimental treatment using stem cell therapy in orthopedic patients, who have after surgery limited capacity to limit inflammation, such as rheumatic joint disease.
Please see our videos of human mesenchymal stem cells 100 h in culture:
Research funding
- TEKES the Finnish Funding Agency for Technology and Innovation
- Finnish Red Cross/Blood Service
- The Finnish Medical Foundation
- KEVO/VTR Oulu University Hospital
- Juselius Foundation
- Finnish Foundatiof for Cardiovascular Research
Research group members
Post-doctoral researchers:
- Johanna Huhtakangas
- Paula Kuvaja
- Hannu-Ville Leskelä
- Maarit Valkealahti
PhD-students:
- Joonas Kauppila (co-supervision)
- Kirsi Heikkilä (co-supervision)
- Tuomas Mäkelä (co-supervision)
- Olli-Matti Aho
- Sami Palomäki (co-supervision)
- Ilkka Pasanen (co-supervision)
- Roni Pernu (co-supervision)
- Jonne Tikkanen
- Tomi Nousiainen (co-supervision)
- Juha Pesälä (co-supervision)
- Kyösti Kauppinen (co-supervision)
Most important collaborators
- Professor Juha Tuukkanen, University of Oulu
- Professor Juha Risteli, Univeristy of Oulu
- Professor Yrjö Konttinen, Helsinki University
- Professor Timothy Arnett,Bone cell biology, University College London, UK
- Professor Takao Hanawa, Institute of Biomaterials and Bioengineering, Tokyo Medical and Dental University, Japan
