Lab Research Highlighted in Nature Reviews Drug Discovery
We are pleased to share that our work has been featured in the December 2025 issue of Nature Reviews Drug Discovery as part of the journal’s Research Highlights section. The highlight discusses our research on targeting the extracellular matrix (ECM) in melanoma, an emerging area in cancer biology and drug discovery. The ECM is increasingly […]
Με επιτυχία ολοκληρώθηκε η επιστημονική ημερίδα με τίτλο «Η επίδραση των microRNAs που προέρχονται από τρόφιμα στο μελάνωμα»
Το Εργαστήριο Βιοχημείας, Βιοτεχνολογίας και Μοριακών Αναλύσεων – MatrixBiome Lab, του ΤμήματοςΑγροτικής Ανάπτυξης, Αγροδιατροφής και Διαχείρισης Φυσικών Πόρων του ΕΚΠΑ, πραγματοποίησε με επιτυχία την επιστημονική ημερίδα με τίτλο «Η επίδραση των microRNAs που προέρχονται από τρόφιμα στο μελάνωμα», η οποία έλαβε χώρα την Πέμπτη 20 Νοεμβρίου 2025 στο Μικρό Αμφιθέατρο του Συγκροτήματος Ευρίπου στα Ψαχνά. […]
ΗΜΕΡΙΔΑ “Η ΕΠΙΔΡΑΣΗ ΤΩΝ microRNAs ΠΟΥ ΠΡΟΕΡΧΟΝΤΑΙ ΑΠΟ ΤΡΟΦΙΜΑ ΣΤΟ ΜΕΛΑΝΩΜΑ
Στα πλαίσια υλοποίησης του προγράμματος XemiBio διοργανώνεται την Πέμπτη 20 Νοεμβρίου 2025 στις 12.00στο μικρό Αμφιθέατρο του Συγκροτήματος Ευρίπου στα Ψαχνά η ημερίδα με θέμα «Η επίδραση των microRNAs που προέρχονται από τρόφιμα στο μελάνωμα». Η ημερίδα διοργανώνεται από το Εργαστήριο Βιοχημείας, Βιοτεχνολογίας και Μοριακών Αναλύσεων-“MatrixBiome Lab” και το Τμήμα Αγροτικής Ανάπτυξης, Αγροδιατροφής και Διαχείρισης […]
New publication in Science Translational Medicine
The extracellular matrix (ECM) plays a crucial role in supporting metastasis in solid malignancies, yet effective ECM-targeted therapies remain scarce. Here, we introduce a dual-targeting strategy to combat melanoma by leveraging bispecific agents that disrupt key ECM and tumor-associated pathways. Building on the inhibitory properties of lysyl oxidase–propeptide (LOX-PP), we engineered biselective decoys that simultaneously […]
New publication “Dynamics and Microbiome Crosstalk: Matrix Metalloproteinases as Key Players in Disease and Therapy”
Matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) are key enzymes involved in extracellular matrix (ECM) remodeling, regulating a wide range of cellular and immune processes in both homeostatic and pathological conditions. Host–microbiota interactions play a critical role in maintaining ECM balance; however, during dysbiosis, this regulation is disrupted, leading to compromised barrier integrity, pathogen translocation into circulation, and the […]
Recent publication “Allosteric Anti-KLK4 Antibody Development for Targeted Anti-cancer Effects in Ovarian Carcinoma” in JMB
Our team has developed a highly specific monoclonal antibody targeting an allosteric region of KLK4, a serine protease implicated in ovarian carcinoma progression. By combining structural biology, innovative immunization strategies, and computational modeling, we identified and characterized an antibody (ABS4) that not only effectively inhibits KLK4’s enzymatic activity but also significantly reduces proliferation and migration […]
We are hiring!
You can apply here –> https://www.elke.uoa.gr/Prokirikseis_Apasxolisis/Details/8683 We are looking for a motivated Postdoctoral researcher to join our lab. Our lab focuses on defining the nutrition impact on extracellular matrix (ECM) remodeling and microbiome in health and diseases. Microbiome is considered to have fundamental role in efficiency of anti-cancer therapeutic strategies. Food-derived ingredients modulate microbiome […]
Interview to Tpress WEB TV
As part of Tpress WEB TV’s T-PRESS EXPOS show, Assistant Professor Nikolaos Afratis discussed with Katerina Ladopoulos the purpose and goals of the Department of Agricultural Development, Agri-Food, and Natural Resource Management at the National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, along with the education and research activities of the Department.
New Funding
Our research group has been awarded funding from the Hellenic Foundation for Research & Innovation for the research program titled “The Impact of Food-Derived MicroRNAs (xenomiRs) in Extracellular Matrix Remodeling and Microbiota During Malignant Melanoma.” The allocated budget for this program is €169,150.00, covering the period from 2023 to 2025.
Open Positions
We are looking for a motivated Postdoctoral researcher and a PhD candidate to join our lab. Our lab focuses on defining the nutrition impact on extracellular matrix (ECM) remodeling and microbiome in health and diseases. Microbiome is considered to have fundamental role in efficiency of anti-cancer therapeutic strategies. Food-derived ingredients modulate microbiome and ECM deposition […]
