Kai Kaarniranta

Previous work experience:
Finnish Academy Graduate School, Department of Anatomy, University of Kuopio (1.1.2005-31.8.2000)
General Practioner, Juankoski Health Center, Juankoski, Finland (1.9.2000-31.5.2001; 1.8.-12.8.2001; 17.10- 23.10.2001)
Residential Ophtalmologist, Department of Ophthalmology, North Karelia Central Hospital, Joensuu, Finland (5.11.2001- 30.4.2003)
Residential Ophthalmologist, Department of Ophthalmology, Kuopio University Hospital (14.4.2003-19.11.2006)
Specialist of Ophtalmology, Department of Ophthalmology, Kuopio University Hospital (20.11.2006-31.12.2007)
Chief Physician, Department of Ophthalmology, Kuopio University Hospital (1.1.2008-Present)
Professor, Chairman, Department of Ophthalmology, University of Kuopio (1.1.2008-Present)
Visiting professor University of Lodz, Department of Molecular Genetics (1 month, 2012)

Scientific and societal impact of research:
I have more than 170 peer reviewed articles (+ 5 submitted), annually 5-10 international invited talks, more than 50 poster presentations in international congresses, constant national invitations for lectures and education, various interviews in newspaper and on TV about AMD, more than 10 international grant proposal evaluations including EU proposals and approximately 100 reviewer tasks. I have participated more than 10 clinical trials from phase I to Phase III as PI or subinvestigator for AMD, glaucoma and dry eye syndrome. The last GCP certificate was done at 13.6.2013. Our recent findings of autophagy in the pathogenesis of AMD was advertised internationally as a breakthrough observation in AMD research. Our reaserch group is one of the leaders worlwide in the autophagy research in AMD pathology. My H-INDEX is 45; Citations >8500.

Education and degrees awarded:
Senior Secondary School, 1990
Savonlinna College matriculation exam, 1990
University of Kuopio MSc (Biotechnology), 2000
University of Kuopio MD, 2000
University of Kuopio PhD (Medicine), 2002
University of Kuopio Docent (Experimental Ophthalmology), 2006
University of Kuopio Specialist in Ophthalmology, 2006
University of Kuopio Docent (Ophthalmology), 2009

Other education and training, qualifications and skills:
European Society of Ophthalmology, European Leadership Development Programme (EuLDP) 2007-2009

Linguistic skills:
Finnish as mother tongue, fluent in English and skills with Swedish, French, Hungary.

Research funding as well as leadership and supervision:

Grants for the pathogenesis and therapy of age-related macular degeneration (AMD) during the last 5 years:
Academy of Finland 300 000 eur, 2011-2013
EVO Kuopio University Hospital 38 000 eur, 2009-2010
Finnish Funding Agency for Technology and Innovation 300 000 eur, 2011-2014
EVO Kuopio University Hospital 28 000 eur, 2010-2011
Finnish Eye Foundation 25 000 eur, 2011
Finnish Eye Foundation 25 000 eur, 2012
EVO Kuopio University Hospital 50 000 eur, 2013
Päivikki and Sakari Sohlberg Foundation 65 000 eur, 2013
Finnish Eye Foundation 35 000 eur, 2013
VTR Kuopio University Hospital 60 000 eur, 2014
VTR Kuopio University Hospital 120 000 eur, 2015
Finnish Eye Fondation 35 000 eur, 2015

Supervision:
Astrid Subrizi, MSc, thesis work, University of Helsinki, 2014
Susanna Porela-Tiihonen MD, thesis work, Univeristy of Eastern Finland, 2015
Tuomas Ryhänen MSc, thesis work, University of Eastern Finland 2011
Eliisa Mannermaa MD, thesis work, University of Eastern Finland 2010

PhD studies (ongoing):
Tuomas Paimela MD student, thesis work 2007-, University of Eastern Finland. Principal Supervisor. Started 2007.
Johanna Viiri MSc, thesis work, University of Eastern Finland. Principal Supervisor. Started 2007.
Hanna-Mari Jauhonen, MD, thesis work, University of Eastern Finland. Principal Supervisor. Started 2009.
Niko Kivinen MD student, thesis work, University of Eastern Finland. Principal Supervisor. Started 2011.
Pasi Vottonen MD, thesis work, University of Eastern Finland. Principal Supervisor. Started 2011.
Niina Hytti MSc, thesis work, University of Eastern Finland. Co-Supervisor. Started 2011.
Maria Piippo MSc, thsesis work, University of Eastern Finland. Co-Supervisor. Started 2011.
Eveliina Korhonen, thesis work, University of Eastern Finland. Co-Supervisor. Started 2013.
Ali Koskela MSc, thesis work, University of Eastern Finland. Principal Supervisor. Started 2012.
Jussi Paterno MD, thesis work, University of Eastern Finland. Principal Supervisor. Started 2013.

MSc graduation:
Tuomas Ryhänen MSc, pro gradu, University of Kuopio. Principal Supervisor. Finalized 2005.
Johanna Viiri MSc, pro gradu, University of Kuopio. Principal Supervisor. Finalized 2007.
Tapio Nuutinen, MSc pro gradu, University of Kuopio. Co-Supervisor. Finalized 2008.

Merits in teaching and pedagogical competence:
Lecturer in Department of Anatomy, University of Kuopio 1994-2003
Clinical teacher in Department of Ophthalmology, University of Kuopio 2003-2008
Professor and Chairman, Department of Ophthalmology, University of Kuopio 2008-2011
Professor and Chairman, Department of Ophthalmology, University of Eastern Finland 2011-present.

Awards, prizes and honours:
Martti Hämäläinen Young Scientists 2003
Kuopio University Scientist Award 2006
Second Poster Prize NOK 2006, Copenhagen
European Society of Ophthalmology lecture 2007
Elsemay Björn Young Scientist Award 2009
Best section paper EVER 2012, Nice
Acta Ophthalmologica Silver Medal 2014

Other academic merits:

Memberships in scientifical societies:
Secretary of the Finnish Ophthalmology Society 2006-2007
Board of Directors Acta Ophthalmologica 2009-
Duodecim grant application committee 2012-
Board member of the Finnish Clinical Research School 2011-
Consultant in the Finnish Medical Agency 2014-
Chairman of Kuopio University Hospital Research committee 2013-
Board member of the VTR-grant committee Kuopio University Hospital 2012-
European Association of Vision and Eye Research (EVER) ACB section chair 2015-2019
Scientifical expert secretary in the Finnish Social and Health Ministry 2015-
President of the Finnish Ophthalmology Society 2015-

Editorial board member:
Managing Editor Frontiers in Bioscience 2010-
Associate Editor Journal of Alzheimer ́s Disease 2011
Editor in Ageing Research Reviews 2012-
Editor in Journal of Biochemical and Pharmacological Research 2013-

Opponent of doctoral dissertations:
Anu Vaajanen, University of Helsinki, 2009
Elisa Vuori-Heikkilä University of Helsinki, 2010

Reviewer of Academic dissertations:
Marjo Volotinen, University of Helsinki, 2009; Ranaa Al-Jamal, University of Helsinki, 2011; Charles O. Pierce, University of Southampton 2014

Invited international AMD –related lectures during the last 5 years:
2NDLECOP COURSE ON AGE RELATED MACULAR DEGENERATION, PRAQUE, CZECH 2011, Polish Ophthalmology Society, Warsaw, 2011, European Association of Vision and Eye Research (EVER), Portoroz, Slovenia 2011 (lecture, organization and SIS chairman), ICER 2012, Berlin, Germany 2012, 3THLECOP COURSE ON AGE RELATED MACULAR DEGENERATION, PRAQUE, CZECH 2012, 9th Congress of Slovenian Society of Ophthalmology, the 32nd Symposium of Ophthalmology of Slovenia and Croatia, the 9th Congress of South East European Society of Ophthalmology and 34th Congress of Ophthalmology of Alpe Adria region, Portoroz, Slovenia 2012, European Association of Vision and Eye Research (EVER), Crete, Creece 2011 (lecture, organization and SIS chairman), European Association of Vision and Eye Research (EVER), Nice, France 2012 (lecture, organization and SIS chairman), Nordic Ophthalmology Congress, Helsinki, Finland 2012, 3rd Retina Meeting, Katowice, Poland 2012, ANVC, Oslo, Norway 2013, Chronic inflammation, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark 2013, 4THLECOP COURSE ON AGE RELATED MACULAR DEGENERATION, PRAQUE, CZECH 2013, 4th Retina meeting, Katowice, Poland 2013, Autophagy in the pathogenesis of AMD, Queen university, Belfast, Ireland 2013, European Association of Vision and Eye Research (EVER), Nice, France 2013 (lecture, organization and SIS chairman), 5THLECOP COURSE ON AGE RELATED MACULAR DEGENERATION, PRAQUE, CZECH 2014, Autophagy in the pathogenesis of AMD, Baltimore 2014, International Society for Eye Research ( ISER), San Fransisco 2014, European Association of Vision and Eye Research (EVER), Nice, France 2014 (poster, organization and SIS chairman), 4th Retina Meeting, Katowice, Poland 2014, Oxidative Stress & Disease - Gordon Research Conferences 2015, Ventura, CA.

Ten selected publications:
1. The marine n-3 PUFA DHA evokes cytoprotection against oxidative stress and protein misfolding by inducing autophagy and NFE2L2 in human retinal pigment epithelial cells. Johansson I, Monsen VT, Pettersen K, Mildenberger J, Misund K, Kaarniranta K, Schønberg S, Bjørkøy G. Autophagy. 2015 Aug 3:0. IF 11.7
2. Guidelines for the use and interpretation of assays for monitoring autophagy. Klionsky et al., Autophagy. 2012; 8 (4 ), 445–544. IF 11.7
3. Autophagy and heterophagy dysregulation leads to retinal pigment epithelium dysfunction and development of age-related macular degeneration. Kaarniranta K, Sinha D, Blasiak J, Kauppinen A, Veréb Z, Salminen. 2013 Jul;9(7):973-84. doi: 10.4161/auto.24546. Epub 2013 Apr 9. IF 11.7
4. Structure and barrier properties of human embryonic stem cell derived retinal pigment epithelial cells are
affected by extracellular matrix protein coating. Sorkio A, Hongisto H, Kaarniranta K, Uusitalo H, Juuti-
Uusitalo K, Skottman H. Tissue Eng Part A. 2014 Feb;20(3-4):622-34. doi: 10.1089/ten.TEA.2013.0049.
Epub 2014 Jan 20. IF 4.5
5. Autophagy activation clears ELAVL1/HuR-mediated accumulation of SQSTM1/p62 during proteasomal inhibition in human retinal pigment epithelial cells. Viiri J, Amadio M, Marchesi N, Hyttinen JM, Kivinen N, Sironen R, Rilla K, Akhtar S, Provenzani A, D'Agostino VG, Govoni S, Pascale A, Agostini H, Petrovski G, Salminen A, Kaarniranta K. PLoS One. 2013 Jul 29;8(7):e69563. doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0069563. IF 3.2
8. Celastrol regulates innate immunity response via NF-κB and Hsp70 in human retinal pigment epithelial cells. Paimela T, Hyttinen JM, Viiri J, Ryhänen T, Karjalainen RO, Salminen A, Kaarniranta K. Pharmacol Res. 2011 Nov;64(5):501-8. Epub 2011 Jun 7. IF 4.4
9. Defects in retinal pigment epithelial cell proteolysis and the pathology associated with age-related
macular degeneration. Ferrington DA, Sinha D, Kaarniranta K. Prog Retin Eye Res. 2015 Sep 4. pii:
S1350-9462(15)00069-5. doi: 10.1016/j.preteyeres.2015.09.002. IF 8.7
10. Clearance of misfolded and aggregated proteins by aggrephagy and implications for aggregation diseases. Hyttinen JM, Amadio M, Viiri J, Pascale A, Salminen A, Kaarniranta K. Ageing Res Rev. 2014 Jul 22;18C:16-28. doi: 10.1016/j.arr.2014.07.002. IF 5.0

Erikoisala: Silmätaudit