Associate Professor in Animal and Human Physiology at the Department of Biology at the University of Athens in Greece

Dr. P. Papazafiri is a member of the Division of Animal and Human Physiology, established in 1996, in the Biology Department of the National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Greece. 
She has a strong research experience on cell and tissue physiology with special focus on the mechanisms that protect cells during stressful conditions like chronic stress, hypoxia/ischemia, oxidative stress, excitotoxicity and environmental pollution, as well as, on the elucidation of the molecular pathways that interconnect calcium homeostasis with other cell signaling pathways. 

Dr. Papazafiri has specialized in hormonal and synaptic signaling. Both of these cases form the biological-cellular basis of the adaptations an organism develops to maintain homeostasis in an ever-changing and stressful environment. Particular emphasis is given on the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis, which is the most important biological stress response system and influences, in turn, many brain structures and functions with a direct impact on social behavior. The aim of the studies is to protect, more effectively, neuro-endocrine functions during stressful situations so as to restore cellular homeostasis with an impact on organismal and social integration.

Education
Ph.D. Cellular and Molecular Biology, Université Scientifique Technologique et Médicale de Grenoble-France. 
Diploma in Biology, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki-Greece.

Professional Experience
1998-present: University of Athens, Department of Biology.
(1998-2004: Lecturer, 2004-2010: Assistant Professor, 2010-present: Associate Professor)
1995-1998: Principal research scientist, Institute of Biology, National Research Centre "Demokritos", Athens, Greece.     
1992-1994: Visiting Scientist, Department of Biological and Technological Research (DIBIT), HOSPITAL SAN RAFFAELE, Milano, Italy. 
1989-1992: Research Associate in the Institute of Biology, National Research Centre "Demokritos", Athens, Greece.
1989: Visiting Scientist, Boston University Medical Centre (Section of Molecular   Genetics), Massachusetts, the USA.
1988-1989: Post-Doctoral fellow in the Institute of Molecular Biology and Biotechnology (IMBB), Heraklion-Crete, Greece

Recent Publications

1. Knockdown of Amyloid Precursor Protein Increases Ion Channel Expression and Alters Ca2+ Signaling Pathways. Paschou M, Liaropoulou D, Kalaitzaki V, Efthimiopoulos S, Papazafiri P. Int J Mol Sci. 2023 Jan 24;24(3):2302. 
2. Neuronal microRNAs safeguard ER Ca2+ homeostasis and attenuate the unfolded protein response upon stress. Paschou M, Papazafiri P, Charalampous C, Zachariadis M, Dedos SG, Doxakis E.Cell Mol Life Sci. 2022 Jun 21;79(7):373. 
3. A glucose-based molecular rotor inhibitor of glycogen phosphorylase as a probe of cellular enzymatic function. Minadakis MP, Mavreas KF, Neofytos DD, Paschou M, Kogkaki A, Athanasiou V, Mamais M, Veclani D, Iatrou H, Venturini A, Chrysina ED, Papazafiri P, Gimisis T.Org Biomol Chem. 2022 Mar 23;20(12):2407-2423.
4. Enhanced Ca2+ Entry Sustains the Activation of Akt in Glucose Deprived SH-SY5Y Cells. Kourti M, Liaropoulou D, Paschou M, Giagklisi I, Paschalidi M, Petani E, Papazafiri P.Int J Mol Sci. 2022 Jan 26;23(3):1386.
5. Neuronal microRNAs modulate TREK two-pore domain K+ channel expression and current density. Paschou M, Maier L, Papazafiri P, Selescu T, Dedos SG, Babes A, Doxakis E.RNA Biol. 2020 May;17(5):651-662. 
6. Amyloid-β Protein Precursor Regulates Depolarization-Induced Calcium-Mediated Synaptic Signaling in Brain Slices. Chatzistavraki M, Papazafiri P, Efthimiopoulos S.J Alzheimers Dis. 2020;76(3):1121-1133. 
7. Vagiallene, a Rearranged C15 Acetogenin from Laurencia obtusa. Perdikaris S, Mangoni A, Grauso L, Papazafiri P, Roussis V, Ioannou E.Org Lett. 2019 May 3;21(9):3183-3186.
8. A fragment of the alarmin prothymosin α as a novel biomarker in murine models of bacteria-induced sepsis. Samara P, Miriagou V, Zachariadis M, Mavrofrydi O, Promponas VJ, Dedos SG, Papazafiri P, Kalbacher H, Voelter W, Tsitsilonis O.Oncotarget. 2017 Jul 25;8(30):48635-48649. 
9. Oxygen and Glucose Deprivation Alter Synaptic Distribution of Tau Protein: The Role of Phosphorylation.Mavroeidi P, Mavrofrydi O, Pappa E, Panopoulou M, Papazafiri P, Haralambous S, Efthimiopoulos S.J Alzheimers Dis. 2017;60(2):593-604.