Dimitra Dafou

Dimitra Dafou serves as Associate Professor in the Department of Biology at Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, where she has established herself as a leading researcher in molecular pathobiology with particular expertise in RNA editing mechanisms and their role in neurodegenerative diseases.

• Education: BSc in Molecular Biology (Liverpool, 1997), MSc in Health Sciences (Brunel, 1999), PhD in Cancer Biology (Brunel, 2004)
• Teaching responsibilities include Clinical Biochemistry, Molecular Biology, Systems Biology, and Precision Medicine courses

Her research program spans RNA editing in neurodegenerative conditions, cancer biology, and pathobiology, with particular focus on ADAR enzymes and their role in disease mechanisms. Her work bridges fundamental molecular research with potential clinical applications in neurodegenerative disorders.

Analysis of her recent publications reveals a strong emphasis on RNA editing alterations in experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis, prion diseases, and amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, demonstrating how epitranscriptomic modifications contribute to disease pathogenesis. Her research also extends to environmental virology and cancer biology, showing interdisciplinary reach.

Dr. Dafou has successfully secured multiple research grants, including projects on RNA editing in neurodegenerative diseases (2021-2025), development of anthocyanin-rich food additives from vinification by-products (2023-2025), and identification of novel molecular targets in neurodegenerative diseases (2022-2025).

She has supervised over 20 students across undergraduate, Master's, and PhD levels, with research topics spanning RNA editing in neurodegenerative diseases, cancer biology, molecular diagnostics of HPV and other pathogens, and molecular analysis of biomarkers in hepatocarcinogenesis. Her laboratory serves as an important training ground for the next generation of molecular biologists.