BIOMIMETICS PROGRAMME

1
NHRF - IBRB
BIOMIMETICS PROGRAMME
Staff
Programme Head Dr Aristotelis Xenakis,
Researcher A Permanent Dr Constantine
Cazianis, Researcher C Maria Roubi, Laboratory
assistant Externally funded Dr. H. Stamatis,
Post Doc Dr. S. Avramiotis, Post Doc
Dr. V. Papadimitriou, Post Doc
Mr. D. Skoutas, Gr.Stud.
Mrs. M. Zoubanioti, Gr.Stud.
Mrs. E. Karatza, Gr.Stud.
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NHRF - IBRB
BIOMIMETICS PROGRAMME
Research Aims

• Studying the behaviour of biomolecules, such as
  enzymes, in model systems simulating their
  natural environment.
• The studies are focused on structural and
  functional aspects of the biomolecules when
  hosted in environments with restricted water
  contents, such as microemulsions

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NHRF - IBRB
BIOMIMETICS PROGRAMME
Water in oil microemulsion

• FEATURES
• Thermodynamically stable
• Optically isotropic
• Spontaneously formed
• Solubilization of hydrophilic and lipophilic
  substances

E
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NHRF - IBRB
BIOMIMETICS PROGRAMME
Main Research Lines

• Structure and function studies of lipases in
  microemulsions.
• Enzyme activity studies of proteases in
  microemulsions.
• Structural studies of microemulsions, using
  spectroscopic techniques.
• Development of novel enzyme immobilizing systems,
  such as organogels

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NHRF - IBRB
BIOMIMETICS PROGRAMME
Research Achievements

• Structure and function studies of lipases in
  microemulsions.
• Lipases from various species in different types
  of microemulsion systems were studied.
  Triglycerides hydrolysis and ester synthesis were
  examined. Analytical kinetic studies were curried
  out. The cite of localization of the enzyme
  within the microemulsion was determined.
• S.Avramiotis, et al. (1996) Langmuir, 12,
  6320-6
• Enzyme activity studies of proteases in
  microemulsions.
• Chymotrypsin and trypsin were studied in
  lecithin-based microemulsions. The effect of
  various parameters affecting the enzyme activity
  as well as the structure of the enzymes in the
  reverse micelles were examined.
• S.Avramiotis, P.Lianos A.Xenakis (1997)
  Biocatalysis Biotransf., 14, 299

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NHRF - IBRB
BIOMIMETICS PROGRAMME
Research Achievements

• Spectroscopic studies of microemulsions.
• Electron Paramagnetic Resonance (EPR),
  Fluorescence, Time Resolved Luminescence
  Quenching, and SAXS techniques were applied to
  determine structural modifications of
  microemulsions in the presence of enzymes
• S.Avramiotis, et al. (1999) Langmuir, 15,
  2375-9
• Development of novel enzyme immobilizing systems
• We have developed enzyme containing
  microemulsions immobilized as gels. By this
  method the biocatalyst is in a matrix of a
  polymer allowing the separation of the final
  product and the regeneration of the enzyme.
• H.Stamatis, A.Xenakis (1999) J. Mol.Catalysis B
  Enzymatic, 6, 399-406.

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NHRF - IBRB
BIOMIMETICS PROGRAMME
Achievements

• 21 Publications
• 2 Patents
• 234 Citations
• 5 Ph.D Theses
• 10 External Funded Projects, 195.000.000 GRD
• Collaboration with 1 Food Industry, 3 projects
• 1 Pharmaceutical Company, 2 projects
• 1 Diagnostics Company, 1 project
• 10 University/Research Center teams

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NHRF - IBRB
BIOMIMETICS PROGRAMME
Perspectives

• Applications
• Further development of links with the relative
  industry.
• ELAIS SA Joint project on enzyme technology
  olive oil
• PHARMATHEN Ltd Joint project on new
  pharmaceutical formulations
• MEDICON SA exploiting a patent on a diagnostic
  kit
• PHARMATHEN Ltd exploiting know-how of enzyme -
  based cosmetics.