Medical Biochemistry

Ongoing research:

Cardiovascular risk factors: The TAMRISK study

We have priority to the Tampere adult population health risk (TAMRISK) material. This has been collected from the year 1980 and it comprises of approx. 40 000-person years of health follow-up, divided to age cohorts. The data for the TAMRISK study has been collected from periodic health examinations done for 50-year-old men and women living in Tampere, Finland.  TAMRISK data includes information of risk factors, such as blood pressure, weight, family history of cardiovascular diseases, lipid values and smoking, diabetes and exercise habits.

Buccal swabs for DNA extraction and a permissions form to use PHE data were collected by mail separately of the physical examination. The DNA samples were collected during years 2006-2010. Informed consent was obtained from all participants. Gene-environment interactions affecting cardiovascular disease incidence are currently under investigation.

We have observed that several polymorphisms in genes coding for cell membrane proteins in iron metabolism are associated with incidence of hypertension. Based on results from these association studies, we have begun molecular modelling studies to examine their possible interactions with blood pressure regulatory enzymes.

Professor:

Seppo Nikkari

tel. +358 (0)50 396 9639 [Call: +358 (0)50 396 9639]

seppo.nikkari [at] tuni.fi

 

University lecturers:

Tarja Kunnas

tel. +358 (0)50 318 6320 [Call: +358 (0)50 318 6320]

tarja.kunnas [at] tuni.fi