Mari Tuulia Kaartinen

Dr. Kaartinen’s research program aims to understand how protein crosslinking enzymes (transglutaminases; TGs), extracellular matrix components and matrix stiffness can regulate cell behavior, and how TG-mediated protein modifications can change protein function. Her particular protein of interest is the extracellular matrix protein fibronectin. From a disease perspective, her group is interested in understanding if alterations in fibronectin matrix is linked to the pathophysiology of osteoporosis and defects in energy metabolism and adipogenesis. Her group uses cell cultures and transgenic mice as models of human disease, as well as chemical biology, biochemistry and cell biology experimental approaches.

Dr. Kaartinen received her MSc in Organic Chemistry from University of Jyvaskyla (Finland) and Ph.D. in Biochemistry from the University of Kuopio (currently University of Eastern Finland) in 1999. She completed her postdoctoral training at McGill University and joined the Faculty of Dental Medicine and Faculty of Medicine at McGill in 2002.

For the most up-to-date information on Dr. Kaartinen's research and publications, please visit the Kaartinen Lab webpage.

Ongoing Studies

• Role of TG2 and Factor XIIIA in bone and in osteoblast and osteoclast function
• Role of FXIIIA in energy metabolism
• Plasma fibronectin assembly in bone and adipose tissue
• Function of cellular Factor XIIIA in osteoblasts