Professor Dr. Nektarios Tavernarakis

Professor Dr. Nektarios Tavernarakis Medical School of the University of Crete, in Heraklion, Greeceand Directors at the Foundation for Re- search and Technology-Hellas (FORTH) Nektarios Tavernarakis is the Chairman of the Board of Directors at the Foundation for Research and Technology-Hellas (FORTH), Research Director at the Institute of Molecular Biology and Biotech- nology (IMBB), and Professor of Molecular Systems Biology at the Medical School of the University of Crete, in Heraklion, Greece. He is the Director of the Graduate Program on BioInformatics at the Medical School of the University of Crete, and is also heading the Neurogenetics and Ageing labo- ratory of IMBB. He is an elected member of the Scientific Council of the European Research Council (ERC), the European Molecular Biology Organization (EMBO),and Academia Europaea. He has also served as the Director of the Institute of Molecular Biology and Biotechnology. He earned his Ph.D. degree at the University of Crete, and trained as a postdoctoral researcher at Rutgers University 67 66 in New Jersey, USA. His research focuses on the molecular mechanisms of necrotic cell death and neurodegeneration, the interplay between cellular metabolism and ageing, the mechanisms of sensory transduction and integration by the nervous system, and the development of novel ge- netic tools for biomedical research. He has received several notable scientific prizes, including an innovation-supporting ERC Proof of Concept Grant and two ERCAdvanced Investigator Grants (in 2009 and 2016). He is also the recipient of the EMBO Young Investigator award, the Alexander von Humboldt Foundation, Friedrich Wilhelm Bessel research award, the Bodossaki FoundationScien- tific Prize for Medicine and Biology, the Empeirikeion Foundation Academic Excellence Prize, the Research Excellence award of the Foundation for Research and Technology-Hellas, the BioMedical Research Award of the Academy of Athens, the Galien Scientific Research Award, the International Human Frontier in Science Program Organization (HFSPO) long-term Postdoctoral Fellowship, and the Dr. Frederick Valergakis Post-Graduate Research Grant Program Academic Achievement Award of the Hellenic University Club of New York..

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Autophagic Pathways in Health and Disease: Mitophagy and Neurodegeneration Nektarios Tavernarakis Institute of Molecular Biology
Autophagic pathways in health and disease: Mitophagy and neurodegeneration Nektarios Tavernarakis Institute of Molecular Biology and Biotechnology, Foundation for Research and Technology-Hellas Medical School, University of Crete, Heraklion, Crete, Greece Mitochondria, the main energy hub of the cell, are highly dynamic organelles, playing essential roles in fundamental cellular processes. Mitochondrial function impinges on several signalling pathways modulating cellular metabolism, cell survival and healthspan. Maintenance of mitochondrial function and energy homeostasis requires both generation of newly synthesized and elimination of dysfunctional mitochondria. Impaired mitochondrial function and excessive mitochondrial content are major characteristics of ageing and several human pathophysiological conditions, highlighting the pivotal role of the coordination between mitochondrial biogenesis and mitophagy. However, the cellular and molecular underpinnings of mitochondrial mass homeostasis remain obscure. We found that DCT-1, the Caenorhabditis elegans homolog of mammalian BNIP3 and BNIP3L/NIX, is a key mediator of mitophagy promoting longevity under stress. DCT-1 acts downstream of the PINK-1-PDR-1/Parkin pathway and is ubiquitinated upon mitophagy-inducing conditions to mediate the removal of damaged mitochondria. Accumulation of damaged mitochondria triggers SKN-1 activation, which initiates a bipartite retrograde signaling pathway stimulating the coordinated induction of both mitochondrial biogenesis and mitophagy genes. Taken together, our results unravel a homeostatic feedback loop that allows cells to adjust their mitochondrial population in response to environmental and intracellular cues. Age-dependent decline of mitophagy both inhibits removal of dysfunctional or superfluous mitochondria and impairs mitochondrial biogenesis resulting in progressive mitochondrial accretion and consequently, deterioration of cell function. .
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Nucleophagy: from Homeostasis to Disease
Cell Death & Differentiation (2019) 26:630–639 https://doi.org/10.1038/s41418-018-0266-5 REVIEW ARTICLE Nucleophagy: from homeostasis to disease 1,2 1,2 Margarita-Elena Papandreou ● Nektarios Tavernarakis Received: 7 November 2018 / Revised: 9 December 2018 / Accepted: 17 December 2018 / Published online: 15 January 2019 © The Author(s) 2019. This article is published with open access Abstract Nuclear abnormalities are prominent in degenerative disease and progeria syndromes. Selective autophagy of organelles is instrumental in maintaining cell homeostasis and prevention of premature ageing. Although the nucleus is the control centre of the cell by safeguarding our genetic material and controlling gene expression, little is known in relation to nuclear autophagy. Here we present recent discoveries in nuclear recycling, namely nucleophagy in physiology in yeast and nucleophagic events that occur in pathological conditions in mammals. The selective nature of degrading nuclear envelope components, DNA, RNA and nucleoli is highlighted. Potential effects of perturbed nucleophagy in senescence and longevity are examined. Moreover, the open questions that remain to be explored are discussed concerning the conditions, receptors and substrates in homeostatic nucleophagy. 1234567890();,: 1234567890();,: Facts: ● Are there different types of macronucleophagy depend- ing on the underlying triggering conditions and different ● Selective autophagy of nuclear components is termed mechanisms that would selectively degrade different nucleophagy nuclear
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Protein Metabolism and Homeostasis in Aging Series: Advances in Experimental Medicine and Biology
springer.com Nektarios Tavernarakis (Ed.) Protein Metabolism and Homeostasis in Aging Series: Advances in Experimental Medicine and Biology Illustrates that aging cells are characterized by alterations in the rate, level and accuracy of protein synthesis compared to young ones, and that mRNA translation is controlled at multiple levels Discusses paradoxical situation of autophagy up-regulation in models of premature aging Role of mitochondria in protein quality control and the influence of reactive oxygen species Aging is loosely defined as the accumulation of changes in an organism over time. At the cellular level such changes are distinct and multidimensional: DNA replication ceases, cells stop dividing, they become senescent and eventually die. DNA metabolism and chromosomal 2010, XXI, 249 p. maintenance, together with protein metabolism are critical in the aging process. The focus of this book is on the role of protein metabolism and homeostasis in aging. An overview is Printed book provided of the current knowledge in the area, including protein synthesis, accuracy and repair, Hardcover post-translational modifications, degradation and turnover, and how they define and influence 199,99 € | £179.99 | $249.99 aging. The chapters mainly focus on well-characterised factors and pathways, but new areas [1]213,99 € (D) | 219,99 € (A) | CHF are also presented, where associations with aging are just being elucidated by current 236,00 experimental data. Protein turnover, the balance between protein synthesis and protein Softcover degradation are carefully maintained in healthy cells. Chapters 1 and 2 illustrate that aging 186,90 € | £139.99 | $219.99 cells are characterised by alterations in the rate, level and accuracy of protein synthesis [1]199,98 € (D) | 205,59 € (A) | CHF compared to young ones, and that mRNA translation, essential for cell growth and survival, is 220,50 controlled at multiple levels.
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Assessment of De Novo Protein Synthesis Rates in Caenorhabditis Elegans
Materials List for Assessment of de novo Protein Synthesis Rates in Caenorhabditis elegans Margarita Elena Papandreou*1,2, Konstantinos Palikaras*1,2, Nektarios Tavernarakis1,2 1Institute of Molecular Biology and Biotechnology, Foundation for Research and Technology-Hellas, Greece 2Department of Basic Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, University of Crete, Heraklion, 70013, Crete, Greece * These authors contributed equally Corresponding Author Citation Nektarios Tavernarakis Papandreou, M.E., Palikaras, K., Tavernarakis, N. Assessment of de novo Protein [email protected] Synthesis Rates in Caenorhabditis elegans. J. Vis. Exp. (), e61170, doi:10.3791/61170 (2020). Date Published DOI URL September 12, 2020 10.3791/61170 jove.com/video/61170 Materials Name Company Catalog Number Comments Agar Sigma-Aldrich 5040 Agarose Biozym 8,40,004 Agarose pads 2% Calcium chloride dehydrate (CaCl2? Sigma-Aldrich C5080 2H2O) Cholesterol SERVA Electrophoresis 17101.01 cycloheximide Sigma-Aldrich C-7698 Dissecting stereomicroscope Nikon Corporation SMZ645 edc-3(ok1427);Ex[punc-119GFP, Tavernarakis lab Maintain animals at 20 °C pRF4] Epifluorescence microscope Zeiss Axio Imager Z2 Escherichia coli OP50 strain Caenorhabditis Genetics Center (CGC) Fluorescence dissecting Zeiss SteREO Lumar V12 stereomicroscope Greiner Petri dishes (60 x 15 mm) Sigma-Aldrich P5237 ife-2(ok306);Ex[pife-2GFP, pRF4] Tavernarakis lab Maintain animals at 20 °C image analysis software Fiji https://fiji.sc KH2PO4 EMD Millipore 1,37,010 K2HPO4 EMD Millipore 1,04,873 LB liquid medium
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The European Research Council: Prime
The European Research Council: Prime funder of Frontier Research in Europe Partners / Partners Montois David Krása Brison Head of Sector Physical Sciences & Mathematics credits: S. credits: © Art & Build Architect / Architect Build & Art © ERC Scientific Management Department│ 1 58th Plenary Meeting of the European Space Sciences Committee, Brussels, 1-3 October 2019 ERC has a unique mission "The ERC's mission is to encourage the highest quality research in Europe through competitive funding and to support investigator-driven frontier research across all fields, on the basis of scientific excellence." │ 2 "Let scientists follow their dreams" "You never know if and how a discovery will be used in the future… When al-Khwarizmi invented the algorithms, he did not know they would be used to create IT encryption systems. So let scientists follow their dreams, without boundaries" ERC Grantee, Israel, PoC 2014 │ 3 ERC is…. 1. funding: it is part of H2020 ERC Budget € 13 billion For 2020, the budget is more than 2.25 billion euros, the highest ever since the beginning of the ERC. │ 4 │ 4 ERC Structure The European Commission • Provides financing through the EU framework programmes • Guarantees autonomy of the ERC • Assures the integrity and accountability of the ERC • Adopts annual work programmes as established by the Scientific Council The ERC Scientific Council • 21 prominent researchers proposed by an independent identification committee • President appointed following recommendation of an independent committee • Appointed by the Commission
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Jean Pierre BOURGUIGNON ERC President
Established by the European Commission Jean Pierre BOURGUIGNON ERC President © Art & Build Architect / Montois Partners / credits: S. Brison June 2019 The European Research Council Established by the European Commission ERC: Achievements and Perspectives Jean Pierre BOURGUIGNON ERC President © Art & Build Architect / Montois Partners / credits: S. Brison June 2019 What is the ERC? Established by the European Commission The ERC supports excellence in Frontier Research through a bottom-up, individual-based, pan-European competition Support for the individual scientists – no networks! Global peer-review No predetermined subjects (bottom-up) Strategy Support of frontier research in all fields of science and humanities Scientific governance: independent Scientific Council with 22 members including the ERC President; full authority over funding strategy and evaluation Support by the ERC Executive Agency (autonomous) Legislation Scientific quality as the only criterion aiming for excellence │ 3 ERC Scientific Council in the Lead Established by the European Commission • Prof. Manuel ARELLANO (Economics) • Prof. Jean-Pierre BOURGUIGNON (Mathematics), ERC President • Prof. Paola BOVOLENTA (Neurobiology) • Prof. Margaret BUCKINGHAM (Biology) • Prof. Eveline CRONE (Psychology) • Prof. Ben L. FERINGA (Organic Chemistry) • Prof. Andrzej JAJSZCZYK (Electronics and Communication Engineering) • Prof. Tomas JUNGWIRTH (Condensed Matter Physics) • Prof. Michael KRAMER (Astrophysics) • Prof. Kurt MEHLHORN (Computer Science) • Prof. Barbara ROMANOWICZ
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Mitochondrial Maturation Drives Germline Stem Cell Differentiation in Caenorhabditis Elegans
Cell Death & Differentiation (2020) 27:601–617 https://doi.org/10.1038/s41418-019-0375-9 ARTICLE Mitochondrial maturation drives germline stem cell differentiation in Caenorhabditis elegans 1,2 1,3 Nikolaos Charmpilas ● Nektarios Tavernarakis Received: 23 November 2018 / Revised: 27 May 2019 / Accepted: 3 June 2019 / Published online: 19 June 2019 © The Author(s) 2019. This article is published with open access Abstract The C. elegans germline recapitulates mammalian stem cell niches and provides an effective platform for investigating key aspects of stem cell biology. However, the molecular and physiological requirements for germline stem cell homeostasis remain largely elusive. Here, we report that mitochondrial biogenesis and function are crucial for germline stem cell identity. We show that general transcription activity in germline mitochondria is highly compartmentalized, and determines mitochondrial maturation. RPOM-1, the mitochondrial RNA polymerase, is differentially expressed as germ nuclei progress from the distal to the proximal gonad arm to form oocytes. Mitochondria undergo changes from globular to tubular morphology and become polarized, as they approach the proximal gonad arm. Notably, this mitochondrial maturation ﬁ 1234567890();,: 1234567890();,: trajectory is evolutionarily conserved. We nd that a similar transition and temporal mitochondrial RNA polymerase expression proﬁle characterizes differentiation of mammalian stem cells. In C. elegans, ATP, and ROS production increases sharply during maturation. Impaired mitochondrial bioenergetics causes gonad syncytium tumor formation by disrupting the balance between mitosis and differentiation to oocytes, which results in a marked reduction of fecundity. Consequently, compensatory apoptosis is induced in the germline. Sperm-derived signals promote mitochondrial maturation and proper germ cell differentiation via the MEK/ERK kinase pathway.
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EXECUTION of NECROTIC-LIKE CELL DEATH in CAENORHABDITIS ELEGANS REQUIRES CATHEPSIN D ACTIVITY Nektarios Tavernarakis*, Keli Xu
Miami Nature Biotechnology Short Reports TheScientificWorld (2001) 1 (S3), 139SR ISSN 1532-2246; DOI 10.1100/tsw.2001.241 EXECUTION OF NECROTIC-LIKE CELL DEATH IN CAENORHABDITIS ELEGANS REQUIRES CATHEPSIN D ACTIVITY Nektarios Tavernarakis*, Keli Xu, and Monica Driscoll Department of Molecular Biology and Biochemistry, Rutgers University, 604 Allison Road, Piscataway NJ 08855 * [email protected] INTRODUCTION. Inappropriate cell death underlies the pathology of many human and animal diseases. In particular, premature neuronal cell death plays a significant role in several late onset degenerative disorders such as Alzheimer's Disease and Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (1). The mechanisms of execution of pathological or necrotic cell death are not clear, but a detailed molecular model of inherited neurodegenerative conditions, identified in the nematode Caenorhabditis elegans, is emerging and may provide a means of identifying a conserved pathway for pathological cell death in humans (2). Gain-of-function mutations in several, specific, C. elegans ion channel genes encode hyperactive channels that induce necrotic-like death of the neurons that express these channel genes. For example, dominant mutations in the mec-4 gene (mechanosensory; mec-4 allele u231 or d: dominant) induce degeneration of six touch receptor neurons required for the sensation of gentle touch to the body (3,4). We are investigating the requirements for the progression and execution of degenerative cell death inflicted by mec-4(d) and other insults in C. elegans. To highlight the molecular events that transpire during neurodegeneration we have embarked on an effort to define conditions that block or interfere with necrotic-like cell death. We report here that Cathepsin D, which is an aspartyl protease, is required for the execution of necrotic-like cell death in C.
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Shechtman – Suresh Convocation & Honorary Symposium
Shechtman – Suresh Convocation & Honorary Symposium Aristotle University of Thessaloniki Nov 30 – Dec 3 2018 Coordinator: E. C. Aifantis Overseeing Committee: P. Mitkas/Rector, K. Katsifarakis/Dean, P. Prinos/Chairman Organizing Committee: A. Konstantinidis, K. Parisis, A. Tsolakis 1. Scope & Program Outline The event is a tribute to material science and mechanics honoring two of its most profound contributors alive today: Dan Shechtman/Emeritus of Technion – Nobel Prize in 2011 and Subra Suresh/President of NTU – US National Science Foundation Director appointed by Obama in 2010. Shechtman discovered in the TEM the existence of five fold symmetry and quasicrystals. Suresh made it to all three US National Academies of Sciences, Engineering and Medicine through monumental contributions to all these fields. Aristotle would have been delighted to know that AUTh – the only University in the world to bearing his name – is bestowing honorary doctorates to those continuing on the legacy he left behind 23 centuries ago. The convocation ceremony in the morning of Nov 30 will be followed up by a Honorary Symposium with invited lecturers in a variety of disciplines ranging from physics and engineering to biology and medicine. Special topics will be presented on deformation and fracture across scales, materials and disciplines; micro/nano objects with pentagonal symmetry (decahedrals, icosahedrals); high energy density storage materials/devices; and modeling analogies between living and nonliving systems. These are research areas of common interest to US/NSF – DOE, EU/RISE, Russia/MegaGrant and Greek/ESPA participants. The technical program will be enriched with panel/round table sessions on University leadership and measures to be taken for promoting science/technology/art – economy/culture/society interactions: Innovation and Entrepreneurship will be the 1st one of them where science and technology will meet ambassadors and governments to facilitate mobility and transfer of knowledge across the world.
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Chapter 2. the Role of Autophagy in Aging: Molecular Mechanisms
CHAPTER 2 The Role of Autophagy in Aging: Molecular Mechanisms Maria Markaki, Athanasios Metaxakis and Nektarios Tavernarakis OUTLINE Introduction 124 Autophagy and Age-Related Diseases 132 Cytoprotective and Homeostatic Conclusions 134 Role of Autophagy 126 Acknowledgments 135 Autophagy and Aging 127 References 135 Autophagy and the Aging Phenotype: An Intricate Relationship 127 Autophagy and Aging Influencing Pathways 129 Abstract Autophagy is a conserved, subtly regulated process responsible for the lysosomal degradation of cyto- plasmic components, such as long-lived proteins and unnecessary or dysfunctional organelles. It has a well-established housekeeping role under physiological conditions, and a cytoprotective and adap- tive role under stress. The aging process is associated with marked decrease of autophagic activ- ity and deregulated autophagy often correlates with accelerated aging and age-related pathologies. Conversely, genetic or pharmacological interventions that extend lifespan, such as reduced insulin/ insulin-like growth factor-1 (IGF-1) signaling, target of rapamycin inhibition, deacetylation of his- tones and nonhistone cytoplasmic proteins, caloric restriction (CR), rapamycin, resveratrol, or spermi- dine supplementation, have been associated with autophagy and in some cases their beneficial effects on health and longevity require autophagy. Interestingly, the recently gained knowledge about autophagy regulation has revealed that several transcription factors required for lifespan extension have an M.A. Hayat (ed): Autophagy, Volume 12. DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/B978-0-12-812146-7.00002-0 123 © 2017 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved. 124 2. THE ROLE OF AUTOPHAGY IN AGING: MOLECULAR MECHANISMS important role in the upregulation of autophagy-related genes. Moreover, acetylation of histones and autophagy proteins has emerged as an essential regulatory mechanism of both autophagy and longev- ity, at least in yeast and mammals.
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Short Biography – Nektarios Tavernarakis
SHORT BIOGRAPHY – NEKTARIOS TAVERNARAKIS Nektarios Tavernarakis is the Director of the Institute of Molecular Biology and Biotechnology, at the Foundation for Research and Technology, and Professor of Molecular Systems Biology at the Medical School of the University of Crete, in Heraklion, Greece. He is the Director of the Graduate Program on BioInformatics, at the Medical School of the University of Crete, and is also heading the Neurogenetics and Ageing laboratory of the Institute. He is an elected member of the European Molecular Biology Organization (EMBO) and Academia Europaea. He earned his Ph.D. degree at the University of Crete, and trained as a postdoctoral researcher at Rutgers University in New Jersey, USA. His research focuses on the molecular mechanisms of necrotic cell death and neurodegeneration, the interplay between cellular metabolism and ageing, the mechanisms of sensory transduction and integration by the nervous system, and the development of novel genetic tools for biomedical research. For his scientific accomplishments, he has received several notable scientific prizes including two European Research Council (ERC) Advanced Investigator Grants (in 2009 and 2016). He is one of the first in Europe, and until now the only one in Greece, to have been awarded this highly competitive and prestigious grant twice. He is also the recipient of the EMBO Young Investigator award, the Alexander von Humboldt Foundation, Friedrich Wilhelm Bessel research award, the Bodossaki Foundation Scientific Prize for Medicine and Biology, the Empeirikeion Foundation Academic Excellence Prize, the Research Excellence award of the Foundation for Research and Technology, the BioMedical Research Award of the Academy of Athens, the International Human Frontier in Science Program Organization (HFSPO) long- term Postdoctoral Fellowship, and the Dr.
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Mitochondrial Homeostasis: the Interplay Between Mitophagy and Mitochondrial Biogenesis
EXG-09344; No of Pages 7 Experimental Gerontology xxx (2014) xxx–xxx Contents lists available at ScienceDirect Experimental Gerontology journal homepage: www.elsevier.com/locate/expgero Review Mitochondrial homeostasis: The interplay between mitophagy and mitochondrial biogenesis Konstantinos Palikaras, Nektarios Tavernarakis ⁎ Institute of Molecular Biology and Biotechnology, Foundation for Research and Technology-Hellas, Heraklion 71110, Crete, Greece article info abstract Article history: Mitochondria are highly dynamic organelles and their proper function is crucial for the maintenance of cellular Received 7 November 2013 homeostasis. Mitochondrial biogenesis and mitophagy are two pathways that regulate mitochondrial content Received in revised form 15 January 2014 and metabolism preserving homeostasis. The tight regulation between these opposing processes is essential Accepted 20 January 2014 for cellular adaptation in response to cellular metabolic state, stress and other intracellular or environmental Available online xxxx signals. Interestingly, imbalance between mitochondrial proliferation and degradation process results in progres- Keywords: sive development of numerous pathologic conditions. Here we review recent studies that highlight the intricate Ageing interplay between mitochondrial biogenesis and mitophagy, mainly focusing on the molecular mechanisms that Autophagy govern the coordination of these processes and their involvement in age-related pathologies and ageing. Mitochondria © 2014 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved. Mitophagy Parkin PGC-1α PINK1 1. Introduction ranging from yeast to mammals (Artal-Sanz and Tavernarakis, 2009; Bereiter-Hahn et al., 2008; Kaeberlein, 2010; H.C. Lee et al., 2002; T.M. Mitochondria are double membrane-bound organelles, essential Lee et al., 2002; Preston et al., 2008). However, the molecular mecha- for energy production and cellular homeostasis in eukaryotic cells.
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