Research output per year
Research output per year
PL 27 (Latokartanonkaari 7)
00014
Finland
Finland
Viikinkaari 1, Biocentre 3
00790 Helsinki
Finland
Viikinkaari 1, Biokeskus 3
00790 Helsinki
Finland
Research activity per year
Professor of Forest Pathology since 2007. My research interests and technologies applied are broad and diverse and includes among others; Molecular Tree - Microbe Interaction, Tree microbiomes, Metagenomics and Forest microbiology, Fungal genomics, Fungal population biology, Biological control of forest pathogens, Tropical forest pathology, Infection biology of phytopathogenic fungi and Resistance biology of forest trees. Our research acknowledges that the major threats to the sustainable supply of forest tree products (timber, bioenergy, biodiversity, recreation etc.) are climate change, pests and diseases. Today, the need to increase and safeguard those resources of renewable materials and bioenergy present major challenges for tree health biotechnology and bioeconomy programs. Our major research focus therefore has been the application of biotechnology knowledge and tools for the determination of ecological, molecular and biochemical pathways required by emerging fungal and forest pathogens to spread, infect and cause disease to trees worldwide. In addition, understanding the basal mechanisms on how forest trees resist infection is also our primary research goal.
More specific goals have been deciphering fungal pathogenicity factors by functional analysis of effector-like proteins of phytopathogenic fungi using the conifer tree pathogen (Heterobaisidon annosum) as a model. A major research question however is, why are certain fungi pathogenic whereas others are obligate saprotrophs or mutualists like mycorrhizal fungi?
Additional specific research focus is on the application of metabolomics and genomics approaches for screening conifer tree genotypes and clonal materials for resistance against the root and butt rot pathogen (Heterobasidion spp.). A further research objective explores the impact of tree microbiomes on forest tree health. Equally, we are also interested in understanding how forest trees are able to recognise some microbes as pathogen whereas they are able to form intimate beneficial association with others.
The result of this research will hopefully contribute to the design of novel disease control and management strategies for fungal pathogens of trees as well as form a necessary basis for selecting tree genotypes for resistance breeding and research.
Besides, I have been a member of the faculty interdisciplinary Master's Programme in Biotechnology. I am also an invited professor at Nanjing Forestry University in China
For further information about our research on the Forest Pathology Research Lab website.
Biotechnology, PhD
1 Aug 1988 → 30 Oct 1991
Award Date: 19 Jun 1992
Applied Microbiology & Plant Pathology, MSc
1 Sept 1984 → 23 Jan 1985
Award Date: 7 Jun 1985
Botany, BSc
1 Sept 1979 → 1 May 1983
Award Date: 17 Jun 1983
Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › Scientific › peer-review
Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › Scientific › peer-review
Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › Scientific › peer-review
Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › Scientific › peer-review
Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › Scientific › peer-review
Asiegbu, F. (Project manager)
Suomen Akatemia Projektilaskutus
01/09/2024 → 31/08/2028
Project: Research Council of Finland: Academy Project
Asiegbu, F. (Project manager), Azeez, A. A. (Participant), Lateef, A. A. (Participant), Ren, W. (Participant) & Wen, Z. (Participant)
Suomen Akatemia Projektilaskutus
01/01/2023 → 31/12/2025
Project: Research Council of Finland: Targeted Academy Project
Elomaa, P. (Project manager), Aphalo, P. (Principal Investigator), Asiegbu, F. (Principal Investigator), Bäck, J. (Principal Investigator), Berninger, F. (Principal Investigator), Brosche, M. (Principal Investigator), Fagerstedt, K. (Principal Investigator), Hänninen, H. (Principal Investigator), Heinonsalo, J. (Principal Investigator), Helariutta, Y. (Principal Investigator), Himanen, K. (Principal Investigator), Hölttä, T. (Principal Investigator), Hytönen, T. (Principal Investigator), Hyvönen, J. (Principal Investigator), Kangasjärvi, J. (Principal Investigator), Kärkönen, A. (Principal Investigator), Korpelainen, H. (Principal Investigator), Laine, A.-L. (Principal Investigator), Mähönen, A. P. (Principal Investigator), Mäkelä, A. (Principal Investigator), Mäkinen, K. (Principal Investigator), Ojala, A. (Principal Investigator), Overmyer, K. (Principal Investigator), Palonen, P. (Principal Investigator), Palva, E. T. (Principal Investigator), Pihlatie, M. (Principal Investigator), Pirhonen, M. (Principal Investigator), Porcar-Castell, A. (Principal Investigator), Pumpanen, J. (Principal Investigator), Rikkinen, J. (Principal Investigator), Robson, T. M. (Principal Investigator), Salojärvi, J. (Principal Investigator), Schulman, A. (Principal Investigator), Stoddard, F. (Principal Investigator), Teeri, T. (Principal Investigator), Valkonen, J. (Principal Investigator), Vesala, T. (Principal Investigator), Wrzaczek, M. (Principal Investigator) & Sims-Huopaniemi, K. (Other)
01/01/2015 → …
Project: Other project
Palva, E. T. (Participant), Asiegbu, F. (Participant), Elomaa, P. (Participant), Fagerstedt, K. (Project manager), Helariutta, Y. (Participant), Himanen, K. (Principal Investigator), Hytönen, T. (Participant), Kangasjärvi, J. (Participant), Mäkelä, P. (Participant), Schulman, A. (Participant), Sims-Huopaniemi, K. (Participant), Stoddard, F. (Participant), Teeri, T. (Participant), Valkonen, J. (Participant), Oksanen, E. (Participant), Keinänen, M. (Participant), Dumont, J. (Participant), Hauta-Kasari, M. (Participant), Hiltunen, J. (Participant), Karjalainen, P. (Participant), Aro, E.-M. (Participant) & Häggman, H. (Participant)
01/12/2013 → …
Project: Other project
Wang, K. (Participant), Ren, W. (Participant) & Asiegbu, F. (Principal Investigator)
Project: Research project
Asiegbu, F. (Supervisor)
Activity: Examination types › Supervisor or co-supervisor of doctoral thesis
Asiegbu, F. (Supervisor)
Activity: Examination types › Supervisor or co-supervisor of doctoral thesis
Asiegbu, F. (Supervisor)
Activity: Examination types › Supervisor or co-supervisor of doctoral thesis
Sims-Huopaniemi, K. (Member of organizing committee) & Asiegbu, F. (Chair of organizing committee)
Activity: Participating in or organising an event types › Organisation and participation in conferences, workshops, courses, seminars
Sims-Huopaniemi, K. (Member of organizing committee) & Asiegbu, F. (Chair of organizing committee)
Activity: Participating in or organising an event types › Organisation and participation in conferences, workshops, courses, seminars