Vesa Hytönen, Ph.D., Adjunct Professor
Institute of Medical Technology (IMT)
Biokatu 6
FI-33014 University of Tampere
Phone: +358-3-3551-8494
Fax: +358-3-3551 7710
Graduate students:
Tiia Koho
Soili Lehtonen

The aim of the Biomolecular Engineering group is to develop building blocks to be used in biotechnology, nanotechnology and medicine.

For molecular design, we employ bioinformatics, molecular modelling and molecular dynamics simulations. Protein engineering includes DNA mutagenesis, expression of recombinant proteins using bacteria and insect cells, their characterization and structural analysis. We use both site-directed and random mutagenesis to develop novel protein forms. The selection of proteins with enhanced functionality is done using phage-display methodology.

We work in the interface between molecular biology and material technology. The self-assembly capability of biomolecules makes it possible to develop precisely defined and highly functional nanoscale organizations, which would offer potential tools for nanobiotechnology applications.

Figure: DNA-protein complex visualized by atomic force microscopy. Figure from Leppiniemi J, Ihalainen T & Hytönen V, unpublished.