Neurodegenerative Diseases, Cellular Electrophysiology, Ion Channels, Neurotransmitter Receptors, Cell Membranes, Virus - Host Cell Membrane Interactions.

Member of American Society for Neurochemistry, Biophysical Society, Society for Neuroscience, Brain Research Organization of Finland, Federation of European Neuroscience Societies (FENS), International Brain Research Organization (IBRO).

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While attending the University of Turku, Finland, Dr. Jalonen received a B.Sc. in Biochemistry, 1979, a M.Sc. in Zoology, 1983, a M.Phil. in Zoology, 1984, and a Phil.Lic. Animal Physiology, 1991. In 1997 Dr. Jalonen received a Ph.D. in Medical Faculty/Physiology from the University of Tampere, Finland in 1997.

Dr. Jalonen’s main field of research is the study of the brain using cellular level research methodology, such as microscopy together with electrophysiology and calcium imaging. She has studied the function of neurotransmitter and chemokine receptors, ion channels and calcium in cellular signaling related to various neuroinflammatory and neurodegenerative diseases, such as multiple sclerosis and Alzheimer’s disease, as well as the behavior of human astrocytoma and neuroblastoma cancer cells.

Since the 1980’s, in addition to research, Dr. Jalonen has been actively teaching courses, giving special lectures and practical demonstrations, as well as supervising students both in Finland and abroad (UK, Sweden and USA). She has been teaching medical, science and engineering students both in Finland (University of Tampere, 1988-1991 Physiology, and 1997-2002 Medical Technology and Engineering) and USA (Albany Medical College, NY, 1991-1997; Research Neurosurgery, Pharmacology and Neuroscience, Pathology and Laboratory Medicine). Since 2002, Dr. Jalonen participated in research, administrative and teaching activities at the University of Jyväskylä; originally in physics and since 2003 in biochemistry. Dr. Jalonen presently still supervises Ph.D. and M.Sc. thesis works both in Jyväskylä and Tampere, Finland. Dr. Jalonen is also a docent of cellular electrophysiology at the Institute of Medical Technology, Tampere, Finland. Dr. Jalonen is currently an Associate Professor in Neuroscience, Department of Physiology and Neuroscience, St.George’s University, School of Medicine, Grenada, West Indies. Dr. Jalonen’s editorial activities include reviewing of scientific manuscripts, more recently for “Journal of Biological Chemistry”, “Amino Acids” and “Inflammation Research”.

Toivari, E., Manninen, T., Nahata, A.K., Jalonen, T.O., Linne, M.-L. Effects of Transmitters and Amyloid-Beta Peptide on Calcium Signals in Rat Cortical Astrocytes: Fura-2AM Measurements and Stochastic Model Simulations. PLoS ONE, 2011 Mar 29;6(3):e17914

Pakkanen, K., Kirjavainen, S., Mäkelä, AR., Rintanen, N., Oker-Blom, C., Jalonen, T.O., Vuento, M. (2009). Parvovirus capsid disorders cholesterol-rich bilayers. Biochemical and Biophysical Research Communications /BBRC, 2009, Feb 6, 379(2) 526-6

Sarkanen, J-R., Nykky, J., Siikanen, J., Selinummi, J., Ylikomi, T. and Jalonen, T.O. (2007). Cholesterol supports the retinoic acid-induced synaptic vesicle formation in differentiating human SH-SY5Yneuroblastoma cells. Journal of Neurochemistry 102 (6), 1941-1952.
Selinummi, J., Sarkanen, J.-R., Niemistö, A, Linne, M.-L., Ylikomi, T., Yli-Harja, O. and

Jalonen, T.O. (2006). Quantification of vesicles in differentiating human SH-SY5Y neuroblastoma cells by automated image analysis. Neurosci. Lett. 396 (2), 102-107.

Jalonen, T.O., Pulkkinen, K., Ukkonen, M., Saarela M. and Elovaara, I. (2002). Differential intracellular expression of CCR5 and chemokines in multiple sclerosis subtypes. J. Neurology, 249 (5) 576-583.

Jalonen, TO, Sarkanen, JR, Linne ML. Maturation of SH-SY5Y neuroblastoma cells; synaptic plasticity and neuronal networks. Tampere University Medical Faculty, Tampere Technical University, Finland

Jalonen, TO, Sarkanen, JR, Linne, ML, Pakkanen, K, Roiha, T, Silvennoinen, T. Effects of cholesterol on cellular trafficking. Tampere University Medical Faculty, Tampere Technical University, Department of Biochemistry and Chemical Biology, University of Jyväskylä, Finland

Jalonen, TO. Basic properties, function and regulation of membrane receptors and ion channels in CNS cells. Tampere University Medical Faculty, Tampere Technical University, Finland and St. George’s University, Grenada

Jalonen, TO, Caviedes, P. The roles of neurotransmitters, chemokines, beta-amyloid and other ion channel modulators in neurodegenerative diseases. University of Chile, Santiago, Chile

Jalonen, TO, Pakkanen, K, Vuento, Matti. Virus-host interactions studied with neural cell lines. Department of Biological and Environmental Science, University of Jyväskylä, Finland