Ioannis Karakasiliotis

Professor of Medical Biology – Molecular Virology

Molecular virologist and biomedical scientist whose work spans RNA-virus biology, virus–host interactions, post-transcriptional regulation, viral genomics and metagenomics, antiviral research, and the development of biosafety and next-generation sequencing infrastructure. His research has included caliciviruses, hepatitis C virus, West Nile virus, SARS-CoV-2, bacteriophages, and vector-associated viromes.

Email Publications Scopus profile Projects Contact
64peer-reviewed publications in the updated profile
€1.14Mtotal managed budget as Principal Investigator
1international patent application listed

Profile

Molecular virology from mechanism to genomic surveillance

Ioannis Karakasiliotis is Professor of Medical Biology – Molecular Virology at the Department of Medicine, Democritus University of Thrace, and Director of the Laboratory of Biology. His academic trajectory includes doctoral training in Molecular Virology at Imperial College London, postdoctoral research at BSRC “Alexander Fleming” and the Hellenic Pasteur Institute, and faculty appointments at DUTH since 2016.

His research record includes RNA–protein interactions in viral translation and replication, hepatitis C virus pathogenesis, West Nile virus biology, SARS-CoV-2, viral metagenomics and virome analysis, bacteriophages, antiviral compounds, and translational applications of molecular diagnostics and next-generation sequencing.

Core expertise

Research and methodological areas

Molecular virology

Mechanistic studies of viral replication, translation, pathogenesis and host-cell responses across RNA viruses.

RNA biology and post-transcriptional control

RNA–protein interactions, RNA-binding proteins, viral RNA structures and post-transcriptional regulation in infection and inflammation.

Virus–host interactions

Cell-death signaling, immune modulation, inflammation, senescence, carcinogenesis and cellular pathways altered during viral infection.

Viral genomics and metagenomics

Next-generation sequencing, viral genome enrichment, virome characterization, vector-associated virus networks and genomic surveillance.

Antiviral and translational research

Evaluation of antiviral compounds, molecular diagnostics, biosensor concepts and translational virology applications.

Research infrastructure

Development of BSL-2+/BSL-3 capacity and an NGS unit supporting infectious-disease and molecular-biology research.

Research and professional appointments

Appointments

  1. 2025–presentProfessor of Medical Biology – Molecular Virology, Department of Medicine, DUTH
  2. 2021–presentDirector, Laboratory of Biology, Department of Medicine, DUTH
  3. 2021–2025Associate Professor of Medical Biology – Molecular Virology, Department of Medicine, DUTH
  4. 2018–2021Assistant Professor of Medical Biology – Molecular Virology, Department of Medicine, DUTH
  5. 2016–2018Assistant Professor of Medical Biology, tenure-track, Department of Medicine, DUTH
  6. 2016–2017Affiliated Researcher, Hellenic Pasteur Institute
  7. 2013–2016Postdoctoral Researcher, Hellenic Pasteur Institute

    Research focused on hepatitis C virus pathogenesis.

  8. 2009–2013Postdoctoral Researcher, BSRC “Alexander Fleming”

    Post-transcriptional control, immune responses, rheumatoid arthritis and colorectal cancer.

Education

Degrees and training

2004–2008, PhD in Molecular Virology

Department of Virology, Imperial College London. Supervisor: Prof. Ian Goodfellow. Thesis: Analysis of RNA–protein interactions involved in calicivirus translation and replication.

1999–2003, BSc in Biology

Department of Biology, Faculty of Science, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens. Undergraduate thesis on RNA recombination in polioviruses at the Enterovirus Reference Center, Hellenic Pasteur Institute.

Postdoctoral training

BSRC “Alexander Fleming” (2009–2013), followed by Molecular Virology at the Hellenic Pasteur Institute (2013–2016).

Additional training

Summer schools and professional training in immunology, global health and vector-borne diseases, and business skills development.

Awards and scholarships

Selected distinctions

Papanikolaou Award, 2007

Hellenic Medical Society of the UK, annual award to a young Greek researcher.

Bodossaki Foundation Fellowship, 2009–2012

Postdoctoral Fellowship in memory of Stamatis G. Mantzavinos, single domestic postdoctoral awardee in 2009.

IKY–SIEMENS Excellence Fellowship, 2013–2015

Postdoctoral fellowship for hepatitis C virus pathogenesis studies at the Hellenic Pasteur Institute.

Research funding

Projects coordinated as Principal Investigator

  1. 2024–2026HFRI 4th PhD scholarship

    Awardee: Konstantinos Konstantinidis. Managed budget: €28,800.

  2. 2021–2022Hellenic Ministry of Rural Development & Food

    Analysis of the apicultural flora of Thrace. €23,744.

  3. 2018–2021EYDE–ETAK RESEARCH–CREATE–INNOVATE

    NGS technologies for mass genomic/transcriptomic control against hematophagous insects. Managed budget: €699,923.20.

  4. 2018–2020Fondation Santé

    Global changes in post-transcriptional regulators during West Nile virus replication. €50,000.

  5. 2017Bodossaki Foundation

    Infrastructure grant to develop a BSL2+ unit. €16,000.

  6. 2016–2017GILEAD Hellas “Asklipios”

    A novel mechanism of HCV-mediated post-transcriptional regulation. Ranked 1st. €20,000.

  7. 2016–2017IKY–SIEMENS faculty project

    Modulation of cell-death signals in HCV pathogenesis. €50,000.

Teaching and supervision

Academic teaching

Undergraduate teaching

Biology, Microbiology II, and Viruses and Antiviral Technology in the Department of Medicine, DUTH.

Postgraduate teaching

Teaching across MSc programs in infectious diseases, molecular biomedicine, biomedical sciences, human reproduction, regenerative medicine, bioethics and clinical pharmacology.

Student supervision

Supervision of undergraduate and MSc theses, PhD candidates, advisory and examination committee service, and postdoctoral supervision.

Publications

Peer-reviewed research

The publication list has been updated through 2026 using the supplied CV together with current bibliographic records. A selected set is shown below, followed by the complete updated list.

  1. Emmanouilidou M, Draganidis D, Stampoulis T, Protopapa M, Balampanos D, Retzepis N, Pantazis D, Aggelakis P, Fotinakis P, Zaras N, Karakasiliotis I, Fatouros I, Michalopoulou M, Avloniti A, Smilios I, Chatzinikolaou A. Effect of Intermittent Hypoxia-Normoxia, Multi-Component High-Intensity Interval Training and their Combination on Biomarkers. Journal of Engineering Science and Technology Review. 2026;19(1):119-126. doi: 10.25103/jestr.191.11.
  2. Katsiri E, Kokkotis C, Pantazis D, Avloniti A, Balampanos D, Emmanouilidou M, Protopapa M, Retzepis NO, Aggelakis P, Foteinakis P, Zaras N, Michalopoulou M, Karakasiliotis I, Steiropoulos P, Chatzinikolaou A. Real-Time Monitoring of Particulate Matter in Indoor Sports Facilities Using Low-Cost Sensors: A Case Study in a Municipal Small-to-Medium-Sized Indoor Sport Facility. Eng. 2025;6(10):258. doi: 10.3390/eng6100258.
  3. Agnanti E, Tsakogiannis D, Papadopoulos T, Arvanitidis KI, Kyriakopoulou Z, Karakasiliotis I, Kottaridi C. Disruption Events in the HPV18 E1 and E2 Genes in Precancerous Cervical Lesions. Int J Mol Sci. 2025;26(14):6974. doi: 10.3390/ijms26146974. PMID: 40725221.
  4. Protopapa M, Draganidis D, Avloniti A, Fatouros IG, Stampoulis T, Pantazis D, Balampanos D, Retzepis NO, Poulios A, Zaras N, Bampali M, Karakasiliotis I, Mastorakos G, Angelopoulos TJ, Michalopoulou M, Kambas A, Jamurtas AZ, Chatzinikolaou A. Multicomponent-Type High-Intensity Interval Training Improves Vitamin D Status in Adults with Overweight/Obesity. Obesities. 2025;5(3):51. doi: 10.3390/obesities5030051.
  5. Gkekas I, Katsamakas S, Mylonas S, Fotopoulou T, Magoulas GΕ, Tenchiu AC, Dimitriou M, Axenopoulos A, Rossopoulou N, Kostova S, Wanker EE, Katsila T, Papahatjis D, Gorgoulis VG, Koufaki M, Karakasiliotis I, Calogeropoulou T, Daras P, Petrakis S. AI Promoted Virtual Screening, Structure-Based Hit Optimization, and Synthesis of Novel COVID-19 S-RBD Domain Inhibitors. J Chem Inf Model. 2024 Nov 13. doi: 10.1021/acs.jcim.4c01110.
  6. Vasileiadis A, Bozidis P, Konstantinidis K, Kesesidis N, Potamiti L, Kolliopoulou A, Beloukas A, Panayiotidis MI, Havaki S, Gorgoulis VG, Gartzonika K, Karakasiliotis I. A Novel Dhillonvirus Phage against <i>Escherichia coli</i> Bearing a Unique Gene of Intergeneric Origin. Curr Issues Mol Biol. 2024 Aug 23;46(9):9312-9329. doi: 10.3390/cimb46090551. PMID: 39329903; PMCID: PMC11430396.
  7. Ridgway H, Moore GJ, Gadanec LK, Zulli A, Apostolopoulos V, Hoffmann W, Węgrzyn K, Vassilaki N, Mpekoulis G, Zouridakis M, Giastas P, Vidali VP, Kelaidonis K, Matsoukas MT, Dimitriou M, Mavromoustakos T, Tsiodras S, Gorgoulis VG, Karakasiliotis I, Chasapis CT, Matsoukas JM. Novel benzimidazole angiotensin receptor blockers with anti-SARS-CoV-2 activity equipotent to that of nirmatrelvir: computational and enzymatic studies. Expert Opin Ther Targets. 2024 May;28(5):437-459. doi: 10.1080/14728222.2024.2362675. Epub 2024 Jun 7. PMID: 38828744.
  8. Bampali M, Kouvela A, Kesesidis N, Kassela K, Dovrolis N, Karakasiliotis I. West Nile Virus Subgenomic RNAs Modulate Gene Expression in a Neuronal Cell Line. Viruses. 2024 May 20;16(5):812. doi: 10.3390/v16050812. PMID: 38793693; PMCID: PMC11125720.
  9. Politi L, Vrioni G, Hatzianastasiou S, Lada M, Martsoukou M, Sipsas NV, Chini M, Baka V, Kafkoula E, Masgala A, Pirounaki M, Michailidis C, Chrysos G, Zarkotou O, Mamali V, Papastamopoulos V, Saroglou G, Pournaras S, Meletiadis J, Karakasiliotis I, Karachalios S, Smilakou S, Skandami V, Orfanidou M, Argyropoulou A, Tsakris A, Kontopidou F; Candida auris study collaborative group. Candida auris in Greek healthcare facilities: Active surveillance results on first cases and outbreaks from eleven hospitals within Attica region. J Mycol Med. 2024 Jun;34(2):101477. doi: 10.1016/j.mycmed.2024.101477. Epub 2024 Mar 26. PMID: 38574412.
  10. Katsiari M, Mavroidi A, Kesesidis N, Palla E, Zourla K, Ntorlis K, Konstantinidis K, Laskou M, Strigklis K, Sakkalis A, Nikolaou C, Platsouka ED, Karakasiliotis I, Vrioni G, Tsakris A. Emergence of Clonally- Related South Asian Clade I Clinical Isolates of Candida auris in a Greek COVID-19 Intensive Care Unit. J Fungi (Basel). 2023 Feb 11;9(2):243. doi: 10.3390/jof9020243. PMID: 36836357; PMCID: PMC9964037.
  11. Tasopoulou KM, Karakasiliotis I, Argyriou C, Bampali M, Tsaroucha AK, Dovrolis N, Christaina E, Georgiadis GS. Next-Generation Sequencing of microRNAs in Small Abdominal Aortic Aneurysms: MiR-24 as a Biomarker. Ann Vasc Surg. 2024 Feb;99:366-379. doi: 10.1016/j.avsg.2023.09.065. Epub 2023 Nov 2. PMID: 37922957.
  12. Koukourakis MI, Xanthopoulou E, Koukourakis IM, Fortis SP, Kesesidis N, Kakouratos C, Karakasiliotis I, Baxevanis CN. Next-Generation Sequencing Analysis of Mutations in Circulating Tumor DNA from the Plasma of Patients with Head-Neck Cancer Undergoing Chemo-Radiotherapy Using a Pan-Cancer Cell-Free Assay. Curr Oncol. 2023 Sep 29;30(10):8902-8915. doi: 10.3390/curroncol30100643. PMID: 37887543; PMCID: PMC10604986.
  13. Koukourakis MI, Xanthopoulou E, Koukourakis IM, Fortis SP, Kesesidis N, Karakasiliotis I, Baxevanis CN. Circulating Plasma Cell-free DNA (cfDNA) as a Predictive Biomarker for Radiotherapy: Results from a Prospective Trial in Head and Neck Cancer. Cancer Diagn Progn. 2023 Sep 3;3(5):551-557. doi: 10.21873/cdp.10254. PMID: 37671311; PMCID: PMC10475926.
  14. Dovrolis N, Filidou E, Tarapatzi G, Kokkotis G, Spathakis M, Kandilogiannakis L, Drygiannakis I, Valatas V, Arvanitidis K, Karakasiliotis I, Vradelis S, Manolopoulos VG, Paspaliaris V, Bamias G, Kolios G. Co-expression of fibrotic genes in inflammatory bowel disease; A localized event? Front Immunol. 2022 Dec 23;13:1058237. doi: 10.3389/fimmu.2022.1058237. PMID: 36632136; PMCID: PMC9826764.
  15. Ridgway H, Moore GJ, Mavromoustakos T, Tsiodras S, Ligielli I, Kelaidonis K, Chasapis CT, Gadanec LK, Zulli A, Apostolopoulos V, Petty R, Karakasiliotis I, Gorgoulis VG, Matsoukas JM. Discovery of a new generation of angiotensin receptor blocking drugs: Receptor mechanisms and in silico binding to enzymes relevant to SARS-CoV-2. Comput Struct Biotechnol J. 2022;20:2091-2111. doi: 10.1016/j.csbj.2022.04.010. Epub 2022 Apr 9. PMID: 35432786; PMCID: PMC8994259.
  16. Evangelou K, Veroutis D, Paschalaki K, Foukas PG, Lagopati N, Dimitriou M, Papaspyropoulos A, Konda B, Hazapis O, Polyzou A, Havaki S, Kotsinas A, Kittas C, Tzioufas AG, de Leval L, Vassilakos D, Tsiodras S, Stripp BR, Papantonis A, Blandino G, Karakasiliotis I, Barnes PJ, Gorgoulis VG. Pulmonary infection by SARS-CoV-2 induces senescence accompanied by an inflammatory phenotype in severe COVID-19: possible implications for viral mutagenesis. Eur Respir J. 2022 Aug 18;60(2):2102951. doi: 10.1183/13993003.02951-2021. PMID: 35086840; PMCID: PMC8796696.
  17. Dovrolis N, Kassela K, Konstantinidis K, Kouvela A, Veletza S, Karakasiliotis I. ZWA: Viral genome assembly and characterization hindrances from virus-host chimeric reads; a refining approach. PLoS Comput Biol. 2021 Aug 9;17(8):e1009304. doi: 10.1371/journal.pcbi.1009304. PMID: 34370725; PMCID: PMC8376068.
  18. Spanakis N, Kassela K, Dovrolis N, Bampali M, Gatzidou E, Kafasi A, Froukala E, Stavropoulou A, Lilakos K, Veletza S, Tsiodras S, Tsakris A, Karakasiliotis I+. A main event and multiple introductions of SARS-Cov2 initiated the COVID-19 epidemic in Greece. Journal of Medical Virology 2021 Jan 6. Online ahead of print. (+Corresponding author)
  19. Kotta-Loizou I*, Karakasiliotis I*, Vassilaki N, Sakellariou P, Bartenschlager R, Mavromara P. Expression of the novel hepatitis C virus core+1/ARF protein in the context of JFH1-based replicons. Journal of Virology 2015; 89(9):5164-70 (*equal contribution)
  20. Yiakouvaki A, Dimitriou M, Karakasiliotis I, Eftychi C, Theocharis S, Kontoyiannis DL. Myeloid cell expression of the RNA-binding protein HuR protects mice from pathologic inflammation and colorectal carcinogenesis. Journal of Clinical Investigation 2012; 122 (1) pp 48-61
View all 64 publications
  1. Karakasiliotis, I., Markoulatos, P., Katsorchis, T. Site analysis of recombinant and mutant poliovirus isolates of Sabin origin from patients and from vaccines. Molecular and Cellular Probes 2004; 18 (2), pp. 103-109
  2. Triantos, D., Horefti, E., Paximadi, E., Kyrlakopoulou, Z., Karakassiliotis, G., Papanastaslou, K., Lelekis, M., Panos G., Donta-Bakoyianni C., Rapidis A., Markoulatos P. Presence of human herpes virus-8 in saliva and non-lesional oral mucosa in HIV-infected and oncologic immunocompromised patients. Molecular Oral Microbiology 2004; 19(3), pp. 201-204
  3. Karakasiliotis, I., Paximadi, E., Markoulatos, P. Evolution of a rare vaccine-derived multirecombinant poliovirus. Journal of General Virology 2005; 86(11), pp. 3137-3142
  4. Paximadi, E., Karakasiliotis, I., Mamuris, Z., Stathopoulos, C., Krikelis, V., Markoulatos, P. Genomic analysis of recombinant Sabin clinical isolates. Virus Genes 2006; 32(2), pp. 203-210
  5. Dedepsidis, E., Karakasiliotis, I., Paximadi, E., Kyriakopoulou, Z., Komiotis, D., Markoulatos, P. Detection of unusual mutation within the VP1 region of different re-isolates of poliovirus Sabin vaccine. Virus Genes 2006; 33(2), pp. 183-191 (IF: 1,542, Αναφορές 12)
  6. Karakasiliotis, I., Chaudhry, Y., Roberts, L.O., Goodfellow, I.G. Feline calicivirus replication: Requirement for polypyrimidine tract-binding protein is temperature-dependent. Journal of General Virology 2006; 87(11), pp. 3339-3347
  7. Monie, T.P., Perrin, A.J., Birtley, J.R., Sweeney, T.R., Karakasiliotis, I., Chaudhry, Y., Roberts, L.O., Matthews S., Goodfellow I.G., Curry, S. Structural insights into the transcriptional and translational roles of Ebp1. EMBO Journal 2007; 26(17), pp. 3936-3944
  8. Paximadi, E., Karakasiliotis, I., Bolanaki, E., Krikelis, A., Markoulatos, P. Vaccine derived bi- and multi-recombinant Sabin strains. Virus Genes 2007 35 (3), pp. 541-548
  9. Paximadi, E., Karakasiliotis, I., Papaventsis, D., Papageorgiou, G., Markoulatos, P. Recombinant Sabin environmental isolates in Greece and Cyprus. Journal of Applied Microbiology 2008; 104(4), pp. 1153-1162
  10. Simmonds, P., Karakasiliotis, I., Bailey, D., Chaudhry, Y., Evans, D.J., Goodfellow, I.G. Bioinformatic and functional analysis of RNA secondary structure elements among different genera of human and animal caliciviruses. Nucleic Acids Research 2008; 36(8), pp. 2530-2546
  11. Bailey, D.*, Karakasiliotis, I.*, Vashist, S., Chung, L.M.W., Reese, J., McFadden, N., Benson, A., Yarovinsky F., Simmonds P., Goodfellow, I. Functional analysis of RNA structures present at the 3 ′ extremity of the murine norovirus genome: The variable polypyrimidine tract plays a role in viral virulence Journal of Virology 2010; 84(6), pp. 2859-2870 (*equal contribution)
  12. Karakasiliotis, I., Vashist, S., Bailey, D., Abente, E.J., Green, K.Y., Roberts, L.O., Sosnovtsev, S.V., Goodfellow, I.G. Polypyrimidine tract binding protein functions as a negative regulator of feline calicivirus translation PLoS ONE 2010; 5 (3), art. no. e9562
  13. Karakasiliotis I, Kontoyiannis DL. ASCertaining cytoskeletal rearrangements in antigen presentation and migration. Nature Immunology 2011; 12 (10) pp 923-525
  14. Kafasla P, Karakasiliotis I, Kontoyiannis DL. Decoding the functions of post-transcriptional regulators in the determination of inflammatory states: focus on macrophage activation. Wiley Interdisciplinary Reviews-Systems Biology and Medicine 2012; 4 (5) pp 509-523
  15. Yiakouvaki A, Dimitriou M, Karakasiliotis I, Eftychi C, Theocharis S, Kontoyiannis DL. Myeloid cell expression of the RNA-binding protein HuR protects mice from pathologic inflammation and colorectal carcinogenesis. Journal of Clinical Investigation 2012; 122 (1) pp 48-61
  16. Yunus MA, Lin X, Bailey D, Karakasiliotis I, Chaudhry Y, Vashist S, Zhang G, Thorne L, Kao CC, Goodfellow I. The murine norovirus core subgenomic RNA promoter consists of a stable stem-loop that can direct accurate initiation of RNA synthesis. Journal of Virology 2015; 89(2):1218-29
  17. Kotta-Loizou I*, Karakasiliotis I*, Vassilaki N, Sakellariou P, Bartenschlager R, Mavromara P. Expression of the novel hepatitis C virus core+1/ARF protein in the context of JFH1-based replicons. Journal of Virology 2015; 89(9):5164-70 (*equal contribution)
  18. Karakasiliotis I+, Mavromara P Hepatocellular carcinoma: from hepatocyte to liver cancer stem cell. Frontiers in Physiology 2015; 6:154 (+Corresponding author)
  19. Skliris A, Papadaki O, Kafasla P, Karakasiliotis I, Hazapis O, Reczko M, Grammenoudi S, Bauer J, Kontoyiannis DL. Neuroprotection requires the functions of the RNA-binding protein HuR. Cell Death Differ. 2015; 22(5):703-18
  20. Sali DA, Karakasiliotis I, Evangelidou M, Avrameas S and Lymberi P. Immunological evidence and regulatory potential for cell-penetrating antibodies in intravenous immunoglobulin Clinical & Translational Immunology 2015; 2 4(10):e42
  21. Grammatikos G, Dietz J, Ferreiros N, Koch A, Dultz G, Bon D, Karakasiliotis I, Lutz T, Knecht G, Gute P, Herrmann E, Zeuzem S, Mavromara P, Sarrazin C, Pfeilschifter J. Persistence of HCV in Acutely- Infected Patients Depletes C24-Ceramide and Upregulates Sphingosine and Sphinganine Serum Levels. International Journal of Molecular Sciences 2016; 13;17(6). pii: E922.
  22. Kassela K, Karakasiliotis I+, Charpantidis S, Koskinas J, Mylopoulou T, Mimidis K, Sarrazin C, Grammatikos G, Mavromara P. High prevalence of antibodies to core+1/ARF protein in HCV- infected patients with advanced cirrhosis. Journal of General Virology 2017 Jul;98(7):1713-1719. (+Corresponding author)
  23. Moustafa S, Karakasiliotis I+, Mavromara P. Hepatitis C Virus core+1/ARF Protein Modulates the Cyclin D1/pRb Pathway and Promotes Carcinogenesis. Journal of Virology 2018;92(9). pii: e02036- 17 (+Corresponding author)
  24. Mylopoulou T, Papadopoulos V, Kassela K, Karakasiliotis I, Souvalidou F, Mimidis P, Veletza S, Mavromara P, Mimidis K. Relationship between antibodies to hepatitis C virus core+1 protein and treatment outcome. Annals of Gastroenterology. 2018; 31(5):593-597
  25. Christodoulou-Vafeiadou E, Ioakeimidis F, Andreadou M, Giagkas G, Stamatakis G, Reczko M, Samiotaki M, Papanastasiou AD, Karakasiliotis I, Kontoyiannis DL. Divergent Innate and Epithelial Functions of the RNA-Binding Protein HuR in Intestinal Inflammation. Frontiers in Immunology. 2018; 9:2732
  26. Kassela K, Karakasiliotis I+, Kokkiou E, Souvalidou F, Mimidis P, Veletza S, Panopoulou M, Koskinas J, Mimidis K, Mavromara P. Intergenotypic 2k/1b hepatitis C virus recombinants in the East Macedonia and Thrace region of Greece. Annals of Gastroenterology. 2019; 32(1):88-92. (+Corresponding author)
  27. Spanakis N, Kassela K, Dovrolis N, Bampali M, Gatzidou E, Kafasi A, Froukala E, Stavropoulou A, Lilakos K, Veletza S, Tsiodras S, Tsakris A, Karakasiliotis I+. A main event and multiple introductions of SARS-Cov2 initiated the COVID-19 epidemic in Greece. Journal of Medical Virology 2021 Jan 6. Online ahead of print. (+Corresponding author)
  28. Chaintoutis SC, Siarkou VI, Mathios E. Mylonakis ME, Kazakos GM, Skeva PN, Maria Bampali M, Dimitriou M, Dovrolis N, Polizopoulou ZS, Karakasiliotis I, Dovas CI. Limited cross-species transmission and absence of mutations associated with SARS-CoV-2 adaptation in cats: A case study of infection in a small household setting. Transboundary and Emerging Diseases, 2022 May;69(3):1606-1616. doi: 10.1111/tbed.14132 Epub 2021 May 16.
  29. Ntolios P, Tzilas V, Bouros E, Avdoula E, Karakasiliotis I, Bouros D, Steiropoulos P. The Role of Microbiome and Virome in Idiopathic Pulmonary Fibrosis. Biomedicines. 2021 Apr 20;9(4):442. doi: 10.3390/biomedicines9040442. PMID: 33924195; PMCID: PMC8074588.
  30. Panagiotopoulos A, Tseliou M, Karakasiliotis I, Kotzampasi DM, Daskalakis V, Kesesidis N, Notas G, Lionis C, Kampa M, Pirintsos S, Sourvinos G, Castanas E. p-cymene impairs SARS-CoV-2 and Influenza A (H1N1) viral replication: In silico predicted interaction with SARS-CoV-2 nucleocapsid protein and H1N1 nucleoprotein. Pharmacol Res Perspect. 2021 Aug;9(4):e00798. doi: 10.1002/prp2.798. PMID: 34128351; PMCID: PMC8204097.
  31. Mpekoulis G, Frakolaki E, Taka S, Ioannidis A, Vassiliou AG, Kalliampakou KI, Patas K, Karakasiliotis I, Aidinis V, Chatzipanagiotou S, Angelakis E, Vassilacopoulou D, Vassilaki N. Alteration of L-Dopa decarboxylase expression in SARS-CoV-2 infection and its association with the interferon-inducible ACE2 isoform. PLoS One. 2021 Jun 29;16(6):e0253458. doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0253458. PMID: 34185793; PMCID: PMC8241096.
  32. Dovrolis N, Kassela K, Konstantinidis K, Kouvela A, Veletza S, Karakasiliotis I. ZWA: Viral genome assembly and characterization hindrances from virus-host chimeric reads; a refining approach. PLoS Comput Biol. 2021 Aug 9;17(8):e1009304. doi: 10.1371/journal.pcbi.1009304. PMID: 34370725; PMCID: PMC8376068.
  33. Lamprou I, Tsolou A, Kakouratos C, Mitrakas AG, Xanthopoulou ET, Kassela K, Karakasiliotis I, Zois CE, Giatromanolaki A, Koukourakis MI. Suppressed PLIN3 frequently occurs in prostate cancer, promoting docetaxel resistance via intensified autophagy, an event reversed by chloroquine. Med Oncol. 2021 Aug 19;38(10):116. doi: 10.1007/s12032-021-01566-y. PMID: 34410522; PMCID: PMC8374126.
  34. Panagiotopoulos AA, Karakasiliotis I, Kotzampasi DM, Dimitriou M, Sourvinos G, Kampa M, Pirintsos S, Castanas E, Daskalakis V. Natural Polyphenols Inhibit the Dimerization of the SARS- CoV-2 Main Protease: The Case of Fortunellin and Its Structural Analogs. Molecules. 2021 Oct 7;26(19):6068. doi: 10.3390/molecules26196068. PMID: 34641612; PMCID: PMC8512273.
  35. Karakasiliotis I, Lagopati N, Evangelou K, Gorgoulis VG. Cellular senescence as a source of SARS- CoV-2 quasispecies. FEBS J. 2023 Mar;290(5):1384-1392. doi: 10.1111/febs.16230. Epub 2021 Nov
  36. PMID: 34653312.
  37. Sialakouma A, Karakasiliotis I, Ntala V, Nikolettos N, Asimakopoulos B. Embryonic Cell-free DNA in Spent Culture Medium: A Non-invasive Tool for Aneuploidy Screening of the Corresponding Embryos. In Vivo. 2021 Nov- Dec;35(6):3449-3457. doi: 10.21873/invivo.12645. PMID: 34697181; PMCID: PMC8627731.
  38. Evangelou K, Veroutis D, Paschalaki K, Foukas PG, Lagopati N, Dimitriou M, Papaspyropoulos A, Konda B, Hazapis O, Polyzou A, Havaki S, Kotsinas A, Kittas C, Tzioufas AG, de Leval L, Vassilakos D, Tsiodras S, Stripp BR, Papantonis A, Blandino G, Karakasiliotis I, Barnes PJ, Gorgoulis VG. Pulmonary infection by SARS-CoV-2 induces senescence accompanied by an inflammatory phenotype in severe COVID-19: possible implications for viral mutagenesis. Eur Respir J. 2022 Aug 18;60(2):2102951. doi: 10.1183/13993003.02951-2021. PMID: 35086840; PMCID: PMC8796696.
  39. Konstantinidis K, Bampali M, de Courcy Williams M, Dovrolis N, Gatzidou E, Papazilakis P, Nearchou A, Veletza S, Karakasiliotis I. Dissecting the Species- Specific Virome in <i>Culicoides</i> of Thrace. Front Microbiol. 2022 Mar 7;13:802577. doi: 10.3389/fmicb.2022.802577. PMID: 35330767; PMCID: PMC8940260.
  40. Ridgway H, Moore GJ, Mavromoustakos T, Tsiodras S, Ligielli I, Kelaidonis K, Chasapis CT, Gadanec LK, Zulli A, Apostolopoulos V, Petty R, Karakasiliotis I, Gorgoulis VG, Matsoukas JM. Discovery of a new generation of angiotensin receptor blocking drugs: Receptor mechanisms and in silico binding to enzymes relevant to SARS-CoV-2. Comput Struct Biotechnol J. 2022;20:2091-2111. doi: 10.1016/j.csbj.2022.04.010. Epub 2022 Apr 9. PMID: 35432786; PMCID: PMC8994259.
  41. Konstantinidis K, Dovrolis N, Kouvela A, Kassela K, Rosa Freitas MG, Nearchou A, de Courcy Williams M, Veletza S, Karakasiliotis I. Defining virus- carrier networks that shape the composition of the mosquito core virome of a local ecosystem. Virus Evol. 2022 Apr 16;8(1):veac036. doi: 10.1093/ve/veac036. PMID: 35505691; PMCID: PMC9055857.
  42. Pirintsos S, Panagiotopoulos A, Bariotakis M, Daskalakis V, Lionis C, Sourvinos G, Karakasiliotis I, Kampa M, Castanas E. From Traditional Ethnopharmacology to Modern Natural Drug Discovery: A Methodology Discussion and Specific Examples. Molecules. 2022 Jun 24;27(13):4060. doi: 10.3390/molecules27134060. PMID: 35807306; PMCID: PMC9268545.
  43. Vrazas V, Moustafa S, Makridakis M, Karakasiliotis I, Vlahou A, Mavromara P, Katsani KR. A Proteomic Approach to Study the Biological Role of Hepatitis C Virus Protein Core+1/ARFP. Viruses. 2022 Jul 31;14(8):1694. doi: 10.3390/v14081694. PMID: 36016316; PMCID: PMC9518822.
  44. Bampali M, Konstantinidis K, Kellis EE, Pouni T, Mitroulis I, Kottaridi C, Mathioudakis AG, Beloukas A, Karakasiliotis I. West Nile Disease Symptoms and Comorbidities: A Systematic Review and Analysis of Cases. Trop Med Infect Dis. 2022 Sep 8;7(9):236. doi: 10.3390/tropicalmed7090236. PMID: 36136647; PMCID: PMC9506265.
  45. Moustafa S, Kassela K, Bampali M, Dovrolis N, Kakkanas A, Beloukas A, Mavromara P, Karakasiliotis I. Hepatitis C Core Protein Induces a Genotype- Specific Susceptibility of Hepatocytes to TNF- Induced Death In Vitro and In Vivo. Viruses. 2022 Nov 14;14(11):2521. doi: 10.3390/v14112521. PMID: 36423130; PMCID: PMC9692671.
  46. Mpekoulis G, Kalliampakou KI, Milona RS, Lagou D, Ioannidis A, Jahaj E, Chasapis CT, Kefallinos D, Karakasiliotis I, Kotanidou A, Chatzipanagiotou S, Vassilacopoulou D, Vassiliou AG, Angelakis E, Vassilaki N. Significance of Catecholamine Biosynthetic/Metabolic Pathway in SARS-CoV-2 Infection and COVID-19 Severity. Cells. 2022 Dec 20;12(1):12. doi: 10.3390/cells12010012. PMID: 36611805; PMCID: PMC9818320.
  47. Dovrolis N, Filidou E, Tarapatzi G, Kokkotis G, Spathakis M, Kandilogiannakis L, Drygiannakis I, Valatas V, Arvanitidis K, Karakasiliotis I, Vradelis S, Manolopoulos VG, Paspaliaris V, Bamias G, Kolios G. Co-expression of fibrotic genes in inflammatory bowel disease; A localized event? Front Immunol. 2022 Dec 23;13:1058237. doi: 10.3389/fimmu.2022.1058237. PMID: 36632136; PMCID: PMC9826764.
  48. Beloukas A, Chaintoutis SC, Karakasiliotis I. The COVID-19 Pandemic Enhanced Virology Research in Greece. Viruses. 2022 Dec 25;15(1):69. doi: 10.3390/v15010069. PMID: 36680109; PMCID: PMC9866182.
  49. Beka AA, Papadopoulos V, Mylopoulou T, Panopoulou M, Karakasiliotis I, Mavromara P, Mimidis K, Veletza S. Association between vitamin D receptor gene polymorphisms and fibrosis susceptibility in Greek patients with HCV infection. Germs. 2022 Sep 30;12(3):384-393. doi: 10.18683/germs.2022.1342. PMID: 37680672; PMCID: PMC10482479.
  50. Koukourakis MI, Xanthopoulou E, Koukourakis IM, Fortis SP, Kesesidis N, Karakasiliotis I, Baxevanis CN. Circulating Plasma Cell-free DNA (cfDNA) as a Predictive Biomarker for Radiotherapy: Results from a Prospective Trial in Head and Neck Cancer. Cancer Diagn Progn. 2023 Sep 3;3(5):551-557. doi: 10.21873/cdp.10254. PMID: 37671311; PMCID: PMC10475926.
  51. Arkas M, Kythreoti G, Favvas EP, Giannakopoulos K, Mouti N, Arvanitopoulou M, Athanasiou A, Douloudi M, Nikoli E, Vardavoulias M, Dimitriou M, Karakasiliotis I, Ballén V, González SMS. Hydrophilic Antimicrobial Coatings for Medical Leathers from Silica-Dendritic Polymer-Silver Nanoparticle Composite Xerogels. Textiles. 2022; 2(3):464-485. https://doi.org/10.3390/textiles2030026
  52. Koukourakis MI, Xanthopoulou E, Koukourakis IM, Fortis SP, Kesesidis N, Kakouratos C, Karakasiliotis I, Baxevanis CN. Next-Generation Sequencing Analysis of Mutations in Circulating Tumor DNA from the Plasma of Patients with Head-Neck Cancer Undergoing Chemo-Radiotherapy Using a Pan-Cancer Cell-Free Assay. Curr Oncol. 2023 Sep 29;30(10):8902-8915. doi: 10.3390/curroncol30100643. PMID: 37887543; PMCID: PMC10604986.
  53. Tasopoulou KM, Karakasiliotis I, Argyriou C, Bampali M, Tsaroucha AK, Dovrolis N, Christaina E, Georgiadis GS. Next-Generation Sequencing of microRNAs in Small Abdominal Aortic Aneurysms: MiR-24 as a Biomarker. Ann Vasc Surg. 2024 Feb;99:366-379. doi: 10.1016/j.avsg.2023.09.065. Epub 2023 Nov 2. PMID: 37922957.
  54. Katsiari M, Mavroidi A, Kesesidis N, Palla E, Zourla K, Ntorlis K, Konstantinidis K, Laskou M, Strigklis K, Sakkalis A, Nikolaou C, Platsouka ED, Karakasiliotis I, Vrioni G, Tsakris A. Emergence of Clonally- Related South Asian Clade I Clinical Isolates of Candida auris in a Greek COVID-19 Intensive Care Unit. J Fungi (Basel). 2023 Feb 11;9(2):243. doi: 10.3390/jof9020243. PMID: 36836357; PMCID: PMC9964037.
  55. Politi L, Vrioni G, Hatzianastasiou S, Lada M, Martsoukou M, Sipsas NV, Chini M, Baka V, Kafkoula E, Masgala A, Pirounaki M, Michailidis C, Chrysos G, Zarkotou O, Mamali V, Papastamopoulos V, Saroglou G, Pournaras S, Meletiadis J, Karakasiliotis I, Karachalios S, Smilakou S, Skandami V, Orfanidou M, Argyropoulou A, Tsakris A, Kontopidou F; Candida auris study collaborative group. Candida auris in Greek healthcare facilities: Active surveillance results on first cases and outbreaks from eleven hospitals within Attica region. J Mycol Med. 2024 Jun;34(2):101477. doi: 10.1016/j.mycmed.2024.101477. Epub 2024 Mar 26. PMID: 38574412.
  56. Giannakopoulos K, Lasithiotakis M, Karakasis C, Gini M, Gardelis S, Karakasiliotis I, Mouti N, Xesfyngi Y, Manolis GK, Georgoutsou-Spyridonos M, Dimitriou M, Eleftheriadis K. Spark Discharge Aerosol-Generated Copper-Based Nanoparticles: Structural & Optical Properties; Application on the Antiviral (SARS-CoV-2) and Antibacterial Improvement of Face Masks. Chempluschem. 2024 Aug;89(8):e202400194. doi: 10.1002/cplu.202400194. Epub 2024 May 24. PMID: 38646973.
  57. Bampali M, Kouvela A, Kesesidis N, Kassela K, Dovrolis N, Karakasiliotis I. West Nile Virus Subgenomic RNAs Modulate Gene Expression in a Neuronal Cell Line. Viruses. 2024 May 20;16(5):812. doi: 10.3390/v16050812. PMID: 38793693; PMCID: PMC11125720.
  58. Ridgway H, Moore GJ, Gadanec LK, Zulli A, Apostolopoulos V, Hoffmann W, Węgrzyn K, Vassilaki N, Mpekoulis G, Zouridakis M, Giastas P, Vidali VP, Kelaidonis K, Matsoukas MT, Dimitriou M, Mavromoustakos T, Tsiodras S, Gorgoulis VG, Karakasiliotis I, Chasapis CT, Matsoukas JM. Novel benzimidazole angiotensin receptor blockers with anti-SARS-CoV-2 activity equipotent to that of nirmatrelvir: computational and enzymatic studies. Expert Opin Ther Targets. 2024 May;28(5):437-459. doi: 10.1080/14728222.2024.2362675. Epub 2024 Jun 7. PMID: 38828744.
  59. Vasileiadis A, Bozidis P, Konstantinidis K, Kesesidis N, Potamiti L, Kolliopoulou A, Beloukas A, Panayiotidis MI, Havaki S, Gorgoulis VG, Gartzonika K, Karakasiliotis I. A Novel Dhillonvirus Phage against <i>Escherichia coli</i> Bearing a Unique Gene of Intergeneric Origin. Curr Issues Mol Biol. 2024 Aug 23;46(9):9312-9329. doi: 10.3390/cimb46090551. PMID: 39329903; PMCID: PMC11430396.
  60. Gkekas I, Katsamakas S, Mylonas S, Fotopoulou T, Magoulas GΕ, Tenchiu AC, Dimitriou M, Axenopoulos A, Rossopoulou N, Kostova S, Wanker EE, Katsila T, Papahatjis D, Gorgoulis VG, Koufaki M, Karakasiliotis I, Calogeropoulou T, Daras P, Petrakis S. AI Promoted Virtual Screening, Structure-Based Hit Optimization, and Synthesis of Novel COVID-19 S-RBD Domain Inhibitors. J Chem Inf Model. 2024 Nov 13. doi: 10.1021/acs.jcim.4c01110.
  61. Protopapa M, Draganidis D, Avloniti A, Fatouros IG, Stampoulis T, Pantazis D, Balampanos D, Retzepis NO, Poulios A, Zaras N, Bampali M, Karakasiliotis I, Mastorakos G, Angelopoulos TJ, Michalopoulou M, Kambas A, Jamurtas AZ, Chatzinikolaou A. Multicomponent-Type High-Intensity Interval Training Improves Vitamin D Status in Adults with Overweight/Obesity. Obesities. 2025;5(3):51. doi: 10.3390/obesities5030051.
  62. Agnanti E, Tsakogiannis D, Papadopoulos T, Arvanitidis KI, Kyriakopoulou Z, Karakasiliotis I, Kottaridi C. Disruption Events in the HPV18 E1 and E2 Genes in Precancerous Cervical Lesions. Int J Mol Sci. 2025;26(14):6974. doi: 10.3390/ijms26146974. PMID: 40725221.
  63. Katsiri E, Kokkotis C, Pantazis D, Avloniti A, Balampanos D, Emmanouilidou M, Protopapa M, Retzepis NO, Aggelakis P, Foteinakis P, Zaras N, Michalopoulou M, Karakasiliotis I, Steiropoulos P, Chatzinikolaou A. Real-Time Monitoring of Particulate Matter in Indoor Sports Facilities Using Low-Cost Sensors: A Case Study in a Municipal Small-to-Medium-Sized Indoor Sport Facility. Eng. 2025;6(10):258. doi: 10.3390/eng6100258.
  64. Emmanouilidou M, Draganidis D, Stampoulis T, Protopapa M, Balampanos D, Retzepis N, Pantazis D, Aggelakis P, Fotinakis P, Zaras N, Karakasiliotis I, Fatouros I, Michalopoulou M, Avloniti A, Smilios I, Chatzinikolaou A. Effect of Intermittent Hypoxia-Normoxia, Multi-Component High-Intensity Interval Training and their Combination on Biomarkers. Journal of Engineering Science and Technology Review. 2026;19(1):119-126. doi: 10.25103/jestr.191.11.

Academic service and infrastructure

Leadership, editorial activity and unit development

Editorial work

Reviewer for journals in virology, immunology, gastroenterology and related fields, and Guest Editor for special issues in Viruses, Biomolecules and Frontiers in Systems Biology.

Professional service

Board member of the Hellenic Society of Virology since 2014, General Secretary from 2014 to 2017, and organizer or committee member for national and European virology meetings.

Institutional service

Committee work at DUTH involving admissions, curriculum, internal evaluation, outreach, technology transfer, innovation and entrepreneurship, as well as external proposal review.

BSL infrastructure

Development of a BSL-2+ unit in 2017 and upgrade to BSL-3 in 2020 for highly infectious virus culture.

NGS infrastructure

Development of an NGS unit in 2018 with an Ion Torrent S5 sequencer and robotic library-preparation systems.

Patent

Co-inventor on international application PCT/EP2024/060458, publication WO/2024/218171, covering compounds with activity against SARS-CoV-2.

Contact

Laboratory of Biology, DUTH

Department of Medicine, Democritus University of Thrace, Dragana area, 68100 Alexandroupoli, Greece.

Email
Ioakarak@med.duth.gr Work phone
+30 25510 30581