Joint research infrastructure of Aalto University and VTT Bioeconomy infrastructure on Finland’s roadmap for research infrastructures 2021–2024
Cellular engineering
The Cellular engineering group, led by Assistant Professor Sesilja Aranko, aims to expand the repertoire of post-translational protein modifications. We develop methods for biomolecular protein-conjugation reactions as well as enzymatic post-translational modifications, including phosphorylations, hydroxylations and glycosylations. The applications of the research range from protein- and peptide-purification technologies to functionalization and cell engineering. We are particularly interested in modifying proteins relevant for biomaterials, including silk- and collagen-proteins, with the aim of developing novel sustainable yet high-performing biomaterials.
Research themes
- Protein ligases
- Post-translational modifications in bacteria
- Microbial production
- Folding and assembly mechanisms of silk and collagen proteins
Examples of ongoing research projects
Functional and water-resistant composite materials from crosslinked non-canonical silks and cellulose (CrossSilk)
In this project, funded by the Research Council of Finland (formerly the Academy of Finland), we aim to improve the water resistance of currently available silk- and cellulose-based biomaterials by mimicking the crosslinking of natural silks and leather. The goal is to design fully biodegradable materials with outstanding mechanical properties in both dry and wet states. We hope that the novel crosslinked silk-CNF composite materials developed in the project can be used as a renewable and biodegradable alternative to replace current plastic- and animal-based materials.
https://research.aalto.fi/en/projects/crosssilk
From post-translationally modified proteins to functional biomaterials (Pro2Fun)
The goal of this project, funded by the Novo Nordisk Foundation Emerging Investigator grant, is to develop methods to produce post-translationally modified structural proteins, including silks and collagens, in bacteria that cannot make the desired modifications naturally. There is accumulating evidence that the post-translational modifications of proteins are essential for the mechanical properties and functionalities of the resulting materials. Yet, the mechanisms behind how these modifications affect the properties of biomaterials are not fully understood, mainly due to technical limitations. Production in bacteria enables obtaining the proteins in an economical, ethical, and sustainable manner. We use the modified proteins to engineer novel functional biomaterials, which have the potential to substitute current oil- and animal-based alternatives.
Group members
Nea Möttönen
Doctoral student
Katarina Knuuttila
Doctoral student
Ardalan Rahimipour
Doctoral student
Mariina Tikka
Master's thesis worker
Safoorah Khanum
Master's thesis worker
Juhani Jokio
Master's thesis worker
Mariel Mylly
Master's thesis worker
Salla Koskela
Staff Scientist
Peter Ho
Research assistant
Antonia Kunze
Research assistant
Interested in working with us?
Contact: sesilja.aranko@aalto.fi
Infrastructure we use
OtaNano
OtaNano is Finland's national research infrastructure for micro-, nano-, and quantum technologies
National fundamental research centre in Hamburg, Germany
With 28 member states, EMBL has more than 110 independent research groups and service teams covering the spectrum of molecular biology at six sites in Barcelona, Grenoble, Hamburg, Heidelberg, EMBL-EBI Hinxton, and Rome.
Considerable Novo Nordisk funding for researcher Sesilja Aranko
Staff Scientist Sesilja Aranko has been awarded the highly competed Emerging Investigator 2023 Grant from Novo Nordisk Foundation for a research project focusing on post-translational modifications in protein-based biomaterials. The grant awarded is 10 million DKK (approx. 1.34M€) for a five-year period.