Published: 26.5.2026

The gut is the largest immunological organ in the human body, and it helps the body to defend itself against various pathogens. The intestinal microbiota affects, among others, the mucus layer that protects the intestinal surface and prevents harmful compounds from transferring from the gut into the circulation.

Dysbiosis, an imbalance of the gut, can damage the surface-protecting mucous membrane, thus allowing bacteria or harmful compounds produced by them to access the circulation. This, in turn, may cause a low-grade inflammation in the body, which is known to be associated with several different diseases, such as type 2 diabetes and depression. 

It seems apparent that increased information and understanding of the composition of the intestinal microbiota and its effects on the pathogenesis of diseases would allow, at some point, for the development of new treatment methods. 

“It is, however, good to bear in mind that these are very complicated questions for which there are no simple answers. The fundamental effect of microbes on many things is well known but developing treatment solutions still requires a lot of research”, emphasises Pentti Huovinen, the Chairman of the Board of the Sakari Alhopuro Foundation and Professor of Bacteriology.   

Professor Huovinen is pleased with the decision made by the Board of the Sakari Alhopuro Foundation to direct the Foundation's medical science grants to research on interactions between humans and microbes. 

“If a disease is linked to, for example, a gene disorder, it is difficult to intervene in the patient's situation, whereas influencing a disease related to microbes is possible by, for instance, revising the patient's lifestyle or through totally new treatment methods. This is why I think investigating these promising prospects is our duty, even.”

Funding for ground-breaking research

This year, approximately 10 per cent of the applicants for the medical science funding were awarded grants. Funding worth more than half a million euro is being divided between 12 highly qualified postdoctoral researchers.  

“The allocation of grants to this specific topic enabled for more applicants to gain funding, but, unfortunately, many good applications still had to be turned down once again”, Huovinen regrets.

The projects chosen for funding include two separate studies on obesity that, for the first time, investigate the connections between the gut, body and brain by utilising functional imaging. A grant was also awarded for a project endeavouring to find out whether recurrent urinary tract infections can be prevented with a fecal transfusion.

In addition, funding was also granted for research investigating whether early gut microbiome is associated with a child’s symptoms in the intestines as well as their emotional and behavioural symptoms. A grant was also awarded for a study that aims at finding out why and how a dormant JC polyoma virus that is found in most human bodies can cause fatal progressive multifocal leukoencolopathy (PML) in some individuals.  

A total of 400,000 euro for natural sciences and art

Like last year, the Foundation awarded grants also to researchers of the natural sciences and artists, approximately 400,000 euro in total. 

The funding awarded by the Foundation for the natural sciences is mainly focused on research investigating the diverse effects of climate change on nature. Funding was also awarded for, among others, a plankton study that investigates the adjustment of certain cyanobacteria to warming marine ecosystems. The cyanobacteria in the oceans play a key role in the oxygen production of global ecosystems and, therefore, further research data is needed on the subject.

In addition, a study investigating how antibiotics could be removed from waste water was awarded funding. The importance of the subject was highlighted also in the international scientific symposium organised by the Foundation in the spring. Furthermore, the Foundation continued providing funding for the tick research it has been supporting on a long term basis.

The art grants were awarded this year to artists whose artistic work deals with climate change, the environmental crisis, the state of Finnish nature and nature conservation. Art grants were awarded to 10 artists, and the sum was 100,000 euro in total. 
 
For example, funding was granted to a project that comments on global commerce, its environmental impacts and the question of responsibility. Funding was also granted for performing, topical and argumentative textile art as well as a composition that records the sounds made by the most familiar trees in Finland and plays them out in the form of a concerto.

The research projects that received funding and the names of the grant recipients are available on the Foundation's website – link below.

 

Awarded grants

 

Further information:

Managing Director Carita Rantanen
tel. +358 40 503 9609, carita.rantanen(at)sakarialhopuronsaatio.fi  

Chairman of the Board Pentti Huovinen
tel. +358 40 505 2284, pentti.huovinen(at)sakarialhopuronsaatio.fi      

The purpose of the Sakari Alhopuro Foundation is to support and promote high-quality medical research, biodiversity, entrepreneurship as well as cultural and social well-being in Finland. Every year, the Foundation awards grants to talented researchers in the fields of medical science and the natural sciences as well as to artists. Furthermore, the Foundation supports, through the establishment of a specific fund, the operation of the field stations of the University of Turku in Seili and Kevo.