Research output per year
Research output per year
Personal profile
Description of research and teaching
My research
I am interested in the basic mechanisms involved when bacteria infect the human host. My research group studies, at the molecular level, the function of bacterial surface proteins and protein appendages involved in infectious processes and bacteria-host interactions. A special emphasis is on uropathogenic bacteria, health-promoting lactic acid bacteria and bacterial antibiotic resistance. We also apply bacterial proteins and protein complexes biotechnologically for medical or diagnostic purposes.
For more information about my research and research group, please visit our homepage
http://blogs.helsinki.fi/molecularbacteriology/
Education information
MSc, University of Helsinki, Finland, 1986
PhD, University of Helsinki, Finland, 1991
Adjunct professor (Title of Docent) in Molecular microbiology, University of Helsinki, Finland, 1993
External positions
R&D Microbiologist, Orion Diagnostica Oy
1 Aug 2000 → 31 Jul 2001Fields of Science
- 11832 Microbiology and virology
- Molecular Microbiology
- 1183 Plant biology, microbiology, virology
- Molecular microbiology
- 1182 Biochemistry, cell and molecular biology
- 318 Medical biotechnology
Publications
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Penicillin binding protein 3 of Staphylococcus aureus NCTC 8325-4 binds and activates human plasminogen.
Kylväjä, S. R. K., Ojalehto, T. H. I., Kainulainen, V. L., Virkola, R. T. H. & Westerlund-Wikström, B. A., 4 Aug 2016, In : BMC research notes. 9, 10 p., 389.Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › Scientific › peer-review
Open AccessFile -
Fermentation and dry fractionation increase bioactivity of cloudberry (Rubus chamaemorus)
Puupponen-Pimiä, R., Nohynek, L., Juvonen, R., Kössö, T., Truchado, P., Westerlund-Wikström, B. A., Leppänen, T., Moilanen, E. & Oksman-Caldentey, K-M., 14 Nov 2015, In : Food Chemistry. 197 , Part A, p. 950–958Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › Scientific › peer-review
Open AccessFile -
Comparative genomics of Lactobacillus crispatus suggests novel mechanisms for the competitive exclusion of Gardnerella vaginalis
Ojala, T., Kankainen, M., Castro, J., Cerca, N., Edelman, S., Westerlund-Wikstroem, B., Paulin, L., Holm, L. & Auvinen, P., 5 Dec 2014, In : BMC Genomics. 15, 21 p., 1070.Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › Scientific › peer-review
Open AccessFile -
Colony Immunoblotting Assay for Detection of Bacterial Cell-surface or Extracellular Proteins
Lehti, T. A. & Westerlund-Wikström, B., 5 Sep 2013, In : Bio-Protocol. 3, 17Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › Professional
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Cytotoxic response persists in subjects treated for tuberculosis decades ago
Savolainen, L., Koskivirta, P., Kantele, A., Valleala, H., Pusa, L., Tuompo, R., Westerlund-Wikström, B. & Tuuminen, T., 5 Dec 2013, In : BMC Infectious Diseases. 13, 11 p., 573.Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › Scientific › peer-review
Open AccessFile
Projects
- 2 Finished
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Tekes / Salwe 2014 / Westerlund-Wikström Research Program
Westerlund-Wikström, B. & Brandt, A.
01/07/2014 → 31/12/2018
Project: Research project
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Functional phenolics
Heinonen, M., Kylli, P., Maarit, R., Viljanen, K., Vuorela, S., Salminen, H., Kähkönen, M., Puupponen-Pimiä, R., Nohynek, L., Vuorela, H., Moilanen, E., Westerlund-Wikström, B. & Ollilainen, V.
01/01/1997 → 31/12/2012
Project: Research project
Activities
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Pre-examiner of MSc thesis by Melina Markkanen
Benita Westerlund-Wikström (Participant)
2020 → …Activity: Other activity types › Other
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Pre-examiner of MSc thesis by Kaisu Henttonen
Benita Westerlund-Wikström (Participant)
2020 → …Activity: Other activity types › Other
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Validation of drug targets in quorum sensing pathways of uropathogenic E. coli
Benita Westerlund-Wikström (Member of thesis committee / follow-up group)
2019 → …Activity: Examination types › Member of doctoral thesis committee / follow-up group
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Current Topics in Biotechnology (Journal)
Benita Westerlund-Wikström (Reviewer)
2019Activity: Publication peer-review and editorial work types › Peer review of manuscripts
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Co-supervisor of MSc thesis by Kira Virtanen
Benita Westerlund-Wikström (Co-supervisor) & Mirja Puolakkainen (Supervisor)
2018 → 2019Activity: Examination types › Supervision of other thesis (Master's, Licentiate)