Herpes virus aids in cancer treatment
Viruses can be highly beneficial from a human perspective and can be utilized to kill cancer cells. Postdoctoral researcher Visa Ruokolainen from the Ä¢¹½Ö±²¥ has received €30,000 funding from the Sakari Alhopuro Foundation to study intranuclear processes of herpesvirus infected cells.
"A modified herpes simplex virus 1 (HSV-1) has been approved as an oncolytic drug that seeks out and destroys cancer cells in cancer patients. However, further development of the virus into an even safer and more effective drug requires more precise knowledge of its infection mechanisms," explains postdoctoral researcher Visa Ruokolainen from the Ä¢¹½Ö±²¥.
A herpesvirus infection induces changes in the structure of the host cell nucleus. Ruokolainen investigates the biochemical and biophysical factors, such as calcium concentration and local molecular density, that affect the movement and release of viruses from the nucleus of a living host cell.
New Technology in Virus Research
The study employs novel fluorescent biosensors and fluorescence lifetime microscopy, which enable biochemical and biophysical measurements in entirely new ways from a high-resolution microscope images. The research may also provide new tools for studying other human pathogens.
"The Ä¢¹½Ö±²¥ offers a unique research environment for biosafety level 2 pathogen studies with advanced fluorescence lifetime microscopy," Ruokolainen rejoices.
The Sakari Alhopuro Foundation has awarded research funding to 21 postdoctoral researchers and grants to 11 artists, receiving a total of 558 applications. In total, €941,237 in grants was distributed.
