Nektarios Tavernarakis, a researcher at the Research and Technology Foundation (ΙΤΕ), was recently awarded the highly competitive and highly prestigious Advanced Investigator Grant program of the European Research Council (ERC) for his research proposal entitled "Molecular Basis of Aging Nerve Cells – NeuronAge. "
These European Research Council grants are specifically aimed at internationally renowned scientists in any field of science to enable them to design and carry out ground-breaking research projects. Funding for each selected proposal can reach 3.5 millions ευρώ μέχρι και για 5 έτη. Πρόκειται για εξαιρετικά υψηλού επιπέδου χρηματοδότηση προς μεμονωμένους ερευνητές, η οποία θεσπίστηκε για πρώτη φορά φέτος από την European Join.
"The research activity of our laboratory focuses on the investigation of the basic molecular mechanisms of aging, necrosis and neurodegenerative cell death, as well as the mechanisms by which the nervous system perceives and processes stimuli from the environment," said Nektarios Taverna.
“The experimental system we use for the relevant research is the simple nematode Caenorhabditis elegans. "Through a series of studies, using a combination of genetic and molecular techniques, we have demonstrated the value and benefits of C. elegans for research on aging, nerve cell function, and the causes and mechanisms governing neurodegenerative cell death." added Nektarios Tavernarakis.
"Although aging is one of the most fundamental biological phenomena experienced by all living organisms, it is at the same time one of the least understood. What mechanisms are responsible for cell aging and cat ?? expansion of the whole organism? How are they controlled? ”
“The objectives of the research program NeuronAge are multiple and include the creation of a platform for manipulating and visualizing the function of specific neurons in living C. elegans individuals, as well as for the continuous observation of neural activity during aging. "The development and use of relevant technology will allow the systematic study of the mechanisms responsible for the aging of nerve cells," said Dr. Tavernarakis.
Because the basic mechanisms that govern the function of nerve cells are extremely similar between nematodes and higher organisms, including humans, it is expected that the results of the research will be directly related to aging in these organisms. It is important to mention that aging and concomitant pathological conditions (neurodegenerative diseases, cancer, heart disease, etc.), are one of the ever-increasing factors of human disability in modern societies. The discovery of the biological mechanisms involved in aging will allow the development of effective interventions aimed at improving the quality of life in old age. " explained Dr. Tavernarakis.
Nektarios Tavernarakis studied Biology at the Aristotle University of Thessaloniki. He then completed postgraduate studies in Molecular Genetics at the Institute of Molecular Biology and Biotechnology of FORTH, and in the Department of Biology of the University of Crete. During his undergraduate and postgraduate studies, Nektarios Tavernarakis was awarded with scholarships from the State Scholarship Foundation, he received his Bachelor's degree in Biology from the Aristotle University of Thessaloniki with the best Ph.D. thesis of the Department of Biology of the University of Crete.
He continued his postdoctoral studies in the United States of America. There he trained in Neurobiology and the biology of nematode Caenorhabditis elegans. In 2000 he was elected a researcher at the Institute of Molecular Biology and Biotechnology of FORTH, where since 2001 he has been leading the molecular genetics group C. elegans of the Institute.
He has published dozens of scientific papers in prestigious international scientific journals and books as well as several popular scientific articles in Greek and international journals. His team's research activity has been internationally recognized and financially supported by funding from the European Union, international organizations and the Greek Government.
For all his scientific contributions, Nektarios Tavernarakis has been awarded by international organizations such as the International Human Frontier Science Program Organization (HFSPO), European Molecular Biology Organization (EMBO), State of New Jersey, Commission on Cancer Research, USA, Frederick EG Valergakis Post-Graduate Research Grand Program, USA National Cancer Institute (NCI, USA and National Institutes of Health (NIH, USA) Nektarios Tavernarakis has also been honored with the Bodossakis Foundation Scientific Award in the field of Biomedical Sciences Friedrich Wilhelm Bessel of the Alexander von Humboldt Foundation, as well as the FORTH Research Prize.
