Recently appointed Professor Lotta-Riina Sundberg develops virus-based treatments for bacterial infections
Professor Sundberg’s attention is focused on pathogenic bacteria. She investigates their functioning and distribution and especially how bacterial diseases can be treated by bacteriophages, which are viruses that kill bacteria. There is a specific phage for each bacterial type. Bacteria defend themselves against invading phages, for example, by producing proteins that break up viral components. The phages then again seek to deceive the bacteria in order to reproduce themselves in host bacteria.
“The bacteria vaccinate themselves against the phage in a way,” explains the lately appointed Professor Lotta-Riina Sundberg from the Department of Biological and Environmental Science. “We have seen that this leads to a dynamic arms race between the phage and the bacteria as both are driven to evolve: the bacteria in order to avoid infection and the phages in order to become more infective. I want to understand this complexity on a molecular level, that is, how phages affect the functional capacity of bacteria and the other way round.”
Phages help in treating diseases
In recent years, Sundberg has paid more attention to the bacterial diseases of humans. She is looking for new ways to treat bacterial infections by means of phage therapy. This type of therapy uses phages in treating a disease, and it offers an alternative mode of treatment alongside antibiotics or other drugs. New forms of treatment are urgently needed as many bacteria have become increasingly and alarmingly resistant to antibiotics. Lately, Sundberg has been especially interested in human mucous membranes that serve as the first line of defence in the immune system. Mucosal surfaces maintain a specific microbiome, where many phages are waiting for the appearance of suitable host bacteria.
“I want to understand what kind of effects phages have on mucosa and how the phages adhere themselves therein, detect pathogenic bacteria and destroy them,” Sundberg explains. “When we understand these mechanisms, we may also be able to plant the phages elsewhere and thus prevent the outbreak of diseases.”
An unknown virus isolated from Lake Jyväsjärvi
Sundberg is also interested in studying the diversity of phages in aquatic environments in particular. Her research team is engaged in seasonal sampling to find out what kind of phages can be found in the environment at each time of the year. For better insight into viruses and their evolution, we need data on their distribution as well as research into their protein-level structures and genetic features. Her research team has also managed to isolate from Lake Jyväsjärvi a novel virus previously unknown to science. The virus had structural components that deviate structurally from any previously known viruses.
“Recently we have also managed to isolate phages that have an immune system of their own,” Sundberg says. “This means that the phages have stolen the immune system from a bacterium. These findings help us get a better grasp on viral evolution, in other words, how different virus types have evolved.”
Enthusiastic about bacteria from the start of her studies
Sundberg has loved to move about in nature since childhood. At lower secondary school, she had several career dreams, but her geography teacher at Savonlinna Senior Secondary School of Arts got her interested in biology for good, and so she applied to study at the University of ⱹää. Her career as a researcher started with studies of Aquatic Sciences at the Department of Biological and Environmental Science in 1997. Her first university courses dealt with bacteria, and at that point Sundberg became deeply enthusiastic about them.
“Actually it was a mind-blowing experience when on a first-year course we spread over a growth medium some stuff that was invisible to the naked eye,” says Sundberg, still marvelling at the phenomenon. “When I returned to the lab the next day, I could see without any microscope the multitude of bacteria that had appeared on the dish. At the same time, I became interested in what happens when bacteria enter the body and a disease breaks out.”
In her master’s thesis and doctoral dissertation, Sundberg focused on diseases found in aquaculture as well as in aquatic environments and their bacteria.
“We actually found by accident a phage that infected a bacterium I was studying. At the same time, our cooperation with Professor Jaana Bamford began,” Sundberg clarifies. “We started to isolate new phages and to study the impact of phages on the pathogenic capacity of a fish pathogen.”
Sundberg’s doctoral dissertation in 2005 dealt with Flavobacteria. At present, she is leading a JYU research team focused on host–pathogen interactions. Since February 2019, she worked as an associate professor at the Department of Biological and Environmental Science. Her role in the faculty has been an important one. With the help of domestic and EU funding, Sundberg has led several research projects. From 2012 to 2017, Sundberg worked in the Centre of Excellence for Biological Interactions. From 2021 onwards, she has worked as the Scientific Director of the Nanoscience Center of the University of ⱹää.
Originally from Savonlinna, Sundberg has lived in ⱹää during her studies and research career, but she has also gained international experience from her research visits to the United States (University of Wisconsin), United Kingdom (University of Nottingham), and Denmark (University of Copenhagen). Moreover, she is actively involved in international cooperation and is an internationally known researcher. There is also a patent pending related to phage production methods.
Discovery of new things is inspiring
In Sundberg’s opinion, the best part of her work is the discovery of new things and broadening one’s own knowledge. The discoveries are not always the kind you could expect, but even unexpected discoveries are instructive and yield new innovations. In addition, Sundberg loves how various bits and pieces of knowledge are eventually combined to make up new entities.
“I love to gather new pieces of information that have come up in research and integrate them like a jigsaw puzzle,” Sundberg says with a laugh. “The pieces do not always match well together, and there are always some anomalies that do not fit the particular picture at hand. Somebody might find this rather stressful, but for myself it is a chance to learn new things.”
The people also make this work rewarding. Teaching and research provide opportunities for working with students.
“It really gives a wider perspective when we provide chances for young people and influence their lives,” Sundberg says. “Students are full of optimism, which rubs off on me as well.”
Life is not just work
Sundberg keeps work and free time in balance. She likes to spend her free time in nature, especially at her cottage in the summertime. She keeps busy with various physical activities, does handicrafts, and spends time with her family.
“I like to stay busy and do things, but I’m also very good at lying on the sofa and just doing nothing,” Sundberg says, laughing.
Further information:
- Professor Lotta-Riina Sundberg, lotta-riina.sundberg@jyu.fi, +358 40 805 3931
- Research team’s website: /science/en/bioenv/research/biosciences/host-pathogen-interactions
