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The Developmental Biology Division is part of the Center of Basic Research and is comprised by two groups: the Neuroimmunoendocrine Group and the Stem Cell Developmental Biology Group. The specific research projects of the two groups address questions related to organogenesis, stem cell biology, developmental biology and developmental regulation of physiological responses such as the stress response, glucose homeostasis and food intake, as well as factors contributing to the pathophysiology corresponding to perturbations of the above physiological processes. The staff of Developmental Biology covers a wide area of expertise including developmental neurobiology, physiology, biochemistry, stem cell biology, molecular genetics and pathophysiology. More specifically:
Neuroimmunoendocrine (Katia Catherine Karalis Group)
Stressors of any origin, such as physical, chemical, psychological, raise a stress response, i.e. a process co-ordinated mainly by specific hypothalamic nuclei and targeting the adrenal leading ultimately to glucocorticoid release. Our group was the first to describe the expression of CRH, a hypothalamic peptide, in peripheral inflamed human and rodent tissues and to demonstrate its proinflammatory effect in animal models of inflammation. We use mouse models of human diseases to study the role of hormones mediating the stress response, such as Corticotropin Releasing Hormone (CRH) and Urocortins -the related peptides-, in the regulation of inflammation (Christina Chandras, D. Xantaki). Our recent findings provide evidence for a role of the stress hormones in the regulation of molecules critical for innate immunity such as the Toll-like receptors (Thalia Teli, Christina Chandras). One of the main problems associated with inflammation is the anorexia and body weight loss, a process attributed to proinflammatory cytokines. We have significant evidence that the stress hormones participate in this process and, furthermore, that their contribution may overcome that of cytokines (Y. Coutmani). As highlighted by a number of recent reports, inflammation is the pathophysiological basis for a variety of diseases such as diabetes, autoimmunity, atherosclerosis, allergy, sepsis. Inflammatory diseases similarly to the metabolic syndrome and diabetes are characterized by insulin resistance due to not-well defined mechanisms as of yet. The regulation of insulin action is a multifactorial process and involves nutrients, hormones of the adipose tissue and the gut as well as brain factors. There is reasonable evidence to put forward a hypothesis of hypothalamic contribution in insulin resistance mediated by CRH and possibly urocortin(s) (D.Xanthaki).
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Stem Cell Developmental Biology (Anthony Gavalas Group)
We are interested in using embryonic stem cells to model the development of specific cell lineages and explore ways to efficiently channel their differentiation into specific lineages. We are using a combination of extracellular signals and inducible gene expression to drive mouse embryonic stem cells into specific neuronal and the endocrine pancreatic lineage. Taking advantage of this approach and using microarray gene expression profiling we have identified potential novel gene networks regulated by key transcription factors in the development of both lineages. We are using phylogenetic footprinting and functional genomics to dissect their role during embryo development using the chick, zebrafish and mouse embryo as model systems.
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