Pirjo Åström
PhD, Adjunct Professor in Cell and Immunobiology
Research Unit of Biomedicine and Internal Medicine
Faculty of Medicine

I am a researcher and teacher at the Faculty of Medicine, University of Oulu.
I have versatile experience from varying fields of biomedical research including immunology, molecular oncology and proteases. My current research focuses on examining the cellular and molecular mechanisms of dysregulated inflammation and defects of immune system.
More specifically, my research interests include:
- identifying novel susceptibility genes / mutations causing varying defects in immune system and leading to rare but serious conditions, for example autoinflammatory symptoms, unusual presentations of encephalitis and defects in bones.
- resolving the role of altered mitochondrial function behind certain genetic variants leading to aberrant immunity.
Novel, rare mutations are found in genetically unique Northern Finnish population. By identifying novel susceptibility genes underlying the conditions of patients, we are hoping to reveal previously unidentified molecular mechanisms for diseases of immune system.
Research interests
- immunology • autoinflammation • encephalitis • genetic variants • immune cells • rare diseases
Researcher information
Contact information
Visiting address
P.O. BOX 5000 (Aapistie 5A)
90014 University of Oulu
Finland