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Vasso Kostourou research group
Vasso Kostourou CV
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CV)
Vascular Cell
Adhesion Laboratory, BSRC Al. Fleming,
34 Al. Fleming,166 72 Vari
email: kostourou@fleming.gr
,
tel: +30 6936824476, Fax:: +30 2109653934
University Studies
1998-2002. Ph.D. at St. George’s Medical School, Department of
Biochemistry-Immunology, University of London,
UK
1997-1998. MSc in Biochemical Research, Imperial College Of
Science,
Technology & Medicine, Department of
Biochemistry,
University of London, UK.
1997-1998. Diploma in Biochemistry, Imperial College Of Science,
Technology & Medicine, Department of
Biochemistry,
University of London, UK.
1993-1997. B.Sc. in Biology, University of Patras, Greece
(upper second class degree).
Positions/Research experience
2007-now.
Researcher C (Assistant Professor level)
at the Biomedical Research Scientific Centre Al.
Fleming.
"Dissecting the role of cell adhesion and
cell migration in angiogenesis and vascular pathologies".
2005-2007.
Research fellow in Cell
Adhesion and Disease Lab of Dr
Kairbaan Hodivala-Dilke,
Cancer
Research
UK
Clinical Centre, Barts and The London School of Medicine and
Dentistry: "The role of
adhesion molecules in angiogenesis"
2002-2005.
Research Fellow in the Vascular development Lab of Dr
Ralf
Adams,
London Research Institute, Lincoln’s Inn Fields Laboratories-
Cancer
Research
UK:
" Functional analysis of the GRIP 1
conditional knockout mice".
1998-2002.
PhD student in the lab of Prof.
Alan
Johnstone
and Prof. Guy
St.Whitley,
Dept of Biochemistry-Immunology, St.
George's
Medical School: " The role of NO
and DDAH in tumour growth and angiogenesis".
1997-1998.
MSc project dissertations (Imperial College, UK) in the laboratories
of Dr R. Weinzierl: “Expression, purification and preliminary NMR
analysis of the yeast and the archaebacterial polymerase subunit
RPB5”; Dr P. Nixon: “Characterization of Prohibitin, a highly
conserved antiproliferative protein of Synechocystis sp”; and Dr M.
Selkirk: “A screen for chemokine-binding and chemokine
receptor-binding proteins in parasitic nematodes”.
1996-1997.
Diploma dissertation in the laboratory of Prof. A. Mintzas:
“Isolation and cloning of the putative heat shock 27 gene in the
medfly Ceratitis Capitata”.
Teaching experience
2010. Invited lecturer on
“Cell Adhesion dynamics” and “Molecular mechanisms of angiogenesis”
at the PhD programme of Gulbenkian Institute, Lisbon, Portugal.
2008-2010. Invited lecturer at
the course “Multicellular Organisation of life” postgraduate
programme of “Molecular Medicine”, Medical School, University of
Athens, Greece.
2008. Supervisor of master
student Sofia Birmpili, Université de Paris VI, Pierre et Marie
Curie, France.
2006-2007. Invited lecturer at
the course “Inside the cell”, PhD programme of Gulbenkian Institute,
Lisbon, Portugal.
2005-2007. Participating in
the supervision of PhD student Bernardo Tavora, at the lab of Dr K.
Hodivala-Dilke , Cancer Research UK Clinical Centre, Barts & The
London School of Medicine & Dentistry, London UK.
2003. Participating in the
supervision of diploma student Gundrun VonHaven at the lab of Dr R.
Adams, London Research Institute-Cancer Research UK.
1999-2001.
Co-organiser and teaching of the practical courses in biochemistry,
St George's Hospital Medical School, University of London, UK.
Honors/Distinctions
2007 Top third teacher of the course
“Inside the cell”, PhD programme, Guelbenkian Institute, Lisbon,
Portugal.
2005-2007. Cancer Research UK- project grant: The role of FAK
in pathological angiogenesis (Co-applicant , PI: Dr. CONTACT
_Con-3CD91EBB15B \c \s \l Kairbaan Hodivala-Dilke).
2002-2005. Postdoctoral Research Fellow
of Cancer Research-UK.
1998-2002.
PhD Fellowship of St.
George's
Medical School, University of London, UK.
Funding
2010-2014. Co-applicant of the co-operation call “From targets to
Leads: Innovative therapeutics for arthritis” (total budget
2.445.750 euro)
Reviewer of
International Scientific Journals
Journal of Cell Science (Impact Factor 6,427)
Publications/Impact Factor (IF)/
Citations
1. R. Silva, B.
Tavora, L. Reynolds, C. Szekeres, J. Lamar, S. Batista, S. Robinson,
V. Kostourou, M. Germain, A.
Reynolds, D. Jones, A. Watson, J. Jones, A. Harris, I. Hart,
L. Iruela-Arispe, M. DiPersio, J. Kreidberg & K.
Hodivala-Dilke. 2010
“Endothelial α3β1-integrin represses pathological
angiogenesis and sustains endothelial-VEGF” American Journal
of Pathology (IF 5,7) 177:1534-1548,
(cited : N/A)
2.
M. Kalogeropoulou, A. Voulgari,
V. Kostourou, R. Sandaltzopoulos,
R. Dikstein, I. Davidson, L. Tora & A. Pintzas. 2010
“TAF4b and Jun/AP-1 Collaborate to Regulate Expression of Integrin
α6 and Cancer Cell Migration Properties” Molecular Cancer
Research (IF 4,5)
8:554-68 (cited : N/A)
3. M.
Germain, A. De Arcangelis, S. Robinson, M. Baker, B. Tavora, G.
D’Amico, R. Silva, V. Kostourou,
L. Reynolds, A. Ramjaun, J. Jones, E. Georges-Labousesse & K.
Hodivala-Dilke 2010 “Genetic ablation of the alpha 6-integrin
subunit in Tie1Cre mice enhances tumour angiogenesis” Journal
of Pathology (IF 5,1) 220:370-381. (cited:
N/A)
4. G.
D’Amico, D. Jones, E. Nye, K. Sapienza, A.Ramjuan, L. Reynolds, S.
Robinson, V. Kostourou, D.
Martinez, D. Aubyn, R. Grose, G. Thomas, B. Spencer-Dene, D. Zicha,
D. Davies, V. Tybulewicz, & K. Hodivala-Dilke. 2009
“Regulation of lymphatic-blood vessel separation by Rac-1”
Development (IF 6,8) 136(23): 4043-4053. (cited : N/A)
5. S.
Robinson, L. Reynolds, V. Kostourou,
A. Reynolds, R. Graça da Silva, J. Marshall & K. Hodivala-Dilke
2009 “αvβ3-integrin limits the contribution of Neuropilin-1 to
VEGF-induced angiogenesis”. Journal of Biological Chemistry
(IF 5,5) 284: 33966-33981 (cited : 5)
6. A. Reynolds, I.
Hart, A. Watson, J. Welti, R. Silva, S. Robinson, G. Da Violante, M.
Gourlaouen, M. Salih, M. Jones, D. Jones, G. Saunders,
V. Kostourou, F. Perron-Sierra,
J. Norman, G. Tucker & K. Hodivala-Dilke 2009 “Stimulation of
tumor growth and angiogenesis by low concentrations of RGD mimetic
integrin inhibitors”. Nature Medicine (IF 28)
15:372-400 (cited : 34)
7. S. Claxton,
V. Kostourou, S. Jadeja, P.
Chambon, K. Hodivala-Dilke and M. Fruttiger 2008 “Efficient,
inducible Cre-recombinase activation in vascular endothelium”.
Genesis (IF 2,6) 46:74-80 (cited
: 7)
8. K. Takamiya,
V. Kostourou, S. Adams, S.
Jadeja, G. Chalepakis, P.J. Scambler, R. Huganir and R. Adams
2004 “A direct functional link between the multi-PDZ domain
protein GRIP1 and the Frazer syndrome protein Fras1”. Nature
Genetics (IF 30) 36:172-177 (cited
: 58)
9.
V. Kostourou, H. Troy, J.F. Murray,
G.ST. Whitley, J.R. Griffiths and S.P.Robinson 2004
“Overexpression of Dimethylarginine Dimethylaminohydrolase enhances
tumour hypoxia: An insight into the relationship of hypoxia and
angiogenesis in vivo” Neoplasia (IF 5,7) 6:401-404 (cited:
16)
10.
V. Kostourou, S.P. Robinson,
G.ST. Whitley and J.R. Griffiths 2003 “Effects of
Overexpression of Dimethylarginine Dimethylaminohydrolase on Tumour
Angiogenesis Assesed by Susceptibility Magnetic Resonance Imaging”
Cancer Research (IF 7,7) 63: 4960-4966 (cited
: 33)
11.
V. Kostourou, S.P. Robinson, J.E.
Cartwright and G.ST. Whitley 2002 “Dimethylarginine
Dimethylaminohydrolase I enhances tumour growth and angiogenesis”.
British Journal of Cancer (IF 4,6) 9:673-680 (cited
: 40)
12. A. Thiru, M.
Hodach, J.J. Eloranta, V. Kostourou,
R.O.J. Weinzierl and S. Matthews (1999) “RNA polymerase subunit H
features a beta-ribbon motif within a novel fold that is present in
archaea and eukaryotes” Journal of Molecular Biology
(IF 4,5) 287:753-760. (cited : 5)
Invited speaker
2010.
“Vascular Development in health and disease”.
Guelbenkian Institute,
Lisbon, Portugal.
2010. Chair of
session at the “Imaging Biomolecules in Time and Space”, An
advanced light microscopy symposium, University of Patras, Patra,
Greece.
2007.
“The role of focal adhesion
proteins in angiogenesis”.
University of Leicester,
Leicester, UK
2006.
“Investigating the role of Focal adhesion kinase in pathological
angiogenesis”.
58th National
Conference, Hellenic Society of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology,
Patras, Greece.
2006.
“Identifying the dynamic nature of cell adhesion”.
Fleming Institute, Athens,
Greece.
2005.
“ GRIP regulates cell migration and focal adhesion remodelling”.
Queen Mary’s College, CRUK
Clinical Centre, London, UK.
2005.
“Getting to GRIPs with cell adhesion remodelling”.
IIBEAA, Athens, Greece.
2000.
“The role of DDAH in tumour growth and angiogenesis”.
London Research Institute (ICRF),
Cancer Research UK.
2000.
“The role of DDAH in tumour growth and angiogenesis”.
Cancer Research Theme Group
Meeting, St. George's Hospital Medical School
Conferences (abstracts)
1.
V. Kostourou, S.
Monkley, D. Critchley: “Endothelial specific deletion of Talin1
affects embryonic blood vessel development” 6th
International Kloster Seeon Meeting Angiogenesis: molecular
mechanisms and functional interactions, Kloster Seeon, Germany,
September 18-13, 2010
2.
V. Kostourou, C. Wren, R.
Silva, G. McLean, M. Frame and K. Hodivala-Dilke:
“FAK-heterozygocity enhances pathological angiogenesis” Gordon
conference on “Vascular biology”, Ventura, CA, USA, February 11-16,
2007
3.
M. Germain, A. De Arcangelis,
V.Kostourou, A.Reynolds, L.Reynolds, S.Robinson, E. George-Labouesse,
K. Hodivala-Dilke: “Understanding the role of alpha6-integrin in
angiogenesis” Genes and Cancer Meeting, University of Warwick, UK,
December 11 – 13, 2006
4.
G.D’amico, V.Kostourou,
R.Grose, V.Tybulewicz, K.Steen, S. Robinson, G. Saunders, M. Germain,
L. Reynolds and K. Hodivala-Dilke: “Rac1 is required for vessel
maintanance but not developmental angiogenesis”. Miami Nature
Biotechnology Winter Symposium in "Angiogenesis in Cancer and
Vascular Disease", Miami Beach, Florida, USA, February 4-8, 2006.
5.
V. Kostourou, K. Takamiya, S.
Adams, R. Huganir, R. Adams: “New roles of GRIP1 protein in
embryonic development and adhesion”. Gordon Research Conference in
cell contact and adhesion, Andover, NH, USA, June 8-13, 2003.
6.
V. Kostourou, S.P. Robinson,
J.E. Cartwright, J.R. Griffiths and G.St. Whitley: “Dimethylarginine
Dimethylaminohydrolase (DDAHI), a novel tumour promoting factor?”
92nd Annual Meeting of American Association for Cancer Research,
Abs# 3878, New Orleans, LA, USA, March 24-28, 2001.
7.
V. Kostourou, S.P. Robinson,
J.E. Cartwright and G. StJ. Whitley. : “DDAHI, a novel tumour
promoting factor?” Genes & Cancer, XVII meeting of UK Molecular
Biology and Cancer Network, University of Warwick, UK, 11-13
December 2000.
8.
V. Kostourou, S.P. Robinson,
J.E. Cartwright, J.R. Griffiths and G. StJ. Whitley. : “Enhanced
Tumour Growth and Angiogenesis with Overexpression of
Dimethylarginine Dimethylaminohydrolase (DDAH1): an MGRE MRI study”.
11th International Chemical Modifiers Conference, Tumor
Physiology and Cancer Treatment, Abstr #39, Banff, Canada, 2000.
9.
V. Kostourou, S.P.
Robinson, J.E. Cartwright, J.R. Griffiths and G. StJ. Whitley. :
“Enhanced Tumour Growth and Angiogenesis with Overexpression of
Dimethylarginine Dimethylaminohydrolase (DDAH1): an MGRE MRI study”.
Workshop on MR in Experimental and Clinical Cancer Research in the
New Millenium, Abstr: #21, Geiranger, Norway, 2000.
10.
V. Kostourou,
S.P. Robinson, J.E. Cartwright and G. StJ. Whitley.: “ DDAHI, a
novel tumour promoting factor?” Nitric Oxide, (2000), Vol.
4, No: 3, pp282. 1st International Conference of Biology, Chemistry
and Therapeutic Applications of Nitric Oxide, Abst #237, San
Francisco, California, USA, June 3-7 2000.
Member of scientific societies
Hellenic Society of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology.
British Biochemical Society
British Society of Cell and Developmental Biology
European Association for Cancer Research
Imperial College of Science, Technology & Medicine Alumni Society.
Collaborations
i) pharmaceutical industry
Merck : Novel targets for
anti-cancer therapies
Regulon: Inhibitors of
VEGFR2 for anti-angiogenic treatment
ii) Universities/Research
institutes
Cancer Research UK, London
Research Institute (ex ICRF): H. Gerhard, M.Way
Clinical Cancer Research UK,
Dept of tumour biology: K. Hodivala-Dilke
University of Leicester,
Dept of Biochemistry: S. Monkley, D. Critchley
Institute of Ophthalmology,
University College London: M. Fruttiger
Max Plank Institute of
Biochemistry, Martinsried, Germany: R. Fassler
University of Patras,
Laboratory of biomechanics and biomedical engineering: Y. Missirlis.
University of Patras, School of
Biology: P. Katsoris.
University of Crete, Dept
Mathematics: D. Manousaki
University of Crete, Dept
Biology: G. Chalepakis
Biomedical Research Foundation
of Academy of Athens: C. Zervas, D. Beis, C. Davos
National Hellenic Research
Foundation: A. Pintzas
Foundation of Research and Technology, Instute of applied and
computational mathematics: E. Mylona
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