Associate Professor

Tel: (+302610) 997913

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Web Page: http://www.chem.upatras.gr/faculty/skandalis

List of Publications:

• Google Scholar

Contact hours: Tuesday 10:00-12:00, Friday 10:00-12:00

Curriculum Vitae

Associate Professor of Biochemistry, Department of Chemistry, University of Patras

Education & Degrees

2022-present: Associate Professor, Laboratory of Biochemistry, Department of Chemistry, University of Patras, Greece

2016-2022: Assistant Professor, Laboratory of Biochemistry, Department of Chemistry, University of Patras, Greece

2014-2016: Lecturer, Laboratory of Biochemistry, Department of Chemistry, University of Patras, Greece

2012-2014: Postdoctoral Researcher, Laboratory of Biochemistry, Department of Chemistry, University of Patras, Greece

2006-2010: Postdoctoral Researcher, Matrix Biology Group, Ludwig Institute for Cancer Research, Uppsala University, Sweden

2005-2006: Postdoctoral Fellow, Laboratory of Cell Proliferation and Ageing, Institute of Biology, National Center for Scientific Research “Demokritos”, Athens, Greece

2003: Visiting Graduate Student, Karolinska Institute, Huddinge University Hospital, Stockholm, Sweden

2003: Ph.D., Major: Biochemistry, Molecular Biology. Department of Chemistry, University of Patras

2000: B.Sc., Department of Chemistry, University of Patras, Greece

Distinctions

2009-2010: Postdoctoral Fellowship by the Ludwig Institute for Cancer Research Ltd (tenure: 18 months)

2007-2008: Postdoctoral Fellowship by the WENNER-GREN FOUNDATIONS, Sweden (tenure: 24 months)

2006: FEBS (Federation of European Biochemical Societies) Short-Term Postdoctoral Fellowship (tenure: 3 months)

2005-2006: Postdoctoral Fellowship by the Greek State Scholarship’s Foundation (IKY) (tenure: 18 months)

2003: FEBS (Federation of European Biochemical Societies) Short-Term Fellowship for Graduate Students (tenure: 3 months)

2002-2003: Fellowship for Graduate Students by the Institute of Chemical Engineering and High Temperature Chemical Processes (FORTH/ICE-HT) (tenure: 12 months)

2000-2001: Fellowship for Graduate Students by the General Secretariat for Research and Technology (tenure: 18 months)

Guest Editor/Editorial Board member/Reviewer

• Member of the Editorial Board of Cellular Signalling (https://www.sciencedirect.com/journal/cellular-signalling/about/editorial-board)
• Associate Editor of Frontiers in Endocrinology (Cancer Endocrinology) (https://www.frontiersin.org/journals/endocrinology/sections/cancer-endocrinology#editorial-board)
• Topic Editor for the Molecular Oncology Section of Intenational Journal of Molecular Sciences (https://www.mdpi.com/journal/ijms/topic_editors/molecular_oncology)
• Academic Editor of Biochemistry Research International (https://www.hindawi.com/journals/bri/editors/)
• Member of the Editorial Advisory Board of American Journal of Physiology –Cell Physiology (https://journals.physiology.org/ajpcell/edboard)
• Review Editor on the Editorial Board of Molecular and Cellular Oncology (specialty section of Frontiers in Oncology and Frontiers in Cell and Developmental Biology)
• Invited Reviewer in: Nature Communications, Advanced Drug Delivery Reviews, Matrix Biology, The Journal of Biological Chemistry, PLoS ONE, BBA-General Subjects, BBA-Molecular and Cell Biology of Lipids, FEBS Journal, FEBS Letters, Journal of Cellular Physiology, International Journal of Cancer, BMC Cancer, Respiratory Research, Journal of Cellular Biochemistry, Biochemistry Research International, Molecular and Cellular Therapeutics, International Journal of Molecular Sciences, Cancers, Biomolecules, Cells, Molecular Biology Reports, Frontiers in Immunology, Frontiers in Endocrinology, Frontiers in Oncology, Frontiers in Cell and Developmental Biology, American Journal of Physiology –Cell Physiology.
• Special Issue (Lead Guest Editor: Spyros Skandalis; Guest Editors: Katalin Dobra, Martin Gotte, Eugenia Karousou, Suniti Misra): Impact of Extracellular Matrix on Cellular Behavior: A Source of Molecular Targets in Disease, Biomed Research International (2015).

Organization of National/International Conferences, Courses, Meetings/Symposia

• Member of the Organizing Committee of the 72^nd Conference of the Hellenic Society of Biochemistry & Molecular Biology (HSBMB) (https://eebmbcongress.gr/) (Patras, 2022)
• Member of the Organizing Committee of the 8th FEBS Advanced Lecture Course on Matrix Pathobiology, Signaling and Molecular Targets (https://mpst2022.febsevents.org/) (Heraklion, 2022).
• Member of the Organizing Committee of the 7th FEBS Advanced Lecture Course on Matrix Pathobiology, Signaling and Molecular Targets (https://mpst2019.febsevents.org/) (Porto Heli, 2019).
• Member of the Organizing Committee of the FEBS Advanced Lecture Course on Extracellular Matrix: Cell Regulation, Epigenetics and Modeling (https://extracellularmatrix.febsevents.org/) (Patras, 2018).
• Member of the Organizing Committee of the 6th FEBS Advanced Lecture Course on Matrix Pathobiology, Signaling and Molecular Targets (http://www.febs-mpst2017.upatras.gr/) (Spetses, 2017).
• Member of the Organizing Committee of the 2nd Matrix Biology Europe Conference (http://www.mbe2016.upatras.gr/) (Athens, 2016).

Research Grants

- Principal Investigator for the Grant (project code: 80626) from the Research Committee of the University of Patras, Greece, via “C. CARATHEODORI” program [2019-2022].

- Collaborator in MSCA-RISE-2014: Marie Skłodowska-Curie Research and Innovation Staff Exchange (RISE) [Grant Agreement number: 645756 — GLYCANC — H2020-MSCA-RISE-2014] for the Action: "Matrix glycans as multifunctional pathogenesis factors and therapeutic targets in cancer". Collaborators: WESTFAELISCHE WILHELMS-UNIVERSITAET MUENSTER, UNIVERSITE DE REIMS CHAMPAGNE-ARDENNE, UNIVERSITA DEGLI STUDI DELL'INSUBRIA, UPPSALA UNIVERSITET, NATIONAL CENTER FOR SCIENTIFIC RESEARCH "DEMOKRITOS", SEREND-IP GMBH, FIDIA FARMACEUTICI SPA, SEMMELWEIS EGYETEM, CAIRO UNIVERSITY [2015-2019].

Scientific Organization Membership

• Hellenic Society for Biochemistry & Molecular Biology (HSBMB) (FEBS Constituent Society)
• Matrix Biology Section of HSBMB
• International Society of Hyaluronan Sciences (ISHAS)
• International Society for Matrix Biology (ISMB)

Publications/Book Chapters/Conferences/Recognition

• 57 publications in peer-review International Journals
• 4 Book Chapters
• More than 120 abstracts in Proceedings of International and Hellenic Scientific Conferences
• Cited more than 5.000 times (December 2022) (sources: Scopus, WoS, Scholar Google)
• H-index is 31 (December 2022) (sources: Scopus, WoS, Scholar Google)

Invited Lectures

1. 8^th FEBS Advanced Lecture Course: Matrix Pathobiology, Signaling & Molecular Targets, 2022, Heraklion, Greece. Lecture entitled: Matrix-based targeted treatment of breast cancer via inhibition of hyaluronan.
2. 7^th FEBS Advanced Lecture Course: Matrix Pathobiology, Signaling & Molecular Targets, 2019, Porto Heli, Greece. Lecture entitled: Repression of oncogenic hyaluronan biosynthesis in breast cancer.
3. 70^thNational Conference of the Hellenic Society of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, 2019, Athens, Greece. Lecture entitled:Targeting of the oncogenic extracellular matrix network in breast cancer.
4. Uppsala University, IMBIM Tumor Biology Seminar, 2019, Uppsala, Sweden. Lecture entitled: Suppression of the oncogenic hyaluronan network in breast cancer.
5. FEBS Advanced Lecture Course: Cell Regulation, Epigenetics and Modeling, 2018, Patras, Greece. Lecture entitled: Proteoglycans: Structure and neofunctions.
6. 6^th FEBS Advanced Lecture Course: Matrix Pathobiology, Signaling & Molecular Targets, 2017, Spetses, Greece. Lecture entitled: An introduction to ECM dynamic network - Proteoglycans.
7. 2^nd Matrix Biology Europe Conference, 2016, Athens, Greece. Lecture entitled: ERα knock-down severely affects the subcellular distribution of β-catenin in breast cancer cells.
8. 3^rd FEBS Advanced Lecture Course: Matrix Pathobiology, Signaling & Molecular Targets, 2011, Spetses, Greece. Lecture entitled: Proteomic Identification of CD44 Interacting Proteins: the CD44-iASPP-p53 axis.
9. Ludwig Institute for Cancer Research, University of Oxford, Nuffield Department of Clinical Medicine, 2009, United Kingdom. Lecture entitled: Novel CD44 Interacting Proteins: the CD44-iASPP-p53 axis.
10. 1^st FEBS Advanced Lecture Course: Matrix Pathobiology, Signaling & Molecular Targets, 2007, Patras, Greece. Lecture entitled: Role of hyaluronan-CD44 interactions for breast cancer cell transendothelial migration and PDGF β-receptor activation.
11. Institute for Cancer Research and Treatment “IRCC”, Division of Molecular Oncology, School of Medicine, 2005, Torino, Italy. Lecture entitled: Specific Alterations of Matrix Proteoglycans Are Crucial to the Progression of Larynx Cancer.

Trainees

- 2 Ph.D. (1 awarded), 9 M.Sc. (6 awarded) and a number of undergraduate Students (until December 2022).

- Member of the Examination Committee for a number (>25) of Ph.D. & M.Sc. Students of Postgraduate Programs at the Departments of Chemistry, Medicine, Pharmacy of the University of Patras.

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Courses

Undergraduate Teaching

1. Biochemistry-2 (Theoretical Courses & Laboratory)
2. Biochemistry-3 (Theoretical Courses & Laboratory)
3. Biotechnology (Theoretical Courses & Laboratory) until 2020
4. Experimental Biochemistry (Theoretical Courses & Laboratory) since 2020

Postgraduate Teaching: Courses Masters & Ph.D.

1. Advanced Biochemistry (Lectures) (in Inter-institutional M.Sc. Program of Dept. of Chemistry, University of Patras with the National Center for Scientific Research “Demokritos”: Applied Biochemistry Clinical Chemistry, Biotechnology and Evaluation of Pharmaceutical Products)
2. Organic Chemistry of Biological Pathways (Lectures) (in Inter-departmental (Depts of Chemistry-Medicine) M.Sc. Program: Medicinal Chemistry & Chemical Biology)
3. Chemical Biology (Lectures) (in Inter-departmental (Depts of Chemistry-Medicine) M.Sc. Program: Medicinal Chemistry & Chemical Biology) – Coordinator
4. The Macromolecules as Targets of Therapeutic Approaches (Lectures) (in Inter-departmental (Depts of Chemistry-Medicine) M.Sc. Program: Medicinal Chemistry & Chemical Biology) – Coordinator

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Research Interests

Key words: Extracellular matrix pathobiology, hyaluronan, CD44, cell-matrix interactions, tumor microenvironment, molecular targeting

The role and impact of ExtraCellular Matrices (ECMs) on cell behavior are my main research interests. Special emphasis is given on Proteoglycans, Glycosaminoglycans, Metalloproteinases (MMPs), Growth Factors/Growth Factor Receptors as well as their cross-talk, and especially their implication in normal tissue homeostasis and the onset and progression of cancer. The methods utilized in our lab range from traditional to modern biochemistry and molecular/cell biology techniques as well as from tissue to cell level.

Among others, my studies are focused on:

1. Biochemical studies of matrix effectors (such as Hyaluronan, Proteoglycans, MMPs) as well as specific cell surface receptors (such as CD44);
2. Investigation of the interactions of matrix effectors with cell surface receptors and their impact on intracellular signaling pathways and cell functional properties;
3. Pharmacological targeting of specific matrix effectors (i.e. Hyaluronan) in order to identify novel molecular targets for (breast) cancer treatment (in collaboration with Uppsala University);
4. Synthesis and biological applications of Heparan Sulfate/Heparin-like polymers (in collaboration with Polymer Science Group); 
5. Application and evaluation of Cold Atmospheric Plasma technology on tumor cells (in collaboration with ICE-HT)

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Representative Publications

• In vitro investigation of hyaluronan/CD44 network, Karalis T, Heldin P, Skandalis SS*. Methods Mol Biol., 2022 (In Press)
• Hyaluronan network: a driving force in cancer progression, Karalis T, Skandalis SS*. Am J Physiol Cell Physiol. 323(1):C145-C158, 2022, doi: 10.1152/ajpcell.00139.2022
• Cold atmospheric plasma attenuates breast cancer cell growth through regulation of cell microenvironment effectors, Aggelopoulos CA, Christodoulou AM, Tachliabouri M, Meropoulis S, Christopoulou ME, Karalis TT, Chatzopoulos A, Skandalis SS*. Front Oncol. 11:826865, 2022, doi: 10.3389/fonc.2021.826865
• Salicylate suppresses the oncogenic hyaluronan network in metastatic breast cancer cells, Karalis TT, Chatzopoulos A, Kondyli A, Aletras AJ, Karamanos NK, Heldin P, Skandalis SS*. Matrix Biol. Plus, 6-7:100031, 2020, doi: 10.1016/j.mbplus.2020.100031
• Intracellular hyaluronan: Importance for cellular functions, Skandalis SS*, Karalis TT, Heldin P. Semin Cancer Biol. 62:20-30, 2020, doi: 10.1016/j.semcancer.2019.07.002
• Hyaluronan-CD44 axis orchestrates cancer stem cell functions, Skandalis SS*, Karalis TT, Chatzopoulos A, Karamanos NK. Cell Signal. 63:109377, 2019, doi: 10.1016/j.cellsig.2019.109377
• Tumor-suppressive functions of 4-MU on breast cancer cells of different ER status: Regulation of hyaluronan/HAS2/CD44 and specific matrix effectors, Karalis TT, Heldin P, Vynios DH, Neill T, Buraschi S, Iozzo RV, Karamanos NK, Skandalis SS*. Matrix Biol. 78-79:118-138, 2019, doi: 10.1016/j.matbio.2018.04.007
• Roles and targeting of the HAS/hyaluronan/CD44 molecular system in cancer, Karousou E, Misra S, Ghatak S, Dobra K, Götte M, Vigetti D, Passi A, Karamanos NK, Skandalis SS*. Matrix Biol. 59:3-22, 2017, doi: 10.1016/j.matbio.2016.10.001
• Estrogen receptor alpha mediates epithelial to mesenchymal transition, expression of specific matrix effectors and functional properties of breast cancer cells, Bouris P, Skandalis SS, Piperigkou Z, Afratis N, Karamanou K, Aletras AJ, Moustakas A, Theocharis AD, Karamanos NK. Matrix Biol. 43:42-60, 2015, doi: 10.1016/j.matbio.2015.02.008
• Cross-talk between estradiol receptor and EGFR/IGF-IR signaling pathways in estrogen-responsive breast cancers: focus on the role and impact of proteoglycans, Skandalis SS, Afratis N, Smirlaki G, Nikitovic D, Theocharis AD, Tzanakakis GN, Karamanos NK. Matrix Biol. 35:182-93, 2014, doi: 10.1016/j.matbio.2013.09.002