Michael Wrzaczek

In the lab generally known as "Michi" - I am a plant molecular biologist interested in the molecular function of receptor-like protein kinases (and their relatives) and evolution. I head the receptor-ligand signaling group (short the recsig group) at the University of Helsinki, Department of Biosciences. The team consists of a small group of very talented, motivated researchers - you can find their profiles below. We mainly use a combination of molecular biology, biochemistry, plant physiology with bioinformatic analysis of protein evolution. As model system we mainly concentrate on the small weed plant Arabidopsis thaliana but we are also expanding our repertoire with Marchantia polymorpha and tomato. The group is also part of the Viikki Plant Science Centre (ViPS) and the Centre of Excellence in the Molecular Biology of Primary Producers.

I teach computer methods for biologists where I aim to introduce the basics of using the Unix/Linux commandline as well as programming/scripting in the Perl language. I also teach signal transduction where I am particularly fond of talking about protein post-translational modifications and protein phosphorylation.

Before moving to Finland I graduated with a PhD in Genetics from the University of Vienna where I worked on glycogen synthase kinase 3 homologs in plants under the guidance of Dr. Claudia Jonak and Prof. Heri Hirt.

When in am not in the lab or the office (or travelling) I am likely to be taking care of my aquariums, lifting weights or entertaining myself with anything related to SciFi. Typically also listening to a more or less eclectic collection of music - here is what currently motivates me in the gym...