About
My PhD in the field of Matrix Pathobiochemistry/Bone Biology was based on clinical trials aiming the validation of bone biomarkers in serum and urine, the development of new biochemical markers of bone metabolism/metastatic cancer and the clinical evaluation of pharmaceutical compounds administered in patients with cancer-induced bone disease. I also investigated the effect of bisphosphonates on the proliferation and functional properties, i.e. migration, invasive potential, adhesion of epithelial breast cancer cells and studied the expression of cell surface receptors and functional matrix macromolecules.
As a postdoctoral scientist since April 2013 in the Wellcome Trust Centre for Cell-Matrix Research (university of Manchester), I was involved in the preclinical drug development of a novel recombinant human protein-based immunomodulator as a therapeutic for post-menopausal osteoporosis and performed efficacy studies in mouse and rat animal models. In November 2015, I moved to the Institute of Ageing & Chronic Disease in Liverpool as a Postdoctoral Research Associate. My work was funded by an ARUK grant, led by Prof. George Bou-Gharios, involved the generation and maintenance of novel transgenic mice for the investigation of specific genes in the development as well as the therapy of osteoarthritis by a gain-of-function approach using overexpression of specific genes (TIMP3).
I am currently working with Dr. Aphrodite Vasilaki for a BBSRC grant exploring the effects of maternal protein diet on the musculoskeletal system and independently evaluate nutritional programming of bone development. I have extensive experience in the development of bioanalytical methods for biomarker discovery, cell-based assays for in vitro drug testing, a solid background in extracellular matrix (ECM) microenvironment and in depth knowledge of musculoskeletal biology.