Biochemistry and Molecular Biology in Greece: History and Perspectives

IUBMB Life, 60(5): 250–253, May 2008

Feature Article

Biochemistry and Molecular Biology in Greece: History and Perspectives Evangelia Papadimitriou1, George Koliakos2 and Nikos Karamanos3 1Laboratory of Molecular Pharmacology, Department of Pharmacy, University of Patras, 26500 Patras, Greece 2Laboratory of Biological Chemistry, Medical School, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, 54124 Thessaloniki, Greece 3Laboratory of Biochemistry, Department of Chemistry, University of Patras, 26500 Patras, Greece

INTRODUCTION founded in 1971 at the School of Natural Sciences at the Univer- The Hellenic Biochemical and Biophysical Society (HBBS) sity of Patras and firstly directed by Prof. I.G. Georgatsos. Today, was founded in 1971 by 23 biochemists and biophysicists, and laboratories of Biochemistry exist in all Departments of Natural in 1999 was renamed as Hellenic Society of Biochemistry and or Health Sciences. Since 2000, a major in Biochemistry and Bio- Molecular Biology (HSBMB). The number of its members has technology is offered at the University of Thessaly and in Molec- enormously increased since then, mainly after it was renamed ular Biology and Genetics at Demokritus University of Thrace. to include molecular biologists, and when it managed to provide An elective program of studies providing a University degree in more effective communication between its members. The major Biochemistry was offered at the University of Ioannina during the goal of its founding members to make it one of the most impor- years 1998–2007. Prof. O. Tsolas chaired this program and Prof. tant scientific communities in Greece has been achieved, and C. Drainas was director of studies. today HSBMB has the ambition to play important role(s) in the scientific life of the country. FOUNDATION OF BIOCHEMISTRY-RELATED SCIENTIFIC SOCIETIES HISTORY OF BIOCHEMISTRY IN GREECE The Hellenic Biochemistry Society (HBS) was founded in Biochemistry in Greece first appeared in Medical Schools and 1959 in Thessaloniki after an initiative of Dr. A. Christomanos hospitals. Since before the Second World War, the hospitals in and his colleague Dr. I. G. Georgatsos, the only biochemists in Athens had laboratories performing biochemical analyses. Among Thessaloniki at that time. All other members of the Society those, the most reputable was the biochemical laboratory of were local medical doctors, some of them practicing microbiol- ‘‘Evangelismos’’ hospital, directed by the professor of Pharmacol- ogy. The Society remained inactive until it merged, in 1983, ogy in Medical School of Athens Dr. G. Ioakimoglou. This labo- with the HBBS, founded in Athens on 1971 by 23 scientists ratory operated successfully since 1938 by the chemist K. Pana- involved in biochemical and biophysical research. It was the gopoulos, who published the first book of Clinical Chemistry in time when the restriction enzymes were discovered and a new Greece titled ‘‘Analytical and Applied Biochemistry.’’ The first era in biotechnology was emerging. Founding members of professor in Biological Chemistry was B. Vlassopoulos, elected HBBS were the biochemists or biophysicists: G. Akogiouno- in 1939 at the School of Medicine, University of Athens. The first glou, I. Akogiounoglou, O. Antonoglou, M. Argyrakis-Vomvo- book in Biochemistry was published in 1947 by A. Christomanos, giannis, A. Vakirtzis-Lemoia, I. Georgatsos, A. Dasiou, K. who later (in 1957) became professor of Biological Chemistry at Dimitropoulos, A. Evangelopoulos, V. Kapoulas, T. Kalogera- the Medical School at the University of Thessaloniki. Dr. L. Zer- kos, P. Karatzas, E. Katsadimas, I. Kimpouris, N. Konstantzas, vas at the University of Thessaloniki, who later was nominated as G. Levis, I. Mantzos, K. Moiras, G. Palaiologos, G. Papageor- a Nobel prize winner, directed the first laboratory of Organic giou, J. Taylor-Papadimitriou, E. Filipidou and E. Thomou. Chemistry and Biochemistry in a School of Natural Sciences dur- With the exception of O. Antonoglou and J. Taylor-Papadimi- ing the years 1938–1939, while a laboratory of Biochemistry was triou who were employed in Theageneio Hospital of Thessalo- niki, and I. Georgatsos who was a professor at the University of Patras, all HBBS members were researchers in laboratories Received 23 January 2008; accepted 5 February 2008 located in Athens. The first administrative board was elected in Address correspondence to: Nikos Karamanos, Laboratory of Bio- chemistry, Department of Chemistry, University of Patras, 26500 October 12, 1971 and was constituted by Dr. I. Georgatsos Patras, Greece. Tel: 1302610997915. Fax: 1302610997153. from the University of Patras as President, Dr. G. Akogiouno- E-mail: [email protected] glou from ‘‘Demokritus’’ Research Center as Vice President,

ISSN 1521-6543 print/ISSN 1521-6551 online DOI: 10.1002/iub.63 BIOCHEMISTRY AND MOLECULAR BIOLOGY IN GREECE 251

Dr. A. Evangelopoulos from the National Hellenic Research Foundation as Secretary General, Dr. G. Levis from ‘‘Alex- andra’’ Hospital as Treasurer, and Drs. V. Kapoulas from the University of Athens, N. Konstantzas from the University of Athens and G. Papageorgiou from ‘‘Demokritus’’ Research Cen- ter, as members. The administrative board, as always, was elected every 2 years. The requirement to become a full member is the possession of either a PhD in biochemistry, biophysics or molecular biology, or at least three publications in international peer-reviewed jour- nals on the same subjects. This requirement provides assurance of the scientific quality of the society members. Originally, the main goal of the society was the organization of seminars. The first scientific conference was held at the lecture hall of the National Hel- lenic Research Foundation with only eight 20-min oral presentations. Ever since, extended summaries of the members’ presentations are published in the society’s newsletter. Merging of the two societies (HBS and HBBS) was consid- ered important in order to empower the representation of Greek biochemists in international events. This merging was materialized in 1983 by the administrative board of the two societies, with the initiative of Dr. C. Tsiganos. Following the union of the two societies, the election process of the administrative board changed, so that only five out of the seven members are elected, with the remaining two seats occupied by the previous Chairman and Secretary General. The new society initially kept Figure 1. (A) Number of scientists related to Biochemistry and the name HBBS, was later renamed to HSBMB and represents Molecular Biology since 1950. (B) Distribution of HSBMB Greek biochemists in international organizations, such as the members according to their place of work. International Union of Biochemistry (IUB, later renamed to International Union of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Greece. HSBMB has organized up to date 59 national conferen- IUBMB), the International Union for Pure and Applied Biophy- ces with a constantly increasing number and quality of pre- sics (IUPAB) and the Federation of European Biochemical sented research work published in the HSBMB Newsletter. Fig- Societies (FEBS). The scientific conferences of the society were ure 2 shows the number of presentations in the National held twice a year; once in Athens and once in another Greek HSBMB conferences since 1971. Abstracts are selected as short city. Since 1999, however, when the society was renamed to oral presentations or posters by a scientific committee, consisted HSBMB, conferences were held annually, again rotating of Profs. D. Kyriakidis, A. Tsiftsoglou, and I. Georgatsos at the between Athens and other Greek cities, where a local branch of University of Thessaloniki. Two to three 45-min plenary lec- the society exists. tures are also invited among top scientists from all around the world. An equal number of short invited lectures (30 min) are selected amongst younger scientists, who have made significant CURRENT STATUS OF HSBMB contributions through their research work. The last two years, It is impressive that a society with 23 founding members, has HSBMB has also co-organized with a number of other scientific reached today 1,300 full and associate members, all active societies, the National Anticancer Conference, attended by researchers in the fields of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology. researchers involved in basic and clinical oncology. As shown in Fig. 1A, there is an impressive increase in the num- Besides National Conferences, HSBMB has been interested ber of scientists related to these fields. Most of them work in uni- in organizing international events. Toward this direction, HBBS versities and research institutes, whereas a considerable number organized in Athens on 1977 a joint meeting with the corre- work in hospitals, as well as food and drug industries around the sponding Bulgarian Society, with the participation of members country. More than half of HSBMB members work in Athens, from all Balkan countries. This initiated the foundation of the with the rest scattered in other cities where universities exist, and ‘‘Balkan Biochemical and Biophysical Days’’, a biennial event a small percentage working abroad (Fig. 1B). with the participation of all Balkan countries until 2003. This One of the major activities of HSBMB remains to be the or- organization led to the development of fruitful co-operations ganization of national Conferences, which have contributed to among research groups in the Balkan Peninsula. FEBS accepted the development of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology in well the BBBD idea and supported the BBBD conferences. 252 PAPADIMITRIOU ET AL.

the Hellenic Republic Dr. Karolos Papoulias. Chairman of the organizing committee is Prof. E. Frangoulis. Information for this event can be found from the relevant website at www. febs-iubmb-2008.org. Members of the administrative board of HSBMB participate as representatives in FEBS, IUBMB, and Federation of Euro- pean Connective Tissue Societies (FECTS) meetings, whereas other HSBMB members participate in committees of these societies. For example, Drs. M. Chatzopoulou-Cladara (2004–2007), A. Gravanis (2006), and G. Mosialos (2007) have been elected at the fellowships committee, and Dr. C. Stournaras (2005) at the publications committee of FEBS. HSBMB has always put efforts into supporting young scientists to participate in conferences. Toward this direction, 10 traveling funds were awarded to PhD students based on their curriculum vitae and the quality of the work to be presented in the National Conferences. The number of these funds has increased to 22 at the last 59th HSBMB Conference. Moreover, two ‘‘Gardiki-Kouidou’’ fellowships are awarded in each National Conference, based on the excellence of the submitted curriculum vitae, one for a PhD student and one for a post-doc- toral fellow. Since 2006, HSBMB also supports scientific events, such as the Spetsai Summer School, the ‘‘Matrix Patho- biology, Signaling and Molecular Targets’’ FEBS course held in Patras in May 2007, the FEBS Young Scientists Forum that will take place in 2008 and others. The website of HSBMB (www.eebmb.org) has been upgraded since 2006 and functions both in Greek and English. In the website one can find all the information related to HSBMB, as well Figure 2. Number of presentations in each National HSBMB as links to events and other societies or/and organizations related Conference. The first 51 conferences were realized by HBBS, to biochemistry and molecular biology. In the website HSBMB before the renaming of the society in 1999. [Color figure can be also posts the e-deltio, an electronic newsletter which is pub- viewed in the online issue, which is available at www.interscience. lished three to four times per year and contains news of the soci- wiley.com.] ety, as well as scientific achievements of its members. The electronic newsletter was first published in 2006 and aims at the best possible interplay among HSBMB members empowering the so- Another international event (co-)organized by HSBMB mem- ciety within the country and abroad. bers was the ‘‘Spetsai Summer School’’, initiated in 1966 and As already mentioned, one of the major interests of HSBMB sponsored by NATO (since 1966), EMBO (since 1972), FEBS is education of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology and one of (since 1981), IUBMB (1996), and HSBMB (since 2006). In the difficulties to be faced is the use of a common and correct 1992, FEBS agreed to the organization by HSBMB members of terminology in Greek. To help overcome this problem, HSBMB the FEBS Special Meeting on ‘‘Cell Function and Differentia- has edited an English–Greek dictionary of Biochemistry, Molec- tion’’. This successful meeting attended by 1,300 participants ular Biology, and Biotechnology that was very well accepted by led to the publication of a book on the same subject (1) and of its members. The editorial board for the dictionary consists of an article titled ‘‘Biochemistry in Greece’’ published in TIBS Drs. C. Drainas, F. Kollisis, M. Lekka, G. Palaiologos, D. Sta- (2). In the same line, another manuscript on ‘‘Biochemical Edu- thakos, C. Tsiganos, and A. Tselepis. The first edition of the cation in Greece’’ was published in 1989 (3), as a result of the dictionary was published in 1996 and contained 13,000 scien- relevant discussions during a workshop held in Thessaloniki in tific terms. The second improved edition is expected soon and 1988 and organized and conducted by the Committee on Educa- will contain over 30,000 terms. tion of the IUB. The most important latest achievement of To celebrate the 35th anniversary of HSBMB in 2006, the HSBMB is the organization of the 33rd FEBS Congress and administrative board consisted by Prof. N. Karamanos from the 11th IUBMB Conference that will take place from June 28 to University of Patras as President, Prof. C. Drainas from the July 3, 2008, in Athens, Greece, focusing on Biochemistry of University of Ioannina as Vice President, Dr. G. Panagiotou cell regulation and held under the auspices of the president of from Fleming Research Institute as Secretary General, Dr. D. BIOCHEMISTRY AND MOLECULAR BIOLOGY IN GREECE 253

Kletsas from ‘‘Demokritus’’ Research Center as Treasurer and OBJECTIVES OF HSBMB Drs. D. Thanos from Biomedical Research Foundation of the HSBMB promotes and supports research and education in Academy of Athens, G. Koliakos from the University of The- the fields of biochemistry and molecular biology through a ssaloniki and E. Papadimitriou form the University of Patras as range of different activities, as mentioned above. To summarize, members, edited a book devoted to the history, the achieve- the major objectives of HSBMB are: (1) Organization of the an- ments and the current status of HSBMB, as well as a list of its nual society conference, which provides a forum for Greek bio- members and of all the post-graduate programs related to biochemists and molecular biologists to exchange novel ideas and chemistry and molecular biology in Greece. This special edition promote new research directions. World-renowned speakers are was distributed free of charge to all HSBMB members. invited from prestigious institutions to give plenary talks, As a targeted group within HSBMB the Hellenic Research whereas many young talented Greek investigators present their Club for Connective Tissue and Matrix Biology (HRCTMB), work. (2) Organization of international meetings and workshops was founded in 1996, as the result of an initiative of the Univer- in association with FEBS and IUBMB. (3) Educational activ- sity of Patras. The founding Meeting and Congress took place in ities, including scholarship awards to young investigators, pub- Patras in April 10, 1997 and a coordination committee was lic lectures, publication of a scientific term dictionary and an elected: Dr. C. Tsiganos as a President, Dr. A. Haronis as a Sec- electronic newsletter, known as e-deltio. (4) Advising the gov- retary General, and Drs. N. Karamanos, M. Maragoudakis, and ernment, the press and the public on current scientific and social D. Tsampaos as members from the University of Patras and Drs. topics, relevant to life sciences. D. Kletsas (‘‘Demokritus’’ Research Center) and G. Koliakos (University of Thessaloniki), as representatives from Athens and Thessaloniki, respectively. In August 1998, for the first time PERSPECTIVES OF HSBMB Greece appears as an independent Group in the 16th Meeting of HSBMB has set up a number of goals to achieve within the FECTS in Uppsala, Sweden, where it claimed and finally gained short- and long-term future. The major challenge for HSBMB in the organization of the (17th) FECTS Congress for the year the very near future is the organization of the 33rd FEBS Con- 2000, held in Patras, in July 1–5, 2000 with great success. Partic- gress and 11th IUBMB Conference that will take place from ipation from Europe, N. America, Australia, and Japan exceeded June 28 to July 3, 2008, in Athens, Greece. More than 2,000 the number of 500 scientists. The program contained 21 major participants are expected and HSBMB is putting a great effort in speeches and 9 different workshops. The Congress coincided having a very successful meeting. Another major project of with the announcement of the sequencing of the Human Genome HSBMB to be materialized soon is the creation of a data base and therefore the opening speech by Prof. Eleni Glycandji Arv- with the research activities of all members of HSBMB in order eler, Rector of the University of Europe and distinct member of to support interventions in several aspects, a link with the soci- UNESCO, dealt with bioethical issues in Science. Since then, ety and to manage co-ordination of the post-graduate programs meetings of HRCTMB take place every year in different univer- related to biochemistry, molecular biology and related fields. sities of Greece, organized by members of the Club. The scope Long term goals to achieve are the continuous presence in FEBS of HRCTMB is to promote research in the fields of Biochemistry, and IUBMB, the organization of National conferences with Molecular Biology, Medicine, Biotechnology, and Clinical ever-increasing scientific excellence, the widening of the society Chemistry, related to Connective Tissue or Extracellular Matrix, by attracting prestigious researchers and younger scientists, and and also to create the proper conditions for the communication attracting continuously more resources for the activities of the between researchers in this field, in order for them to be society. At this moment, HSBMB has the potential to achieve informed, to exchange opinions and to create conceptual scien- all its goals and set up new, more ambitious projects for the tific networks. HRCTMB is a member of FECTS and the Interna- future. tional Society for Matrix Biology. Since 2003, Prof. N. Karama- nos is the coordinator of the HRCTMB and Dr. D. Kletsas the Secretary General. The annual meeting, the 9th in the series was REFERENCES co-organized by Drs. D. Kletsas and A. Charonis at ‘‘Demok- ritus’’ Research Center in May 2007. 1. Akoyunoglou, G., Evangelopoulos, A. E., Georgatsos, J., Palaiologos, Other scientific societies related to HSBMB in Greece are: G., Trakatellis, A., and Tsiganos, K. (1982) Cell function and differentiation, Part A: Erythroid differentiation, hormone–gene interaction, gly- (1) The Society of Clinical Chemistry and Biochemistry, whose coconjugates, liposomes, cell growth and cell–cell interaction. FEBS members are principally chemists and biochemists that work in Volume 64, Alan R. Liss, Inc., New York. hospital laboratories, (2) The Hellenic Society of Pharmacology, 2. Greek National Committee for Biochemistry. (1982) Biochemistry in whose members are principally pharmacologists and scientists Greece. TIBS, 131. actively involved in basic or clinical pharmacology research, (3) 3. Palaiologos, G., Kyriakidis, D., Trakatellis, A., Tsiftsoglou, A., Tselen- tis, V., Philippidou, E., Josefsson, L., Mehler, A. H., Vella F., and The Hellenic Society for Biological Sciences, (4) The Hellenic Wood, E. J. (1989). Biochemical education in Greece. Report on a Society of Biotechnology, and (5) The recently established workshop held in the Aristotelian University of Thessaloniki, 25–27 Hellenic Society ‘‘Mikrobiokosmos’’. May, 1988. Biochem. Educ. 17, 2, 69–73.