Master Programme ‘Biomedical Technology’ at
Tampere University
Applicant: I hereby declare that I wrote the following statement of purpose independently without using any
sources or auxiliary means other than the ones indicated and that everything stated is true to the best of my
knowledge.
My name is Arooba Arshad and I am a final year student of Applied Biosciences in National University of Sciences
and Technology in Pakistan. The field of biomedical sciences, which lies at the convergence of many diverse
disciplines—Physics, Chemistry, Biology, Computation—is unfolding with new questions and challenges every day.
Captivated by the complexity of this research, I am keen to acquire the depth of knowledge and capabilities necessary
to add my share to the advancement of intersection between biosciences and technology with the ultimate goal for
better health. Hence, I am applying to join Master’s Degree Programme in Biomedical Technology at Tampere
University.
My curiosity to decipher the intricate functional system as a whole; the human being, transpired when my
grandmother was diagnosed with breast cancer a few years ago. Considering the high incidence of breast cancer in my
family, this traumatic occurrence wasn’t unusual for us but the restricted medical resources, lag in cancer research and
archaic technology for diagnostics and prognostics of cancer in the country made the experience as challenging as
ever. My intellectual drive aggravated to investigate further after an internship in the Histopathology Lab at the
Laboratory Department of Shifa International Hospital in 2019. This enlightened me with the facts; having the highest
breast cancer incidence (23%), mortality (16%) and 5-year prevalence (35%) among both sexes (IARC GLOBOCAN
2012b), Pakistan has only one cancer hospital which remains insufficient to cater for the huge population of cancer
patients in the country. Amidst this situation, the world-class researchers in medicine, biosciences and technology,
contributing to broad-based knowledge dissemination at the ‘Faculty of Medicine and Health Technology’, intensifies
my motivation to study cancer genomics at molecular level via opting for molecular biology as a major. Therefore, the
versatility, uniqueness and flexibility of this master’s programme fascinates me to gain competence in the field of
biomedical technology by exploring multi-disciplinary research areas of molecular biology, cell technology and
bioinformatics.
My undergraduate degree encompasses a wide range of diverse yet interlinked branches of biology and its application
in the industrial, agricultural and healthcare sector. An amalgam of core subjects like biochemistry, cell biology and
molecular biology aided me in comprehending the basic understanding of synthesis and processing of structure of
building blocks of life, their role in intermediary metabolism—by bioenergetics and oxidative phosphorylation—
transcription, translation, post-translational modifications, protein folding, misfolding, protein thermodynamics and
gene expression and regulation. Consequentially, leading me to understand how a human body operates as a society or
ecosystem through cells as their individual members that reproduce by cell division and organize into collaborative
assembles called tissues. Paving my way further, I took up in-depth courses like, cell signaling, vaccinology,
immunology to interpret the host-pathogen interaction cascade, apoptosis, necrosis, cell differentiation, vaccine
development along with therapeutic vaccines, phage therapy, cancer immunosurveillance and immunoediting. My
understanding of biotechnology has made me realize the importance of the intersection between biology and
technology for synthesizing health based industrial products. For instance, by producing and cloning transgenic
animals to yield recombinant therapeutic proteins (human growth factor). Further, my knowledge in biostatistics and
skills in various bioinformatics tools like BLAST, Clustal Omega and UniProt has enabled me to perform in-silico
analysis of DNA and protein sequences involving manipulation of my sequence of interest. This included
identification from a database, structural analysis of the sequence and finding interacting proteins to aid Protein-
Protein interaction for translating my research into wet lab experiments such as yeast two hybrid analysis. Finally, the
coursework learning culminated in my ongoing final year research project which focuses on protein extraction of
Lipase enzyme from Oyster Mushroom (Pleurotus ostreatus), followed by concentrating and purifying 90% pure
Lipase. This will be further immobilized into nanoparticles and used according to its industrial demand. I will be
performing this as a Lab Assistant in Plant Biotechnology Lab of my own institute and my major focus is to utilize the
Lipase nanoparticles for Biofuel production. Important analytical techniques include use of Next Generation
Chromatography, High Performance Liquid Chromatography, lipase affinity chromatography and biochemical assays.
This research holds great significance as Biofuel will serve as an alternate energy source for fossil fuels and aid in
minimizing the carbon footprint. Hence, considering my educational background, most of the courses I have taken are
prerequisites for the ones offered in this programme.
The acquired insight from courses like cell biology and clinical genetics along with refined skills in modern research
techniques has helped me to identify a major area in which I would like to develop my skills further for my Master’s
dissertation in your programme. I have always been fascinated by how the slightest infringement of the biological
code can potentially disrupt a biological system thus leading to cancer. The ability of cancer cells to reproduce in
defiance of the normal restraints on cell growth and division, the genetic and epigenetic changes that makes them
avoid replicative cell senescence and the cross-talk between cancer cells and other cell types—fibroblasts,
inflammatory white blood cells, vascular epithelial cells—in the tumor microenvironment etc, increases my interest in
cancer reearch. Thus, I find myself specially drawn towards the BTK modules of ‘cancer biology’, ‘cell process and
signals’ and ‘functional genomics’ to fathom deeper concepts of biological data in relation to cancer genetics and
associated signaling pathways. The on-going research in Cancer Genomics Group at BioMediTech, particularly by
Professor Anne Kallioniemi, corresponds perfectly with my research interests. In fact, Dr. Anne Kallioniemi’s recent
research on ‘Depletion of nuclear import protein karyopherin alpha 7 (KPNA7) induces mitotic defects and
deformation of nuclei in cancer cells’[1] compels me to understand the role of nucleocytoplasmic transport in
progression and suppression of cancer. While using cutting-edge techniques, I see myself working along the senior
research team in lab to understand whether depletion of KPNA7 can block the signaling pathway that leads to
overexpression of human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 (HER2) protein in breast cancer cells.
My academic journey so far is enriched with experiences and achievements that signify a track record of
outperformance. Recently, I secured Third Position at my university for presenting my on-going project of “Biofuel
production" in the 2020 Hult Prize Challenge. This abstract idea was introduced in the form of an “integrated system
based on circular bioeconomy, consisting of self-sustaining three units”, under the name “ECOSYN-BIOTECH
CORP”. My avidity for learning science helped me secure an intern position in Department of Pathology at Ayub
Teaching Hospital in 2018. I have been actively participating in science workshops outside the university campus to
inculcate hands-on training in research labs. For example, I attended a training session in Microbiology and Public
Health Lab at COMSATS University Islamabad, based on a ‘Journey from Genotype to Phenotype: Structure-
Function Relationship’. Furthermore, based on my decent academic carrier, I was appointed as a research internee for
a period of 4 months at the ‘AntiBacter’ group in the Virology Lab of my institute. The group mainly focused on the
novel antibacterial strategies like quorum quenching, virulent gene silencing via siRNA, antimicrobial peptides and
CRISPR CAS9 system.
I am well aware of my ambitions for life; keeping Maslow’s Hierarchy of Needs in my mind with the ultimate goal
being self-actualization, where I want to achieve my full potential by studying Biomedical Technology at Tampere
University. The pioneering, student-oriented methodology, flexibility and multidisciplinary approach of the
programme will expand my design thinking skills in the classroom. Followed by the state-of-the-art core facilities at
BioMediTech in coalescence with ample clinical samples from ‘Finnish Clinical Biobank Tampere (FCBT)’ will
ameliorate my biomedical, clinical and translational research expertise. Nonetheless, Tampere University’s active
participation in ‘Tays Cancer Center’ and ‘FICAN Mid’ motivates me further for quality research that leads to
development of cancer treatments. Ultimately, I see myself working at the Tampere University Hospital as a cancer
biologist in the long run. The university’s missions in research, design and innovation aligns with my goals for
benefitting the society. My biggest asset is my analytical mindset and I do not aim to be the sole benefactor of my
knowledge; therefore, I firmly believe that by combining technology, health and society in a unique way I will
produce breakthroughs in science. Being persistent about fulfilling my dreams, I will try my best to match the high
standards of Tampere University and to contribute to its research endeavors.
Thank you for considering my application.
Vuorinen EM, Rajala NK, Ihalainen TO, Kallioniemi A. Correction to: Depletion of nuclear import protein
karyopherin alpha 7 (KPNA7) induces mitotic defects and deformation of nuclei in cancer cells.
BMC Cancer ;19(1)57, 2019
