Marko Hyvönen

Marko Hyvönen is a Professor at the University of Cambridge's Department of Biochemistry and a visiting professor at the University of São Paulo. His research focuses on understanding protein structure-function relationships and developing protein-engineered or small-molecule modulators for disease targets. Key areas include TGF-β family signaling, cancer therapeutics, and enzyme inhibitors. He co-founded Qkine, a biotech company producing high-quality growth factors and cytokines.

Research Interests:

• Protein engineering and modulation
• Drug discovery targeting cancer, infectious diseases, and metabolic disorders
• Structural biology of signaling proteins
• Development of plastic-degrading enzymes (plastizymes)
• Antimicrobial resistance mechanisms via efflux pumps

Collaborations: Collaborates with Florian Hollfelder on enzyme families and plastic degradation. Industrial partnerships include AstraZeneca, Apollo Therapeutics, and Bicycle Therapeutics.

Labs/Teams: Maintains a satellite lab at the University of São Paulo and leads a Cambridge-based research group with members like Paul Brear and Nicola Coker Gordon.