World's Best Scientists 2026 revealed!
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Biology and Biochemistry
Finland
2026

D-Index & Metrics

Biology and Biochemistry

D-Index
99
Citations
64594
World Ranking
1554
National Ranking
7

Research.com Recognitions

  • 2026 - Research.com Biology and Biochemistry in Finland Leader Award
  • 2025 - Research.com Biology and Biochemistry in Finland Leader Award

Overview

Kai Kaarniranta is affiliated with the University of Eastern Finland in Finland and has made significant contributions primarily in the intersection of medicine, biochemistry, genetics, and molecular biology. Their scholarly focus centers on ophthalmology, with substantial research output related to retinal diseases and treatments.

The main fields of study include:

  • Medicine
  • Biochemistry, Genetics and Molecular Biology

Within these broader fields, Kaarniranta has worked extensively across several subfields, including:

  • Ophthalmology
  • Molecular Biology
  • Radiology, Nuclear Medicine and Imaging
  • Epidemiology
  • Neurology

The primary topics covered in their work focus on ocular health and disease, with emphasis on:

  • Retinal Diseases and Treatments
  • Retinal Imaging and Analysis
  • Glaucoma and retinal disorders
  • Autophagy in Disease and Therapy
  • Retinal Development and Disorders
  • Ocular Diseases and Behçet's Syndrome
  • Retinal and Optic Conditions

Kaarniranta's research has been disseminated through multiple publication venues, with frequent contributions to:

  • Acta Ophthalmologica
  • International Journal of Molecular Sciences
  • Anticancer Research
  • Cells
  • Ageing Research Reviews

The scientist has collaborated with multiple co-authors over their career, including:

  • Einar Stefánsson
  • Anu Kauppinen
  • Ali Koskela
  • Janusz Błasiak
  • Maria Hytti

Among their recent publications are:

  • "FinnGen provides genetic insights from a well-phenotyped isolated population," 2023, Nature
  • "Mechanisms of mitochondrial dysfunction and their impact on age-related macular degeneration," 2020, Progress in Retinal and Eye Research
  • "FinnGen: Unique genetic insights from combining isolated population and national health register data," 2022, bioRxiv (Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory)
  • "Photoaging: UV radiation-induced inflammation and immunosuppression accelerate the aging process in the skin," 2022, Inflammation Research
  • "Autophagy in age-related macular degeneration," 2022, Autophagy

This body of work indicates a consistent research trajectory connected to retinal and ocular diseases, reflecting interdisciplinary approaches in molecular mechanisms and clinical implications.

Best Publications

  • Guidelines for the use and interpretation of assays for monitoring autophagy (4th edition)

    Daniel J. Klionsky;Amal Kamal Abdel-Aziz;Sara Abdelfatah;Mahmoud Abdellatif

  • Guidelines for the use and interpretation of assays for monitoring autophagy

    Daniel J. Klionsky;Fabio C. Abdalla;Hagai Abeliovich;Robert T. Abraham

  • Guidelines for the use and interpretation of assays for monitoring autophagy (3rd edition)

    Daniel J. Klionsky;Kotb Abdelmohsen;Akihisa Abe;Joynal Abedin

  • Antagonistic crosstalk between NF-κB and SIRT1 in the regulation of inflammation and metabolic disorders.

    Anu Kauppinen;Tiina Suuronen;Johanna Ojala;Kai Kaarniranta

  • AMP-activated protein kinase inhibits NF-κB signaling and inflammation: impact on healthspan and lifespan.

    Antero Salminen;Juha M. T. Hyttinen;Kai Kaarniranta

  • Guidelines for the use and interpretation of assays for monitoring autophagy (3rd edition)

    Daniel J. Klionsky;Kotb Abdelmohsen;Akihisa Abe;Joynal Abedin

  • AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK) controls the aging process via an integrated signaling network.

    Antero Salminen;Kai Kaarniranta

  • Emerging role of NF-κB signaling in the induction of senescence-associated secretory phenotype (SASP).

    Antero Salminen;Anu Kauppinen;Kai Kaarniranta

  • Activation of innate immunity system during aging: NF-kB signaling is the molecular culprit of inflamm-aging.

    Antero Salminen;Jari Huuskonen;Johanna Ojala;Anu Kauppinen

  • Inflammation and its role in age-related macular degeneration

    Anu Kauppinen;Jussi J. Paterno;Janusz Blasiak;Antero Salminen

  • Inflammaging: disturbed interplay between autophagy and inflammasomes

    Antero Salminen;Kai Kaarniranta;Anu Kauppinen

  • Terpenoids: natural inhibitors of NF-κB signaling with anti-inflammatory and anticancer potential

    A. Salminen;M. Lehtonen;T. Suuronen;K. Kaarniranta

  • Crosstalk between Oxidative Stress and SIRT1: Impact on the Aging Process.

    Antero Salminen;Kai Kaarniranta;Anu Kauppinen

  • Maturation of autophagosomes and endosomes: A key role for Rab7

    Juha M.T. Hyttinen;Minna Niittykoski;Antero Salminen;Kai Kaarniranta

  • Inflammation in Alzheimer's disease: Amyloid-β oligomers trigger innate immunity defence via pattern recognition receptors

    Antero Salminen;Johanna Ojala;Anu Kauppinen;Kai Kaarniranta

  • ER stress in Alzheimer's disease: a novel neuronal trigger for inflammation and Alzheimer's pathology

    Antero Salminen;Anu Kauppinen;Tiina Suuronen;Kai Kaarniranta

  • Impaired autophagy and APP processing in Alzheimer's disease: The potential role of Beclin 1 interactome.

    Antero Salminen;Kai Kaarniranta;Anu Kauppinen;Johanna Ojala

  • Celastrol: molecular targets of Thunder God Vine.

    Antero Salminen;Marko Lehtonen;Tuomas Paimela;Kai Kaarniranta

  • Astrocytes in the aging brain express characteristics of senescence-associated secretory phenotype.

    Antero Salminen;Johanna Ojala;Kai Kaarniranta;Annakaisa Haapasalo

  • Mechanisms of mitochondrial dysfunction and their impact on age-related macular degeneration

    Kai Kaarniranta;Hannu Uusitalo;Janusz Blasiak;Szabolcs Felszeghy

Frequent Co-Authors

Antero Salminen
Antero Salminen University of Eastern Finland
Anu Kauppinen
Anu Kauppinen University of Eastern Finland
Janusz Blasiak
Janusz Blasiak University of Łódź
Mikko J. Lammi
Mikko J. Lammi Umeå University
Heikki J. Helminen
Heikki J. Helminen University of Eastern Finland
Heli Skottman
Heli Skottman Tampere University
Arto Urtti
Arto Urtti University of Eastern Finland
Mikko Hiltunen
Mikko Hiltunen University of Eastern Finland
Lea Sistonen
Lea Sistonen Åbo Akademi University
Reijo Karjalainen
Reijo Karjalainen University of Eastern Finland

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