AN INTERVIEW WITH ELIAS HAKALEHTO
Published in Worlds Times 8/2013
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QuestionExplain your background and “Finnoflag” (FF) in detail
AnswerAs a microbiologist from the University of Helsinki, Finland, I studied biotechnology at the University College, London, the University of Kent at Canterbury, and Westminster University in the U.K. in 1984-85. During my student years, I was a member of the board of Helsinki University´s student union and established its environmental section in 1983. We started many exciting projects there, such as biological agriculture, household waste recycling on the suburban scale, using recycled paper, etc. Then I realized the vast potential of combining biology with industries. Already in England, I could participate in a project where antibiotic-producing genes were cloned in Escherichia coli. In 1986 I was the first researcher of a project between Valio Dairies Corporation and the University of Helsinki to find ways for Valio to get into the probiotics market. Valio acquired and successfully launched the Lactobacillus rhamnosus GG (Goldin&Gorbach) globally under different trade names as a continuum of this project. In 1990-91 I worked as visiting scientist at the University of Jerusalem, departments of Biological Chemistry and Membrane and Ultrastructure Research. Since 1993 I have been conducting R&D with my company Finnoflag Oy on about 150 projects for clients in Finland and abroad.
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The University of Kuopio published my dissertation in 2000 (now belonging to the University of Eastern Finland). It relates to bacterial cell surfaces and their functionalities. The high idea is to find innovative industrial methods, products, and processes using microbiology, biotechnology, and scientific research thereof. Finnoflag Oy has been the laboratory for the innovation and investigations into new solutions in applied microbiology, biosciences, and industries.
We have also worked on innovations like PMEU (Portable Microbe Enrichment Unit) in the hygiene monitoring and control of water departments, industrial production lines, hospitals etc., and conducted numerous on-site investigations. Between 2012-14 I was the key technology provider in the European Union Baltic Sea biotechnology projects ABOWE participated by six EU countries. During that project, we piloted a pocket-sized factory to treat and refine the forest industry, potato industry, and agricultural side streams in Finland, Poland and Sweden. Since then, we have designed and tested about ten industrial pilots for corresponding purposes, including the ones in the “Zero waste from zero fiber” ecosystem engineering project for the city of Tampere and the Finnish Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry (in 2018-19), where the lake bottom sediments were converted into valuable chemicals, bioenergy, and soil improvement. In today´s world, it is ever-increasing importance to find organic and ecological soil improvement methods for enhanced food production. Equally actual in the complementation of the processes for precious chemicals by the sustainable and economically feasible biorefinery ideas. I am an adjunct professor at the Universities of Eastern Finland (Biotechnical Microbe Analytics, 2008-) and Helsinki (Agroecological Microbiology, 2016-). And the Vice President of the International Society of Environmental Indicators (Europe and Africa) (2015-), being the Chairman of the Helsinki ICEI conference in 2017, and keynote lecturer in numerous global events, including many Food Chemical Technology conferences by United Scientific Inc. since 2017, lifetime fellow member of International Society of Development and Sustainability (Japan) (2021-). In the field of scientific education, for example, I have also designed and lectured on an intensive course in biotechnology at Technion, Israel Institute of Technology in 2018, and given tens of scientific presentations on all continents, as well as teaching at Savonia University of Applied Sciences, Kuopio, during five decades.
Over the years, I have edited and principally authored five scientific books, written or co-written more than 100 chapters to several books by the leading publishing houses globally. I have published about 100 scientific articles and submitted around 80 original patents, many of which have gained international status. Besides scientific approaches and investigations, practical industrial, environmental and food science strategies have been introduced. Also, healthcare subjects have been close to our core activities. It is said that 95% of human diseases have a microbiological link. Moreover, the interlinkage of autoimmunity and nutrient uptake with the microbiome is at the core of our research activities. We have been involved in developing personalized health solutions, such as quantifying probiotic effects. New scientific understanding on the molecular and microbiological dimensions will open new potential for human development, and novel means for planetary survival. This all starts from the grassroot research and development activities. |
QuestionWhat are your goals?
AnswerMicrobes, plants and animals constitute the ecosystems. The latter make the substances circulate. We can complete the sustainable industries and agriculture by learning to work with microbes, understanding their metabolism and interactions. Corresponding ecosystem thinking works in many healthcare applications, too.
QuestionWhat do you feel is the biggest strength of FF
AnswerWe have learnt to combine microbial metabolism, and knowledge on the microbial structure and function with highly elevated productivities of precious chemicals, energy compounds, soil improvement and health enhancement. This enhanced enrichment concept can be utilized both in biotechnology and in diagnostics. We also have a strong insight into ecology.
QuestionWhat is the path you take to get to where you are today?
AnswerWe have wanted to apply new scientific data and innovations into real life instantaneously. The fast transfer of inventions into wide practical use is the surest way to success. The work has to be directed toward getting the “sheafs in the field of progress” to be used for the improvement of societies.
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QuestionWhy did you start FF?
AnswerThere was a bridge very much needed for crossing the gap from academia to society, from theory to practice.
QuestionWhat have been the biggest challenge you’ve had to overcome during the journey of your leadership?
AnswerHuman built-in resistance to new thinking. “All new ideas look crazy at first.”
QuestionGive us one word that describes you the best?
AnswerEndeavor
QuestionWhat do you value the most about FF vision.
AnswerThe idea is what matters. It must get concretized to bring new direction for all. But a fruitful idea will eventually get its form in real life.
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