Liisa Ikonen Email & Phone Number

I did my PhD studies on a subject: "Heart tissue model:The effect of different biomaterials, mechanical stimulation and vascular-like network to cardiomyocyte growth, survival and functionality". In my studies I cultured rat primary cardiomyocytes and human pluripotent stem cells (hPSCs) and differentiated them into cardiomyocytes. I was involved in developing a mechanical stimulus device. With that device I studied whether mechanical stimulus improves the differentiation and maturation of the hPSCs.I also tested many different kinds of biomaterials to find an optimal one for cardiomyocytes to grow on/in.Some of the materials were obtained from collaborators and some of them I made by myself.I was also involved in a project where we developed a heart tissue model for e.g. drug testings using novel angiogenesis structure as a starting point.I have cultured many kind of cells and also characterized them in many ways (immunocytochemical stainings, PCR, qPCR, time-lapse imaging, electrophysiologically, etc.).

I did my Master of Science (Technology) thesis with a title: "Culturing cardiomyocytes on biomaterials". I cultured stem cells and primary cells on several different biomaterials and performed many different types of characterizations. I learned cell culture techniques and also characterization methods.

I worked as a trainee at the material department. Mainly I collected different basic information of purchasing from different sources. I also communicated with the domestic and foreign suppliers. One of my responsibilities was to make arrangements for transportations and documentation. I also developed a system for monitoring the time of delivery and finally automatized it. I translated technical documents and helped with different kinds of purchasing tasks.

I was at the checkout and sometimes at different departments.

Doctor Of Science (Dsc), Biomedical Engineering

Major: Biomedical engineering Minor: Production engineering and development Other studies: Programming

M.Sc. (Tech.), Biomaterial Technology

Activities and Societies: Floorball team SBS Tamppi

Secondary School Graduate