Organization of different cell types and the extracellular matrix (ECM) into an intact tissue architecture is essential for tissue renewal and differentiation and can function as a barrier to disease onset. Precise interactions between the different tissue components are needed to maintain tissue homeostasis, and alterations in this interplay can lead to complications in tissue regeneration or to hypertrophy and cancer.

 

We investigate how the composition and dynamics of the ECM are regulated during tissue development and how they are altered during tumorigenesis. We are especially interested in 1) understanding the role of ECM and the tumor microenvironment (TME) in breast cancer initiation and progression 2) how does ECM and TME contribute to transition from premalignant ductal carcinoma in situ to malignant breast cancer and 3) how to build better in vitro models for breast cancer initiation and progression.

 

We use patient derived fixed samples and organoids, cell culture models and various imaging techniques ranging from live cell imaging to spatial approaches, to record the dynamic changes in ECM and TME composition. We are also developing novel, animal-free hydrogel-based 3D culture methods to investigate normal and malignant growth.

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Our research is supported by the University of Helsinki, Jane and Aatos Erkko Foundation, Sigrid Juselius Foundation, Finnish Cultural Foundation, and Jalmari and Rauha Ahokas Foundation.

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We are also part of the FinBreast research consortium joining Finnish breast cancer researchers and Interdisciplinary HUMAN-Bio team aiming to develop innovative and ethical non-animal model systems.