Antti Koskela

Dr. Koskela's independent research focuses on the effects of environmental chemicals — particularly perfluorinated compounds such as PFOA — on bone. The topic has been studied at the cellular level using human and mouse stem cells, osteoblast and osteoclast cultures and at the population level, in collaboration with researchers in the United States since 2018. This collaboration also examines the interplay of genetic, hormonal, and other factors shaping skeletal health. Another long-standing collaboration with Swedish researchers has generated substantial new knowledge on the genetic mechanisms of bone, including the roles of WNT16 and RSPO3 in bone mass and fracture risk, and the significance of estrogen receptor-α in osteocytes and osteoblasts. Ongoing local collaboration also investigates the effects of microplastics on bone.

Dr. Koskela serves as course director for macroscopic anatomy practicals and as a head of neuroanatomy course, and as a teacher in general practice courses. He has lead and mentored student assistants in anatomy for over a decade. His educational background includes university pedagogy, Special Competence in Medical Education, Advanced Training in Core Areas of General Practice (GP Course), basic studies in psychology at the Open University of Jyväskylä, and extensive clinical experience as a general practitioner in both primary care and several medical specialties in special care. Dr. Koskela also studies effective anatomy teaching in collaboration with education researchers and linguists.

Several medical licentiate theses and one master's thesis have been supervised either as a primary supervisor or co-supervisor, covering topics such as novel stem cell models for toxicological research (including placental and umbilical cord stem cells), the effects of indoor mould toxins on mesenchymal stem cells, and the applicability of patch clamp methodology to studying membrane changes induced by PFOA.

Memberships in scientific societies:

• Finnish Society for Medical Education (board member)

• Anatomici Fenniae

• Finnish Bone Society (chair 2020–2024)