Juha Klefström, PhD, is a Research Fellow of the Academy of Finland, Head of the Cancer Cell Circuitry Laboratory, University of Helsinki (2003-) and a Research Director in Biomedicum Genomics. He obtained his PhD degree in molecular cancer biology from the University of Helsinki in 1997 and did postdoctoral work with Gerard Evan at ICRF London (1998-1999) and UCSF Comprehensive Cancer Center, San Francisco (2000-2002). In 2009, he briefly worked as a visiting Professor at UCSF. He has published a number of articles in leading journals like EMBO J, PNAS and Cancer Cell and his research interests cover basic cancer biology, in vitro 3D and in vivo genetically engineered mouse (GEM) models of tumors and lentiviral gene transfer methods. Juha Klefström has markedly contributed to the development of national research infrastructures and innovation. Juha Klefström currently codirects Biomedicum Functional Genomics Unit (Biomedicum Genomics Unit) and coordinates LentiGEMM, a national emerging technology platform and joint undertaking to capture shRNA technology for development of rapid and low cost genetically engineered mouse models of human disease. Klefström has led several research consortia involving academic and industry partners and codirects a science and industry collaboration initiative between the QB3-UCSF and Finnish research institutes. He is also a cofounder of Biomedicum Genomics Ltd. Klefström is an international expert in cancer biology, lentiviral gene transfer techniques and in in vitro organotypic and in vivo models of cancer.

PUBLICATIONS

MAIN SCIENTIFIC EXPERTISE
Cancer Biology, Functional Genomics, Cell Biology (apoptosis, cell cycle and epithelial biology), Signal Transduction, Viral Gene Transfer Methods, Animal Tumor Models

CURRENT POSITIONS

PREVIOUS PROFESSIONAL AFFILIATIONS
1990-1994 UNDERGRADUATE. University of Helsinki, Finland
Dr Sakari Knuutila and Prof. Eero Saksela.
1994-1997 GRADUATE. University of Helsinki, Finland
Molecular/Cancer Biology Laboratory of Prof. Kari Alitalo. University of Helsinki, Finland.
1997-11/2002 POSTDOCTORAL.
Imperial Cancer Research Fund, UK and UCSF Comprehensive Cancer Center, USA. Laboratory of Prof. Gerard Evan.
2003-2005 Junior Fellow (postdoctoral). Academy of Finland.
2005 (4 mo) University Lecturer (acting). Institute of Biomedicine/Faculty of Medicine, University of Helsinki
2009 (2 mo) Visiting Professor, California Institute for Quantitative Biosciences  (QB3), UCSF, http://www.qb3.org/

RESEARCH FELLOWSHIPS AND FUNDING
EMBO fellowships (graduate) and TEKES funds for short-term Visiting Professorship in QB3.
Current funding from private foundations (Juselius, Finnish Cancer Organizations), Academy of Finland, TEKES and from EU/EFPIA cofunded Innovative Medicines Initiative.

EDITORIAL BOARD MEMBERSHIPS AND AD HOC REVIEWER FOR SCIENTIFIC JOURNALS
2007 - Academic Editor (invited) - Journal PLoS One
Ad Hoc reviewer to: Science, PNAS, Molecular and Cellular Biology, Apoptosis, J Cell Biochem, PLoS One

INVITED LECTURES (selected from>30 lectures given during 2008-2010)
Georg-Speyer-Haus Institute for Biomedical Research, Frankfurt am Main, Germany; Orion Pharma, Tuohilampi, HBGS International Student Council Symposia and courses, Helsinki; Lammi Biological Research Station; Annual Cancer and Genome Scale Research Program Symposium, Helsinki: Institute of Medical Technology, University of Tampere; BRIC Institute, Copenhagen, Denmark; 15th International AEK Cancer Congress, Berlin, Germany (plenary); The Danish Research School of Molecular Mechanisms of Disease, Copenhagen, Denmark; Karolinska Institutet, Dept Microbiology, Tumor and Cell Biology, Sweden; Functional Genomics Group meeting, Barcelona, Spain; TCDM Seminar series, Turku; BioNova, Espoo; Mechanisms & Models of Cancer, Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory, USA; Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory, USA

NATIONAL AND INTERNATIONAL TRUSTEE ACTIVITIES
Organized 1 Conferences and 5 International minisymposia during 2007-2009
Ad Hoc reviewer for regulatory issues
Board of Gene Technology, Finland – Biosafety Risk Group 2 recommendations for work involving recombinant viruses
Ad Hoc reviewer for Scientific Positions, Abilities and Awards
UCSF Comprehensive Cancer Center, USA, USCIS/Genentech Inc., Alien of Extraordinary Ability in the Sciences, USA, Norwegian Research Council, Norway, European Research Council (ERC), EU
Scientific Networks
Co-founder, chairman and member of the FinQB3 joint steering committee. An initiative to promote collaborative scientific research, education and commercial innovation between major Finnish Universities, Finnish research organizations and major California Universities in the San Francisco Bay area (UCSF, UCB, UCSC) as well as Bay area life science industry.

RESEARCH INFRASTRUCTURE & INNOVATION
Biomedicum Virus Core facility (Biocentrum Helsinki) – Founder and Director.
Biomedicum Genomics and (2010 onwards) Biomedicum Functional Genomics Unit (www.biomedicumgenomics.fi) - Research Director. Biomedicum Functional Genomics Unit (Biomedicum Genomics Unit) is a comprehensive functional genomics service provider with Biocentrum Helsinki and Biocenter Finland affiliations. The Unit has about 10 employees and 0,5 M€ annual cashflow.
Biomedicum Genomics Ltd - Chairman of the Board of Directors. 2009- present. Board member.
Biocenter Finland – Member of Viral Gene Transfer and Cell Therapy Network (http://www.biocenter.fi/)
Biocenter Finland – Coordinator of LentiGEMM (lentiviral technology for in vivo gene transfer) Emerging Technology Platform

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