Androniki Kretsovali
Research Director
Our main research interests are the investigation of molecular processes that regulate embryonic stem cell pluripotency and neuronal regeneration.
Specifically:
1. We study the role of transcriptional regulators and micro-RNAs in: a. stem cell self renewal and differentiation and b. reprogramming of somatic cells into pluripotency. For this aim we are using gene silencing and overexpression techniques as well as genome-wide (genomic and proteomic) methodologies. In addition we exploit the effect of small molecules and employ novel biomaterial substrates as scaffolds for selective cellular growth and/or differentiation.
2. We study molecular mechanisms regulating the self renewal, differentiation, and stress response of neural stem cells (NSC) derived from mouse embryos and pluripotent stem cells (2D and 3D cultures). Employing these experimental systems we aim to model neurodegenerative diseases (ie Alzheimers Disease, AD) and decipher the impact of synthetic micro neurotrophins and the Promyelocytic Leukemia Protein (PML) in order to guide future prognostic or therapeutic approaches