Research at the Institute of Molecular Biology and Biotechnology of FORTH published in the premier international scientific journal Nature Aging, reveals a fundamental quality control mechanism that operates in cells to safeguard the integrity and function of the nucleus. By maintaining nuclear homeostasis, this molecular mechanism contributes critically to promote longevity and fertility. IMBB researchers Dr. Margarita-Elena Papandreou and Dr. Georgios Konstantinidis, headed by Dr. Nektarios Tavernarakis (Professor at the Medical School, University of Crete, and Chairman of the Board at FORTH), discovered that recycling of nuclear and nucleolar components via autophagy delays ageing of somatic cells, and sustains the immortality of germ cells, which are required for reproduction.

The research team's next step, in the field of autoimmunity research, involves the design of highly specific small molecules to be tested for their ability to inhibit inflammation and autoimmunity, initially in a mouse model and later in humans.

The ERC Starting Grants are awarded to talented early-career scientists, who have already produced excellent work and show potential to be research leaders, to launch their own projects.

The GIHG was created by the vision of internationally recognized researchers and it aspires to enrich the scientific environment of Greece and to become a world leader in research on genetic diversity and its connection with various monogenic and multifactorial diseases.

Professor Christos (Kitsos) Louis, IMBB researcher, was honored for his significant contributions to the understanding of the biology of the malaria mosquito on July 27 at the Mosquito Kolymbari Conference 2022, held at the Orthodox Academy of Crete.

In nature, there is a constant evolutionary battle between microbes and their hosts, during which, many bacteria secrete specific proteins into the host’s cells, aiming to alter its physiology, while increasing pestiferous activity.

A team of scientists from the University of Minnesota Medical School, University of Texas Health San Antonio, and the Biomedical Research Institute of FORTH, found that the disruption of a circadian clock gene may be involved in the development of autism spectrum disorder.

The new findings of the study are published today in the premier international scientific journal Nature Communications.

How does nature utilize the common repertoire of folds in proteins to differentiate their specificity, and ultimately their function? This long-standing and fundamental question was addressed in a study conducted at the Institute of Molecular Biology and Biotechnology of the Foundation for Research & Technology-Hellas (FORTH-IMBB).