Short Description
Our research group is actively engaged in basic and translational research, aiming to elucidate the molecular and cellular mechanisms underlying normal development, disease pathogenesis, and therapeutic intervention. The main research activities of our laboratory focus on the following areas: Genetically engineered animal models of human disease. We develop mouse models with inducible genetic alterations to investigate the cooperative effects of genetic and epigenetic changes during normal development and breast cancer tumorigenesis. Particular emphasis is placed on the mammary epithelium and mammary stem cells. Through these approaches, we aim to elucidate the molecular and cellular mechanisms underlying normal development, cancer initiation and progression, as well as tumor dormancy and cancer recurrence.In parallel with the development of new genetically engineered mouse model systems, we are also developing methodologies for ex vivo tissue cultures to support preclinical drug studies. Collaborations: Democritus University of Thrace, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Biomedical Research Foundation Academy of Athens (BRFAA).Effects of targeted anticancer therapies on the central nervous system and behavior We investigate the effects of drugs that inhibit key signaling pathways and are currently used in targeted breast cancer therapies on the central nervous system and mouse behavior. (Collaborations: Democritus University of Thrace, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Biomedical Research Foundation Academy of Athens (BRFAA).Neurodevelopmental disorders. We study neurodevelopmental disorders in:(a) humans, with emphasis on autism spectrum disorders; and(b) mouse models following epigenetic dysregulation in the central nervous system, with emphasis on neurogenesis and behavior. (Collaborations: Democritus University of Thrace, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens) Neurodegenerative diseases – Alzheimer’s disease. We investigate Alzheimer’s disease with the aim of identifying biomarkers at early and progressive stages of the disease. (Collaborations: Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Biomedical Research Foundation Academy of Athens (BRFAA), Institute of Chemical Engineering Sciences (ICE-HT), Foundation for Research and Technology. Grants and Research Infrastructure Research funding has supported the work of Professor Ioanna Maroulakou and her collaborators in the United States and Greece. She has served as Principal Investigator or Head of Research Team in international and national competitive research programs. Professor Maroulakou serves as Scientific Responsible for Democritus University of Thrace (DUTH), a partner institution of the Greek research infrastructures Infrafrontier/Phenotypos (since 2017) and EATRIS-GR (Translational Medicine) (since 2019). The Experimental Animal Models Unit for Human Diseases at the School of Health Sciences, DUTH, was developed with the support of the Infrafrontier/Phenotypos research infrastructure and the Interthrace Regional Excellence Program. The Animal Facility operates in compliance with national and international laboratory animal standards, supporting state-of-the-art research using animal models.
