Plant & Environmental
Biotechnology Laboratory

Plant-Derived Bioactive Compounds for Cancer Therapy and Molecular Diagnosis

This research project focuses on the identification of bioactive compounds derived from plants and the evaluation of their anticancer potential. The study investigates the cytotoxic effects of plant extracts, as well as pure natural compounds against a range of human cancer cell lines, including hepatic, breast, colon, and gastric cancer models. Particular emphasis is placed on elucidating the molecular mechanisms underlying their anticancer activity, such as the induction of apoptosis, cell cycle arrest, oxidative stress modulation, and the regulation of signaling pathways involved in tumor growth. In parallel, the project incorporates molecular diagnostic approaches to identify cancer-specific biomarkers and genetic alterations associated with disease progression and therapeutic response. By integrating natural product research with molecular oncology, this work aims to advance the development of novel anticancer agents and improve strategies for the molecular diagnosis and personalized management of cancer.

Personnel

Dimitrios Karpouzas
, Professor in Enviromental Microbiology & Biotechnology
Kalliopi Liadaki
, Assistant Professor in Biochemical Pharmacology
Kalliope Papadopoulou
, Professor in Plant Biotechnology

Publications

Elena Papadopoulou*, Fotiοs Bekris*, Sotirios Vasileiadis, Afroditi Krokida, Theodora Rouvali, Aristidis S. Veskoukis, Kalliopi Liadaki, Demetrios Kouretas, Dimitrios G. Karpouzas (2023). Vineyard-mediated factors are still operative in spontaneous and commercial fermentations shaping the vinification microbial community and affecting the antioxidant and anticancer properties of wines. Food Research International 173 (2): 113359. [*equal contribution] https://doi.org/10.1016/j.foodres.2023.113359

Argyropoulou, M., Veskoukis, A. S., Karanatsiou, P.-M., Manolakelli, A., Kostoglou-Athanassiou, I., Vilaras, G., Karameris, A., & Liadaki, K. (2020). Low Prevalence of TERT Promoter, BRAF and RAS Mutations in Papillary Thyroid Cancer in the Greek Population. Pathology & Oncology Research, 26(1), 347–354. https://doi.org/10.1007/s12253-018-0497-2

Katsarou, D., Omirou, M., Liadaki, K., Tsikou, D., Delis, C., Garagounis, C., Krokida, A., Zambounis, A., & Papadopoulou, K. K. (2016). Glucosinolate biosynthesis in Eruca sativa. Plant Physiology and Biochemistry, 109, 452–466. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.plaphy.2016.10.024

Tselepi, M., Papachristou, E., Emmanouilidi, A., Angelis, A., Aligiannis, N., Skaltsounis, A.-L., Kouretas, D., & Liadaki, K. (2011). Catalytic Inhibition of Eukaryotic Topoisomerases I and II by Flavonol Glycosides Extracted from Vicia faba and Lotus edulis. Journal of Natural Products, 74(11), 2362–2370. https://doi.org/10.1021/np200292u

Funding

Our successful story

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