Marja Liisa Mikkola

Marja Mikkola is Research Director at the Institute of Biotechnology, HiLIFE, University of Helsinki, and supervisor in the Doctoral Programme in Integrative Life Science. She holds a PhD (1994) and Docent title (2003) from the University of Helsinki. Previously, she served as Deputy Director (2018-2021) and Interim Director (2020) of the Institute, and Vice Director of an Academy of Finland Center of Excellence (2014-2019).

Her research focuses on epithelial morphogenesis, mammary gland development, and ectodermal organ formation, employing molecular genetics and cell biological approaches. Key interests include stem cell regulation, tissue patterning, and mechanobiology in developmental contexts.

Recent publications (2024-2025) demonstrate concentrated research in mammary gland morphogenesis, Wnt/β-catenin signaling, and mechanical force integration in tissue architecture. This reflects her lab's focus on developmental mechanisms with implications for cancer biology.

Awards & Honors:

• René Touraine honorary lecture (ESDR, 2019)
• HiLIFE Fellow (2017-2020)
• Biocentrum Helsinki membership award (2014-2016)
• Best Publication Prize, Finnish Society for Developmental Biology (2014)

Research Leadership: Leads a 10-member group, supervising 4 postdocs and 4 PhD students (with 5 postdocs and 7 PhDs completed). Secured €546,613 from Academy of Finland (2018-2022), €225,000 from Sigrid Jusélius Foundation (2019-2022), and €125,000 from Finnish Cancer Foundation (2018-2020).

Facilities: Heads the Epithelial Morphogenesis Laboratory at Biocenter 2, investigating developmental mechanisms using mouse models and molecular techniques.