Laboratory of Molecular Cell Biology – Cell Cycle and Proteomics

The Laboratory of Molecular Cell Biology, Cell Cycle and Proteomics focuses on cancer cell biology, with particular emphasis on cell cycle control and cell division, using both two-dimensional cultures and advanced three-dimensional tumor models. It supports research and training in molecular and cellular biology, biochemistry and proteomics within the School of Health Sciences, Department of Molecular Biology and Genetics. The laboratory’s activities are embedded in a highly collaborative environment that bridges basic cell biology with translational biomedical research.

Laboratory Details

Laboratory Title: Laboratory of Molecular Cell Biology – Cell Cycle and Proteomics

Faculty: School of Health Sciences

School: Department of Molecular Biology and Genetics

Email: mkoffa@mbg.duth.gr

Telephone: 0030 6976681720

Website:

Official Gazette of Establishment:

Introduction - Presentation

The Laboratory of Molecular Cell Biology, Cell Cycle and Proteomics focuses on cancer cell biology, with particular emphasis on cell cycle control and cell division, using both two-dimensional cultures and advanced three-dimensional tumor models. It supports research and training in molecular and cellular biology, biochemistry and proteomics within the School of Health Sciences, Department of Molecular Biology and Genetics. The laboratory’s activities are embedded in a highly collaborative environment that bridges basic cell biology with translational biomedical research.

Field of Research

The lab investigates mechanisms of cancer cell biology, particularly how deregulated cell cycle progression and cell division contribute to tumor development and therapy response. A central methodological focus is the development and application of 3D multicellular spheroids as physiologically relevant tumor models, enabling quantitative analysis of growth, invasion and treatment responses. Advanced bioimaging approaches, including spinning disk confocal microscopy, live-cell imaging, selective plane illumination microscopy (SPIM) and structured illumination microscopy (SIM), are used to study dynamic cellular processes in real time. Functional analyses rely on photoactivation- and photobleaching-based techniques, such as FRAP, FLIP and photoactivatable fluorophores, to dissect protein and organelle dynamics in living cells. Molecular modelling and quantitative image analysis are integrated to extract high-content structural and functional information from complex imaging datasets. Interdisciplinary collaborations extend the lab’s research into chronic inflammation and NETosis, nanocarrier-based targeted drug delivery systems, and the discovery of novel therapeutic targets and biomarkers for the treatment and prevention of osteoarthritis.

Laboratory Members

Name	Position/Capacity	Email	Telephone
Christos Efstathiou	PhD candidate	cefstath@mbg.duth.gr	25510 30675
Evgenios Eftalitsidis	PhD candidate	eeftalit@mbg.duth.gr	25510 30675
Lito Karkaletsou	PhD candidate	lkarkale@mbg.duth.gr	25510 30675
Konstantinos Marmanis	PhD candidate	kostasmarmanis@gmail.com	25510 30675
Stella Malichetoudi	Post-graduate student	stelmali1@mbg.duth.gr	25510 30675
Anastasia Fakou	Diploma student	anastasia.f.mbg@gmail.com	25510 30675
Gagaridou Efimia Despoina	Diploma student	evfigkag@mbg.duth.gr	25510 30675

Featured Research Programs

Programme Title	Duration	Funding
Translation Discovery hub: Open-Access research Infrastructure for translational research for the discovery and development of targeted therapeutic molecules, μέλος της ομάδας	2024-2025	Democritus University of Thrace - University of Excellence" / SUB2: UNIVERSITIES OF EXCELLENCE - UoEs
InTechThrace: Integrated Technologies in biomedical research: multilevel biomarker analysis in Thrace, Ενοποίησητεχνολογιών για βιοϊατρική έρευνα: ανάλυση βιοδεικτών σε πολλαπλά επίπεδα στηΘράκη» (MIS 5047285). Ακρωνύμιο: InTechThrace, Ε.Υ.	11/2020 – 5/2023	Action “SUPPORT OF REGIONAL EXCELLENCE”, co‑funded projects under the Operational Programme “Competitiveness, Entrepreneurship and Innovation” (EPAnEK), in the call “RESEARCH INFRASTRUCTURES AND PROJECTS OF RESEARCH AND TECHNOLOGY ORGANIZATIONS”. Funding body: General Secretariat for Research & Technology (GSRT).
Scientific coordinator for DUTH in the project BIOIMAGING‑GR, entitled “Hellenic Research Infrastructure for the Imaging and Monitoring of Fundamental Processes in Biology and Medicine BIOMAGING‑GR‑DUTH” (MIS 5002755).	12/ 2017-01/ 2021	Action “STRENGTHENING OF NATIONAL RESEARCH INFRASTRUCTURES”. Funding body: General Secretariat for Research & Technology (GSRT).

Featured Publications

Chronological Order	APP	doi
Didaskalou S, Efstathiou C, Galtsidis S, Kesisova I, Halavatyi A, Elmali T, Tsolou A, Girod A, Koffa M. HURP localization in metaphase is the result of a multi-step process requiring its phosphorylation at Ser627 residue. Front Cell Dev Biol. 2023 11:981425.		doi: 10.3389/fcell.2023.981425
Mitrakas AG, Tsolou A, Didaskalou S, Karkaletsou L, Efstathiou C, Eftalitsidis E, Marmanis K, Koffa M. Applications and Advances of Multicellular Tumor Spheroids: Challenges in Their Development and Analysis. Int J Mol Sci. 2023 24(8):6949.		doi: 10.3390/ijms24086949.
Tsolou A., Aggelou E., Didaskalou S., Bikiaris D., Avgoustakis K., Agianian M., Koffa M. Folate and pegylated aliphatic polyester nanoparticles for targeted anticancer drug delivery. International Journal of Nanomedicine 2020 15:4899-4918.		doi: 10.2147/IJN.S244712.