Leena Palotie
Encyclopedia
Leena Peltonen-Palotie was a Finnish geneticist
who contributed to the identification of 15 genes for Finnish heritage disease
s, including arterial hypertension, schizophrenia
, lactose intolerance
, arthrosis and multiple sclerosis
. She was considered one of the world's leading molecular geneticists.
Born in Helsinki
, Finland
, Peltonen-Palotie received her license (Licentiate of Medicine) in 1976 and in 1978, presented her dissertation to graduate to Doctor of Science in Medicine
from the University of Oulu
.
Peltonen-Palotie worked at the National Public Health Institute of Finland
1987–1998. From 1998 to 2002 she helped found the UCLA Department of Human Genetics. She had a professorial position in the Academy of Finland
since 2003. In April 2005 Peltonen-Palotie was employed in the University of Helsinki
and the National Public Health Institute of Finland. She was also the project director in the EU project GenomEUtwin that was formed to define and characterize the genetic components in the background of different diseases. In 2004 she became a member of the Board of Directors of Orion Corporation
, the largest Finnish pharmaceutical company. In September 2007, Peltonen-Palotie joined the Wellcome Trust Sanger Institute as the head of Human Genetics. She also headed research groups at the Broad Institute
of MIT and Harvard University
.
Peltonen-Palotie published over 500 research articles and almost 80 invited articles
, and mentored over 70 PhD students in her career. In addition to many academic awards she received honorary degree
s from the University of Uppsala and the University of Joensuu. In 2006, Peltonen-Palotie was awarded the Belgian
prize Prix van Gysel and the Swedish
prize Stora Fernströmpriset. In 2009, she was awarded the honorary title of Academician of Science
in Finland.
In 2004 the Finnish television show, Suuret suomalaiset
, listed Peltonen-Palotie as 77th of the 100 greatest Finns of all time. On International Women's Day
2010, her achievements were honored in the form of a commemorative postage stamp
issued by the Finnish Post.
Peltonen-Palotie was married to fellow molecular geneticist, Aarno Palotie, with whom she had two children. She died on 11 March 2010 from bone cancer.
Geneticist
A geneticist is a biologist who studies genetics, the science of genes, heredity, and variation of organisms. A geneticist can be employed as a researcher or lecturer. Some geneticists perform experiments and analyze data to interpret the inheritance of skills. A geneticist is also a Consultant or...
who contributed to the identification of 15 genes for Finnish heritage disease
Finnish heritage disease
A Finnish heritage disease is a genetic disease or disorder that is part of the Finnish disease heritage. Finnish heritage diseases are significantly more common in people whose ancestors were ethnic Finns, natives of Finland and Sweden. About 40 rare diseases are regarded as Finnish heritage...
s, including arterial hypertension, schizophrenia
Schizophrenia
Schizophrenia is a mental disorder characterized by a disintegration of thought processes and of emotional responsiveness. It most commonly manifests itself as auditory hallucinations, paranoid or bizarre delusions, or disorganized speech and thinking, and it is accompanied by significant social...
, lactose intolerance
Lactose intolerance
Lactose intolerance, also called lactase deficiency or hypolactasia, is the inability to digest and metabolize lactose, a sugar found in milk...
, arthrosis and multiple sclerosis
Multiple sclerosis
Multiple sclerosis is an inflammatory disease in which the fatty myelin sheaths around the axons of the brain and spinal cord are damaged, leading to demyelination and scarring as well as a broad spectrum of signs and symptoms...
. She was considered one of the world's leading molecular geneticists.
Born in Helsinki
Helsinki
Helsinki is the capital and largest city in Finland. It is in the region of Uusimaa, located in southern Finland, on the shore of the Gulf of Finland, an arm of the Baltic Sea. The population of the city of Helsinki is , making it by far the most populous municipality in Finland. Helsinki is...
, Finland
Finland
Finland , officially the Republic of Finland, is a Nordic country situated in the Fennoscandian region of Northern Europe. It is bordered by Sweden in the west, Norway in the north and Russia in the east, while Estonia lies to its south across the Gulf of Finland.Around 5.4 million people reside...
, Peltonen-Palotie received her license (Licentiate of Medicine) in 1976 and in 1978, presented her dissertation to graduate to Doctor of Science in Medicine
Doctor of Science
Doctor of Science , usually abbreviated Sc.D., D.Sc., S.D. or Dr.Sc., is an academic research degree awarded in a number of countries throughout the world. In some countries Doctor of Science is the name used for the standard doctorate in the sciences, elsewhere the Sc.D...
from the University of Oulu
University of Oulu
The University of Oulu is one of the largest universities in Finland, located in the city of Oulu. It was founded on July 8, 1958. The university has around 16,000 students and 3,000 staff...
.
Peltonen-Palotie worked at the National Public Health Institute of Finland
National Public Health Institute of Finland
The National Public Health Institute of Finland was a research and expert institute under the charged with the task of protecting and promoting health in Finland. KTL was founded in 1911; the final form was established in 1982 in order to promote public health in Finland.The institution had a...
1987–1998. From 1998 to 2002 she helped found the UCLA Department of Human Genetics. She had a professorial position in the Academy of Finland
Academy of Finland
The Academy of Finland is a governmental funding body for scientific research in Finland. It is based in the Finnish capital, Helsinki. Yearly, the Academy administers over 260 million euros to Finnish research activities. Over 5,000 researchers are working on the projects supported by the academy...
since 2003. In April 2005 Peltonen-Palotie was employed in the University of Helsinki
University of Helsinki
The University of Helsinki is a university located in Helsinki, Finland since 1829, but was founded in the city of Turku in 1640 as The Royal Academy of Turku, at that time part of the Swedish Empire. It is the oldest and largest university in Finland with the widest range of disciplines available...
and the National Public Health Institute of Finland. She was also the project director in the EU project GenomEUtwin that was formed to define and characterize the genetic components in the background of different diseases. In 2004 she became a member of the Board of Directors of Orion Corporation
Orion Corporation
Orion Corporation, founded in 1917 and headquartered at Espoo, Finland, is a Finnish company, which develops, manufactures and markets pharmaceuticals, active pharmaceutical ingredients and diagnostic tests for global markets...
, the largest Finnish pharmaceutical company. In September 2007, Peltonen-Palotie joined the Wellcome Trust Sanger Institute as the head of Human Genetics. She also headed research groups at the Broad Institute
Broad Institute
The Broad Institute is a genomic medicine research center located in Cambridge, Massachusetts, United States. Although it is independently governed and supported as a 501 nonprofit research organization, the institute is formally affiliated with the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Harvard...
of MIT and Harvard University
Harvard University
Harvard University is a private Ivy League university located in Cambridge, Massachusetts, United States, established in 1636 by the Massachusetts legislature. Harvard is the oldest institution of higher learning in the United States and the first corporation chartered in the country...
.
Peltonen-Palotie published over 500 research articles and almost 80 invited articles
, and mentored over 70 PhD students in her career. In addition to many academic awards she received honorary degree
Honorary degree
An honorary degree or a degree honoris causa is an academic degree for which a university has waived the usual requirements, such as matriculation, residence, study, and the passing of examinations...
s from the University of Uppsala and the University of Joensuu. In 2006, Peltonen-Palotie was awarded the Belgian
Belgium
Belgium , officially the Kingdom of Belgium, is a federal state in Western Europe. It is a founding member of the European Union and hosts the EU's headquarters, and those of several other major international organisations such as NATO.Belgium is also a member of, or affiliated to, many...
prize Prix van Gysel and the Swedish
Sweden
Sweden , officially the Kingdom of Sweden , is a Nordic country on the Scandinavian Peninsula in Northern Europe. Sweden borders with Norway and Finland and is connected to Denmark by a bridge-tunnel across the Öresund....
prize Stora Fernströmpriset. In 2009, she was awarded the honorary title of Academician of Science
Academician
The title Academician denotes a Full Member of an art, literary, or scientific academy.In many countries, it is an honorary title. There also exists a lower-rank title, variously translated Corresponding Member or Associate Member, .-Eastern Europe and China:"Academician" may also be a functional...
in Finland.
In 2004 the Finnish television show, Suuret suomalaiset
Suuret suomalaiset
Suuret suomalaiset was a 2004 television show broadcast in Finland by YLE , which determined the 100 greatest Finns of all time according to the opinions of its viewers. The viewers were able to vote during a programme which lasted from October to December 2004...
, listed Peltonen-Palotie as 77th of the 100 greatest Finns of all time. On International Women's Day
International Women's Day
International Women's Day , originally called International Working Women’s Day, is marked on March 8 every year. In different regions the focus of the celebrations ranges from general celebration of respect, appreciation and love towards women to a celebration for women's economic, political and...
2010, her achievements were honored in the form of a commemorative postage stamp
Postage stamp
A postage stamp is a small piece of paper that is purchased and displayed on an item of mail as evidence of payment of postage. Typically, stamps are made from special paper, with a national designation and denomination on the face, and a gum adhesive on the reverse side...
issued by the Finnish Post.
Peltonen-Palotie was married to fellow molecular geneticist, Aarno Palotie, with whom she had two children. She died on 11 March 2010 from bone cancer.