Work address:
Institute of Immunology,
Biomedical Sciences Research Center ‘Alexander Fleming’
34 Al. Fleming, Vari, 16672, Athens, Greece.
email: e.douni@fleming.gr,
Tel: +30 210 9656310 ext. 164,
Fax: +30 210 9656563

Present position:
Researcher C’

Education
1987-1991
BSc:Department of Biology (First Class Honours), University of Athens, Greece.
1992-1998
Ph.D. thesis “Studying the gene expression and biological role of Tumor Necrosis Factor (TNF) and its receptor p75 in transgenic mice”. Department of Biology, University of Athens, & Department of Molecular Genetics-Hellenic Pasteur Institute, Athens, Greece.

Positions
1998-2000
Post Doctoral Research Associate at the Molecular Genetics Laboratory, Hellenic Pasteur Institute, Athens Greece.
2000-2001
Post Doctoral Research Associate at the Institute of Immunology, B.S.R.C. ‘Al. Fleming’.
2001-2005
Functional Scientist (grade C) at B.S.R.C. ‘Al. Fleming’.
2005-2006
Functional Scientist (grade B) at B.S.R.C. ‘Al. Fleming’.
2005-today
Lecturer at the Department of Biotechnology, University of Athens.
2006-today
Researcher (grade C) at the Institute of Immunology, B.S.R.C. ‘Al. Fleming’.

Responsibilities
2001-2006
Head of the Animal house unit of B.S.R.C. “Al. Fleming”.
2003-today
Member of the institutional animal care and use committee.
2007-today
Scientific supervisor of the Animal house unit of B.S.R.C. “Al. Fleming”
2007-today
Group leader at the Institute of Immunology, B.S.R.C. “Al. Fleming”.
2008-today
Scientific supervisor of the genotyping core unit of B.S.R.C. “Al. Fleming”.
2008-today
National representative participating in FELASA (Federation of European Laboratory Animal Science Associations) working group for “refinement of methods for genotyping of genetically modified rodents”, 2008-2010
(www.felasa.eu/working groups).

Educational experience
• Lecturer of the course (theory and experimental practical courses) “Animal Biotechnology” at the Department of Biotechnology, Agricultural University of Athens for the last 4 years (2005-2009).
• Invited lecturer at the post graduate Master course program organized by Medical School, University of Patras (2001-2009).
• Invited lecturer at the post graduate Master course program “Applied Physiology” organized by Medical School, University of Athens (2009-2010).
• Diploma thesis supervisor of 3 students (Mr George Mermelekas, Mr Fotis Ioakeimidis, Mr Alexandros Karakostas) (2004-2008) .
• Master thesis supervisor of 2 students (Mrs Alexandra Niti, Mr Alexandros Karakostas) (2008-2009).
• Supervisor of 3 Ph.D. students (Mrs Alexandra Niti, Mr Fotis Ioakeimidis, Mr Vagelis Rinotas) (2008-today).

Technical Expertise
• Animal manipulation: Breeding and genotyping of mice; oocyte and blastocysts microinjection; ovarian and uterine transfers; vasectomizations.
• Generation and characterization of transgenic and knockout mice.
• ENU mutagenesis and screening of novel phenotypes: establishing mouse ENU mutagenesis protocols and phenotypic screens in mutant mice.
• Genome- wide genetic analysis using polymorphic markers (SNPs & SSLPs).
• Genotyping of genetically modified mice (transgenic, knockout, conditional, ENU-derived mutants).
• Organizing, supervising and analyzing preclinical trials using test drugs in our animal models of human diseases.
• Advanced Molecular Biology practices: Gene isolation from genomic libraries, PCR mutagenesis, design & preparation of DNA transgenic constructs and targeting vectors for the generation of transgenic and knockout mice. Southern blot, Northern & Western blotting. S1 nuclease analysis, RT PCR, Electromobility Shift Assay.
• Biochemistry, production of recombinant proteins
• Immunological assays: Flow cytometry, cytokine and TNF receptor ELISAs and bioassays; western blot, native gels, immunoprecipitation; immunocytochemical analysis of lymphoid tissues and peripheral organs, ex vivo proliferation assay of murine lymphocytes, in vivo T lymphocyte transfers & bone marrow tranfers.
• Tissue culture practices: Stable and transient transfection of immortalized cell lines; isolation and culture of primary cells; experience in ES cell culturing and targeting; in vitro osteoclastogenesis and osteoblast assays.

Funding
• “Immunoregulatory mechanisms of activation and suppression of T lymphocytes by TNF”. Study responsible of the workpackage: “Studying the role of the p75TNF receptor in the polyclonal activation of T lymphocytes and the pathogenesis of systemic inflammation”. Funding Organization:PENED, GSRT, Duration:1999-2001. Budget 60.000.000 drachmas.
• “Development of services in transgenesis using animal models of human diseases”. Funding Organization:AKMON/ GSRT, Duration: 2005-2008. Budget : 357.300 € for the animal house unit of B.S.R.C. “Al. Fleming”. Study responsible: Eleni Douni, George Kollias.
• “Integrated functional genomics in mutant mouse models as tools to investigate the complexity of human immunological disease”. MUGEN. Network of Excellence. Funding Organization: EU. Duration:2005-2009. Total Budget: 11.000.000€. Participation at the coordinating team of MUGEN program together with 4 other researchers in B.S.R.C. “Al. Fleming”. Annual budget for Dr Douni’s lab 43.000€.
• “Studying the pathogenic role of RANKL in mouse models”. Ph.D. Fellowship. Funding Organization: B.S.R.C. “Alexander Fleming”. Duration: 2008-2012. Budget: 60.000€.
• “Generation and analysis of a novel genetic model of osteoporosis in transgenic mice overexpressing human RANKL”. 2010 Research program. Funding Organization: John S. Latsis Public Benefit Foundation. Duration: 2010. Coordinator: Eleni Douni. Budget: 12.000€.
• “From Targets to Leads: Innovative therapeutics for arthritis”. National action “Cooperation”. Funding Organization: GSRT, Hellenic Republic Ministry of Education, Lifelong Learning and Religious Affairs. Duration: 2011-2014. Participation at the coordinating team together with two other researchers in B.S.R.C. “Al. Fleming”. Total budget for Dr Douni’s lab 121.500€.
• Heraclitus II proposal 3/184/3 “Studing the pathogenic mechanisms of a novel mouse model of recessive autosomal neuromuscular disease using phenotypic, genetic and molecular analysis”. Funding Organization: Hellenic Republic Ministry of Education, Lifelong Learning and Religious Affairs. Duration: 2010-2013. In collaboration with the Aristotle University of Thessaloniki. Total budget for Dr Douni’s lab 45.000€.

Reviewer at international scientific journals
• Journal of Εxperimental Medicine
• Journal of Clinical Investigation
• European Journal of Immunology
• Annals of the Rheumatic Diseases
• Arthritis Research & Therapy
• Pharmacology
• Journal of Inflammation Research

Publications in International Scientific Journals
Citations: 1157
For each publication the number of citations as well as the impact factor are mentioned at the end in brackets.

1. Grell M, Douni E, Wajant H, Lohden M, Clauss M, Maxeiner B, Georgopoulos S, Lesslauer W, Kollias G, Pfizenmaier K, and Scheurich P. (1995). The transmembrne form of tumour necrosis factor (TNF) is the prime activating ligand of the 80 kDa TNF receptor. Cell, 83, 793-802 (569, IF: 29.887).

2. Douni E, Akassoglou K, Alexopoulou L, Georgopoulos S, Haralambous S, Hill S, Kassiotis G, Kontoyiannis D, Pasparakis M, Plows D, Probert L, and Kollias G. (1995). Transgenic and knockout analysis of the role of TNF in immune regulation and disease pathogenesis. Journal of Inflammation, 47, 27-38 (53, IF: 3.19).

3. Probert L, Akassoglou K, Alexopoulou L, Douni E, Haralambous S, Hill S, Kassiotis G, Kontoyiannis D, Pasparakis M, Plows D, and Kollias G. (1996). Dissection of the pathologies induced by transmembrane and wild-type tumour necrosis factor in transgenic mice. Journal of Leukocyte Biology, 59, 518-525 (21, IF: 4.128).

4. Pasparakis M, Alexopoulou L, Douni E, and Kollias G. (1996). Tumour necrosis factors in immune regulation: everything that’s interesting is … new! Cytokine and Growth Factor Reviews, 7, 223-229 (26, IF: 11.816).

5. Kusters S, Tiegs G, Alexopoulou L, Pasparakis M, Douni E, Kunstle G, Bluethmann H, Wendel A, Pfizenmaier K, Kollias G, and Grell M. (1997). In vivo evidence for a functional role of both tumor necrosis factor (TNF) receptors and transmembrane TNF in experimental hepatitis. European Journal of Immunology, 27, 2870-2875 (123, IF: 4.662).

6. Douni E, and Kollias G. (1998). A critical role of the p75TNF-R in organ inflammation independent of TNF, LTα or the p55 TNF-R. Journal of Experimental Medicine, 188, 1343-1352 (71, IF: 15.612).

7. Kollias G, Douni E, Kassiotis G, and Kontoyiannis D. (1999). On the role of tumor necrosis factor and receptors in models of multiorgan failure, rheumatoid arthritis, multiple sclerosis and inflammatory bowel disease. Immunological Reviews, 169, 175-194 (123, IF: 10.536).

8. Kollias G, Douni E, Kassiotis G, and Kontoyiannis D. (1999). The function of tumour necrosis factor and receptors in models of multi-organ inflammation, rheumatoid arthritis, multiple sclerosis and inflammatory bowel disease. Ann. Rheum. Dis., 58, 132-139 (54, IF: 6.411).

9. Holtmann M, Douni E, Schutz M, Mudter J, Lehr H, Gerspach J, Scheurich P, Galle P, Kollias G. and Neurath M. (2002). TNF-R2 is upregulated on lamina propria mononuclear cells in Crohn`s disease and promotes experimental colitis in vivo. European Journal of Immunology, 32:3142-3151 (25, IF: 4.662).

10. Akassoglou Κ, Douni Ε, Bauer J, Lassmann H, Kollias G, and Probert L. (2003). The p75TNF Receptor Independently Signals Pro-inflammatory Effects of TNF at the CNS Vasculature and the Development of Spontaneous Inflammatory Ischaemia in Transgenic Mice. PNAS, 100:709-714 (37, IF: 9.598).

11. Douni E, Sfikakis P, Haralambous S, Fernandez P, and Kollias G. (2004). Attenuation of inflammatory polyarthritis in TNF transgenic mice by diacerein: comparative analysis with dexamethasone, methotrexate and anti-TNF protocols. Arthritis Research & Therapy, 6(1):R65-R72 (12, IF: 4.45).

12. Maung-Maung T, Douni E, Aidinis V, Kollias G, Kodama K, Sato K, Satish RL, Mahendran R, and Gopalakrishnakone P. (2004). Effect of Phospholipase A2 Inhibitory Peptide on Inflammatory Arthritis in a TNF Transgenic Mouse Model: A Time Course Ultrastructural Study. Arthritis Research & Therapy, 6(3):R282-94 (7, IF: 4.45).

13. Alexopoulou L, Kranidioti K, Xanthoulea S, Denis M, Kotanidou A, Douni E, Blackshear PJ, Kontoyiannis DL, and Kollias G. (2006). Transmembrane TNF protects mutant mice against intracellular bacterial infections, chronic inflammation and autoimmunity. European Journal of Immunology, 36(10):2768-80 (12, IF: 4.662).

14. Aidinis V, Chandras C, Manoloukos M, Thanassopoulou A, Kranidioti K, Armaka M, Douni E, Kontoyiannis DL, Zouberakis M, and Kollias G; Mugen NoE consortium. (2008). MUGEN mouse database; animal models of human immunological diseases. Nucleic Acids Res. Jan;36 D1048-54 (2, IF: 6.954).

15. Thwin MM, Douni E, Arjunan P, Kollias G, Kumar PV, and Gopalakrishnakone P. (2009). Suppressive effect of secretory phospholipase A2 inhibitory peptide on IL-1-β-induced matrix metalloproteinases production in rheumatoid synovial fibroblasts, and its antiarthritic activity in hTNFtg mice. Arthritis Research & Therapy, Sept 18; 11:R138 (IF: 4.45).

16. Morgan H, Beck T, Blake A, Gates H, Adams N, Debouzy G, Leblanc S, Lengger C, Maier H, Melvin D, Meziane H, Richardson D, Wells S, White J, Wood J; EUMODIC Consortium, de Angelis MH, Brown SD, Hancock JM, Mallon AM. (2010). EuroPhenome: a repository for high-throughput mouse phenotyping data. Nucleic Acids Res. 2010 Jan;38(Database issue):D577-85. Epub 2009 Nov 23.

Book chapters

1. Kollias G, Kontoyiannis D, Douni E, Kassiotis G. (2002). The role of TNF/TNFR in organ-specific and systemic autoimmunity: implications for the design of optimized `anti-TNF` therapies. In Curr. Dir. Autoimmun.: Signal transduction pathways in autoimmunity, Eds. A. Theofilopoulos, Karger Press; 5:30-50.

2. Douni E, Alexiou M, Kollias G. (2004). Genetic engineering in the mouse: Tuning TNF/TNFR expression. In Methods in Molecular Medicine: Tumor Necrosis Factor. Eds A. Corti and P. Ghezzi. Humana Press Inc; 98: p139-171.

3. Douni E, Armaka M, Kontoyiannis DL, Kollias G. (2007). Functional genetic and genomic analysis of modeled arthritis. In Adv Exp Med Biol.: Osteoimmunology. Interactions of the Immune and Skeletal Systems. Ed Y Choi, Springer; 602:33-42.

Abstracts in International Conferences (from 2004)

1. Douni E, Sekara E, Kamber M, Kontoyiannis D, Kollias G. (2004). Sensitized ENU mutagenesis screen in animal models of chronic inflammatory diseases. Eumorphia annual meeting. 5-7 October, London.

2. Faggioni R, Babcook J, Douni E, Kang J, Schneider A, Manchulenko K, Rathanaswami P, Kollias G (2004). ABX10131: a fully human anti-human TNF mAb generated using XenoMouse® and XenoMax™ technologies. ICS and ICICR 5th Joint International Meeting, October.

3. Douni E, Makrinou E, Mermelekas G, Giannakas N, Kollias G. (2005). A sensitized ENU mutagenesis screen for genetic modifiers of Rheumatoid Arthritis and Inflammatory Bowel Disease. 19th International Mouse Genome Conference. 4-8 November, Strasbourg, France. Abstract No O-15, p.58.

4. Douni E, Makrinou E, Kollias G. (2005). Genome wide analysis of sensitized ENU mutagenesis screens in animal models for arthritis and IBD, as a tool for drug target discovery. Mutation detection workshop. 31 May-4 June, Santorini.

5. Douni E, Armaka M, Makrinou E, Kollias G. (2006). Functional genetic and genomic analysis of modeled arthritis and osteoclastogenesis. 1rst International Conference on Osteoimmunology: Interactions of the immune and skeletal systems. Aegean Conferences, May28-June2, Crete. Aegean Conference Series vol.22, Abstract No5.

6. Beirnaert E, Lauwereys M, De Haard H, Casteels P, Jonckheere H, Spinelli S, Cambillau C, Douni E, Kollias G, Hoogenboom H, Dreier T. (2006). Superior efficacy of a format engineered anti-human TNFa nanobody in a transgenic mouse model (Tg197) of polyarthritis.16th European Congress of Immunology. September 6-9, Paris. Abstract No WD60-339.

7. Kranidioti K, Alexopoulou L, Kranidioti K, Xanthoulea S, Denis M, Kotanidou A, Douni E, Blackshear PJ, Kontoyiannis DL, Kollias G. (2006). Transmembrane TNF protects mutant mice against intracellular bacterial infections, chronic inflammation and autoimmunity. 1rst International MUGEN Conference on animal models for human immunological disease. September 10-13, Athens. Abstract No 27.

8. Douni E, Makrinou E, Giannakas N, Alexakos G, Kollias G. (2006). A sensitized ENU mutagenesis screen for genetic modifiers of Rheumatoid Arthritis and Inflammatory Bowel Disease. 1rst International MUGEN Conference on animal models for human immunological disease. September 10-13, Athens. Abstract No 44.

9. Sotsios Y, Douni E, Kollias G. (2006). TNF-driven animal models of inflammatory disease: effective tools for pre-clinical in vivo evaluation of pharmaceuticals. 1rst International MUGEN Conference on animal models for human immunological disease. September 10-13, Athens. Abstract No 52.

10. Douni E, Makrinou E, Kollias G. (2007). Identification of a novel loss-of-function missense mutation in the RANKL gene using ENU mutagenesis. 21rst International Mouse Genome Conference, 28 October-1 November, Kyoto Japan. Abstract No P108 p.144.

11. Douni E, Makrinou E, Mermelekas G, Giannakas N, Kollias G. (2007). Identification of genetic modifiers using random mutagenesis in Rheumatoid Arthritis and Inflammatory Bowel Disease. 21rst International Mouse Genome Conference, 28 October-1 November, Kyoto Japan. Abstract No P109 p.144.

12. Douni E, Makrinou E, Kollias G. (2008). Identification of a novel loss-of-function missense mutation in the RANKL gene that causes osteopetrosis in mice. 35th European Symposium on calcified tissues. 24-28 May, Barcelona Spain. Published in Calcified Tissue International vol 82, suppl. Abstract Mo-OP35 p.S57.

13. Douni E, Makrinou E, Zwerina J, Penninger JM, Schett G Kollias G. (2008). Identification and characterization of a novel loss-of-function missense mutation in the RANKL gene that causes osteopetrosis in mice. 2nd International Conference on Osteoimmunology: Interactions of the immune and skeletal systems. Aegean Conferences, June 8-13, Rhodes. Aegean Conference Series vol.35, Abstract No 62.

14. Douni E, Aidinis V, Kontoyiannis D, Graf D, Kollias G. (2009). Secondary immunological phenotyping using animal models for human inflammatory and autoimmune diseases: the MUGEN approach. EUMODIC Annual Meeting, March 2-4, Athens, Greece.

15. Niti A, Rinotas V, Douni E. (2009). A novel humanized RANKL transgenic mouse model of osteoporosis. 36th European Symposium on calcified tissues, 23-27 May, Vienna. Bone vol44, no2 p.S423.

16. Ioakeimidis F, Rinotas V, Makrinou E, Kollias G, Douni E. (2009). Characterization of a novel mouse model of autosomal recessive neuromuscular disease and lymphoid hypoplasia generated by ENU mutagenesis [MUGEN fellowship]. 4th ENII-MUGEN Immunology Summer School, 17-24 May, Capo Caccia, Sardinia.

17. Niti A, Rinotas V, Douni E. (2009). A novel genetic model of osteoporosis in transgenic mice expressing human RANKL. 2nd MUGEN Conference, 8-10 October, Athens.

18. Ioakeimidis F, Karakostas A, Rinotas V, Makrinou E, Kollias G, Douni E. (2009). A novel ENU-induced mouse model of autosomal recessive neuromuscular disease and lymphoid abnormalities. 2nd MUGEN Conference, 8-10 October, Athens.

19. Karakostas A, Ioakeimidis F, Rinotas V, Kollias G, Douni E. (2009). Identification of a new SLC25 member that causes autosomal recessive ataxia in ENU-mutagenized mice. 2nd MUGEN Conference, 8-10 October, Athens.

20. Douni E, Aidinis V, Kontoyiannis D, Graf D, Kollias G. (2010). Secondary immunological phenotyping using animal models for human inflammatory and autoimmune diseases. EUMODIC Annual Meeting, March 25-26, Brussels.

21. Karakostas A, Ioakeimidis F, Rinotas V, Kollias G, Douni E. (2010). Identification and characterization of a novel SLC25 member that causes autosomal recessive ataxia in mice. EUMODIC Annual Meeting, March 25-26, Brussels.

22. Niti A, Dacquin R, Rinotas V, Jurdic P, Douni E. (2010). Generation and analysis of a novel genetic model of osteoporosis:Human RANKL-expressing transgenic mice. 3rd International Conference on Osteoimmunology: Interactions of the immune and skeletal systems. Aegean Conferences, June 20-25, Santorini. Aegean Conference Series vol.49, Abstract No 65.

23. Ioakeimidis F, Rinotas V, Makrinou E, Kollias G, Douni E. (2010). A forward genetics approach identifies a novel member of the DnaJC family that causes neuromuscular disease in mice. 24th International Mammalian Genome Conference. 17-21 October, Heraklion.

24. Karakostas A, Ioakeimidis F, Rinotas V, Kollias G, Douni E. (2010). Identification of a novel SLC25 member that causes autosomal recessive ataxia in ENU-mutageneized mice. 24th International Mammalian Genome Conference. 17-21 October, Heraklion.

25. Niti A, Dacquin R, Rinotas V, Jurdic P, Douni E. (2010). A novel genetic model of osteoporosis by overexpression of human RANKL in transgenic mice. 24th International Mammalian Genome Conference. 17-21 October, Heraklion.

Invited Speaker in International Conferences (from 2006)

1. Douni E. (2006). Random ENU Mutagenesis. MUGEN Transgenesis Gene Targeted Mutagenesis Course. April 10-13, Athens.

2. Douni E, Armaka M, Makrinou E, and Kollias G. (2006). Functional genetic and genomic analysis of modeled arthritis and other bone diseases. 16th European Congress of Immunology. September 6-9, Paris. Abstract No SC55-770.

3. Douni E. (2007). ENU Mutagenesis. 1rst International Course on Laboratory Animal Science. 24 September-5 October, Athens.

4. Douni E. (2008). Forward Genetics. 2nd International Course on Laboratory Animal Science. 22 September-3 October, Athens.

5. Douni E. (2008). Functional genomics to understand pathophysiology in animal models. 27th Congress of the International Academy of Pathology. 12-17 October, Athens.

6. Douni E. (2008). Chronic inflammatory disease mechanisms and development of therapies. 28th European Section Meeting of the International Society for Heart Research. 28-31 May, Athens.

7. Douni E. (2009). Genetic Standardization. 3rd International Course on Laboratory Animal Science. 21 September-2 October, Athens.

8. Douni E. (2009). Forward Genetics. 3rd International Course on Laboratory Animal Science. 21 September-2 October, Athens.

9. Douni E. (2009). Forward and Reverse Genetics. Workshop on Mouse Immune Phenotyping. 6-8 October, Athens.

Invited speaker in Greek Conferences (from 2003)

Douni E. (2003). Experimental animal models in sepsis. Preconference seminar of sepsis during the 9th Hellenic Conference of Intense Therapy. 16 October, Athens,

Douni E. (2004). Transgenic and knockout systems in Immunology. Hellenic Society of Immunology. Seminar in Immunology 20th cycle. 25 January, Athens.

Douni E. (2004). Random mutagenesis in animal models of human immunological diseases for the discovery of new therapeutic targets. Hellenic Conference of Immunology. 8-11 December, Thessaloniki.

Douni E. (2005). Anti-TNF and anti-IL-1 therapies: from mouse to human. Hellenic Conference of Pathology. 11-14 October, Athens.

Douni E. (2006). Identification of disease targets using random ENU mutagenesis in animal models. 3rd International Biotechnological Conference. 5-7 October, Athens.

Douni E. (2006). Novel approaches studying inflammation. 19th Hellenic Rheumatology Conference., 29Nov.-2 Dec., Athens.

Douni E. (2007). Molecular Biology and genetically modified animal models. 1rst Hellenic Seminar of Experimental Biomedical Research. 11-14 December, Athens.

Douni E. (2008). Genetically modified animal models in Osteoimmunology. 2nd Hellenic Seminar of Experimental Biomedical Research. 20-22 November, Athens.

Douni E. (2008). Functional Genomics for the understanding of pathophysiology in animal models. 14th Scientific Conference of Greek Medical School Students. 9-11 May, Athens.

Douni E. (2008). The osteoblast, the osteoclast and osteoporosis. 64th Hellenic Orthopedic Conference. Round table: Osteoporosis today. 8-11 October, Athens.

Douni E. (2009). Forward genetics: a tool for the discovery of novel disease targets in Immunology. 2nd Immunology Summer School & Conference, 31 August-4 September, Kefalonia.

Douni E. (2009). Functional Genetics technologies in animal models. 1rst Hellenic Conference of Agricultural Biotechnology, 16-18 October, Athens.

Douni E. (2010). The role of RANKL in osteoimmunology and development of therapies in transgenic mice. Psoriasis and Arthritides, update and new perspectives. 23-24 January, Heraklion.

Douni E. (2010). Transgenic mice overexpressing RANKL as a model of osteoporosis. 18th Hellenic Conference of Hellenic Society of Studying Bone Metabolism. Round table: Experimental models of Osteoporosis. 14-16 May, Athens.