Overview
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
Qualifications
- Doctor of Philosophy of Chemical Engineering and Technology, Tallinn University of Technology
Research interests
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Neuroscience
Neurodegenerative diseases, amyloid diseases.
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Nanomedicine
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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:
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Advancing preclinical strategies for brain-targeted delivery of neurotrophic factors to protect and restore neurons affected by Parkinson’s disease.
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Generating knowledge that informs therapeutic approaches for Alzheimer’s and related disorders, contributing to improved patient outcomes.
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Establishing international collaborations that accelerate the translation of discoveries into practical medical applications.
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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.
Works
Search Professor Aleksandr Kakinen’s works on UQ eSpace
2013
Journal Article
Competitive binding of natural amphiphiles with graphene derivatives
Radic, Slaven, Geitner, Nicholas K., Podila, Ramakrishna, Kaekinen, Aleksandr, Chen, Pengyu, Ke, Pu Chun and Ding, Feng (2013). Competitive binding of natural amphiphiles with graphene derivatives. Scientific Reports, 3 (1) 2273. doi: 10.1038/srep02273
2013
Journal Article
Particle-cell contact enhances antibacterial activity of silver nanoparticles
Bondarenko, Olesja, Ivask, Angela, Kaekinen, Aleksandr, Kurvet, Imbi and Kahru, Anne (2013). Particle-cell contact enhances antibacterial activity of silver nanoparticles. PLoS One, 8 (5) e64060. doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0064060
2013
Journal Article
Toxicity of two types of silver nanoparticles to aquatic crustaceans Daphnia magna and Thamnocephalus platyurus
Blinova, Irina, Niskanen, Jukka, Kajankari, Paula, Kanarbik, Liina, Kaekinen, Aleksandr, Tenhu, Heikki, Penttinen, Olli-Pekka and Kahru, Anne (2013). Toxicity of two types of silver nanoparticles to aquatic crustaceans Daphnia magna and Thamnocephalus platyurus. Environmental Science and Pollution Research, 20 (5), 3456-3463. doi: 10.1007/s11356-012-1290-5
2013
Conference Publication
Aqueous photocatalytic oxidation of prednisolone
Klauson, Deniss, Pilnik-Sudareva, Jana, Budarnaja, Olga, Krichevskaya, Marina, Kulyasova, Yulia, Kakinen, Aleksandr, Juganson, Katre and Preis, Sergei (2013). Aqueous photocatalytic oxidation of prednisolone. Symposium on Physicochemical Characterization of Organic Matter - Past, Present, Future, and Role of Environment / 245th National Spring Meeting of the American-Chemical-Society (ACS), New Orleans La, Apr 07-11, 2013. WASHINGTON: AMER CHEMICAL SOC.
2012
Journal Article
Sub-toxic effects of CuO nanoparticles on bacteria: Kinetics, role of Cu ions and possible mechanisms of action
Bondarenko, Olesja, Ivask, Angela, Kaekinen, Aleksandr and Kahru, Anne (2012). Sub-toxic effects of CuO nanoparticles on bacteria: Kinetics, role of Cu ions and possible mechanisms of action. Environmental Pollution, 169, 81-89. doi: 10.1016/j.envpol.2012.05.009
2012
Journal Article
Environmental hazard of oil shale combustion fly ash
Blinova, Irina, Bityukova, Liidia, Kasemets, Kaja, Ivask, Angela, Kaekinen, Aleksandr, Kurvet, Imbi, Bondarenko, Olesja, Kanarbik, Liina, Sihtmaee, Mariliis, Aruoja, Villem, Schvede, Hedi and Kahru, Anne (2012). Environmental hazard of oil shale combustion fly ash. Journal of Hazardous Materials, 229, 192-200. doi: 10.1016/j.jhazmat.2012.05.095
2011
Journal Article
The effect of composition of different ecotoxicological test media on free and bioavailable copper from CuSO4 and CuO nanoparticles: comparative evidence from a Cu-selective electrode and a Cu-biosensor
Kaekinen, Aleksandr, Bondarenko, Olesja, Ivask, Angela and Kahru, Anne (2011). The effect of composition of different ecotoxicological test media on free and bioavailable copper from CuSO4 and CuO nanoparticles: comparative evidence from a Cu-selective electrode and a Cu-biosensor. Sensors, 11 (11), 10502-10521. doi: 10.3390/s111110502
2011
Conference Publication
Bioavailability and toxicity of copper oxide and silver nanoparticles to bacteria, yeasts, crustaceans and protozoa
Kahru, A., Bondarenko, O., Kajankari, P., Kaekinen, A., Ivask, A., Kasemets, K., Mortimer, M. and Blinova, I. (2011). Bioavailability and toxicity of copper oxide and silver nanoparticles to bacteria, yeasts, crustaceans and protozoa. 47th Congress of the European-Societies-of-Toxicology, Paris, France, 28-31 August 2011. Shannon, Ireland: Elsevier Ireland. doi: 10.1016/j.toxlet.2011.05.964
Funding
Current funding
Supervision
Availability
- Dr Aleksandr Kakinen is:
- Available for supervision
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Supervision history
Current supervision
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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
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Doctor Philosophy
Investigating the role of gut-bacteria in neurodegenerative diseases
Associate Advisor
Other advisors: Professor Thomas Davis
Media
Enquiries
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