Research

Current projects and goals (in titles):

1. Dissection of the mechanisms involved and the signals required to convert endocrine progenitor cells into functional β cells during pancreas development.
2. Pharmacological induction of β-cell proliferation in diabetic mice and human islets
3. Novel markers of adult and cancer stem cells in the mouse and human pancreas; signalling requirements for their activation
4. Developmental and evolutionary origin of pancreatic centroacinar cells and exploration of their heterogeneity and differential roles as adult stem cells in the pancreas
5. Role of aldehyde dehydrogenases in the maintenance and functionality of adult and cancer stem cells of the liver, stomach and lung
6. Role of ubiquitin ligases in the maturation, survival and functionality of adult mouse β cells
7. Molecular dissection of the pancreas-brain crosstalk in early PDAC
8. Patient-derived pancreatic cancer organoids as a platform for evaluation and screening of anti-cancer drugs in the context of precision medicine

Dissection and culture of dorsal pancreatic explants from E12.5 mouse embryos

Human islets in culture (IF image showing β-cells in red and proliferating cells in green)

Patient-derived pancreatic cancer organoids in 3D-culture (bright-field images)

We are regularly recruiting at all levels – please keep an eye out for open calls at BRFAA’s “position opportunities” web area. Candidates wishing to join the lab through applying to external sources for funding (EMBO, FEBS, Marie curie fellowships etc) please contact me at iseraf@bioacademy.gr to discuss potential projects