The Light Microscopy Unit (LMU) of the HPI is one of the most modern and well-equipped Imaging Units in Greece and a member of the Greek Bioimaging-GR Consortium and the European Light Microscopy Initiative (ELMI- www.embl.org/elmi/). LMU is an open-access platform aiming to provide advanced Light microscopy and image analysis services to HPI, national or international academic scientists.
The LMU has created a wide network internationally with top imaging groups in the EU and the Institut Pasteur Paris that have largely contributed to the development and establishment of cutting-edge technologies in the Unit. European and National grants such as BIOIMAGING-GR – Ministry of Education Infrastructure Grant (2017-2020), Stavros Niarchos Foundation Grant: (2016-2020), KRHPIS I-II (2015-2018), NEUROSIGN EU FP7 Program (2010-2013) have all supported the significant upgrade of the LMU during the period 2013-2017. LMU is the hub of 2-photon Intravital Imaging in the Bioimaging-GR Consortium, while it is currently up-graded for fast live cell imaging.
Τhe main state-of-the art methodologies currently in place in the LMU are: 2 photon intravital imaging in the CNS of transgenic mice, short and long time live cell imaging and digital image processing using commercially available and open-access image processing software.
The LMU has emerged through the Institut Pasteur International Network as a node for advanced imaging training and scientific collaborations (see Courses). Additionally, the LMU has organized significant training activities, including organization of international hands-on training workshops in digital image processing/analysis (2013) and Advanced Imaging and electrophysiology in the mammalian CNS (2013). In the time interval 2013-2017, several publications with participation or acknowledgement of the HPI-LMU has been published in peer review journals.
Our strategic goal is to develop the appropriate tools and technology that will allow us to monitor in real time disease progression in a wide range of communicable and non-communicable disease models, to develop live cell Calcium imaging, as well as multiple parameter middle-throughput and high-throughput screening, aiming to the understanding of biological processes and screening for novel therapeutics.
Current equipment in the Light Microscopy facility includes:
(Click to see details)
Registration
New users of the Light Microscopy Unit (LMU) of HPI, as well as current users, who are starting a new project, should submit a project submission form at the Light Microscopy Unit of HPI. We need all necessary information to organize on time introductory sessions for using the instruments, as well as for teaching and supporting sample preparation techniques and new imaging protocols. You can download the LMU Project submission form, fill it in and send it to 
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External users
The HPI’s imaging systems can be used by external users as well they should contact the responsible scientists of the Unit in order to arrange the exact time of the microscope booking. There is a charge of 30 € / hour for the use of either one of the two systems (Leica SP8 and Leica SP5) and 20 € / hour for the wide field Olympus Cell R and the confocal TCS SP.
Τraining in the use of microscopes and in image analysis applications
Training in the use of the microscopes and the image analysis software are conducted by the members of the Unit. Guides in the use of the Leica TCS-SP Confocal microscope and the wide-field Olympus IX-81 Cell-R imaging system can be found in the greek version of the website.
(Click to see details)
Information for the HPI Unit equipment:
- Leica Microsystems
- Olympus microscopy
- Imaris (Bitplane)- Web Training
- Image J– Plugins
- icy.bioimageanalysis.org/
Websites with useful information for microscopy:
- Olympus Microscopy Resource Center
- Zeiss Campus
- Molecular expressions microscopy primer
- Introduction to Light Microscopy
- Confocal laser scanning microscopy
- Image processing and analysis
Useful information for Deconvolution:
Databases of fluorochromes, dyes, their spectra and appropriate filter combinations:
- http://probes.invitrogen.com/resources/education/
- http://www.cyto.purdue.edu/flowcyt/software/Spectra
- http://home.earthlink.net/~mpmicro/
- http://www.mcb.arizona.edu/IPC/spectra_page
Useful information for FRET:
Practical Microscopy courses:
In the HPI-LMU, since its founding (2001), its users carried out projects that gave rise to a 39 publications in which members of the HPI LMU are listed as authors and/or the contribution of the HPI-LMU personnel is acknowledged.
| PUBLICATIONS from projects carried out in HPI-LMU |
Year | IF | TOTAL CITATIONS (04/2019) |
| 1. Systemic activation of NLRP3 inflammasome in patients with severe primary Sjögren’s syndrome fueled by inflammagenic DNA accumulations. (2018). Vakrakou AG, Boiu S, Ziakas PD, Xingi E, Boleti H, Manoussakis MN. J Autoimmun. Jul; 91:23-33 |
2018 |
7.607 |
5 |
| 2. A novel regulatory role of RGS4 in STAT5B activation, neurite outgrowth and neuronal differentiation. (2017). Pallaki P, Georganta EM, Serafimidis I, Papakonstantinou MP, Papanikolaou V, Koutloglou S, Papadimitriou E, Agalou A, Tserga A, Simeonof A, Thomaidou D, Gaitanou M, Georgoussi Z. Neuropharmacology. 1;117:408-421 |
2017 |
4.068 |
3 |
| 3. Neural stem/progenitor cells differentiate to oligodendrocytes and ameliorate learning deficits after transplantation in a mouse model of traumatic brain injury. (2016). P. N. Koutsoudaki, F. Papastefanaki, A. Stamatakis, Georgia Kouroupi, E. Xingi, F.Stylianopoulou, & R. Matsas. Glia, 64(5):763-79. |
2016 |
6.200 |
14 |
| 4. The Leishmania donovani histidine acid ecto-phosphatase LdMAcP: insight into its structure and function. (2015). Papadaki A, Politou AS, Smirlis D, Kotini MP, Kourou K, Papamarcaki T, Boleti H . Biochem J. 1;467(3):473-86 |
2015 |
3.797 |
4 |
| 5. New labeled derivatives of the neuroprotective peptide colivelin: synthesis, characterization, and first in vitro and in vivo applications. (2015). Kostomoiri M, Zikos C, Benaki D, Triantis C, Sagnou M, Paravatou-Petsotas M, Papadaki A, Boleti H, Papadopoulos M, Pirmettis I, Pelecanou M, Livaniou E. Arch Biochem Biophys. 1;567:83-93 |
2015 |
2.807 |
2 |
| 6. CEND1 and NEUROGENIN2 Reprogram Mouse Astrocytes and Embryonic Fibroblasts to Induced Neural Precursors and Differentiated Neurons. (2015). Aravantinou-Fatorou K, Ortega F, Chroni-Tzartou D, Antoniou N, Poulopoulou C, Politis PK, Berninger B, Matsas R, Thomaidou D. Stem Cell Reports.5(3):405-18 |
2015 |
7.870 |
8
|
| 7. A mutagenesis method for the addition and deletion of highly repetitive DNA regions: the paradigm of EPIYA motifs in the cagA gene of Helicobacter pylori. (2013). Papadakos KS, Sougleri IS, Mentis AF, Sgouras DN. Helicobacter. 18(3):229-41 |
2013 |
2.993 |
4 |
| 8. Eisosome distribution and localization in the meiotic progeny of Aspergillus nidulans. (2013). Athanasopoulos A, Boleti H, Scazzocchio C, Sophianopoulou V. Fungal Genet Biol. 53:84-96 |
2013 |
3.262 |
7 |
| 9. Functional Interactions between BM88/Cend1, Ran-Binding Protein M and Dyrk1B Kinase Affect Cyclin D1 Levels and Cell Cycle Progression/Exit in Mouse Neuroblastoma Cells. (2013). Tsioras K, Papastefanaki F, Politis PK, Matsas R, Gaitanou M. PLoS One. 8(11):e82172 |
2013 |
3.534 |
7 |
| 10. Subventricular zone-derived neural stem cell grafts protect against hippocampal degeneration and restore cognitive function in the mouse following intrahippocampal kainic acid administration. (2013). Miltiadous P, Kouroupi G, Stamatakis A, Koutsoudaki PN, Matsas R, Stylianopoulou F. Stem Cells Transl Med. 2(3):185-98 |
2013 |
3.596
|
15 |
| 11. Cell surface Cdc37 participates in extracellular HSP90 mediated cancer cell invasion. (2012). El Hamidieh A, Grammatikakis N, Patsavoudi E. PLoS One 7(8):e42722. |
2012 |
3.730 |
20 |
| 12. The 4C5 cell-impermeable anti-HSP90 antibody with anti-cancer activity, is composed of a single light chain dimer. (2011). Sidera K, El Hamidieh A, Mamalaki A, Patsavoudi E. PLoS One 6(9):e23906 |
2010 |
4.411 |
6 |
| 13. Lentivirus-mediated expression of insulin-like growth factor-I promotes neural stem/precursor cell proliferation and enhances their potential to generate neurons. (2010). Kouroupi G, Lavdas A, Gaitanou M,, Thomaidou D, Stylianopoulou F and Matsas R. J. of Neurochemistry 115(2):460-74. |
2010 |
4.337 |
23 |
| 14. Soluble forms of the cell adhesion molecule L1 produced by insect and baculovirus-transduced mammalian cells enhance Schwann cell motility. (2010). Lavdas A, Efrose R,Douris V , Gaitanou M, Swevers L, Thomaidou D, Iatrou K and Matsas K. J. of Neurochemistry 115(5):1137-49 |
2010 |
4.337 |
8 |
| 15. ER targeting and retention of the HCV NS4B protein relies on the concerted action of multiple structural features including its transmembrane domains. (2010). Boleti H., Smirlis D., Dalagiorgou G., Meurs E., Christoforidis S., & Mavromara.P. Mol. Memb. Biol. 27(1):50-74 |
2010 |
2.570 |
12 |
| 16. Cloning and functional characterization of LjPLT4, a plasma membrane xylitol H+– symporter from Lotus japonicus. (2010). Kalliampakou Κ. Kouri Ε., Boleti H., Pavli O., Maurousset L.,Udvardi M., Katinakis P., Rémi Lemoined, and Flemetakis E. Mol. Membr. Biol. 28(1):1-13 https://doi.org/10.3109/09687688.2010.500626 |
2010 |
2.570 |
2 |
| 17. Endocytosis of hepatitis C virus non-enveloped capsid-like particles induces MAPK-ERK1/2 signalling events. (2010). K. Katsarou, A. Α. Lavdas, P. Tsitoura, E. Serti, P. Markoulatos, P. Mavromara & U. Georgopoulou. Cell Mol Life Sci. 67(14):2491-506 |
2010 |
7.047 |
17 |
| 18. Schwann cells engineered to express the cell adhesion molecule L1 accelerate myelination and motor recovery after spinal cord injury. (2010). A. A Lavdas, J. Chen, F. Papastefanaki, S. Chen, M.Schachner, R.Matsas, D. Thomaidou. Exp Neurol. 221 206–216 |
2010 |
4.436
|
41 |
| 19. Transplantation of embryonic neural stem/ precursor cells overexpressing BM88/Cend1 enhances the generation of neuronal cells in the injured mouse cortex. (2010). G. Makri, A. A. Lavdas, L. Katsimpardi, P. Charneau, D. Thomaidou and Rebecca Matsas. Stem Cells. 28(1):127-39 |
2010 |
7.871 |
22 |
| 20. Leishmania donovani Ran-GTPase interacts at the nuclear rim with linker histone H1. Smirlis D, Boleti H, Gaitanou M, Soto M, Soteriadou K. (2009). Biochem J. 10;424(3):367-74 |
2010 |
5.016 |
8 |
| 21. 6-Br-5methylindirubin-3’oxime (5-Me-6-BIO) targeting the leishmanial glycogen synthase kinase-3 (GSK-3) short form affects cell-cycle progression and induces apoptosis-like death: exploitation of GSK-3 for treating leishmaniasis. (2009). Xingi E, Smirlis D, Myrianthopoulos V, Magiatis P, Grant KM, Meijer L, Mikros E, Skaltsounis AL, Soteriadou K. Int J Parasitol. 39(12):1289-303 |
2009 |
2.901 |
41 |
| 22. Green fluorescent protein – Tagged HCV non-enveloped capsid like particles: development of a new tool for tracking HCV core uptake. (2009). Katsarou K, Serti E, Tsitoura P, Lavdas AA, Varaklioti A, Pickl-Herk AM, Blaas D, Oz-Arslan D, Zhu R, Hinterdorfer P, Mavromara P, Georgopoulou U. Biochimie. 91(7):903-15 |
2009 |
3.897 |
8 |
| 23. Neuronal I kappa B kinase beta protects mice from autoimmune encephalomyelitis by mediating neuroprotective and immunosuppressive effects in the central nervous system. (2009). Emmanouil M, Taoufik E, Tseveleki V, Vamvakas SS, Tselios T, Karin M, Lassmann H, Probert L. J Immunol. 183(12):7877-89 |
2009 |
5.002 |
19 |
| 24. BM88/Cend1 regulates stimuli-induced intracellular calcium mobilization. (2009). Masgrau R, Hurel C, Papastefanaki F, Georgopoulou N, Thomaidou D, Matsas R. Neuropharmacology 56(3):598-609 |
2009 |
4.061 |
6 |
| 25. Incorporation of the Arc1p tRNA-binding domain to the catalytic core of MetRS can functionally replace the yeast Arc1p-MetRS complex. (2008). Karanasios E, Boleti H, Simos G. J Mol Biol. 381(3):763-71 |
2008 |
5.000 |
6 |
| 26. Expression studies of the HCV-1a core+1 open reading frame in mammalian cells. (2008). Vassilaki N, Boleti H, Mavromara P. Virus Res. 133(2):123-35 |
2008 |
2.429 |
16 |
| 27. Deleted in Azoospermia-Like (DAZL) gene expressing cells in human amniotic fluid: a new source for germ cells research? (2008). K.Stefanidis, D. Loutradis, L. Koumbi, V.Anastasiadou, V. Dinopoulou, E. Kiapekou, A. A. Lavdas, S. Mesogitis, A. Antsaklis. Fertil Steril. 90(3):798-804 |
2008 |
4.167 |
13 |
| 28. BM88/Cend1 expression levels are critical for proliferation and differentiation of subventricular zone-derived neural precursor cells. (2008). Katsimpardi L, Gaitanou M, Malnou CE, Lledo PM, Charneau P, Matsas R, Thomaidou D. Stem Cells. 26(7):1796-807 |
2008 |
7.741 |
27 |
| 29. A critical role for HSP90 in cancer cell invasion involves interaction with the extracellular domain of HER-2. (2008). Sidera K, Gaitanou M, Stellas D, Matsas R, Patsavoudi E. J Biol Chem. 283(4):2031-41. 7.716 |
2008 |
2.429 |
100 |
| 30. In vitro activity of 10-deacetylbaccatin III against Leishmania donovani promastigotes and intracellular amastigotes. (2007). Georgopoulou K, Smirlis D, Bisti S, Xingi E, Skaltsounis L, Soteriadou K. Planta Med. 73(10):1081-8 |
2007 |
1.371 |
18 |
| 31. Expression studies of the core+1 protein of the hepatitis C virus 1a in mammalian cells: the influence of the core protein and proteasomes on the intracellular levels of core+1. (2007). Vassilakι Ν, Boleti Η., Mavromara P. FEBS J. 274(16):4057-74 |
2007 |
1.58 |
18 |
| 32. Grafts of Schwann cells engineered to express PSA-NCAM promote functional recovery after spinal cord injury. (2007). F. Papastefanaki, J. Chen, A. A. Lavdas, D. Thomaidou, M. Schachner and R. Matsas. Brain. 130(Pt 8):2159-74 |
2007 |
9.070 |
118 |
| 33. BM88/CEND1 coordinates cell cycle exit and differentiation of neuronal precursors. (2007). Politis PK, Makri G, Thomaidou D, Geissen M, Rohrer H, Matsas R. Proc Natl Acad Sci USA;104(45):17861-6 |
2007 |
10.360 |
32 |
| 34. Leishmania histone H1 overexpression delays parasite cell-cycle progression, parasite differentiation and reduces Leishmania infectivity in vivo. (2006). Smirlis D, Bisti SN, Xingi E, Konidou G, Thiakaki M, Soteriadou KP. Mol Microbiol. 60(6):1457-73 |
2006 |
5.203 |
22 |
| 35. Schwann cells genetically engineered to express PSA show enhanced migratory potential without impairment of their myelinating ability. (2006). A. A Lavdas, I. Franceschini, M. Dubois-Dalcq, R. Matsas. Glia 53(8): 868-78 |
2006 |
5.599 |
56 |
| 36. Baculovirus-mediated gene delivery into Mammalian cells does not alter their transcriptional and differentiating potential but is accompanied by early viral gene expression. (2006). C Kenoutis, R C Efrose, L Swevers, A A Lavdas, M Gaitanou, R Matsas, K Iatrou. J. of Virol. 80(8):4135-46 |
2006 |
5.341 |
41 |
| 37. BM88 is a dual function molecule inducing cell cycle exit and neuronal differentiation of neuroblastoma cells via cyclin D1 down-regulation and retinoblastoma protein hypophosphorylation. (2006). Georgopoulou N1, Hurel C, Politis PK, Gaitanou M, Matsas R, Thomaidou D. J Biol Chem. 281(44):33606-20 |
2006 |
6.231 |
42 |
| 38. BM88 is an early marker of proliferating precursor cells that will differentiate into the neuronal lineage. (2004). Koutmani Y, Hurel C, Patsavoudi E, Hack M, Gotz M, Thomaidou D, Matsas R. Eur J Neurosci. 20(10):2509-23 |
2004 |
3.820 |
25 |
| 39. Expression of a novel Leishmania gene encoding for an histone H1-like protein in L. major modulates Leishmania infectivity in vitro. (2002). F. Papageorgiou and K. Soteriadou. Infect. Immun. 70, 6976-6986 |
2002 |
4.039 |
20 |
The Scientists supporting the HPI-LMU have participated either as members or as Scientific responsibles in several grant applications succeeding to attract funding for the Unit either for organizing courses or for upgrading the equipment and development of new methodology from the following grants:
- ΒΙΟΙΜAGING GR 2018-2020: “Hellenic Research Infrastructure for the Imaging and Observation of Fundamental Processes in Biology and Medicine” (MIS 5002755) which is implemented under the Action “Reinforcement of the Research and Innovation Infrastructure”, funded by the Operational Programme “Competitiveness, Entrepreneurship and Innovation” (NSRF 2014-2020) and co-financed by Greece and the European Union (European Regional Development Fund, coordinator Dr. Tavernarakis, IMBB Forth).
- Stavros Niarchos Foundations Sponsorships 2016-2020: «Development of innovative Biological products and health services for infectious and neurodegenerative diseases» (Coordinators Drs. R. Matsa and V. Myriagou)
- Ηellenic State Scholarship Foundation (Ι.Κ.Υ.) and German Burau for Academics’ Exchanges (DAAD): IKYDA program 2014-2015: Astroglia activation and reprogramming in brain injury and repair: analysis by in vivo imaging (2P-LSM) of the brain (Scientific Responsible Dr. D. Thomaidou).
- RIIP (Institut Pasteur International Network) International course 2016 :
” Cell Biology and infection: Digital Image Processing/Analysis Tools for Quantitative Light Microscopy Imaging”. Scientific Responsible Dr. H. Boleti - FP7 EU program 264083 NEUROSIGN 2010-2013: Development of Centre of Excellence in Neurosciences (cordinators. Dr.S. Tzartos– Dr. R. Matsa & Dr. L. Probert (Dr. D. Thomaidou Responsible for WP of purchasing the Infrastructure equipment for in vivo imaging).
- RIIP (Institut Pasteur International Network) Regional course 2013:
“Digital image processing/analysis tools in Light Microscopy: From the basics and beyond”. Scientific Responsible Dr. H. Boleti - Competitive grant from the Greek General Secretariat of Research and Technology in the context οφ European program “Human Networks for training in Research and Technology” 2004-2006 –Establishment of the Greek Light Microscopy Network Title: “Applications of Light Microscopy in Biomedical research and Diagnosis” In colaboration with the U. of Ioannina & U. of Crete Coordinator of the project and of the Network, HPI-LMU. (Scientific Responsible ¨Drs H. Boleti & D. Thomaidou)
