Kristiina Mäkinen

Kristiina Mäkinen is a Professor at the University of Helsinki, affiliated with the Department of Agricultural Sciences and the Viikki Plant Science Centre (ViPS). Her work focuses on plant-virus interactions, particularly the molecular mechanisms of Potato virus A (PVA) infection, a member of the economically devastating Potyvirus genus. She supervises doctoral students in the Doctoral Programme in Integrative Life Science, Microbiology and Biotechnology, and Plant Sciences.

• Research: Molecular virology, plant pathology, nanobiotechnology
• Teaching: Plant pathology courses (BSc/MSc), postgraduate virology
• Projects: Academy of Finland-funded studies on ribonucleoprotein complexes

Her research explores the coordination of virus multiplication cycles (protein synthesis, RNA replication, movement), host factors for virus control, and viruses in nanobiotechnology. She organizes plant pathology training in Fungal Pathogens, Plant-Microbe Interactions, and Epidemiology.

Recent publications examine Phragmivirus taxonomy, PVA RNA localization, quantification methods for plant viruses, and host-virus protein interactions. Key subfields include viral replication dynamics, RNA virus mechanisms, and plant defense evasion.

• Scientific Activities: Peer review (17), conference participation (14), public talks (38)
• Leadership: Principal investigator in 13 projects, including African researcher mobility initiatives

Media engagements address food security threats from plant viruses and CRISPR-based solutions. She has hosted academic visits, served as opponent in PhD defenses, and participated in international committees.