Spilianakis Charalampos

Charalampos Spilianakis is an Associate Professor at the University of Crete with a research affiliation at the Institute of Molecular Biology and Biotechnology (IMBB) of the Foundation for Research and Technology - Hellas (FORTH). His work focuses on the three-dimensional organization of the genome and its critical role in gene regulation within immune cells, particularly T cells.

Dr. Spilianakis earned his PhD in 2003 from the University of Crete in Biochemistry, Molecular Biology, Cellular and Developmental Biology. His academic career has been dedicated to understanding how nuclear architecture influences cellular function and gene expression patterns.

His research program investigates both cis and trans regulatory mechanisms of gene expression, with particular emphasis on how protein complexes generate and maintain long-range chromosomal interactions in immune cell populations. His laboratory employs an integrated approach combining biocomputing, molecular techniques, biochemical assays, advanced imaging, and genetic analyses to explore the field of 3D epigenetics. This work has significant implications for understanding immune cell differentiation and function.

Analysis of Dr. Spilianakis' publication record reveals a consistent research trajectory focused on chromatin architecture and transcriptional regulation in immune cells. His contributions include developing protocols for chromosome conformation capture in primary T cells, elucidating SATB1's role in shaping the 3D enhancer network during T cell development, and investigating the nuclear periphery's role in microRNA gene localization. His work bridges molecular biology, immunology, and genomics to advance spatial genomics understanding.

Based at IMBB-FORTH (Office A251, Lab A204), Dr. Spilianakis leads a research group that serves as an important hub for investigating the relationship between nuclear architecture and gene expression in the immune system. His laboratory combines cutting-edge molecular and imaging technologies to address fundamental questions about genome organization and its functional consequences in health and disease.