Lightnews — Scholar-powered news

Institute for Molecular Medicine Finland (FIMM) @fimm-uh.bsky.social · 13h

A preprint on ageing-related epigenetic changes, co-authored by Miina Ollikainen & Aino Heikkinen, was recently featured by Nature. In this preprint, the team presents a new global atlas of epigenetic changes, mapping how our DNA ages across 17 different human tissues.
www.nature.com/articles/d41...

How ageing changes our genes — huge epigenetic atlas gives clearest picture yet

A map of DNA methylation changes in human organs could help researchers to discover more targets for anti-ageing therapies.

www.nature.com

Institute for Molecular Medicine Finland (FIMM) @fimm-uh.bsky.social · 20h

Uudet tutkimustulokset Eero Vuoksimaan ryhmästä korostavat koulutuksen merkitystä muistisairauksien ehkäisyssä ja antavat uutta tietoa siitä, miksi osalla ihmisistä aivojen toimintakyky säilyy hyvänä korkeasta iästä huolimatta.
www.helsinki.fi/fi/uutiset/a...
@hilife-helsinki.bsky.social

Koulutus suojaa muistia vielä yli 90-vuotiaana | Helsingin yliopisto

Korkeamman koulutustason ja aivoterveyden välinen yhteys on havaittavissa vielä yli 90 vuoden iässä. Keski-iän sydän- ja verisuonitautien riskitekijöillä ei sen sijaan havaittu yhteyttä näin iäkkäiden...

www.helsinki.fi

Institute for Molecular Medicine Finland (FIMM) @fimm-uh.bsky.social · 2d

FIMM congratulates Mika Kontro, Markus Vähä-Koskela & Heikki Kuusanmäki on a new Jane & Aatos Erkko Foundation funding for their 3-year project "Novel treatment strategies in resistant acute myeloid leukemia"!
#foundationsupport #fundingnews @hilife-helsinki.bsky.social
jaes.fi/en/topics/me...

Announcement graphic with flowers. FIMM congratulates Mika Kontro, Markus Vähä-Koskela, and Heikki Kuusanmäki on new funding for a leukemia research project.

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Reposted by Institute for Molecular Medicine Finland (FIMM)

HiLIFE Trainees @hilifetrainees.bsky.social · 5d

It's time to open the HiLIFE Research Trainee Scholarship call for 2026!🎉

@helsinki.fi BSc, MSc and Lic students, be sure to submit your application by Oct 29, 2025.

Read more: studies.helsinki.fi/instructions....

Info session is held already on Mon 6.10. at Viikki Campus. Come and meet us!🤗

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Institute for Molecular Medicine Finland (FIMM) @fimm-uh.bsky.social · 6d

The results of this @plosone.org study highlight the importance of education in preventing memory disorders and provide new information on why some people maintain good cognitive function despite their advanced age:
🔗 journals.plos.org/plosone/arti...

Midlife and old-age cardiovascular risk factors, educational attainment, and cognition at 90-years – population-based study with 48-years of follow-up

We examined the associations of midlife and old-age cardiovascular risk factors, education, and midlife dementia risk scores with cognition at 90 + years, using data from a population-based study with...

journals.plos.org

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Institute for Molecular Medicine Finland (FIMM) @fimm-uh.bsky.social · 6d

An association between higher education and better brain health can still be seen in people over 90, according to Eero Vuoksimaa's new study. In contrast, midlife cardiovascular risk factors were not found to be linked to memory function at this advanced age.
www.helsinki.fi/en/news/brai...

Education protects memory even in people over 90 | University of Helsinki

An association between higher education and better brain health can still be seen in people over 90, according to a new study. In contrast, midlife risk factors for cardiovascular disease were not fou...

www.helsinki.fi

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Reposted by Institute for Molecular Medicine Finland (FIMM)

Andrea Ganna @andganna.bsky.social · 8d

🧬💥 Do the genetics that make you develop a disease also help you survive it? Not much.

Our new study in Nature Genetics including 9 disease and 7 biobanks shows:

• Susceptibility variants ≠ survival
• PRSs for onset weak at predicting progression
• Lifespan PRS predicts survival better

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Institute for Molecular Medicine Finland (FIMM) @fimm-uh.bsky.social · 13d

This week, FIMM had the pleasure of hosting colleagues with different administrative roles from across the @nordicembl.bsky.social. We gathered at the beautiful Tvärminne zoological station for 1.5 days of planning and group work, with a special focus on NORPOD activities.
Many thanks for coming!

Group photo of twelve people standing outdoors on a sunny day, with trees, water, and a large old anchor in the background.

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Institute for Molecular Medicine Finland (FIMM) @fimm-uh.bsky.social · 13d

Upcoming FIMM dissertation!
MSc Hannes Bode will defend his doctoral thesis "Epigenetics of Environmental Risk Factors for Breast Cancer in Cancer-Discordant Twin Pairs" @helsinki.fi on 1 Oct. Ass. Prof. Mette Sørensen will serve as the opponent. Welcome!
tapahtumat.helsinki.fi/en-FI/page/6...

On the left, a teal-blue background features white text: “DOCTORAL DISSERTATION. HANNES BODE. Epigenetics of environmental risk factors for breast cancer in cancer-discordant twin pairs.” Below, icons show the date and location: “01 October 2025 at 14.00, Haartman Institute, Lecture Hall 1.” A black oval highlights the opponent: “Mette Sørensen Thinggaard, University of Southern Denmark, DK.” Logos of the University of Helsinki and FIMM are at the bottom. On the right, a circular framed photo shows Hannes Bode smiling.

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Institute for Molecular Medicine Finland (FIMM) @fimm-uh.bsky.social · 26d

In the latest episode of #TheGeneticsPodcast, FIMM Director @sripatti.bsky.social dives into how cardiovascular genetics & polygenic risk scores are moving into the clinic, and what @finngen.bsky.social study is teaching us about drug discovery and patient risk.
Listen now:🎙️https://pod.fo/e/328c49

Podcast cover image for The Genetics Podcast Episode 204. The background is orange with faint letters A, C, T, G. On the right is a portrait of Samuli Ripatti wearing glasses and a suit. The title text reads: 'Bringing cardiovascular genetics and biobank discoveries into the clinic.' Below: 'With Samuli Ripatti of the University of Helsinki.' A label in the bottom right corner shows 'Ep 204'.

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Institute for Molecular Medicine Finland (FIMM) @fimm-uh.bsky.social · 27d

The FIMM-EMBL International PhD Programme has become a cornerstone of our mission to train the next generation of scientists. Meet the talented new researchers who joined the programme this autumn and hear what inspires them as they embark on their doctoral journey:
www.helsinki.fi/en/hilife-he...

The journey starts here: Welcoming our 2025 International PhD Programme Students to FIMM | HiLIFE – Helsinki Institute of Life Science | University of Helsinki

Now in its 16th year, the FIMM-EMBL International PhD Programme has become a cornerstone of FIMM's mission to train the next generation of scientists. We are delighted to have five talented new doctor...

www.helsinki.fi

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Reposted by Institute for Molecular Medicine Finland (FIMM)

Helsinki Institute of Life Science (HiLIFE) @hilife-helsinki.bsky.social · 27d

The 2nd #HiLIFE #Sciencedays have officially begun!

Thank you, org. committee coordinators Tania Vane-Tempest & Tristen Hewitt for running us through the amazing program!

We also heard LS area greetings from HiLIFE Director Jari Koistinaho. Good to continue the day from here!

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Reposted by Institute for Molecular Medicine Finland (FIMM)

Sigrid Jusélius Foundation @sigridjuselius.bsky.social · 28d

Still a few days left to send in your application for the Sigrid Jusélius Professorship grant! The application period is open until the end of September 15!

Sigrid Jusélius Foundation @sigridjuselius.bsky.social · Aug 15

We have opened our call for applications for Sigrid Jusélius Professors in the fields of basic, clinical, or translational medicine! Deadline for submissions: September 15, 2025.

Read more on our webpage: sigridjuselius.fi/en/apurahat/...

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Institute for Molecular Medicine Finland (FIMM) @fimm-uh.bsky.social · 28d

Multiplex imaging offers a means to extract detailed information from human tissue samples by visualising a greater number of biomarkers than is possible with traditional microscopy. @healthcare-europe.bsky.social summarised Dr. Teijo Pellinen's thoughts:
🔗 healthcare-in-europe.com/en/news/sing...

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Reposted by Institute for Molecular Medicine Finland (FIMM)

European Society of Human Genetics @eshg.bsky.social · Sep 8

Nominations are open for the Leena Peltonen Prize 2026 (€10,000).

candidates: outstanding young researchers, Early career stage, no age or graduation limit
Awardee will give the Leena Peltonen Lecture at #eshg2026 in Gothenburg.

📅 Deadline: 31 Oct 2025
🔗 forms.eshg.org/leena-pelton...

Leena Peltonen Prize 2026 – Submission of Nomination

forms.eshg.org

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Institute for Molecular Medicine Finland (FIMM) @fimm-uh.bsky.social · Sep 3

Are you looking for an exciting PhD project at the intersection of machine learning and health sciences?
The Machine Learning for Health team at FIMM led by Dr. @tuomohartonen.bsky.social is looking for a Doctoral Researcher to join their interdisciplinary team.
🔗 jobs.helsinki.fi/job/Helsinki...

A job ad for a doctoral researcher in generative AI for population health, with a text "apply by Sep 30", large blue chromosome and the logos of the University of Helsinki and FIMM.

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Institute for Molecular Medicine Finland (FIMM) @fimm-uh.bsky.social · Aug 29

The FIMM Young Investigator for July 2025 is
@stephaniezellers.bsky.social, a postdoc in Jaakko Kaprio's group studying influences of environmental exposures on behavior & health. Warm congratulations to her for her recent publications in Social Science & Medicine and Royal Society of Open Science!

Portrait of Stephanie Zellers with text: FIMM Young Investigator of the Month. Logos of FIMM and University of Helsinki.

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Reposted by Institute for Molecular Medicine Finland (FIMM)

Tuomo Hartonen @tuomohartonen.bsky.social · Aug 28

I am hiring! 🎓

We offer a fully funded PhD student position to work on exciting machine learning projects utilizing rich, multimodal real-life health data, based at @fimm-uh.bsky.social in Helsinki, Finland, the happiest country in the world 🇫🇮

jobs.helsinki.fi/job/Helsinki...

Feel free to DM me!

Doctoral researcher in generative AI for population health

jobs.helsinki.fi

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Institute for Molecular Medicine Finland (FIMM) @fimm-uh.bsky.social · Aug 28

New @natgenet.nature.com study led by @tuomohartonen.bsky.social & @detroiki.bsky.social from FIMM explores how to better predict disease risk by combining information from electronic health records (phenotype risk scores) and genetics using 3 large biobank-based studies. Congratulations!

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Institute for Molecular Medicine Finland (FIMM) @fimm-uh.bsky.social · Aug 27

The study led by Meri Kaustio and Janna Saarela was published in The Journal of Allergy and Clinical Immunology:
www.jacionline.org/article/S009...

Heterozygous loss of MAP4K1 causes immune dysregulation by amplifying T-cell responses

Inborn errors of immunity (IEIs) encompass a broad and heterogeneous group of disorders traditionally associated with increased susceptibility to infections but also encompassing immune dysregulation,...

www.jacionline.org

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Institute for Molecular Medicine Finland (FIMM) @fimm-uh.bsky.social · Aug 27

Researchers from FIMM and @ncmbm.bsky.social identified MAP4K1 as a novel gene behind immune dysregulation. The findings of this @nordicembl.bsky.social collaboration may help patients with this rare disease and provide insights relevant to autoimmunity and allergies.
www.helsinki.fi/en/hilife-he...

New genetic discovery reveals key brake in human immune system | HiLIFE – Helsinki Institute of Life Science | University of Helsinki

Researchers uncover how loss of a gene called MAP4K1 amplifies T cell responses, offering insights into immune disorders and potential therapies.

www.helsinki.fi

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Institute for Molecular Medicine Finland (FIMM) @fimm-uh.bsky.social · Aug 21

🚨 We’re hiring! Are you motivated by the challenge of extracting new insights from complex health data? Join FinnGen at FIMM, @helsinki.fi, as a Data Scientist to support clinically oriented teams that work with the rich, longitudinal health data. Apply by Sep 14:
➡️ jobs.helsinki.fi/job/Helsinki...

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Institute for Molecular Medicine Finland (FIMM) @fimm-uh.bsky.social · Aug 18

The Faculty of Biological and Environmental Sciences of @helsinki.fi invites applications for the position of

🟢 ASSISTANT PROFESSOR / ASSOCIATE PROFESSOR / PROFESSOR OF HUMAN GENETICS AND GENOMICS 🟢

with a possibility of a secondary affiliation with FIMM.

➡️ jobs.helsinki.fi/job/Helsinki...

University of Helsinki career ad with a blue chromosome and text: ‘Career Opportunity! Assistant Professor / Associate Professor or Professor of Human Genetics and Genomics. Apply by 10 Oct

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Institute for Molecular Medicine Finland (FIMM) @fimm-uh.bsky.social · Aug 7

⏳ Last chance!
Apply by Aug 10 to become a FIMM–EMBL Group Leader in molecular medicine @helsinki.fi.
If you’re ready to launch your independent research group at the intersection of genomics, precision medicine & AI, this is your moment.
👉 jobs.helsinki.fi/job/Helsinki...
#AcademicJobs #GroupLeader

A graphic showing a sign that reads “3 DAYS TO GO” overlaid on a stylized blue chromosome image. On the right, the text reads: “Group Leaders in Molecular Medicine – FIMM, Institute for Molecular Medicine Finland, HiLIFE Unit – Apply by 10 Aug.” Logos of the University of Helsinki and FIMM are also included.

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Institute for Molecular Medicine Finland (FIMM) @fimm-uh.bsky.social · Aug 6

According to a recent twin study co-authored by FIMM researchers Dr. Stephanie Zellers and Professor Jaakko Kaprio, the ability to produce humor is not genetic.
Read more from this @psychologytoday.com blog post by one of the authors, Professor Segal:
www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/twof...

Is Humor in Our Genes?

A recent twin study suggests that a certain type of humor might not be inherited genetically.

www.psychologytoday.com

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