Outi Haapanen

I study biological systems using computer simulations. This biophysical research complements experimental methods, enabling analyses and research questions traditional approaches alone cannot address, often due to limitations in resolution or timescale.

During my doctoral research, I focused on respiratory complex I, which plays a pivotal role in cellular energy production. I studied its interactions and conformational changes, providing insights into both normal physiological processes and pathological conditions linked to mitochondrial dysfunction.

Since completing my doctorate, I have continued investigating respiratory enzymes, recently publishing findings on the membrane-shaping properties of respiratory supercomplexes. These large assemblies of enzymes, observed in mitochondria, represent a vital area of research, as their exact functions and contributions to cellular energy metabolism are still not fully understood.