Aris

Biography

Aristides Eliopoulos IMBB Group Leader (Professor, Univ. of Crete) 

Research Interest

1. Regulation of TNF Receptor-associated factor (TRAF) signal transduction. TRAFs are adaptor molecules which link various receptors and viral proteins to the activation of oncogenic and pro-inflammatory signaling pathways, such as NF-kB and MAPKs. A major effort in the lab is directed at the identification of novel components of the CD40 and TNF receptor/TRAF signaling networks. 2. The role of inflammatory signaling pathways in carcinogenesis. Epidemiological, clinical and experimental data suggest that a number of human malignancies can be attributed to toxic agents and irritants or to persistent infections of viral or bacterial etiology which cause chronic inflammatory imbalance in the affected tissue. We utilize chemical-induced carcinogenesis protocols in animal models to dissect the role of the various cell types present in the tumor and analyze the signals exchanged between these cells. The practical benefits of this research will assist in the improved design of novel anti-cancer therapeutics and diagnostic tools to address prevention, early detection and improved management of human cancer.