Dr Aleksandr Kakinen
Dr

Aleksandr Kakinen

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Background

Dr. Aleksandr Kakinen is an NHMRC Emerging Leadership Fellow at the Australian Institute for Bioengineering and Nanotechnology (AIBN), University of Queensland. He completed his PhD in 2014 at Tallinn University of Technology, Estonia, and held a postdoctoral fellowship at Monash Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences from 2016 to 2020.

Dr. Kakinen’s research focuses on neurodegenerative diseases, particularly amyloid-related disorders such as Parkinson’s and Alzheimer’s disease. His expertise spans structural biology, protein aggregation, neuroinflammation, and nanomedicine, with a special emphasis on developing brain-targeted delivery systems for neuroprotective therapies.

He has authored over 65 peer-reviewed publications in leading journals including Nature Communications, Advanced Science, ACS Nano, and Chemical Society Reviews. Dr. Kakinen also leads a research team that combines fundamental biophysics with translational studies to advance treatments for neurodegenerative disorders.

In addition to his scientific work, he founded a design studio specialising in scientific illustrations and biomedical animations, enhancing science communication through creative visual storytelling.

Availability

Dr Aleksandr Kakinen is:
Available for supervision

Fields of research

Biomedical and Clinical Sciences Human biophysics Medical physiology Nanomaterials Nanomedicine Nanotoxicology, health and safety Neurosciences

Qualifications

  • Doctor of Philosophy of Chemical Engineering and Technology, Tallinn University of Technology

Research interests

  • Neuroscience

    Neurodegenerative diseases, amyloid diseases.

  • Nanomedicine

  • Nanotechnology

Research impacts

Dr. Kakinen’s research focuses on understanding the molecular mechanisms underlying amyloid-related neurodegenerative diseases and developing innovative therapies to improve brain health, particularly in Parkinson’s and Alzheimer's diseases. By investigating how protein aggregates and neuroinflammation contribute to disease progression, his work supports the development of targeted treatments aimed at slowing or preventing neurological decline.

Key impacts of Dr. Kakinen’s research include:

  • Advancing preclinical strategies for brain-targeted delivery of neurotrophic factors to protect and restore neurons affected by Parkinson’s disease.

  • Generating knowledge that informs therapeutic approaches for Alzheimer’s and related disorders, contributing to improved patient outcomes.

  • Establishing international collaborations that accelerate the translation of discoveries into practical medical applications.

  • Securing competitive funding to sustain research activities and train the next generation of scientists.

Through high-impact publications, invited presentations, and collaborative projects, Dr. Kakinen’s work enhances understanding of neurodegeneration and fosters the development of new treatments that benefit society by reducing the burden of these diseases.

Search Professor Aleksandr Kakinen’s works on UQ eSpace

68 works between 2011 and 2025
All (68) Journal Article (63) Book Chapter (1) Conference Publication (4)

41 - 60 of 68 works

2017

Journal Article

Plasma proteome association and catalytic activity of stealth polymer-grafted iron oxide nanoparticles

Wang, Miaoyi, Siddiqui, Ghizal, Gustafsson, Ove J. R., Kakinen, Aleksandr, Javed, Ibrahim, Voelcker, Nicolas H., Creek, Darren J., Ke, Pu Chun and Davis, Thomas P. (2017). Plasma proteome association and catalytic activity of stealth polymer-grafted iron oxide nanoparticles. Small, 13 (36) 1701528, 1701528. doi: 10.1002/smll.201701528

Plasma proteome association and catalytic activity of stealth polymer-grafted iron oxide nanoparticles

2017

Journal Article

Zinc-coordination and C-peptide complexation: a potential mechanism for the endogenous inhibition of IAPP aggregation

Ge, Xinwei, Kakinen, Aleksandr, Gurzov, Esteban N., Yang, Wen, Pang, Lokman, Pilkington, Emily H., Govindan-Nedumpully, Praveen, Chen, Pengyu, Separovic, Frances, Davis, Thomas P., Ke, Pu Chun and Ding, Feng (2017). Zinc-coordination and C-peptide complexation: a potential mechanism for the endogenous inhibition of IAPP aggregation. Chemical Communications, 53 (68), 9394-9397. doi: 10.1039/c7cc04291d

Zinc-coordination and C-peptide complexation: a potential mechanism for the endogenous inhibition of IAPP aggregation

2017

Journal Article

NanoEHS beyond toxicity - focusing on biocorona

Lin, Sijie, Mortimer, Monika, Chen, Ran, Kakinen, Aleksandr, Riviere, Jim E., Davis, Thomas P., Ding, Feng and Ke, Pu Chun (2017). NanoEHS beyond toxicity - focusing on biocorona. Environmental Science-Nano, 4 (7), 1433-1454. doi: 10.1039/c6en00579a

NanoEHS beyond toxicity - focusing on biocorona

2017

Journal Article

Effects of Protein Corona on IAPP Amyloid Aggregation, Fibril Remodelling, and Cytotoxicity

Pilkington, Emily H., Xing, Yanting, Wang, Bo, Kakinen, Aleksandr, Wang, Miaoyi, Davis, Thomas P., Ding, Feng and Ke, Pu Chun (2017). Effects of Protein Corona on IAPP Amyloid Aggregation, Fibril Remodelling, and Cytotoxicity. Scientific Reports, 7 (1) 2455. doi: 10.1038/s41598-017-02597-0

Effects of Protein Corona on IAPP Amyloid Aggregation, Fibril Remodelling, and Cytotoxicity

2017

Journal Article

Differential effects of silver and iron oxide nanoparticles on IAPP amyloid aggregation

Wang, Miaoyi, Kakinen, Aleksandr, Pilkington, Emily H., Davis, Thomas P. and Ke, Pu Chun (2017). Differential effects of silver and iron oxide nanoparticles on IAPP amyloid aggregation. Biomaterials Science, 5 (3), 485-493. doi: 10.1039/c6bm00764c

Differential effects of silver and iron oxide nanoparticles on IAPP amyloid aggregation

2017

Conference Publication

Mesoscopic properties and molecular mechanisms of IAPP amyloid inhibition and remodeling with small molecules

Kakinen, Aleksandr, Wang, Bo, Ge, Xinwei, Mezzenga, Raffaele, Davis, Thomas P., Ding, Feng and Chun Ke, Pu (2017). Mesoscopic properties and molecular mechanisms of IAPP amyloid inhibition and remodeling with small molecules. Biophysical Society 61st Annual Meeting, New Orleans, LA United States, 11-15 February 2017. St Louis, MO United States: Cell Press. doi: 10.1016/j.bpj.2016.11.1839

Mesoscopic properties and molecular mechanisms of IAPP amyloid inhibition and remodeling with small molecules

2016

Journal Article

Solubility-driven toxicity of CuO nanoparticles to Caco2 cells and Escherichia coli: effect of sonication energy and test environment

Käkinen, Aleksandr, Kahru, Anne, Nurmsoo, Helen, Kubo, Anna-Liisa and Bondarenko, Olesja M. (2016). Solubility-driven toxicity of CuO nanoparticles to Caco2 cells and Escherichia coli: effect of sonication energy and test environment. Toxicology in Vitro, 36, 172-179. doi: 10.1016/j.tiv.2016.08.004

Solubility-driven toxicity of CuO nanoparticles to Caco2 cells and Escherichia coli: effect of sonication energy and test environment

2016

Journal Article

Inhibition of hIAPP amyloid aggregation and pancreatic beta-cell toxicity by OH-terminated PAMAM dendrimer

Gurzov, Esteban N., Wang, Bo, Pilkington, Emily H., Chen, Pengyu, Kakinen, Aleksandr, Stanley, William J., Litwak, Sara A., Hanssen, Eric G., Davis, Thomas P., Ding, Feng and Ke, Pu Chun (2016). Inhibition of hIAPP amyloid aggregation and pancreatic beta-cell toxicity by OH-terminated PAMAM dendrimer. Small, 12 (12), 1615-1626. doi: 10.1002/smll.201502317

Inhibition of hIAPP amyloid aggregation and pancreatic beta-cell toxicity by OH-terminated PAMAM dendrimer

2016

Journal Article

Pancreatic beta-Cell Membrane Fluidity and Toxicity Induced by Human Islet Amyloid Polypeptide Species

Pilkington, Emily H., Gurzov, Esteban N., Kakinen, Aleksandr, Litwak, Sara A., Stanley, William J., Davis, Thomas P. and Ke, Pu Chun (2016). Pancreatic beta-Cell Membrane Fluidity and Toxicity Induced by Human Islet Amyloid Polypeptide Species. Scientific Reports, 6 (1) 21274. doi: 10.1038/srep21274

Pancreatic beta-Cell Membrane Fluidity and Toxicity Induced by Human Islet Amyloid Polypeptide Species

2016

Journal Article

An interlaboratory comparison of nanosilver characterisation and hazard identification: harmonising techniques for high quality data

Jemec, Anita, Kahru, Anne, Potthoff, Annegret, Drobne, Damjana, Heinlaan, Margit, Böhme, Steffi, Geppert, Mark, Novak, Sara, Schirmer, Kristin, Rekulapally, Rohit, Singh, Shashi, Aruoja, Villem, Sihtmäe, Mariliis, Juganson, Katre, Käkinen, Aleksandr and Kühnel, Dana (2016). An interlaboratory comparison of nanosilver characterisation and hazard identification: harmonising techniques for high quality data. Environment International, 87, 20-32. doi: 10.1016/j.envint.2015.10.014

An interlaboratory comparison of nanosilver characterisation and hazard identification: harmonising techniques for high quality data

2016

Journal Article

Stabilizing off-pathway oligomers by polyphenol nanoassemblies for IAPP aggregation inhibition

Nedumpully-Govindan, Praveen, Kakinen, Aleksandr, Pilkington, Emily H., Davis, Thomas P., Ke, Pu Chun and Ding, Feng (2016). Stabilizing off-pathway oligomers by polyphenol nanoassemblies for IAPP aggregation inhibition. Scientific Reports, 6 (1) 19463. doi: 10.1038/srep19463

Stabilizing off-pathway oligomers by polyphenol nanoassemblies for IAPP aggregation inhibition

2016

Journal Article

Synthesis and in vitro properties of iron oxide nanoparticles grafted with brushed phosphorylcholine and polyethylene glycol

Blin, Thomas, Kakinen, Aleksandr, Pilkington, Emily H., Ivask, Angela, Ding, Feng, Quinn, John F., Whittaker, Michael R., Ke, Pu Chun and Davis, Thomas P. (2016). Synthesis and in vitro properties of iron oxide nanoparticles grafted with brushed phosphorylcholine and polyethylene glycol. Polymer Chemistry, 7 (10), 1931-1944. doi: 10.1039/c5py02024g

Synthesis and in vitro properties of iron oxide nanoparticles grafted with brushed phosphorylcholine and polyethylene glycol

2016

Journal Article

Brushed polyethylene glycol and phosphorylcholine for grafting nanoparticles against protein binding

Wang, Bo, Blin, Thomas, Kakinen, Aleksandr, Ge, Xinwei, Pilkington, Emily H., Quinn, John F., Whittaker, Michael R., Davis, Thomas P., Ke, Pu Chun and Ding, Feng (2016). Brushed polyethylene glycol and phosphorylcholine for grafting nanoparticles against protein binding. Polymer Chemistry, 7 (45), 6875-6879. doi: 10.1039/c6py01480a

Brushed polyethylene glycol and phosphorylcholine for grafting nanoparticles against protein binding

2015

Journal Article

Dissolution of CuO nanoparticles and their in vitro toxicity to Caco-2 cells and bacteria Escherichia coli depends on CuO ultrasonication protocol

Bondarenko, O., Käkinen, A., Nurmsoo, H. and Kahru, A. (2015). Dissolution of CuO nanoparticles and their in vitro toxicity to Caco-2 cells and bacteria Escherichia coli depends on CuO ultrasonication protocol. Toxicology Letters, 238 (2), S210-S210. doi: 10.1016/j.toxlet.2015.08.624

Dissolution of CuO nanoparticles and their in vitro toxicity to Caco-2 cells and bacteria Escherichia coli depends on CuO ultrasonication protocol

2015

Journal Article

Toxicity of 11 metal oxide nanoparticles to three mammalian cell types in vitro

Ivask, Angela, Titma, Tiina, Visnapuu, Meeri, Vija, Heiki, Kaekinen, Aleksandr, Sihtmaee, Mariliis, Pokhrel, Suman, Maedler, Lutz, Heinlaan, Margit, Kisand, Vambola, Shimmo, Ruth and Kahru, Anne (2015). Toxicity of 11 metal oxide nanoparticles to three mammalian cell types in vitro. Current Topics in Medicinal Chemistry, 15 (18), 1914-1929. doi: 10.2174/1568026615666150506150109

Toxicity of 11 metal oxide nanoparticles to three mammalian cell types in vitro

2014

Journal Article

Size-dependent toxicity of silver nanoparticles to bacteria, yeast, algae, crustaceans and mammalian cells in vitro

Ivask, Angela, Kurvet, Imbi, Kasemets, Kaja, Blinova, Irina, Aruoja, Villem, Suppi, Sandra, Vija, Heiki, Kaekinen, Aleksandr, Titma, Tiina, Heinlaan, Margit, Visnapuu, Meeri, Koller, Dagmar, Kisand, Vambola and Kahru, Anne (2014). Size-dependent toxicity of silver nanoparticles to bacteria, yeast, algae, crustaceans and mammalian cells in vitro. PLoS One, 9 (7) e102108. doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0102108

Size-dependent toxicity of silver nanoparticles to bacteria, yeast, algae, crustaceans and mammalian cells in vitro

2014

Journal Article

Selective performance of sol-gel synthesised titanium dioxide photocatalysts in aqueous oxidation of various-type organic pollutants

Klauson, Deniss, Budarnaja, Olga, Stepanova, Kristina, Krichevskaya, Marina, Dedova, Tatjana, Käkinen, Aleksandr and Preis, Sergei (2014). Selective performance of sol-gel synthesised titanium dioxide photocatalysts in aqueous oxidation of various-type organic pollutants. Kinetics and Catalysis, 55 (1), 47-55. doi: 10.1134/s0023158414010030

Selective performance of sol-gel synthesised titanium dioxide photocatalysts in aqueous oxidation of various-type organic pollutants

2013

Journal Article

Aqueous photocatalytic oxidation of prednisolone

Klauson, Deniss, Pilnik-Sudareva, Jana, Pronina, Natalja, Budarnaja, Olga, Krichevskaya, Marina, Käkinen, Aleksandr, Juganson, Katre and Preis, Sergei (2013). Aqueous photocatalytic oxidation of prednisolone. Central European Journal of Chemistry, 11 (10), 1620-1633. doi: 10.2478/s11532-013-0290-8

Aqueous photocatalytic oxidation of prednisolone

2013

Journal Article

Interaction of firefly luciferase and silver nanoparticles and its impact on enzyme activity

Kaekinen, Aleksandr, Ding, Feng, Chen, Pengyu, Mortimer, Monika, Kahru, Anne and Ke, Pu Chun (2013). Interaction of firefly luciferase and silver nanoparticles and its impact on enzyme activity. Nanotechnology, 24 (34) 345101. doi: 10.1088/0957-4484/24/34/345101

Interaction of firefly luciferase and silver nanoparticles and its impact on enzyme activity

2013

Conference Publication

Biological effects of nanoparticles of silver, gold, TiO2 and nanoporous silica to selected invertebrate species and bacteria: FP7 project NanoValid

Bondarenko, Olesja, Ivask, Angela, Kaekinen, Aleksandr, Aruoja, Villem, Blinova, Irina, Juganson, Katre, Kasemets, Kaja, Kuennis-Beres, Kai, Kurvet, Imbi, Mortimer, Monika, Sihtmaee, Mariliis and Kahru, Anne (2013). Biological effects of nanoparticles of silver, gold, TiO2 and nanoporous silica to selected invertebrate species and bacteria: FP7 project NanoValid. 49th Congress of the European Societies of Toxicology (EUROTOX), Interlaken, Switzerland, 1-4 September 2013. Shannon, Ireland: Elsevier . doi: 10.1016/j.toxlet.2013.05.146

Biological effects of nanoparticles of silver, gold, TiO2 and nanoporous silica to selected invertebrate species and bacteria: FP7 project NanoValid

Current funding

  • 2022 - 2026
    Inflammation and chronic infections in the pathogenesis of Alzheimer's disease: the role of amyloid cross-seeding.
    NHMRC Investigator Grants
    Open grant

Availability

Dr Aleksandr Kakinen is:
Available for supervision

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Supervision history

Current supervision

  • Doctor Philosophy

    Inflammation and chronic infections in the pathogenesis of Alzheimers disease: the role of amyloid cross-seeding

    Principal Advisor

    Other advisors: Professor Thomas Davis

  • Doctor Philosophy

    Investigating the role of gut-bacteria in neurodegenerative diseases

    Associate Advisor

    Other advisors: Professor Thomas Davis

Enquiries

For media enquiries about Dr Aleksandr Kakinen's areas of expertise, story ideas and help finding experts, contact our Media team:

communications@uq.edu.au