Ilari Kuukkanen | Doctoral Researcher, M.Sc
I am a Doctoral Researcher (supersivors Jukka Hytönen and Maarit Karonen) currently pursuing my PhD in the field of Lyme borreliosis and neuroborreliosis, specializing in mass spectrometry-based metabolomics. My academic journey is rooted in chemistry, and I am associated with the Department of Chemistry at the University of Turku. I have been dedicated to unraveling the complexities of tick-borne diseases (TBDs) with a particular focus on Lyme borreliosis. My current doctoral research revolves around employing analytical chemistry techniques, especially mass spectrometry-based metabolomics, to gain deeper insights into the metabolic processes associated with Lyme borreliosis and neuroborreliosis.
My points of interest within the realm of analytical chemistry and metabolomics include:
- Metabolomics of Lyme borreliosis: Applying cutting-edge mass spectrometry techniques to profile and analyze the metabolites associated with Lyme borreliosis. This approach allows for a comprehensive understanding of the biochemical changes during infection.
- Identification of Novel Biomarkers: Exploring the potential of metabolomics in identifying novel biomarkers for Lyme borreliosis and neuroborreliosis. This contributes to the development of more accurate and early diagnostic tools.
- Chemical Characterization of Tick-Borne Pathogens: Using analytical chemistry to characterize the chemical composition of tick-borne pathogens, providing crucial information for targeted diagnostics.
- Advancements in Analytical Techniques: Staying at the forefront of analytical chemistry advancements to enhance the sensitivity, robustnes, specificity, and efficiency of metabolomic studies in the context of tick-borne diseases.
My commitment to bridging chemistry with the intricacies of Lyme borreliosis reflects my passion for advancing our understanding of TBDs and contributing to the development of innovative diagnostic solutions.