Mikael Niku: portfolio

I am a bioscientist oriented to basic research. Gaining new information and understanding on the functions of organisms is a calling to me. I am especially interested in questions concerning immunology and developmental biology.

In my research, I aim to deal with fundamental biological problems which may also have major practical aspects. A biochemist by training, I am somewhat methods-oriented. I emphasize the reliability of research results and ethical quality of methods (such as those regarding experimental animals).

I obtained my M.Sc. at the Department of Biochemistry, University of Oulu. For my Master’s thesis, I worked for about a year in a developmental biology research group, learning the basic techniques of the field. I was granted the “M.Sc. of the Year” award by the department in 1999.

I then moved to the Department of Basic Veterinary Sciences in Helsinki for my Ph.D. thesis work, starting a new research group with Antti Iivanainen. The main objective of the project was to analyze the differentiation potential of circulating hematopoietic stem cells and other progenitor types. As a model system we used freemartin cattle, natural chimeras due to vascular anastomoses during the fetal period. Most freemartin tissues contain plenty of cells derived from the bull sibling. Yet, we showed that hematopoietic stem cells do not produce tissues other than blood to any significant degree, contrary to several recent reports on mice. They however may function in tissue repair.
The referees regarded my thesis work as important for both veterinary and stem cell research.

During my thesis project I had the opportunity to observe a remarkable period in the entire field of somatic stem cell research. From the first striking reports of multipotency in early 1990s, the field descended in uncertainty of contradictory results. Currently, more moderate views are being established, consistent with our own results.

The research also led us to immunological topics and especially to intestinal immunity. We investigated the poorly known production of B lymphocytes in cattle. Currently, I am interested in the functions of the innate immune system.

I have versatile methodological expertise. I am especially experienced in various in situ detection techniques, such as immunohistochemistry and in situ hybridization, as well as light microscopy. I have a strong background in basic methods of molecular and developmental biology, and I am also familiar with protein research, cell culture, image analysis and bioinformatics. I am qualified as a responsible leader in radiation work, and I have taken the course required for the use of experimental animals. I have built relational databases to support research, and I also possess plenty of experience in scientific writing.