I graduated in 2010 from the Aristotle University of Thessaloniki with a Ptychio in Biology, specialized in Molecular Biology, Genetics and Development.
Since 2010, I've been a member of GSfBS and IGSDHD and I have been enrolled in the M.Sc. in Biological Sciences and the Fast Track Masters/Doctoral program at the University of Cologne.

In December 2012 I recieved the M.Sc.. During my Master thesis in the laboratory of Prof. Dr. Brüning I investigated the role of constitutive c-Jun N-terminal kinase 1 (JNK1) activation in AgRP neurons.

During the rotation period, I worked on the following projects:

  • Lab of Dr. Praefcke: Purification and functional analysis of hGBP1
  • Lab of Prof. Dr. Brüning: Roles of SIRT2 in metabolic regulation
  • Lab of Prof. Dr. Pasparakis: The role of the IKK complex in heart metabolism.

Currently I am working on my PhD project in the lab of Prof. Dr. Brüning in the Institute for Genetics. I am using a mouse model of conditional mutagenesis to investigate the role of JNK1 in the central nervous system and how it can affect aging and aging associated diseases.

Publication:
Acute selective ablation of rat insulin promoter-expressing (RIPHER) neurons defines their orexigenic nature.
Rother E, Belgardt BF, Tsaousidou E, Hampel B, Waisman A, Myers MG Jr, Brüning JC. Proceedings of Natural Academy of Sciences U S A (PNAS). 2012 Oct 30;109(44):18132-7. PMID:23064638

Poster in the Alumni Day 2012:
Constitutive activation of c-Jun-N terminal kinase (JNK)-1 in AgRP neurons is sufficient to impair energy and glucose homeostasis.