Spectroscopy of Biomolecules

The research interests of the group of Prof. Janne Ihalainen lay at the intersection of biology, chemistry and physics. The general aim is to detect molecular processes in their own time-scale in nature, which facilitates understanding of the mechanism of biological reactions.

Table of contents

Research group type
Research group
Core fields of research
Basic natural phenomena and mathematical thinking
Research areas
Nanobiology
Nanoscience Center
Health and well-being (NSC)
Second quantum revolution
Sustainable society
Faculty
Faculty of Mathematics and Science
Department
Department of Biological and Environmental Science

Research group description

To date, our research focuses on a red photosensor proteins, phytochromes, and phototrophic bacteria. 

The phytochrome proteins are important sensory proteins in plants, algae, fungi and many bacteria. In our studies, we have detected crystal and solution structures from resting and active states of red light photosensor protein (bacteriophytochromes) in a kinetic manner. For this, time-resolved X-ray solution scattering, together with X-ray crystallography, was utilised.

The photoheterotrophs, i.e. photoactive bacteria, are collected from plants and their role in their natural environment is investigated. In particular, they are tested for bacteriochlorophyll synthesis which reports the capability of microbes to perform anoxygenic photosynthetic processes in aerobic environment.

Videos about my projects and teaching

A small intro to my photosynthesis lecture

Publications

Publication
2024
Available through Open Access

Microbiology Spectrum
Shroff, Sailee
Haapakoski, Marjo
Tapio, Kosti
Laajala, Mira
Leppänen, Miika
Plavec, Zlatka
Haapala, Antti
Butcher, Sarah J.
Ihalainen, Janne A.
Toppari, J. Jussi
Marjomäki, Varpu
Publication
2024
Available through Open Access

Nature Chemistry
Cellini, Andrea
Shankar Madan, Kumar
Nimmrich, Amke
Hunt Leigh, Anna
Monrroy, Leonardo
Mutisya, Jennifer
Furrer, Antonia
Beale, Emma V.
Carrillo, Melissa
Malla Tek, Narsingh
Maj, Piotr
Vrhovac, Lidija
Dworkowski, Florian
Cirelli, Claudio
Johnson, Philip J. M.
Ozerov, Dmitry
Stojković, Emina A.
Hammarström, Leif
Bacellar, Camila
Standfuss, Jörg
Maj, Michał
Schmidt, Marius
Weinert, Tobias
Ihalainen, Janne A.
Wahlgren, Weixiao Yuan
Westenhoff, Sebastian
Publication
2024
Available through Open Access

Journal of Molecular Biology
Ihalainen, Janne A.
Dogan, Batuhan
Kurttila, Moona
Zeng, Yonghui
van Elsas, Jan Dirk
Nissinen, Riitta
Publication
2024
Available through Open Access

PLoS ONE
Franz, Ole
Häkkänen, Heikki
Kovanen, Salla
Heikkilä-Huhta, Kati
Nissinen, Riitta
Ihalainen, Janne A.
Publication
2024
Available through Open Access

One Earth
Saikkonen, Kari
Birge, Traci
Fuchs, Benjamin
Helander, Marjo
Ihalainen, Janne A.
Nissinen, Riitta
Puigbò, Pere
Publication
2023
Available through Open Access

Structure
Kurttila, Moona
Rumfeldt, Jessica
Takala, Heikki
Ihalainen, Janne A.
Publication
2022
Available through Open Access

Nature Communications
Wahlgren, Weixiao Yuan
Claesson, Elin
Tuure, Iida
Trillo-Muyo, Sergio
Bódizs, Szabolcs
Ihalainen, Janne A.
Takala, Heikki
Westenhoff, Sebastian
Publication
2022
Available through Open Access

Photochemical and Photobiological Sciences
Kurttila, Moona
Etzl, Stefan
Rumfeldt, Jessica
Takala, Heikki
Galler, Nadine
Winkler, Andreas
Ihalainen, Janne A.
Publication
2021

IEEE International Geoscience and Remote Sensing Symposium
Porcar-Castell, Albert
Malenovsky, Zbynek
Magney, Troy
Van Wittenberghe, Shari
Fernandez-Marin, Beatriz
Maignan, Fabienne
Zhang, Yongguang
Maseyk, Kadmiel
Atherton, Jon
Albert, Loren P.
Robson, Thomas Matthew
Zhao, Feng
Garcia-Plazaola, Jose-Ignacio
Ensminger, Ingo
Rajewicz, Paulina A.
Grebe, Steffen
Tikkanen, Mikko
Kellner, James R.
Ihalainen, Janne A.
Rascher, Uwe
Logan, Barry
Publication
2021
Available through Open Access

Nature Plants
Porcar-Castell, Albert
Malenovský, Zbyněk
Magney, Troy
Van Wittenberghe, Shari
Fernández-Marín, Beatriz
Maignan, Fabienne
Zhang, Yongguang
Maseyk, Kadmiel
Atherton, Jon
Albert, Loren P.
Robson, Thomas Matthew
Zhao, Feng
Garcia-Plazaola, Jose-Ignacio
Ensminger, Ingo
Rajewicz, Paulina A.
Grebe, Steffen
Tikkanen, Mikko
Kellner, James R.
Ihalainen, Janne A.
Rascher, Uwe
Logan, Barry
Publication
2021
Available through Open Access

Nature Communications
Multamäki, Elina
Nanekar, Rahul
Morozov, Dmitry
Lievonen, Topias
Golonka, David
Wahlgren, Weixiao Yuan
Stucki-Buchli, Brigitte
Rossi, Jari
Hytönen, Vesa P.
Westenhoff, Sebastian
Ihalainen, Janne A.
Möglich, Andreas
Takala, Heikki
Publication
2021
Available through Open Access

Physical Chemistry Chemical Physics
Kurttila, Moona
Stucki-Buchli, Brigitte
Rumfeldt, Jessica
Schroeder, Lea
Häkkänen, Heikki
Liukkonen, Alli
Takala, Heikki
Kottke, Tilman
Ihalainen, Janne

Research group