Democritus University of Thrace
The Department of Molecular Biology & Genetics (MBG) of the Democritus University of Thrace (DUTH) has been operating since 2000 and it is the only Department in Greece that provides studies in Molecular Biology and Genetics. MBG has extensive experience in the fields of Biomedicine, Molecular Biotechnology, Agrobiology and Nutrition. In addition, MBG collaborates with industries, and participates and co-finaced by European Union.
As a member of OPENSCREEN-GR, the MBG / DUTH offers the know-how and services for toxicity and function evaluation of bioactive molecules and chemical compounds, aiming to initial characterise and evaluate biological activity, which will lead to possible guiding molecules for further investigation into molecular targeting studies and new therapeutic approaches.
More specifically, services offered for analysis of toxicity profiles in cell systems, characterization of various biological actions in vitro, such as antioxidant, antiproliferative / anti-cancer, anti-inflammatory or anti-microbial action, as well as chemical microbial products & natural microbial products.
Services
Flow Cytometry
The unit is equipped with Attune NxT acoustic flow cytometer (Thermo Fischer Scientific) and the Attune NxT Software. The flow cytometer has two lasers: 488 nm, 50 mW (blue) and 637 nm (100 mW) which allow the retrieval of up to nine different parameters, up to seven color fluorescence data plus front and side scattering. Acoustic focus technology allows the analysis of up to 35,000 events per second.
Equipment:
Attune NxT (Thermo Fischer Scientific)
Application
- Detection of molecular markers of cytotoxicity by multiple labeling using antibodies
- Cell cycle analysis and cell death studies (necrosis, apoptosis, necropsy, autophagy)
- Protein expression analysis
- Precision multimeter analyzes to assess the toxicity and biological activity of bioactive molecules
- Investigation of anti-inflammatory action
- Determination of oxidative damage, characterization of pre / anti-oxidant action
- Evaluation of antimicrobial activity
Cell Culture Unit
Equipment
Cell culture unit is equipmed with two CO2 incubators (Forma Direct Heat, Thermo Fischer Scientific), two Class II biosecurity yarn flow chambers (MSC-Advantage, Thermo Fischer Scientific), freezer -20 oC (Whirlpool), super-freezer -86 (Heraeus, Kendro) and a desk centrifuge (Pro Research K2015, Centurion Scientific).
Applications :
- Biobank of cell lines
- Isolation and culture of primary cells
- Culture of cell lines
- Development and culture of 3D cell beads
- Study of antiproliferative / anti-cancer / cancer-specific action
- Synergistic action analysis
- Study of anti-aging action (in vitro & reconstituted skin models
Microscopy System
Equipment:
The unit has a fluorescence microscope (ZEISS Scope.A1) equipped with a camera (Axiocam ICm1) and connected to a computer with the ZEN 2 image analysis program (ZEISS). The unit also has a fluorescence microscope (ZEISS Scope.A1) equipped with a camera (Axiocam ICm1) and connected to a computer with the ZEN 2 image analysis program (ZEISS).
Applications
- Multi-channel fluorescence microscopy
- Imaging / videotaping of live cells at consecutive intervals
- In vitro analysis of cell migration
- Analysis of oxidative damage (comet assay)
- Phase contrast microscopy
- Differential Contrast Contrast Microscopy (DIC-Nomarski)
- Digital image processing, analysis and quantification
Multifunctional Unit for the Study of Gene and Protein Expression
The unit is equipped with two Real-Time PCR devices with the ability to simultaneously analyze 48 or 96 samples (Applied Biosystems StepOne, Thermo Fischer Scientific), a fluorescent meter (Qubit 4, Invitrogen, Thermo Fischer Scientific), a microplate reader (Enspire , Perkin Elmer) and a UV, visible and chemiluminescent imaging system (Chemidoc MP System, Bio-Rad)
Applications
- Study of gene expression
- Study of protein expression
- Analysis of fluorescence, optical density and bioluminescence
- Study of molecular mechanisms of interaction
Gas Chromatography / Mass Spectrometry (GC / MS) System with Automatic Sampler
Equipment
Agilent Gas Chromatography / Mass Spectrometry System [6890N GC, 5973 NetworkedMS MSD (Agilent Technologies, Santa Clara, CA, USA)]
Applications:
- Qualitative and quantitative determination of chemical composition of essential oils and plant extracts (volatolomics)
- Qualitative and quantitative determination of microbial metabolites (metabolomics)
Gas Chromatography (GC) System with FID Detector
Equipment:
DANI Gas Chromatography System (GC / FID) [MASTER GC Fast Gas Chromatograph (DANI Instruments S.p.a., Milan, Italy)]
Applications:
- Qualitative and quantitative determination of chemical composition of essential oils and plant extracts (volatolomics)
- Qualitative and quantitative determination of microbial metabolites (metabolomics)
High Performance Liquid Chromatography System with (a) Refractive Index Detector and (b) Diode Array
Equipment:
High Performance Liquid Chromatography System (HPLC RI / Diode Array – DAD) by Shimadzu [Shimadzu chromatography system, RID-10A / SPD-M40 detectors (Shimadzu Corp., Duisburg, Germany)].
Applications:
- Qualitative and quantitative determination of chemical composition of plant extracts
- Qualitative and quantitative determination of carbohydrates and organic acids (short chain fatty acids) in biological samples (microbial cultures, food, etc.)
The Team
Aglaia Pappas, Assoc. Professor – E.Y. for the ELKE-DUTH Institution
Alexis Galanis, Assoc. Professor
Ekaterini Chlichlia, Professor
Ioannis Kourkoutas, Assoc. Professor
Eleni Fitsiou, Postdoctoral Researcher, Molecular Biologist
Ekaterini Spyridopoulou, Postdoctoral Researcher, Molecular Biologist
Pelagia Chondrou, Researcher, Molecular Biologist
Where to find us
Location :Department of Molecular Biology and Genetics, DUTH, Alexandroupolis 68100
Telephone : +30 25510 30625
Email : openscreeen@mbg.duth.gr
Visit website