In 2025, the Research Council of Finland awarded substantial funding to the new IMMENs Centre of Excellence, comprising two research groups from the Wihuri Research Institute. The centre investigates the interactions between lymphatic endothelial cells and inflammatory cells in order to direct local immune responses and to develop targeted therapies.
In 2026, the new Centre of Excellence in lymphatic-mediated immune regulation (IMMENs) begins its activities, with participation from researchers at the Wihuri Research Institute. It was selected by the Research Council of Finland as one of its 11 Centres of Excellence for the 2026–2033 programme period.
Professors Taija Mäkinen and Kari Vaahtomeri
The Centre is led by Professor Taija Mäkinen, Director of the Wihuri Research Institute. It also includes the research group of Kari Vaahtomeri at the Wihuri Research Institute, as well as research groups from Åbo Akademi University.
IMMENs explores how the endothelial cells lining lymphatic vessels communicate with immune cells and control their functions. As part of its work, the Centre will develop new methods and tools for studying these interactions.
Our immune system protects us from infections and diseases. However, dysregulated immune responses can lead to chronic inflammation and autoimmune diseases. Inflammation also plays a central role in many common diseases, including cardiovascular diseases, neurodegenerative disorders, and cancer, influencing their progression and severity.
Although systemic regulation of the immune system is increasingly well understood, the mechanisms operating locally within inflamed tissues remain insufficiently characterized. By identifying molecular mechanisms that regulate local immune responses more precisely, IMMENs may enable the development of more effective targeted therapies in the future.
Centres of Excellence represent the international cutting edge of research
A total of 11 centres were selected for the Research Council of Finland’s Centre of Excellence Programme for the period 2026–2033. These centres comprise research groups from 13 universities and research institutes.
The Finnish Centre of Excellence Programme aims to improve the quality of research conducted in Finland, modernize science and enhance the societal impact of research. The selected Centres of Excellence are scientifically outstanding, highly innovative and impactful research communities with a strong capacity for renewal. They are either at the forefront of their fields internationally or advancing towards it.
