A-Z / Z-Α
Surgical procedures and surgical approaches are performed under strict aseptic and antiseptic conditions, using the proper anesthetic and analgesic approaches. The surgical suites are fully equipped with the instrumentation for hemodynamic and orthopedic studies as well as to allow all different kinds of surgical operations to be performed. Necessary post-surgical care is provided to animals undergoing surgical procedures. Monitoring and support of their vital functions is available under continuous veterinary supervision.
Surgical Operating Suites are supplied with the following equipment:
The unit is equipped with state-of-the-art imaging facilities (Ultrasound, Χ-rays for standard radiographs and angiograms, PET-Scan) to support experimental protocols using animal models.
The Laboratory Animal Facilities of the Center for Experimental Surgery of IIBEAA are located in the basement of one of the buildings of the BRFAA campus and has an area of 1.800 m2.
The main tasks of the Facilities are:
The Housing capacity of the facilities is:
All animals are housed in accordance to the European Legal framework that exists for the Protection of animals used for experimental and other scientific purposes (European Convention 123/Council of Europe and Directive 86/609/EEC) as well as the current Guidelines of International Organizations such as the Association for the Assessment and Accreditation of Laboratory Animal Care International-AAALAC Int., and the Federation of European Laboratory Animal Science Associations-FELASA).
Transgenic mice are housed under SPF conditions, in Individual Ventilated Cages.
All the electromechanical equipment of the facility is monitored by a Building Managing System (BMS) 24 hours per day.
The Animal Facilities implement a complete veterinary medical care programme which includes preventive medicine, surveillance, diagnosis, treatment and control of diseases as well as veterinary care of the animals used in experimental protocols. A health monitoring program is also in force, in accordance to the Guidelines issued by the Federation of European Laboratory Animal Science Associations.
The facilities are registered by the Official Veterinary Service of the Prefecture of Athens as Breeding, Supplying and Experimental Establishment in accordance to the National Legislation (Presidential Decree 160/91 in harmonization to the European Directive 86/609/EEC), under the Code Numbers EL 25 BIO 001, EL 25 BIO 002, EL 25 BIO 003, respectively.
Head: Evangelos Andreakos, PhD
The Division of Immunogenetics is investigating immune-mediated causes of disease using state-of-the-art technologies, murine models and human specimens. The long-term goal is the development of novel prognostic, diagnostic and therapeutic approaches for the treatment of chronic inflammatory diseases.
Head: Prof. George P. Chrousos, MD, MACP, MACE
The Division of Endocrinology and Metabolism studies the physiology and pathophysiology of the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) and gonadal (HPG) axes and the autonomic nervous system, as they relate to each other, and as they influence growth, development, metabolic and immune functions. Both the developmental and static functions of these neurohormonal systems are studied at the integrated level in health and disease. Also, the cellular/subcellular and genomic actions of the key effector molecules of these systems, including corticotropin-releasing hormone (CRH), arginine-vasopressin (AVP), corticotropin (ACTH), glucocorticoids, mineralocorticoids, gonadotropins, estrogens, progestins, androgens and catecholamines, are studied as they relate to normal physiology and disease-related pathophysiology.
Research projects of the Division of Endocrinology and Metabolism focus on the delineation of the molecular mechanisms of glucocorticoid signaling in health and disease.
Head: Prof. Yassemi Capetanaki, MSc, PhD
The Cell Biology Division is one of the five Divisions of the Center of Basic Research I of the Biomedical Research Foundation of the Academy of Athens. The research activities of the six different groups of the Cell Biology Division focus on the understanding of the intrinsic molecular and cellular mechanisms as well as the extrinsic pathologic immune/inflammatory responses, responsible for the development of tissue degeneration and disease progression respectively. Emphasis is given to the understanding of the role of cytoskeleton in proper mitochondrial behavior and function, cardiomyocyte survival and myocardial regeneration (Capetanaki) and the contribution of inflammation (Mavroidis) in the progress of cardiomyopathy and heart failure; the role of cholesterol related genes in the pathogenesis of Alzheimer’s disease (Georgopoulos ) and the role of nuclear factors in neuroprotection and Parkinson’s disease (Vassilatis). These investigations are complemented by a major effort to elucidate the mechanisms that regulate immune T helper cell (Panoutsakopoulou) and regulatory T cell (Xanthou) generation and function in the development of protective immunity as well as pathologic immune responses in the context of Autoimmunity and Allergy based diseases. Most investigations are accompanied by the development of therapeutic strategies for these degenerative diseases.
Head of Cardiovascular Research Division (CRD): Professor Dennis Cokkinos
The Cardiovascular Research Division (CRD) is a significant part of the Clinical Research Center, where sophisticated research can be performed with state of the art equipment. The CRD's research is focused in cardiovascular physiology and pathophysiology in both human and animal models (i.e. mice, rats, swine). Heart failure, congenital heart disease, atherosclerosis, vascular function and autonomic nervous system function are the areas of major research interest. Translational research is emphasized. The CRD has close collaborations with other centers within the Foundation, including Molecular and Cellular Biology, Pharmacology and Immunobiology. The CRD also collaborates with institutions outside the Foundation, such as the National Technical University of Athens and the University of Ioannina, particularly with the Department of Engineering the Department of Computer Science. Further, close collaborations exist between CRD and major hospitals in Greece and UK (Royal Brompton Hospital).
Clinical and translational research interests:
Biomedical engineering research interests:
Patient facilities
Our laboratory has two patient rooms with a total of four beds. Each one has 24-h monitoring capabilities (Dash 4000, GE Medical Systems) of blood pressure, ECG, SPO2, etc. Modern cardiovascular resuscitation equipment is also available.
Clinical Equipment
Animal Equipment
Head: Prof. Christos Zerefos, Academician
The Atmospheric Environment Division of the Biomedical Research Foundation of the Academy of Athens focuses on continuous monitoring of the dangerous solar ultraviolet radiation, daily total ozone and sulphur dioxide columns as well as of gaseous species and meteorological parameters, all of which are related to environment and health.
Lab within the Division of Atmospheric Environment:
Zerefos Lab