Markku Varjosalo

CoE co-director

Research Director and renowned expert in systems biology, with a focus on the molecular mechanisms underlying cellular signaling networks, particularly in the context of diseases such as cancer. His research group employs advanced proteomics and multi-omics approaches to dissect the complex interactions of proteins, uncovering novel insights into cellular processes. Among his significant contributions is the development of the MAC-tag pipeline for affinity purification mass spectrometry, which has been instrumental in mapping protein-protein interactions and understanding the dynamic changes in cellular phosphorylation during disease progression.

Dr. Varjosalo's work has significantly advanced the understanding of human kinases, phosphatases, and transcription factors, particularly in their roles in cancer. His research has led to the discovery of key molecular mechanisms in oncogenic gene fusions and other cancer-related mutations, providing new avenues for therapeutic interventions. Additionally, his studies on primary immunodeficiencies and the development of spatial proteomics tools have positioned his lab at the forefront of translational research with direct clinical applications.