Dr Pirjo Apaja

A/Prof Apaja is the Head of the Organelle Proteostasis Diseases Laboratory in South Australian Health and Medical Research Institute.

I have endeavoured my research career to decipher how cells cope and reprogramme Protein Homeostasis (Proteostasis) Stress in human diseases, and specifically how protein surveillance and disposal systems adapt to changing conditions.

We are focusing on identifying key proteostasis networks, post-translational modifications and compounds to modulate transport, folding, recognition and disposal of membrane organelle/protein targets in brain diseases and cancers.

My laboratory combines screenings, omics and protein networks with biochemical and cell biological approaches in disease models.