Benita Westerlund-Wikström

University lecturer, PI

https://orcid.org/0000-0002-5307-3858

Phone+358504150429, +358294159251
Emailbenita.westerlund@helsinki.fi

PL 56 (Viikinkaari 9)
00014
Finland
Viikinkaari 5, Biocenter 2
00790 Helsinki
Finland

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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 secretion, biogenesis and function of bacterial surface proteins and protein appendages involved in infectious processes. We also apply these bacterial protein complexes in extracellular secretion and surface display of heterologous proteins with the aim to generate biotechnological, medical or diagnostic applications.

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 (Molecular microbiology), University of Helsinki, Finland, 1993

External positions

R&D Microbiologist, Orion Diagnostica Oy

1 Aug 2000 → 31 Jul 2001

Keywords

1183 Plant biology, microbiology, virology
Molecular microbiology
1182 Biochemistry, cell and molecular biology
318 Medical biotechnology

International and National Collaboration Publications and projects within past five years.

Publications 1987 2016

49 Article
8 Chapter
8 Review Article
1 Conference article
1 More
- 1 Doctoral Thesis

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 Access

File

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. 950–958

Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › Scientific › peer-review

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 Access

File

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, 17

Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › Professional

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 Access

File

Projects 1997 2018

2 Finished

Tekes / Salwe 2014 / Westerlund-Wikström Research Program

Westerlund-Wikström, B. & Brandt, A.

01/07/2014 → 31/12/2018

Project: Research project

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