Units

Laboratory of Clinical Biochemistry – Molecular Diagnostics

Second University Pediatric Clinic, Medical School,
National and Kapodistrian University of Athens
“P. & A. Kyriakou” Children’s Hospital
24 Mesogeion Ave, Ground Floor, 11527 Athens
Department of Mother-Child Health (T.Y.M.P.)

Historical Background

The laboratory of the 2nd Pediatric Clinic was established in 1975 (Presidential Decree 801, Government Gazette 262, 22/11/1975) and has been operating continuously since 1979. In 2010, it was renamed the “Laboratory of Clinical Biochemistry – Molecular Diagnostics” (Ministerial Decision 141514/B1/11-11-2010, Government Gazette 1858/26-11-2010, Part B). It has operated since 1979 under the direction of Professor Dr. D. I. Gourgiotis, initially housed in rented premises of NKUA at 13 Levadias Street (240 m²), across from the hospital. Since 2021, it has relocated to the hospital annex at 24 Mesogeion Ave, ground floor.

Purpose

The purpose of the Clinical Biochemistry – Molecular Diagnostics Laboratory is the development of molecular, biochemical, and analytical chemistry methods that support the research protocols of the 2nd Pediatric Clinic of the University of Athens. The lab conducts both basic research and comprehensive diagnostic investigations of special pediatric cases hospitalized in the 2nd Pediatric Clinic, other hospital departments, and nationwide units. It supports and evaluates many clinical-laboratory studies conducted in the Clinic. It also trains undergraduate and postgraduate students and competes for national and international research grants. Additionally, it offers consulting services for other hospital research studies.

Laboratory Activities

  • Laboratory courses and hands-on training for 5th and 6th-year medical students and pediatric residents.
  • Topics include:
    • General principles of biochemical testing and quality control.
    • Interpretation of labtests.
    • Literature research using platforms like Scopus and PubMed, and understanding Impact Factor, citations, h-index.
    • Basic statistical concepts and use of statistical software (SPSS).
    • Literature updates related to the lab’s research.
  • Free distribution of pediatric notes to undergraduate and postgraduate students.
  • Training of doctors, chemists, biologists, pharmacists, and other health professionals in the organization and operation of a biochemical and molecular lab.
  • Supervision of theses and dissertations using molecular techniques (DNA/RNA extraction, PCR, qPCR, Real Time PCRblotting, ELISA, RIA, IRMA, HPLC).
  • Specializes in analytical chemistry and molecular/biochemical methods to support research protocols of the 2nd Pediatric Clinic.
  • Conducts both basic and applied research on hospitalized pediatric cases locally and nationwide.
  • Supports numerous clinical-laboratory studies whose results are presented at conferences and published in scientific journals.
  • Competes for national and international research funding.

More than 10,000 analyses are performed annually for pediatric patients at “P. & A. Kyriakou” and other hospitals.

These use:

  • Specialized methods (analytical chemistry, clinical biochemistry, enzymology, immunology, molecular diagnostics, pharmacokinetics, protein isolation/characterization).
  • Modern techniques (Southern and Western blotting).

Research topics include:

  • Childhood hyperlipidemia with markers like LDL, sdLDL, BNP, adiponectin, urotensin II, and cardiovascular risk factors.
  • Type 1 diabetes in children/adolescents regarding early kidney damage and the role of obesity in bone and carbohydrate metabolism.
  • Hepcidin and other biomarkers in children with cystic fibrosis and infections.
  • Idiopathic childhood epilepsy with markers like Bcl-2 and Caspase-9.
  • Renal function via urinary enzymes (e.g., NAG) in conditions like diabetes, nephrotic syndrome, reflux, kidney stones, perinatal asphyxia.

Neonatal studies:

  • Effects of intrauterine growth restriction (IUGR) on organ and molecular systems in both mother and newborn.
  • Role of adipose tissue as an endocrine organ via adipocytokines in normal and IUGR pregnancies.
  • Impact of angiogenic factors in normal pregnancies and those with fetal growth disorders.
  • Detection of bone metabolism factors and bioactive molecules in breast milk linked to neonatal adaptation and later metabolic disease.
  • Early non-invasive proteomic markers for preeclampsia (Program ARISTEIA, Propet 1139, 2012).

Molecular Biology Techniques (last 20 years):

  • Study of DNA, RNA, mRNA, and ncRNAs to identify biomarkers for diagnosis, prognosis, and treatment response in neoplastic diseases (e.g., childhood leukemia).
  • Focus on apoptosis-related genes (BAX, BCL2, BCL2L12), and miRNAs/lncRNAs regulating their expression.
  • Techniques include: mononuclear cell isolation, RNA polyadenylation, RT, PCR (conventional, multiplex, real-time qPCR).
  • Over 300 presentations at international and Greek conferences.
  • More than 200 original papers in peer-reviewed journals.
  • More than 140 doctoral dissertations completed.
  • Over 100 funded competitive research programs.
  • Development of strong international (USA, Canada, Europe) and national collaborations expanding the lab’s research output.

Dimitrios Gourgiotis, Ph.D., Eur Clin Chem
Professor Emeritus of Clinical Biochemistry, NKUA
email: dgourg@med.uoa.gr
tel: +30 210-7791935
Links: Pubmed, Google Scholar

Margaritis Avgeris, Ph.D., M.Sc.
Associate Professor of Clinical Biochemistry, NKUA
email: margaritis.avgeris@gmail.com, mavgeris@med.uoa.gr
tel: +30 210-7791935
Links: PubMed , Google Scholar

Antonios Marmarinos, Ph.D., M.Sc.
Molecular Biologist, Academic Fellow, 2nd Pediatric Clinic, NKUA
email: antmar@med.uoa.gr
tel: +30 210-7791935
Links: PubMed, Google Scholar