My name is Sofia Somajo and I am employed as a senior lecturer in biomedical laboratory science. I studied biomedical laboratory science with focus in clinical chemistry and is since 2003 licensed as biomedical laboratory scientist. During my time as a PhD-student, I studied the regulation of blood coagulation. After dissertation I moved to the field of clinical microbiology, where I worked as biomedical laboratory scientist in bacteriology and conducted research in the field of antimicrobial resistance.
Teaching
I primarily teach at the program for biomedical laboratory scientists and currently I have the role as course coordinator and/or examiner in the following courses:
- Fundamental laboratory methodology
- Pathophysiology and internal medicine
- Hematology with laboratory methodology
- Clinical chemistry with laboratory methodology
- Transfusion medicine and laboratory methodology
- Applied clinical methodology I
- Applied clinical methodology II
- Applied clinical methodology III
I also supervise undergraduate students in thesis projects at the department.
Research
The main purpose in my research is to improve laboratory diagnostics of infectous diseases. As part of the project AMPMeD (advanced materials for personalized medicine and diagnostics) we develop alternative platforms for enhanced diagnostics of borreliosis (Lyme disease).
I have special intererst in animicrobial resistance and we have developed new, rapid, and accurate methods for antimicrobial susceptibility testing. In our research we use flow cytometry to detect early effects of antimicrobial treatment and can thereby reduce the time to result with 75%, as compared to standard methodology.
There are many aspects that could influence the outcome of antimicrobial susceptibility testing in vitro. In another part or our research, we explore the clinical importance of factors like growth dynamics and specific resistance mechanisms.
In a collaboration with Ulyana Muñoz Acuña, we screen Swedish plant extracts for antimicrobial effects, with the long term aim to identify alternative treatment options.
My research is performed in collaboration with both clinical and academical colleagues and is part of the Linnaeus University Centre for Biomaterials Chemistry.
