Short CV
Education
B.Sc in Biology, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Greece, 1984
Ph.D in Biological Chemistry, University of Ioannina Medical School, Greece, 1991
Career milestones
1993-1996
Research Associate, Human Frontier (HFSPO) fellowship, Howard Hughes Medical Institute (HHMI), Department of Physiology & Molecular Biology Institute, University of California Los Angeles (UCLA), Los Angeles, California.
1998-1999
Fulbright Senior Research Scholar, Department of Physiology & Molecular Biology Institute, University of California Los Angeles (UCLA), Los Angeles, California.
1999-2000
Lecture assistant, Elective Undergraduate Study Program in Biochemistry, University of Ioannina, Greece.
2000-2006
Assistant Professor, Biological Chemistry, University of Ioannina Medical School, Greece.
2007-2011
Associate Professor, Biological Chemistry, University of Ioannina Medical School, Greece.
2012-
Professor, Biological Chemistry, University of Ioannina Medical School, Greece
2008-
Director, Postgraduate Program in Biotechnology, University of Ioannina Medical School, Greece.
Teaching
Postgraduate Courses
Molecular Pathology, M.Sc Program in Biotechnology, University of Ioannina, Greece, 2002-
Model microbial systems, M.Sc Program in Microbial Biotechnology, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Greece, 2003-
Undergraduate Courses
Biochemistry, University of Ioannina Medical School, Greece. 2002-
From Genome to Proteome, University of Ioannina Medical School, Greece, 2002-
Biology, Department of Chemistry, University of Ioannina, 2004-
Evolutionary Biology, Department of Biological Applications and Technologies, University of Ioannina, Greece, 2004-
From Genome to Proteome, Department of Biological Applications and Technologies, University of Ioannina, Greece, 2004-
Books
Biology II (Biology of Organisms), 1999
Biochemistry, Molecular Biology (Laboratory Manuals), 2001
From Genome to Proteome, 2003
Textbook translations (participation)
Brock Biology of Microorganisms, Pearson, 2003 (University Editions of Creta, 2007)
Watson Molecular Biology of the Gene, Pearson, 2008 (Utopia Publishing, Athens, 2011)
Barton Evolution, Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory Press, 2007 (Utopia Publishing, Athens, 2011)
Cooper The Cell – a molecular approach, Sinauer, 2009 (Academic Editions, 2011)
Research
Our research team focuses on the elucidation of structure-function relationships in membrane transport proteins. We use model prokaryotic systems to characterize and study transporters as prototypes for evolutionarily broad families with biomedical or environmental significance. We analyze newly characterized members using Cys-scanning and site-directed alkylation techniques in cells, membrane vesicles, or appropriate detergent solutions after overexpression and purification in E. coli K-12. We are interested in combining analysis of cross-homolog chimeras with bioinformatic and genome mining approaches to address questions on the evolution and evolvability of substrate specificity in such proteins. Our current work focuses mainly on secondary active nucleobase transporters. In this context, we collaborate with the research groups of G. Diallinas (National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Department of Biology), V. Sophianopoulou (NCSR Demokritos, Institute of Biology), H. R. Kaback (UCLA, Department of Physiology), G. Rudnick (Yale University, Department of Pharmacology), J. C. Voss (UCDavis, Department of Biological Chemistry Medical School).
Research Group
Post-doctoral: Maria Botou
PhD students: Vassilis Yalelis, Panayiota Lazou, Ekaterini Tatsaki
MSc students: -
Undergraduate students: Eutuxia Karyda
Previous members include: Ekaterini Karena (PhD, 2014), Konstantinos Papakostas (PhD, 2011), Ekaterini Georgopoulou (PhD, 2011), George Mermelekas (PhD, 2009), Sotiria Tavoulari (PhD, 2005), Panayiota Karatza (PhD, 2006), Panayiotis Panos (MSc, 2005), Alexander Kallis (MSc, 2009), Eleni Vourvou (BSc, 2008), Bill Vlantos (BSc, 2010).
Funding
Greek Ministry of Education Heraklitos-I (2003-2007), Heraklitos-II (2009-2013)
Greek Ministry of Development GSRT “Reinforcement Programme of Human Research Manpower” (PENED) (2005-2009),
GSRT “Collaborations with Research and Technology Organizations outside Europe“ (NONEU) (2006-2009), co-financed from the European Union Social Fund.
Greek Ministry of Education Thalis (2012-2015), program EVOTRANS, co-financed from the European Union Social Fund.