Division of Neurology and Sensory Organs - (Research Activities)

NEUROSURGICAL LABORATORY


(A.Vakis)
Study of genetic profile of human brain tumors. In collaboration with the Clinical Virology laboratory of the University of Crete. Detection of viral DNA in human brain gliomas. In collaboration with the Clinical Virology laboratory of the University of Crete. Demonstration of molecular signatures and markers for the categorization of brain tumors with the use of metagenomic techniques. In cooperation with the Laboratory of Metagenomic Research at FO.R.T.H. (Foundation for Research and Technology - Hellas). Demonstration of genetic signatures of hypoxia in cultures of human brain cell cultures with the use of DNA microarrays. In collaboration with the Laboratory of Metagenomic Research of FO.R.T.H. (Foundation for Research and Technology - Hellas). Pluripotent stem cells of brain tumors. Study of genes and new technologies in the service of prognosis and therapy. In cooperation with FO.R.T.H. (Foundation for Research and Technology - Hellas).

 

LABORATORY OF OTORHINOLARYNGOLOGY


(G. VELEGRAKIS, J. BIZAKIS, P. CHRISTODOULOU, EM. HELIDONIS)
POSTGRATUATED STUDENTS: 5, TECHNICIANS: 1 Assistant Personnel: 1
Research Laboratories of Voice and Swallowing Disorders and Voice and Signal Analysis which research includes: Research for the use and appliance of various Laser types in Otorhinolaryngology. The effect of Laser CO2 on cartilage cells as well as the evaluation of Excimer Laser in ENT diseases. A new piston of stapedectomy named “Velegrakis piston”. Research with purpose the qualitive and quantitive specification of pollen with allergic impact in the major cities of Crete. Development of new methods of otoplasty and otosurgery for the treatment and rehabilitation of the patients with dysplasia of the ears and hearing disorders. Development of structures to analyze and treat pathological vocal signs. The effect of electromagnetic radiation on the organ of hearing and equilibrium. Designing of special surgery tools for the safety and improvement of surgical procedures of the Head and Neck.

 

EYE LABORATORY


(I. Pallikaris, M Tsilimbaris, C. Siganos)
Postgraduate students = 34, Technicians = 7, Postdoctoral Researchers = 5
Corneal refractive surgery. Improvement of accuracy and safety of refractive operations. Corneal microsurgery. Therapeutic manipulation of corneal elastic properties. Intracorneal inlays. Adaptive optics assisted in-vivo imaging of the eye. Electrophysiology and response times of the optical system. Techniques for assessing the refractive status of the eye. New approaches in eye histology. Computer simulation of optical systems; simulation of refractive errors. Design and manufacturing of microsurgical and optomechanical devices for use in ophthalmology. Ocular hydrodynamics. Ophthalmic applications of photodynamic therapy. Pharmacological approaches for macular diseases. Ocular drug toxicity investigation. Retina neuroprotection. Evaluation of macular pigment in macular diseases. Correlation of ocular elasticity with macular pathology. Thrombolytic approaches in retinal vascular diseases. DNA Bank for retinal diseases; genotyping/phenotyping of retinal diseases. Use of ultrasound enhancement for evaluation of ocular circulation. Use of stem cells for ocular surface diseases. New approaches in corneal transplantation. Adjuvant use of topical anti-metabolites for ocular surface neoplasia.

 

Neurology Laboratory


(A. Plaitakis, G. Amoiridis, C. Spanaki.)
Postdoctoral Fellows = 3; Graduate students = 4; ΠΔ407=1; Technicians=1.
Two Research Laboratories are Operational. The first concerns the Molecular Basis of Neurologic Disorders and interested in deregulation of glutamatergic mechanisms in neurodegenerative diseases. In this context the Laboratory has been investigating the structure and function of human glutamate dehydrogenases (housekeeping and neural-testicular tissue specific) and their involvement in human disorders. The Laboratory in conducting epidemiological studies in the Cretan population related to Multiple Sclerosis, dementias, movement disorders (Parkinson’s disease, PSP, idiopathic tremor) epilepsy and cerebral vascular accidents. Patient Registries and DNA banks for these disorders have been established. Detailed family trees of patients affected by these disorders have been constructed and family members are being studied using molecular genetic approaches. The second, concerns Clinical Neurophysiology issues in health and disease. Neurophysiological studies focus on the innervations of the autochonous (intrinsic) muscles of the extremities and on disorders affecting the peripheral and central nervous system, including HGPPS, Multiple sclerosis, Motor Neuron Diseases, etc.