WELCOME TO KAIKKONEN LAB!
Our Cardiovascular Genomics lab (@KaikkonenLab) investigates the mechanistic basis of Atherosclerotic Cardiovascular Disease (ASCVD) and cardiometabolic diseases, using a combination of cellular and genetic model systems, single-cell transcriptomics and epigenetics, high-throughput functional genomics techniques, and bioinformatics. We have unique expertise in functional fine-mapping of non-coding GWAS variants using massively parallel reporter assays and cellular models for CRISPR/Cas9-mediated perturbation. This has allowed us to perform the most extensive functional fine-mapping of ASCVD GWAS variants and provide unique insights into the genetic basis of disease. Our lab also hosts a single-cell genomics core and we are committed to leveraging the power of single-cell multiomics and spatial transcriptomics to drive cutting-edge research in the future.
Our research group operates in a highly interdisciplinary environment, where we bridge the fields of basic research in gene regulation and vascular biology, genetics, and bioinformatics. We have extensive collaboration networks with other world-leading labs, providing unique access to large clinic- and population-based genetic studies and cohorts of ASCVD and prospective cross-sectional patient biobanks. We are excited to continue pushing the boundaries of cardiovascular genomics research, and we invite you to join us on this journey!