Assistant Professor

Tel: (+302610) 997161

e-mail:

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

List of Publications:

• Google Scholar
• Publications List
• ORCID

Contact hours: Wendsday and Thursday 10:00-12:00
Contact form: Piperigkou Zoi

Assistant Professor of Biochemistry – Extracellular Matrix

Curriculum Vitae

Education

2014-2018: PhD in Biochemistry and Cellular Biology, Department of Chemistry, University of Patras, Greece

2011-2013: Master of Science in Applied Biochemistry: Clinical chemistry, Biotechnology and Evaluation of Pharmaceutical Products, Department of Chemistry, University of Patras, Greece

2007-2011: Diploma in Chemistry, University of Patras, Greece

Academic positions/mobility

2024-present: European Registered Toxicologist (ERT), Federation of European Toxicologists & European Societies of Toxicology

2023-present: Assistant Professor, Department of Chemistry, University of Patras

2023-present: Collaborating Faculty Member with the Institute of Chemical Engineering Sciences of the Foundation for Research and Technology-Hellas (FORTH/ICE-HT)

2021-2023: Adjunct Lecturer, Scientific field of Biochemistry, Department of Chemistry, University of Patras

2020-2023: Postdoctoral researcher, Foundation for Research and Technology-Hellas (FORTH)/Institute of Chemical Engineering Sciences (ICE-HT), Greece

2020: Adjunct Lecturer (P.D. 407/1980), Laboratory of Biochemistry, Department of Chemistry, University of Patras

2019-2020: Postdoctoral researcher, Department of Chemistry, University of Patras

2019: Postdoctoral researcher (FEBS fellow), Laboratory of Biochemistry, Department of Medicine and Surgery, School of Medicine, University of Insubria, Italy

2016-2017: Visiting researcher (Marie Skłodowska-Curie Research and Innovation Staff Exchange) in spin-off Serend-IP GmbH, Nanotechnology Center, University of Münster, Germany

2016: Visiting researcher (DAAD fellow) in the Department of Medicine, University of Münster and in the University Medical Center, Münster, Germany

Metrics of research activity/Recognition

• 60 publications in international peer-reviewed journals
• 5 publications as chapters in book series
• >80 abstracts in proceedings of International and National scientific conferences
• h-index: 29/27 (Google Scholar/Scopus); i-index: 41
• Citations > 4,200/3,200 (Google Scholar/Scopus)
• Total Impact Factor (IF) of published papers: 360; Average IF per publication: 7.8
• Invited Lecture in 73^rd Annual Conference of the Hellenic Society of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology (HSBMB), 2023, Athens, Greece, Title: The expanding boundaries of ECM remodeling in cancer
• Invited Lecture in FEBS Advanced Course “Crosstalk between the ECM and Proteases from destruction to regeneration”, The Weizmann Institute of Science, Israel, 2023, Title: ECM remodeling in cancer: old and new bioactive players

Honors and Awards

• Professorship award by the Organizing Committee (Prof. I. Sagi) of the FEBS Advanced Course “Crosstalk between the ECM and Proteases from destruction to regeneration”, The Weizmann Institute of Science, 2023
• Young Investigator award by the International Society for Matrix Biology, 8^th FEBS-MPST, 2022
• Top-cited paper award, The FEBS Journal, 2022, Title: A guide to the composition and functions of the extracellular matrix
• Early career researcher award in Chemistry by Greek Chemists Association, International Forum Women+, 2021
• Recommended article in Faculty Opinions (H1 Connect), Top 2% articles in Developmental Biology, Title: Estrogen receptor beta as epigenetic mediator of miR-10b and miR-145 in mammary cancer
• FEBS (Federation of European Biochemical Societies) short-term post-doctoral fellowship, 2019
• Best oral presentation award by The FEBS Journal, 7^th FEBS-MPST, 2019
• Best oral presentation award by FEBS Letters, FEBS-ECM 2018
• PhD fellowship, ICE-HT, 2018
• PhD fellowship, Greek State Scholarships Foundation (ΙΚΥ), 2017-2019
• Best oral presentation award by Matrix Biology Ireland, 6^th FEBS-MPST, 2017
• Recommended article in Faculty Opinions (H1 Connect), Top 2% articles in Cellular Biology, Title: Estrogen receptor beta modulates breast cancer cells functional properties, signaling and expression of matrix molecules
• Short-term Research Grant by German Academic Exchange Service (DAAD), 2016
• ERASMUS+ Fellowship, 2016

Guest Editor/Invited Reviewer

• Volume Editor of the Book “Matrix degrading enzymes” to be published in Springer Nature book series "Biology of Extracellular Matrix". 
• Guest Editor for Nature Scientific Reports in the Collection Cell adhesion
• Associate Editor for Frontiers in Oncology – Cancer Molecular Targets and Therapeutics
• Guest Editor in Special Issue: Desiphering the Network of Cell Receptors and Matrix in Health and Disease 2023, Biomolecules, https://www.mdpi.com/si/153670
• Review Editor for Cancer Molecular Targets and Therapeutics of Frontiers in Oncology
• Guest Editor in Topical Collection: Matrix Effectors and Cancer, Cancers
• 2020: Guest Editor in Special Issue Desiphering the Network of Cell Receptors and Matrix in Health and Disease, Biomolecules
• Associate Academic Member in H1 Connect Faculty Opinions
• Invited Reviewer in several international scientific journals, among others: The FEBS Journal, Scientific Reports, AJP Cell, Molecular Biology Reports, Proteoglycan Research, PLOS ONE, Bioengineering, FEBS Open Bio, Food and Chemical Toxicology, International Journal of Biological Sciences

Editorial Board Member

American Journal of Physiology-Cell Physiology, Frontiers in Oncology, BMC Cancer, Nature Scientific Reports,

Organization of National and International Conferences, Meetings, Forums

• 9^th Young Scientists Forum of the Hellenic Society of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology (HSBMB), 2022, Chairwoman
• 6^th - 8^th FEBS Advanced Lecture Course on Matrix Pathobiology, Signaling & Molecular Targets (FEBS-MPST), 2017, 2019, 2022, Member of the Organizing Committee
• Young Scientists Committees in 6^th , 8^th FEBS-MPST Advanced Courses, 2017, 2022
• FEBS Education Workshop on Molecular Life Sciences, 2018, Chairwoman
• FEBS Advanced Lecture Course on Extracellular Matrix: Cell Regulation, Epigenetics & Modeling, 2018, Member of the Organizing Committee
• 3^rd, 5^th, 7^th Young Scientists Forum of the HSBMB, 2015, 2017, 2019

Research Projects

• EXACT- Targeting triple-negative breast cancer by assessing exosome dynamics, funded under the action FEBS Booster Fund 2024 by the Federation of European Biochemical Societies (FEBS) – Principal Investigator
• Principal Investigator of the “Patras Medicine” research team of the University of Patras (Projects: Morphe 2025, Lethe, 2024) in the Synthetic Biology competition, iGEM Competition and Grand Jamboree, International Genetically Engineered Machine Foundation (iGEM Foundation)
• MEDICUS, University of Patras (2023-2025) – Principal Investigator
• Support of Research Activity of the Biochemistry, Biochemical Analysis and Matrix Pathobiology Research Group, Laboratory of Biochemistry, Department of Chemistry, University of Patras (2023) – Partner
• DIAGONAL – Development and scaled implementation of safe by design tools and guidelines for multicomponent and harn nanomaterials, Horizon 2020, FORTH/ICE-HT (2021-2023) – Post-doctoral Researcher
• ROOF-BREATH – Development of nano carbon embedded breathable polyolefin films for industrial/construction roofing membranes, NSRF 2014-2020, FORTH/ICE-HT (2020-2021) – Post-doctoral Researcher
• ArthroMicroPerMed – Nanobiotechnological Injectible Extracellular Matrix (ECM) for cartilage regeneration, personalized therapy and identification of “individual” microbe metabolites involved in joint regeneration, NSRF 2014-2020, Department of Chemistry, University of Patras (2019-2020) – Post-doctoral Researcher
• VITAD – Advanced Research Activities in Biomedical Technology & Agri-Food, FORTH/ICE-HT(2018) – Post-doctoral Researcher
• GLYCANC – Matrix glycans as multifunctional pathogenesis factors and therapeutic targets in cancer, Marie Skłodowska-Curie Research and Innovation Staff Exchange (RISE), Horizon 2020, Serend-IP GmbH, University of Münster, Germany (2016-2017) – PhD fellow
• BioCancerTalk – Intracellular crosstalk between ERα/β, EGF and IGF receptors in development and progression of breast cancer, NSRF 2007-2013, Department of Chemistry, University of Patras (2014-2016) – PhD fellow
• NanoBarrier – Extended shelf-life biopolymers for sustainable and multifunctional food packaging solutions, FP7-NMP, FORTH/ICE-HT (2012-2013, 2014-2015) – MSc fellow

Scientific Organization Membership

• Hellenic Society for the Study of Extracellular Vesicles (HelSEV)
• International Society for Matrix Biology (Council and Executive Committee Member as elected Early Career Researcher)
• Hellenic Society for Biochemistry & Molecular Biology (FEBS Constituent Society)
• German Society for Matrix Biology
• Association of Greek Chemists

International collaborations

University of Bologna, Italy (Prof. M. Franchi); University of Insubria, Italy (Prof. A. Passi, Prof. E. Karousou); University of Padova, Italy (Prof. M. Onisto); University of Münster, Germany (Prof. M. Götte, Prof. B. Greve); CIC bioGUNE, Basque Research and Technology Alliance (BRTA), Spain (Prof. M. Vivanco); The Weizmann Institute of Science, Israel (Prof. I. Sagi); University of Gdansk, Poland (Prof. S. Samsonov); University of Lyon, France (Prof. S. Ricard-Blum, Prof. P. Rouselle); University of Reims, France (Prof. S. Brezillon); University of Oulu, Finland (Prof. V. Izzi)

---

Courses

Undergraduate

• Experimental Biochemistry (lectures and practicals), Enzymology, Food Biochemistry, Biotechnology (lectures and practicals)

Postrgraduate

• Joint MSc Programme: Applied Biochemistry Clinical Chemistry, Biotechnology, Evaluation of Pharmaceutical Products, Department of Chemistry @ UPatras, NCSR Demokritos
  Courses: Advanced Biochemistry, Molecular & Cellular Biology – Molecular Biotechnology

---

Research Activities

Scientific fields: Biochemistry; Biochemical Analysis; Extracellular Matrix Biology; 3D cell culture models; microRNAs; Cellular Signaling; Biological Evaluation of Pharmaceutical Products; Cytotoxicology. 

• Role of extracellular matrix bioscaffolds in the development of advanced 3D in vitro cancer cell-derived models mimicking the tumor microenvironment
• Evaluation of the structure-function relationship of extracellular matrix macromolecules, including proteoglycans, glycosaminoglycans, matrix metalloproteinases, cell receptors, microRNAs and extracellular vesicles/exosomes in solid tumors
• Biological actions of glycosaminoglycans and their nano-derivatives, growth factors, growth factor receptors, estrogens and estrogen receptors (ERα/β) in 2D/3D breast cancer models (viability, dissemination, migration, invasion, angiogenesis, cell morphology) and in vivo tumor growth
• Differentiation potential of mesenchymal stem cells to chondrocytes using matrix-based bioscaffolds for the development of molecular targeted approaches for joint pathologies
• Cytotoxicity studies of nanomaterials and new synthetic products at the cellular and molecular level to determine the potential health risks of human exposure that are applied in air filters, innovative food packaging, roof materials and novel therapeutic approaches

---

Representative Publications

• A guide to types, structures and functions of matrix metalloproteinases, Piperigkou Z, Mangani S, Koletsis NE, Kremmydas S, Karamanos NK.  FEBS J, 2025, In Press, 10.1111/febs.70296.

• Principal mechanisms of extracellular matrix-mediated cell-cell communication in physiological and tumor microenvironments, Piperigkou Z, Mangani S, Koletsis NE, Koutsakis C, Mastronikolis NS, Karamanos NK.  FEBS J, 2025, In Press, 10.1111/febs.70207.

• From structure to function: The impact of EGFR and IGF-IR in 3D breast cancer spheroids, Gourdoupi C, Kremmydas S, Mangani S, Ioannou P, Afratis NA, Piperigkou Z, Karamanos NK. Cancers, 2025, 17(16):2606.

• Estrogen receptors and extracellular matrix: the critical interplay in cancer development and progression, Mangani S^#, Piperigkou Z^#, Koletsis NE, Ioannou P, Karamanos NK. FEBS J, 2025, 292(7): 1558-1572.

• Ultrastructural changes of the peri-tumoral collagen fibers and fibrils array in different stages of mammary cancer progression, Franchi M, Masola V, Onisto M, Franchi L, Mangani S, Zolota V, Piperigkou Z, Karamanos NK. Cells, 2025, 14(13):1037.

• Enhancement of mesenchymal stem cells' chondrogenic potential by type II collagen-based bioscaffolds, Piperigkou Z, Bainantzou D, Makri N, Papachristou E, Mantsou A, Papi R, Choli-Papadopoulou T, Theocharis AD, Karamanos NK, Mol Biol Rep, 2023, 50(6):5125-5135.

• ESR2: a critical factor of mesenchymal-to-epithelial transition, matrix expression and triple-negative breast cancer tumorigenesis in vivo, Piperigkou Z, Koutsandreas A, Franchi M, Zolota V, Kletsas D, Passi AG, Karamanos NK, Front Oncol, 2022, 12, 917633.

• miR-200b restrains EMT and aggressiveness and regulates matrix composition depending on ER status and signaling in mammary cancer, Piperigkou Z, Franchi M, Riethmüller C, Götte M, Karamanos NK, Matrix Biol Plus, 2020, 6-7, 100024.

• Estrogen receptor beta as epigenetic mediator of miR-10b and miR-145 in mammary cancer, Piperigkou Z, Franchi M, Götte M, Karamanos NK, Matrix Biol, 2017, 64, 94-111.

• Proteoglycan Chemical Diversity Drives Multifunctional Cell Regulation and Therapeutics. Karamanos NK, Piperigkou Z, Theocharis AD, Watanabe H, Franchi M, Baud S, Brézillon S, Götte M, Passi A, Vigetti D, Ricard-Blum S, Sanderson RD, Neill T, Iozzo RV, Chemical Reviews, 2018, 118(18), 9152-9232.