The script of life resides in cells, coded into our genome. When we gain a comprehensive understanding of human biology and the human genome, we will understand disease backgrounds and be able to develop increasingly effective individualised treatments.
Not everything, however, goes according to script; susceptibility to diseases is also affected by our surroundings. From this perspective, we can help ourselves not only through a healthy lifestyle, but also by studying our best friends – dogs and humans have similar genomes and disease heritages, as well as the same living environment.
Medical research at the University of Helsinki ranges from biological basic research to clinical applications tested in hospitals. The focus of research is on genetic information, cancer, brain and mind, inflammation, metabolism, and degenerative processes.
