Lab members / Klefström lab

Topi Tervonen received his PhD in 2008, in the field of neural stem cells at the Neuroscience Center, University of Helsinki. For his post-doctoral training he chose to study molecular cancer biology in Dr. Juha Klefström’s group at the University of Helsinki. Topi’s work on membrane-anchored serine proteases and cancer has revealed new up- and downstream mechanisms regulating these microenvironment-modifying and tumor-promoting enzymes. Related to the topic, Topi has supervised 2 MSc theses, one engineer thesis, one lab analyst thesis and 2 PhD theses thus far. Topi has served as a research coordinator since 2014 and, in 2020, he obtained the title of docent (adjunct professor) from the University of Helsinki in the field of cell and molecular biology. During recent years, Topi has been actively bringing in genome-scale genome editing resources and services in University of Helsinki and also nationally. He was named the vice chair of Stem Cells and Genome Editing technology platform of Biocenter Finland in 2020. He has also taken a position as principal investigator in Finnish Genome Editing Center (FinGEEC) core unit of GoEditStem HiLIFE infra platform in University of Helsinki in 2021. Topi has also worked as part time contractor in Biomedicum Genomics Oy (partially owned by University of Helsinki). Outside work Topi loves sports, music, movies, scientific books, and spending time with his wife and two children.

Pauliina Munne received her PhD in 2010, in the field of developmental biology and physiology at the Institute of Biotechnology, University of Helsinki and continued her post-doctoral training in breast cancer and mammary gland biology at the Institute for Molecular Medicine Finland (FIMM) at University of Helsinki. After that she worked as a head of genome profiling in Biomedicum Functional Genomics Unit (FuGU), where she gained expertise in next generation sequencing and microarrays. Her current position as a post-doctoral researcher focuses on understanding molecular mechanisms regulated by the microenvironment in mammary gland and in breast cancer, where she is particularly interested in the regulation of cellular identity. She is also involved as a part time contract researcher in BMGen Oy coordinating projects in genome profiling. She is keen on all beauties and wonders of nature and science.

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Daniel has a Doctor of Technology on data processing and bioinformatics from Tampere University of Technology (nowadays Tampere University).

He has experience with omics data analysis, next generation sequencing, drug discovery, and biomarker discovery.  In his free time, Daniel enjoys jogging and dancing.

Mars received his PhD in 2017 from the Sun Yat-sen University, China, where his research interest focused on tumor-infiltrating B cells. After that he continued his post-doctoral training about biomarker discovery and cancer immunotherapy in Sun Yat-sen University.
Mars joined the lab in November 2019. He is now working on developing new combination strategies to improve efficacy of immunotherapy in breast cancer. Outside of lab, he likes cooking, hiking, and swimming.

Johanna Anttila received her MSc degree in Biochemistry from the Molecular and Cellular Biology Programme in University of Oulu and did her Master’s thesis in Klefström lab in 2017. After graduating she has continued her work in the lab as a doctoral student. Johanna aspires to harness oncogene MYC-dependent cancer cell vulnerabilities in the objective of translating our research into benefit of cancer patients. Besides science, Johanna is into various sports including frisbee golf and tennis as well as loves to spend time enjoying music and photography.

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Mariel Savelius recently completed her Master’s degree in Molecular Biotechnology from University of Helsinki. She is interested in translational research and how people can benefit from the applications that it creates. Mariel is keen on learning more about the molecular mechanisms of cancer and now she is working in the project about linking oncogene MYC metabolism to cancer cell apoptosis. She is also interested in how cancer cells apoptosis effects on immune system and how that could be used to create new therapies against cancer. In her free time she likes to travel, enjoys good food and doing different activities with her friends.

Iiris has started her medical studies in the MD PhD programme in 2016 and she joined Klefström lab in 2017.  Her research focuses on the interaction between the tumor microenvironment and ER-positive breast cancer cells and new potential therapeutic targets related to ER-signaling. In her free time Iiris enjoys reading, spending time outdoors and various sports such as skiing, running and dancing. 

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Aino Peura is a MD-PhD-student who joined Klefsröm lab in 2018. Her thesis is focused on understanding the immunological interactions between the breast cancer microenvironment and immune cells.

In her free time she enjoys reading and is a keen long distance runner

July recently completed her Master’s degree in Genetics and Molecular Biosciences at the University of Helsinki, specialising in Cell and Developmental Biology. She is keen on learning how cancer and the tumour microenvironment interact with the immune system. Her interests in cancer, immunology and translational research have brought her to Klefa lab where she investigates MYC synthetic lethal targets in enhancing cancer immunotherapy. She is motivated by and looks forward to the day where her research can benefit patients battling with breast cancer.

When not at her bench, July can be found either enjoying the beautiful Finnish nature, cooking up a storm for close friends and family, attempting to grow a new plant or trying to pick up a new language. On dark winter days, she avidly watches movies and hopes to be lucky enough to see the Aurora Borealis one day.

Linda completed her Master’s degree at the University of Helsinki in Genetics and Molecular Biosciences program with a major in Genetics and Genomics. Her project in Klefström lab focuses on finding oncogene MYC driving metabolic vulnerabilities in TNBC. In addition to cancer metabolism, Linda is interested in immune-oncology and combining these two for future cancer therapies.

Outside of the lab Linda enjoys a great variety of sports, board games and knitting, as well as taking care of her plant babies.

Antti Hiltunen received his Master’s degree in Genetics and Molecular Biosciences from the University of Helsinki with a focus on genetics and genomics. His master’s thesis focused on the function of serine protease hepsin in the immune landscape of triple negative breast cancer. Antti is now switching gears and has started his PhD studies with a focus on exploiting the vulnerabilities caused by the oncogene Myc. He is keen on understanding how Myc regulates the mitochondrial metabolism and how Myc-driven cancers may be susceptible to drugs targeting the electron transport chain.

In his free time, Antti is an avid climber, outdoorsman, and a gamer.

Babette has finished her job training 2007 in Marburg/Lahn. She joined Klefström lab 2021 where she’s providing a pair of helping hands for the “Munne-Klubi”.

Outside of work, Babette is rarely spotted alone. Usually accompanied by her dog, she enjoys various outdoor activities. As a passionate couch potato, she’s happily handicrafting the evenings away or solving jigsaw puzzles.