Research/scientific & societal interests
| General keywords | Biomimetic materials, biomechanics, biocompatibility, primary human cells cultures, composite biomaterials, scaffolds for synthetic bone and synthetic skin, biodegradation of biomaterials, interface between tissues and biomaterial. Ethics and deontology in research, gender equality in research. |
| Topic 1 BIOMATERIALS | Manufacturing, processing, mechanical & overall characterization depending on specific applications. Soft biomaterials for replacement of tissues such as skin or endothelium, resistant biomaterials for hard tissue regeneration (e.g., bone). Focus is also on metals that can be used in implantable electronics and on 3D printed structures that enable biontegration. |
| Topic 2 BIOINTEGRATION | Enabling biomechanics and bioelectrochemistry to achieve biointegration. Design of biomimetic materials with multifunctional properties, graded multilayered structure and electrical conductivity, that mimic the natural tissue and enable faster integration rate of the biomedical implant in the host body. Particular attention is given to the study of the processes at the interphase between biomaterials and tissue. |
| Topic 3 PRIMARY CELLS | Expertise on primary cell cultures, mainly stem cells and bone marrow cells, is used to build in vitro systems for the observation and study of the biological component in contact with synthetic biomaterials. Primary cell populations are the gold standard in biomaterial evaluation and assessment. |
| Topic 4 BIOCOMPATIBILITY TESTING | According to FDA’s rules and Regulation (EU) 2017/745 of the European Parliament to provide sufficient subject’s safety for prolonged implantation (< 30 days) and & ISO 10993 and EC’s guidelines. Surface characterization, mechano-chemical characterization, and evaluation with both primary cells and cell lines. |
| Topic 5 RELEVANT TESTING | The reduction of the use of animal models demands the buildup of complex laboratory setups for the assessment of novel biomedical implants and devices. The research is highly interdisciplinary or multidisciplinary. |
| Topic 6 ETHICS & DEONDOLOGY | Elaboration of new documents for submission to ethics and deontology committees in Romanian and Hellene institutions that upon approval allow performing complex studies with fresh biological materials (human cells) extracted from donors (volunteers). |
| Topic 7 GENDER EQUALITY IN RESEARCH | Promotion of gender equality in research according to the Legal framework Law 2839/2000. The research group is always gendering balance. Both scientists and beneficiaries (student, patients etc.) are selected to encourage a gender balance. |
Societal
Gender Equality
PROMOTING GENDER EQUALITY IN RESEARCH Legal framework Law 2839/2000 requires one-third gender representation in all decision-making public body committees, including those of universities and research institutions [1]. With 53.4 out of 100 points, Greece ranks last in the EU on the Gender Equality Index. Its score is 15.2 points below the EU’s score [2]. The new The National Action Plan for Gender Equality 2021-2025 includes actions related to gender mainstreaming in sectoral policies, promoting gender equality in education, science, and research, promoting women’s equal participation in decision-making/leadership positions, promoting women’s equal participation in the labor etc. [3] The University responsible persons in charge of the Gender Equality plans are making considerable efforts to align to the European standards and balance the inequality. In this context, young female researchers are promoting valuable long-term strategies that will efficiently contribute to the National Hellene plan towards Gender Equality.
- https://eige.europa.eu/countries/greece#:~:text=PROMOTING%20GENDER%20EQUALITY%20IN%20RESEARCH,of%20universities%20and%20research%20institutions
- https://eige.europa.eu/gender-equality-index/2022/country/EL#:~:text=With%2053.4%20out%20of%20100,points%20below%20the%20EU’s%20score
- https://www.auth.gr/wp-content/uploads/GEP_AUTh_EN.pdf
Ethical Challenges
Elaboration of new documents for submission to ethics and deontology committees in Romanian and Hellene institutions that upon approval allow performing complex studies with fresh biological materials (human cells) extracted from donors (volunteers).
By now, for the long-term testing with primary human cells, two protocols were elaborated and submitted to the ethics and deontology committee of the Patras University Hospital:
- Protocol for isolation of mesenchymal bone cells from orthopaedic surgery
- Protocol for platelet rich plasma isolation for hemocompatibility testing.