The SILK research network

SILK research is based on multi-disciplinary co-operation. In addition to research units in Tampere, the SILK research network includes experts from the University of Eastern Finland at Kuopio and Joensuu, the Lappeenranta University of Technology, the Aalto University and the University of Helsinki. We have co-operation with the enterprises in the field and several international research centres.

Introducing the SILK research network

  • University of Tampere, Ophthalmology unit
  • University of Tampere, BioMediTech, Ophthalmology group
  • University of Tampere, Pharmacology unit
  • Tampere University of Technology, BioMediTech, CBIG and Biomaterials
  • Pirkanmaa Hospital District

 


University of Tampere, Ophthalmology unit

The research group at the University of Tampere ophthalmology unit concentrates on translational and clinical eye and vision research. Translational research is carried out at the Department of Biomedicine. The research group also has a clinical research laboratory where Phase I-IV clinical trials can be run. The research group has in vitro and in vivo disease models for research on age-related macular degeneration and glaucoma and for diseases due to deviant retinal angiogenesis (diabetic retinopathy, wet age-related macular degeneration, retinopathy of prematurity). Models are also utilized in ocular pharmacology. The Center for Proteomics and Personalized Medicine, PPM located in the Department of Ophthalmology was established at beginning of the 2013 with a FiDiPro grant from TEKES. The primary objective of the PPM is the discovery of biomarkers of disease that can be used for diagnosis and response to treatment. Quantified biomarkers are used for in individual patients for personalized medicine as objective aids to diagnosis and to evaluate the response to treatment. The research group also has ongoing several research and development projects based on ophthalmic imaging and numerous clinical studies. The research group comprises its director, Professor Hannu Uusitalo, FiDiPro Roger Beuerman, six postdoc researchers, several doctoral candidates, medical students working on projects and two laboratory technicians.


University of Tampere, BioMediTech, Ophthalmology group

The ophthalmology research group of Associate Professor Heli Skottman operates at University of Tampere, Institute of Biosciencies and Medical Technology, Regenerative Medicine. BioMediTech/Regenerative Medicine engages in research in the field of cell and tissue technology, the focus being on stem cell research and research combining stem cells and biomaterials. BioMediTech/Regenerative Medicine also has a tissue bank which meets the requirements of the Finnish legislation and EU directives which processes and supplies tissues such as corneas for clinical use. The aim of the ophthalmology group is to develop new tissue technological forms of treatment from stem cells for the treatment of diseases of the retina and cornea and  for the treatment of damaged surface structures. In addition to the leader of the group, Heli Skottman, there are currently three researchers, three doctoral candidates and other personnel working at the ophthalmology group.


University of Tampere, Pharmacology unit

The immunopharmacology research group operates in the School of Medicine of the University of Tampere in collaboration with Tampere University Hospital. The research group has almost 20 years’ experience in the research of the pharmacology of inflammatory diseases and disease mechanisms. Research work on inflammatory diseases (including those of the eye) is concerned with ascertaining the molecular mechanisms of diseases and the pharmacology of anti-inflammatory medications. The research work has a marked orientation towards the development of medications: the aim is the identification of new aspects of drug effects and the development and testing of new candidate medications. In addition to the leader of the research group, Professor Eeva Moilanen, there are 36 people working in the group, either full-time or in addition to their normal workloads. Sixteen doctoral dissertations were produced in the group in the period 2000-2010.


Tampere University of Technology/BioMediTech, CBIG and Biomaterials

The Computational Biophysics and Imaging and Biomaterials Science and Tissue Engineering research groups operate comprehensively in the principal subfields of medical technology, particularly in medical applications of electrical and information technology and in biomedical material technology and tissue technology. Eye and vision research is conducted in the Department particularly by the research groups led by Professor Jari Hyttinen and Professor Minna Kellomäki. The aim of the latter is to further develop methods for measuring, imaging and analysing the functions of the eye and its cells. The bioelectrical functioning of eye and retinal cells and applications in the development of tissue-based treatments is a special research area. The research group led by Professor Minna Kellomäki develops biomaterial applications for eye tissue applications and medication applications. Currently one postdoc researcher and four doctoral candidates are working on ophthamological applications.

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