Laura Kakkola | Docent, PhD

laura.kakkola@utu.fi

I am an adjunct professor of virology at the University of Turku, Institute of Biomedicine, Faculty of Medicine, and I am also affiliated with Clinical microbiology laboratory in Turku University Hospital. My research focuses on virus-host interactions, how viruses interfere with immune responses, and could these events be utilized in vaccine, antiviral drug or diagnostic test development. I have extensive experience in research with (re)emerging zoonotic viruses.  

My research interests are:  

  • Adaptive immunology in TBE virus infections and vaccinations 
  • TBE virus and innate immune responses 
  • Development novel laboratory diagnostic tools