Eija Laakkonen

Eija Laakkonen

Associate professor
Unit
Faculty of Sport and Health Sciences
Room number
Email
eija.k.laakkonen@jyu.fi
Mobile
+358408053588
Postal address
Rautpohjankatu 8a
Fields of science
319 Other medical sciences

Research interests

My research interests are the biological aspects of female aging, physical activity and their interaction. Currently I focus on the effects of hormonal aging on muscle and body metabolism, performance, and health. In addition, I study associations of life style habits, such as physical activity and nutrition on cancer and metabolic diseases. The underlying molecular mechanisms are revealed by using a wide range of the methods of molecular genetics with special focus on non-coding RNA molecules and high-density lipoprotein particles.

Publications

Publication
2025

Scientific Reports
Lankila, Hannamari
Kekäläinen, Tiia
Hietavala, Enni-Maria
Laakkonen, Eija K.
Publication
2025

Medicine and Science in Sports and Exercise
Suominen, Tuuli H.
Rantalainen, Timo
Hyvärinen, Matti
Kujala, Urho M.
Aukee, Pauliina
Tammelin, Tuija H.
Laakkonen, Eija K.
Sipilä, Sarianna
Publication
2025

European Review of Aging and Physical Activity
Hyvärinen, Matti
Kankaanpää, Anna
Rantalainen, Timo
Rantanen, Taina
Laakkonen, Eija K.
Karavirta, Laura
Publication
2025

Journal of the American Heart Association : Cardiovascular and Cerebrovascular Disease
Herranen, Päivi
Waller, Katja
Joensuu, Laura
Palviainen, Teemu
Laakkonen, Eija K..
Kaprio, Jaakko
Sillanpää, Elina
Publication
2025

Annual Meeting of the American Association for Cancer Research
Nätkin, Reetta
Jokela, Tiina
Siltari, Aino
Korhonen, Tia-Marje K.
Laakkonen, Eija
Murtola, Teemu J.
Publication
2025

Translational Psychiatry
Eghtedarian, Reyhane
Tervi, Anniina M.
Jones, Samuel E.
FinnGen
Partinen, Markku
Viippola, Essi
Ollila, Hanna M.
Publication
2025

BJUI Compass
Jussila, Ilkka
Ahtiainen, Juha P.
Laakkonen, Eija K.
Käkelä, Pirjo
Parviainen, Maisa
Pohjolainen, Heikki
Aaltonen, Jarno
Onni, Ninamaria
Mikko, Koskimaa
Murtola, Teemu J.
Huhtala, Heini
Seikkula, Heikki
Publication
2025

Physiological Reports
Karvinen, Sira
Lähteenmäki, Emilia
Hutz, Bettina
Juppi, Hanna‐Kaarina
Karppinen, Jari E.
Kankaanpää, Anna
Lehti, Maarit
Laakkonen, Eija K.
Publication
2025

Journal of Clinical Endocrinology and Metabolism
Engman, Viktor
Critchlow, Annabel J.
Laakkonen, Eija K.
Hansen, Mette
Mason, Shaun
Lamon, Séverine
Publication
2025

European Journal of Clinical Nutrition
Fujita, Satoshi
Lankila, Hannamari
Koivunen, Kaisa
Hakamäki, Matti
Sipilä, Sarianna
Portegijs, Erja
Rantanen, Taina
Laakkonen, Eija K.

Research groups

Research group

Biogerontology and Translational Health Research – Eija Laakkonen's research group

menopause, estrogen,non-coding RNA-molecules, biomarkers, Lynch syndrome, cancer research

Projects

Female_bicep
Project

Female sex hormone and menopause effects on cortico-reticular functioning. (MENSA)

Estradiol and progesterone are known to interact with neurotransmitter receptors. But it is unknown if changes to hormone levels affects cortico-reticular functioning and if this, in turn, affects motor function.
Project

Lynch syndrome, Lifestyle habits and Biomarkers -study

The research project investigates the links between lifestyle and various biomolecules measured in the bloodstream with cancer risk.
ERMA study logo
Project

Estrogen, menopause and physical performance (ERMA) -study

The ERMA-study examines the molecular biological, physiological and psychological changes associated with menopause, as well as the importance of lifestyles from the perspective of menopause changes.
Project

Genetics, lifestyle, and health - biobank study (BioRecall)

A digital operating model for recall-based studies, utilizing the Finnish Biobank Cooperative (FINBB) OmaBiopankki platform, will be established in the project.
Project

Menopause-Associated differences in Transporter Complex HDL’s composition and function (MATCH) -study

MATCH investigates the potential menopause-associated changes in the composition and function of high-density lipoprotein particles (HDL).
ESTRACISE
Project

Transdermal estradiol and exercise in mitigating adverse effects of androgen deprivation therapy for prostate cancer radiation therapy (ESTRACISE): Randomized controlled trial

ESTRACISE is a phase IIa open-label randomized controlled trial. The goal is to evaluate the effectiveness of transdermal estradiol with or without resistance training to mitigate the adverse effects of androgen deprivation therapy.
sitting
Project

Enforced reduction in physical activity and recovery in older adults (the ENDURE study)

In order to prevent the spread of COVID-19 and protect >70 year-olds, quarantine strategies were adopted in Finland and elsewhere. This has increased the need to understand and minimize the adverse effects of reduced physical activity in older adults.
Project

LaVirE-study

LaVirE-study is a joint study between the Ģֱ and Central Finland welbeing county's hosipital Nova. It investigates treatment responses to pelvic floor surgeries and post-treatment lifestyle habits.
EsmiRs-logo
Project

Estrogen, microRNAs and the risk of metabolic dysfunction (EsmiRs) -study

The EsmiRs-study investigates the biological mechanisms behind menopause-related adverse health changes.