Mataleena Parikka

Associate Professor Mataleena Parikka leads research on tuberculosis (TB) treatment and mycobacterial biofilms at Tampere University. Her work focuses on developing shorter, more effective therapies by studying drug tolerance mechanisms and biofilm formation in Mycobacterium tuberculosis. Using zebrafish as a model organism, her team investigates how bacteria evade immune responses and antibiotics. Key innovations include screening methods for anti-biofilm compounds and identification of novel drug candidates. Parikka’s research group has filed four invention disclosures in 2023, including two drug candidates and screening methodologies. Collaborations with international partners in Australia, Germany, and Italy advance preclinical drug testing. A dentistry background informs her biofilm research, emphasizing clinical translation. Despite commercialization efforts, her team prioritizes non-profit drug development to maximize global accessibility.

Education: Dental degree with research specialization in biofilm-induced infections. Ongoing work builds on foundational training in oral microbiology and clinical practice.

Research Interests: Combining basic and translational research to address TB’s global burden. Key areas include:

• Mycobacterial biofilm biology and antibiotic tolerance mechanisms
• Zebrafish models for TB pathogenesis and drug screening
• Development of novel antimycobacterial compounds
• β-carbonic anhydrase inhibitors as drug targets
• Preclinical drug delivery systems for targeted therapy

Article Trends: Recent publications emphasize proteomic analysis of biofilms, genetic screens in Mycobacterium marinum, and translational studies leveraging zebrafish models. Research bridges molecular mechanisms with clinical applications, such as evaluating drug toxicity and efficacy in vivo.

Awards:

• 2023 Tampere University Inventor of the Year Award

Advising & Grants: Oversees multidisciplinary consortium projects funded through international collaborations. Focuses on methodological development for high-throughput screening and preclinical testing platforms.

Labs/Teams: Heads a research group within Tampere University’s microbiology and immunology programs. Collaborates with Prof. Jari Yli-Kauhaluoma’s chemical biology team and international partners in drug development initiatives.