This week we had the joy of bringing a touch of chemistry to a kindergarten birthday party and it turned out to be pure magic. Tõnis and Anni set up a small “science corner” filled with simple, colorful experiments designed to spark curiosity. From bubbling reactions to homemade lava lamps, every demonstration was met with wide eyes, […]
On 7–8 May, the Estonian Biochemical Society Spring School took place once again at the Voore Holiday Centre, under the theme InnovaaTIline biokeemia / InnovAItive Biochemistry.We were delighted to host Prof. Ülo Niinemets from the Estonian University of Life Sciences, who spoke about volatile compounds released by plants and their connection to plant stress and […]
Anette Roop (Hugo Treffneri Gümnaasium) recently conducted her student research project within our group, focusing on novel models of early embryo implantation and the characterization of human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG) activity in these systems.Her project, titled “Measurement of the Biological Activity of Human Chorionic Gonadotropin in Samples Derived from an Embryo Implantation Model System”, was […]
Anni’s research focuses on G protein–coupled receptors (GPCRs), a major class of membrane proteins that mediate neuronal signaling and are implicated in numerous diseases. Approximately one third of FDA‑approved drugs target GPCRs, highlighting their clinical importance. Her research group in personalized pharmacology investigates how genetic variation in GPCRs affects drug efficacy, with the aim of […]
Understanding how ligands engage the muscarinic M1 receptor is key to advancing therapies for neurodegenerative disorders. In this study, we introduce complementary kinetic fluorescence approaches that enable real‑time monitoring of ligand binding at the M1 receptor with high sensitivity. Using the fluorescent tracer UR‑MK342, we not only obtain robust affinity estimates across a diverse panel […]
Our student engineering project RoboBioChemist has received funding from EIS in the total amount of €99,451.40. The project is funded from the state budget through research and development funding instruments, and the project activities are already well underway!Our goal is to build a digital microfluidics system, or a RoboBiochemist, and to start programming the movement […]
We are very happy to share that our workgroup members Darja Lavõgina and Sergei Kopantšuk are awarded the University of Tartu Badge of Distinction for their exceptional contributions and achievements that go beyond regular academic or professional duties. Rector Toomas Asser will present the university’s honorary decorations at a ceremony on 21 November at 16:00 in the University of […]
The annual scientific conference of the University of Tartu Faculty of Medicine brings together not only medical doctors but also researchers from diverse fields whose work is connected to medicine. This year, our group was proudly represented by Darja, whose oral presentation “Immuunkontrollpunkti inhibiitorid mõjutavad keemiaravimite tsütotoksilist toimet pea- ja kaelapiirkonna vähi rakuliinides” (“Immune checkpoint […]
This autumn, the “Talents to Tartu!” program launched once again, bringing together gifted first-year students from across Estonia. Out of 68 selected participants, 44 chose the science track, and we’re excited to welcome eight of them into our research group!The students are now contributing to two cutting-edge projects:1) “Testing the effects of drugs on genetic mutations […]
Our lab member Darja took part as a delegate from Wikimedia Estonia at the Wikimedia CEE Meeting 2025 in Thessaloniki, Greece – a gathering that brought together contributors and advocates of free knowledge from across Central and Eastern Europe. The discussions covered exciting and timely topics, such as the potential future roles of AI in […]