BRFAA - Biomedical Research Foundation Academy Of Athens
Biomedical Research Foundation Academy Of AthensAcademy Of Athens

Research

Previous Research Projects:

(i) Synaptic integration and plasticity of converging crossmodal inputs in the mammalian superior colliculus
(ii) Semaphorin expression and thalamocortical development
(iii)  Development of excitability in retinal ganglion cell


Current research projects:

(i) Intrinsic cortical activity in health and disease
(ii) ERK signaling in development and plasticity of the central nervous system
(iii)  The epileptogenesis of different brain states and the transition from sleep: an in vitro study
(iv) Region-specific and age-dependent expression of ERK1 and ERK2 kinases
(v) Effects of age on pyramidal neuron morphology in a mouse model of accelerated cognitive aging


Facilities:

The Skaliora lab is housed in the Division of Developmental Biology in the Center of Basic Research and has shared use of a number of cellular, biochemical and molecular techniques, including tissue culture facilities, real time RT-PCR, etc.
In addition, our unique expertise is in-vitro electrophysiology.  The lab has a state-of-the-art recording set up, consisting of an upright microscope (Olympus BX51WIF) equipped with a near-infrared camera for visually guided recordings from cells and dendrites, and a low noise two-channel amplifier (MultiClamp 700B, Axon Instruments), providing the ability to perform simultaneous intracellular recordings from 2 cells, as well as from populations of neurons. The rig is equipped with fluorescence module for recording from identified pre-labeled cells and includes three electronic micromanipulators for placement of the recording and stimulating electrodes (Luigs and Neumann), a digitizer (Instrutech, ITC-18), two constant current stimulators (DS3, Digitimer) automated temperature control (Luigs and Neumann) and computer with appropriate software for data acquisition and analysis (Axograph). The lab also includes all necessary specialized infrastructure for patch clamp recordings, such as electrode puller (Sutter), vibratome for cutting live tissue (VT 1000S, Leica).

Ongoing collaborations:

(i) Effects of early experience on network activity in the prefrontal cortex: with Prof Stylianopoulou and Dr Stamatakis, School of Nursing, Athens, Greece.
(ii) ERK1 vs ERK2 signalling in development and plasticity: with Dr GM Ratto, Scuola Normale, Pisa and Prof. R Brambilla, San Rafaele Institute, Milan, Italy.
(iii) Role of reduced interneurons in cortical activity and epileptogenesis: with Prof. D Karagogeos and Dr Poirazi, FORTH, Crete, Greece



Animal models used:
C57Bl6 mice
YFP+ C57Bl6 mice
b2-/- YFP+ C57Bl6 mice (accelerated cognitive aging)
ERK1 KO mice
ERK2 fl/fl mice
Fmr1 mice (fragile-X)