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Genetic data transformed into an original piece of music.The DNA was extracted from the extreme points of the country and sequencing was done at the Institute for Molecular Medicine Finland (FIMM). Listen to Symphony of Extremes' by Apocalyptica.

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Our understanding of the genetics of cancer is constantly increasing. At the same time, we are accumulating more information, which will allow for the development of more effective treatments. These four breakthroughs were achieved by the University of Helsinki’s cancer researchers during the past year.

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What is current in research in different fields of science? What will be the next breakthrough? Welcome to the Professorien tervetuliaisluennot - Inaugural lectures on Wednesday 29 November. Craig Primmer is a professor in genomics in the Faculty of Biological and Environmental Sciences and the Institute of Biotechnology. The aim of his research is to understand which genes are important for allowing species living in the wild to adapt to their local conditions and how they respond to changes in those conditions. His research group studies salmon populations. The work is a mix of ecology, evolutionary biology and molecular genetics.

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The DNA repair mechanism discovered by recent Nobel laureate Paul Modrich is already in use at the University of Helsinki. Minna Nyström, professor in epigenetics and genetics at the Faculty of Biological and Environmental Sciences, used it as the basis for a diagnostic test, patented it, and is now encouraging other researchers to embrace entrepreneurship. "I enjoy mentoring fledgling research entrepreneurs, since I believe that someone like me who learned everything the hard way can help those who are coming up next," Nyström says.

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Migraine is one of the most common brain disorders worldwide. An accumulation of many independent genetic risk variants is the reason why migraine tends to run in families. The genetic burden was shown to be greater in patients that experience aura symptoms during attacks or have an early age of onset of migraine.

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Irma Järvelä was the first to identify the genetic background of lactose intolerance. She also studies the genetic foundation of musical ability. Her primary interest, however, are serious brain disorders. Why? “Some have asked me bluntly what's the point of studying incurable diseases found in such a small portion of the population,” she says. “Research is all for the good – all findings lead to diagnostics, or finding the cause of a child’s condition.” It’s also about coping in the society – having a diagnosis helps the disabled person in getting support from the authorities.

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Researchers aim to investigate how events from 5 000 years ago are still having an impact on European culture and genetic heritage. How did the arrival of the new Yamnaya culture change an entire continent forever?

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Canine genetic research has already helped physicians in diagnosing rare human diseases. The next step will be to investigate the causes of canine behavioural disorders.

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Millennia of breeding has created a veritable rainbow of dog breeds but at the same time negative characteristics have also become heightened. Now the canine genetic research progresses in leaps to detect problems causing diseases. The findings can help people's health too.

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What kinds of viruses were circulating in Mediaeval Europe? How different were the viruses that existed among the populations of South America before the Europeans arrived? The door is now open for studying ancient infections, as a group of researchers from Helsinki and Edinburgh have been the first to find the genetic material of a human virus from old human bones. Their study analysed the skeletal remains of Second World War casualties.