AG Sachinidis
Prof. Dr. Agapios Sachinidis
Senior Research Professor
Adresse
Zentrum für Physiologie
Details
emeritiert Oktober 2023
In cooperation with Prof. Symeon Papadopoulos
Actual research activities
Current research conducted in close collaboration with Prof. Symeon Papadopoulos is focused on the development of miniaturized, high-throughput live-cell imaging platforms for real-time monitoring of cellular responses. These assays are specifically designed to enhance drug safety evaluation by enabling early detection of cytotoxic effects in physiologically relevant cell models. Additionally, the platform is being leveraged to identify novel anti-aging factors by assessing key hallmarks of cellular aging, such as senescence, mitochondrial dysfunction, and loss of proteostasis, in a dynamic and quantitative manner.
My current research interests focus on the mechanisms of cell death in human IPSC-derived cardiomyocytes and neuronal cells. I am particularly interested in identifying preventive and reparative mechanisms against cell death.
Cellular Research Models
We have developed advanced human cellular models to investigate cell death and recovery mechanisms in cardiomyocytes and neurons, including:
Transgenic reporter hiPSC lines that enable the efficient and specific differentiation of human cardiomyocytes and neuronal cells for functional studies.
Real-time imaging of cytoskeletal dynamics and intracellular free Ca²⁺ levels in hiPSC-derived cardiomyocytes, allowing dynamic assessment of cellular stress, contractility, and early signs of toxicity.
Real-time monitoring of intracellular Ca²⁺ fluctuations in hiPSC-derived neuronal cells, providing insights into neuronal excitability, signalling, and responses to stress or injury.
Profile
Expertise and Key Achievements
I have extensive expertise in identifying gene expression signatures and signaling pathways in embryonic stem cells (ESCs), induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs), and other cell types using large-scale microarray-based transcriptomics. In 2012, I established the Stem Cell Genomics Unit at the ZMMK, where we have curated and maintained a comprehensive gene expression database comprising data from over 2,000 microarrays—providing a valuable resource for stem cell research and drug safety assessment.
Research Funding and Collaborative Projects as a Principal Investigator
My work has been supported by major national funding agencies, including the German Federal Ministry of Education and Research (BMBF) and the German Research Foundation (DFG).
I have actively contributed to several large-scale European collaborative initiatives, including:
FunGenes: Functional genomics in engineered embryonic stem cells
CRYSTAL: Cryo-banking of human stem cells for therapeutic applications
HyperLab: High-yield, high-performance stem cell laboratories
ESNATS: Embryonic stem cell-based alternative testing strategies
DETECTIVE: Detection of endpoints and biomarkers for toxicity assessment
These projects have advanced the use of stem cell models in regenerative medicine, drug development, and safety testing.
Publications
Publications on PubMed
Over 284 peer-reviewed original publications, Google Scholar h-index: 66.
Previous research activities
In General
My previous research focuses on the biology and application of embryonic stem cells (ESCs), human induced pluripotent stem cells (hiPSCs), and hiPSC-derived cardiovascular cells. In particular, my group is advancing several key research areas:
1. Functional Characterization of Unannotated Transcripts
Using gain-of-function and loss-of-function approaches in transgenic ESCs and hiPSCs, we are investigating the biological roles of previously uncharacterized RNA transcripts to uncover their functional significance in pluripotency and early development.
2. Directed Differentiation into Specific Lineages
We have developed innovative small-molecule-based protocols to efficiently and selectively differentiate ESCs and hiPSCs into defined somatic cell types, including neurons and cardiovascular cells, enabling precise modeling of human development and disease.
3. Real-Time Monitoring of Toxicity Pathways
By engineering reporter cell lines, we are tracking dynamic gene expression signatures and signaling pathways linked to developmental and cardiovascular toxicity, allowing for early and sensitive detection of adverse effects.
4. Modeling Cellular Adaptation and Toxicity in Cardiovascular Cells
We employ genetic perturbation strategies to simulate stress responses, adaptation mechanisms, and toxic insults in hiPSC-derived cardiovascular cell types, providing insights into disease mechanisms and drug safety.
Collaboration Partners
Prof. Symeon Papadopoulos and Prof. Kurt Pfannkuche on various research projects.
Dr. Harshal Nemade: Department of Cardiology, Faculty of Medicine and University Hospital Cologne, University of Cologne