Konneveden tutkimusasema

Research at the Department of Biological and Environmental Sciences

The research covers all levels of biotic organisation, from molecules through population to ecosystem levels, the interactions between these levels, the interaction of these levels with the non-biological environment, and the sociological and economic linkages that affect them all.

The Department of Biological and Environmental Sciences has three areas of strength in research: biological nanoscience, evolutionary research and sustainable use of natural resources. Many research groups work in several key areas, using their specific expertise to address different questions.

Research activities are characterised by an open-minded integration of different biological disciplines and an emphasis on empirical research. Research is also united by an experimental approach to bio- and environmental science, complemented by theoretical and statistical modelling. Research is carried out both in the laboratory and in the field, and longitudinal data from field surveys are used as the basis for mathematical modelling. Basic and applied research will also naturally co-exist, such as research into the structure and function of naturally occurring antiviral molecules, the potential of phage therapy in fish farming and as a substitute for antibiotics, or the use of artificial intelligence and citizen science to study changes in the distribution of migratory bird species.

Department is within of the JYU’s core fields (“Basic natural phenomena and mathematical thinking”), and it is one of the five core research areas of the JYU Faculty of Mathematics and Science: Evolutionary research.

Varpu Marjomäki
The research have strong inter- and multidisciplinary collaboration with other departments of the Faculty of Mathematics and Science especially in the fields of nanoscience.

The Department has three areas of strength in research

Puuhun ripustettu linnunpönttö ja sinitiainen.

Evolutionary research

At the heart of Evolutionary Research at Ģֱ is curiosity-driven research into scientific phenomena associated with change in biological systems.
Varpu Marjomäki ja Saiele Shroff laboratoriossa.

Biological nanoscience

Biological nanoscience is multidisciplinary research area, which aims at understanding the functions of microbes and proteins at the nanoscale, as well as finding practical applications in biotechnology and medicine.
Konneveden tutkimusasema

Sustainable use of the natural resources

Research into natural resources and the impact of humanity on the environment, as well as solutions for the protection of biodiversity and the sustainable use of natural resources.

Research groups and projects

Research group

Coregonid fish research

Sustainable fish stocks and fishing, fisheries monitoring, knowledge-based management and regulation, vendace, whitefish, sulphate toxicity
Research group

Bacteriophages against antibiotic resistant bacteria

Bacteriophages – viruses that help when antibiotics fail
Research group

Biomolecular NMR spectroscopy group

Our Lab works at the interface of structural biology, chemical biology and microbiology, trying to glean structural level understanding of host-pathogen interactions, or synthesis and remodeling of cell wall in multi-drug resistant bacteria
Research group

Boreal Ecosystems Research Group (BERG)

Boreal Ecosystems Research Group (BERG) is a multidisciplinary research team helping to reconcile the increasing demands on boreal ecosystems.
Research group

Cell adhesion and cytoskeleton dynamics research group

Our research group is interested in the regulation of actin cytoskeleton. We combine structural biology, cell biology and developmental Biology.
Research group

ColdWebs: Food webs in cold freshwaters

Our research focuses on fish and food webs in northern freshwater ecosystems
Research group

EcoEvoAqua

Research group of EcoEvoAqua studies aquatic species and their ecosystems - Eco-evolutionary dynamics of aquatic systems.
Research group

Ecology and functioning of soil decomposer animals

Studies on soil ecology focuses on how forestry and microplastics from agriculture affect soil organisms, decomposition of organic matter and nutrient cycling
Research group

Environmental Physiology Lab

We study the molecular and physiological mechanisms underlying organismal adaptation to environmental changes, within and across generations.
Research group

Evolutionary Environmental Biology

Understanding dynamic eco-evolutionary responses of natural populations to environmental change
Research group

Genetics, epigenetics, and evolution

We study the properties of genetic mutations and epigenetic changes, particularly how these properties affect evolutionary adaptation.
Research group

Host-pathogen interactions - virus infection mechanisms and antiviral development

Marjomäki Virus Research group
Project

BOOST for biodiversity offsets

In BOOST we facilitate the mainstreaming and enabling of just transition towards adoption of biodiversity offsets in Finland and globally.
Project

Daphnia ephippia as time capsules – using dormant eggs to detect browning-induced shifts in lake biogeochemistry (Hippicap)

The aim of the Hippicap project is to use multiple proxies in sediment core studies to show how browning has changed – and is still changing - the structure and function of small lakes.
Project

Development of Research and technology services of Jyväskylä area (RDI-Docking platform)

Hankkeessa kehitetään tutkimus- ja teknologiapalveluita yrityksille yhteistyössä JAMKin ja Business Jyväskylän kanssa.
Project

Ecology and ethics in mire forest restoration: convergent goals and effective strategies (SuoMet)

The project aims to improve the effectiveness of mire forest restoration by setting convergent (ecologically appropriate and ethically adequate) and realistic goals and strategies for restoration.
Project

Forests in systemic transition - balancing efficiency with fairness and resilience (ForTran)

This project will co-create business, technological, governance and societal innovations to leveraging the forest system to a state of high sustainability and resilience.
Project

Fungiside effects on pest insects

We study how fungicides affect non-target pest insects.
Project

How does human activity shape the diversity of microbial communities in forest soils?

Metsän puolella ("In the Woods") MUUMAA-initiative
Project

Joint effects of land use and climate change on biodiversity: understanding past trends and predicting future outcomes

Joint effects of land use and climate change on biodiversity: understanding past trends and predicting future outcomes
Project

LIFE Revives: Reviving freshwater pearl mussel populations and their habitats

Reviving freshwater pearl mussel populations and their habitats
Project

MIDAS - Microalgal Digital Applications - Bio

MIDAS-konsortio
Project

Phenotypic and Genomic Effects of Size-Selective Fisheries

This project utilizes experimental zebrafish model system to study the effects of human-induced selection pressures on fish at genome, individual and population levels.
Project

Plastlife - Biology

Environmental and health impacts of biodegradable plastics will be assessed in laboratory experiments using model organisms, and biodegradability is tested in water environments.