Topic: research

The three-minute thesis competition for doctoral researchers, held at the University of Tartu Library on 22 October, featured 13 popular-science short lectures in Estonian and 14 in English.

Estonia’s obesity rate has been steadily climbing and so have scientific efforts to understand why. Our new study, published in Nature Communications, takes a closer look at the genes behind body weight and how they might point toward future treatments for obesity.

Triin Laisk, Associate Professor of Genomics and Reproductive Genetics at the University of Tartu, has become the first person from the Baltics to be selected as one of eight finalists in the Scientific Achievement category of the Inspiring Women in Science competition organised by the journal Nature.

A recent overview published by the Estonian Research Council (ETAG) reveals that Estonia has performed exceptionally well in the European Union’s framework programme for research and innovation, Horizon Europe (2021–2027). Among Estonian institutions, the University of Tartu has been the most successful participant in the programme, receiving almost €90 million in funding.

Your genes can remind you what your ancestors ate, your culture shapes what you choose to eat now, and your gut bacteria help to determine how well you digest what you eat.

Medications taken years ago can continue to shape the human gut microbiome, according to a large-scale study from the University of Tartu Institute of Genomics.

Kelli Lehto, Associate Professor of Neuropsychiatric Genomics at the University of Tartu, is leading a prestigious European Research Council (ERC) grant project that brings together genetics, psychology, and data science to investigate the causes of attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) in adults and enhance diagnostic methods.

In the genetic study on heart health led by the University of Tartu Estonian Biobank, the required number of participants – just over 2,500 gene donors – have now expressed their willingness to take part. With their help, researchers aim to determine whether heart disease can be more effectively prevented with cholesterol-lowering treatment based on genetic risk assessment.

In a large international study involving scientists from the Estonian Biobank and the University of Tartu, more than 30 genetic variants were identified whose impact on human health depends on whether they are inherited from the mother or the father.

The Institute of Genomics at the University of Tartu, home of the Estonian Biobank, invites you to the 24th annual Gene Forum, co-hosted with the Estonian Genome Foundation. The event will take place on 9–10 September 2025 at the Estonian National Museum in Tartu.