Professor of Biochemistry & Molecular Biology at Department of Chemistry, University of Patras, Greece
Professor Achilleas D. Theocharis, Ph.D., is a renowned expert in extracellular matrix pathobiology and cancer signaling, serving as Professor of Biochemistry & Molecular Biology at the University of Patras 🎓. With over 116 peer-reviewed publications, more than 13,750 citations, and an inspiring h-index of 54, his impactful research is globally recognized 📚. He has led and supported 19 international/national funded projects, delivered 27 invited lectures, and organized FEBS Advanced Lecture Courses across Europe 🌍. A committed mentor, he has supervised numerous Ph.D. and M.Sc. students, guiding the next generation of scientists 👩🔬👨🔬. Prof. Theocharis holds key leadership roles, including Department Head and Vice President of the Hellenic Society of Biochemistry & Molecular Biology, and actively serves on editorial boards of prestigious journals 🏅. Known for scholarly excellence, international collaboration, and academic service, he is a standout candidate for the Best Researcher Award 🏆.
Professional Profile
🎓 Education
Prof. Theocharis earned his Diploma in Chemistry (1994) and Ph.D. in Biochemistry (2000) from the University of Patras, Greece. His early academic journey included pivotal research experiences at prestigious institutions, notably a visiting scientistship at Lund University (1995) and Karolinska Institute (1999–2003), deepening his expertise in immunology, pathology, and cell biology. These formative years fostered a rigorous scientific foundation in extracellular matrix (ECM) biology and cancer research. The immersion in both Greek and Swedish biomedical centers equipped him with exceptional analytical and experimental skills. This strong educational grounding laid the path for his subsequent leadership in matrix pathobiology and translational oncology. Prof. Theocharis remains engaged in continuous learning and scientific excellence, reflected in his extensive academic collaborations and breakthroughs in molecular medicine 🧬.
💼 Professional Experience
Prof. Theocharis is currently Professor of Biochemistry & Molecular Biology at the University of Patras, directing the Biochemistry, Biochemical Analysis & Matrix Pathobiology Research Group. His academic career includes roles from Lecturer to Associate Professor (ref. 2003–2019), enriched by visiting professorships at Uppsala, Karolinska, and Paris 12. He has served in key leadership roles — Department Head, University Senate member, and Vice President of the Hellenic Society of Biochemistry & Molecular Biology. Through these positions, he has helped design academic strategies, foster national/international research networks, and support Erasmus programs. As a mentor, he has guided dozens of undergraduate, M.Sc., and Ph.D. students. His professional journey exemplifies dedication to institutional growth, teaching excellence, administrative leadership, and building global scientific bridges 🌐.
🔬 Research Interests
Prof. Theocharis specializes in extracellular matrix pathobiology, cancer biology, cell signaling, and molecular drug targeting. His research explores how ECM components regulate cell behavior, drive cancer progression, and influence therapy responsivity. By dissecting molecular signaling pathways and ECM–cell communication, his work informs drug discovery strategies and new therapeutic targets. He is particularly focused on proteoglycans, serglycin, and matrix metalloproteinases as key regulators of tumor metastasis and microenvironment modulation. With a systems biology mindset, he bridges biochemistry, molecular biology, and translational oncology to address critical challenges in disease treatment and resistance. His prolific output advances basic molecular understanding and paves the way for novel anti-cancer interventions 👩🔬🧠.
🏅 Awards & Honors
Prof. Theocharis’s career is marked by numerous accolades, including awards from the Hellenic Society of Biochemistry & Molecular Biology (2000, 2017) and invitations to deliver FEBS Advanced Lecture Courses (2018). He received a prestigious French Government scholarship as a Visiting Professor (2012) and fellowships from FEBS (2002, 2008) and the Hellenic Scholarship Foundation. He also earned the Leonidas Zervas Foundation Award (1999). These honors reflect recognition from both national and international communities for his leadership in extracellular matrix research and cancer biology. Regular invitations as a keynote speaker at FEBS events and inclusion in high-profile research evaluation panels underscore the broader impact and esteem of his scholarly work 🌟.
🛠️ Research Skills
Prof. Theocharis possesses expert-level skills in molecular biology, biochemistry, cell signaling, and extracellular matrix analyses. He is proficient in proteomics, immunohistochemistry, gene editing, and advanced imaging techniques. His computational biology expertise complements his experimental work, enabling in-depth pathway analysis and data-driven insight. Prof. Theocharis excels in multi-disciplinary collaboration, having co-led over 19 national and international grants. As an active peer reviewer and academic editor, he demonstrates exceptional critical thinking, scholarly rigor, and ethical standards. His dual experience in laboratory research and academic management ensures scientific innovation, reproducibility, and knowledge dissemination. He is known for designing cutting-edge protocols, training students, and advancing translational cancer research and ECM modeling 🧪🔍.
Publications Top Note 📝
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Title: The extracellular matrix as a multitasking player in disease
Authors: AD Theocharis, D Manou, NK Karamanos
Year: 2019
Citations: 483
Source: The FEBS Journal, 286(15), 2830–2869
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Title: Proteoglycan chemical diversity drives multifunctional cell regulation and therapeutics
Authors: NK Karamanos, Z Piperigkou, AD Theocharis, H Watanabe, M Franchi, …
Year: 2018
Citations: 352
Source: Chemical Reviews, 118(18), 9152–9232
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Title: Syndecans–key regulators of cell signaling and biological functions
Authors: NA Afratis, D Nikitovic, HAB Multhaupt, AD Theocharis, JR Couchman, …
Year: 2017
Citations: 314
Source: The FEBS Journal, 284(1), 27–41
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Title: Cross-talk between estradiol receptor and EGFR/IGF-IR signaling pathways in estrogen-responsive breast cancers: focus on the role and impact of proteoglycans
Authors: SS Skandalis, N Afratis, G Smirlaki, D Nikitovic, AD Theocharis, …
Year: 2014
Citations: 257
Source: Matrix Biology, 35, 182–193
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Title: Matrix modeling and remodeling: A biological interplay regulating tissue homeostasis and diseases
Authors: NK Karamanos, AD Theocharis, T Neill, RV Iozzo
Year: 2019
Citations: 251
Source: Matrix Biology, 75, 1–11
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Title: Proteoglycans remodeling in cancer: Underlying molecular mechanisms
Authors: AD Theocharis, NK Karamanos
Year: 2019
Citations: 211
Source: Matrix Biology, 75, 220–259
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Title: Pancreatic carcinoma is characterized by elevated content of hyaluronan and chondroitin sulfate with altered disaccharide composition
Authors: AD Theocharis, ME Tsara, N Papageorgacopoulou, DD Karavias, …
Year: 2000
Citations: 208
Source: Biochimica et Biophysica Acta (BBA) – Molecular Basis of Disease, 1502(2), 201–206
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Title: Estrogen receptor alpha mediates epithelial to mesenchymal transition, expression of specific matrix effectors and functional properties of breast cancer cells
Authors: P Bouris, SS Skandalis, Z Piperigkou, N Afratis, K Karamanou, AJ Aletras, …
Year: 2015
Citations: 200
Source: Matrix Biology, 43, 42–60
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Title: Serglycin is involved in TGF-β induced epithelial-mesenchymal transition and is highly expressed by immune cells in breast cancer tissue
Authors: M Tellez-Gabriel, X Tekpli, TM Reine, B Hegge, SR Nielsen, M Chen, …
Year: 2022
Citations: 17
Source: Frontiers in Oncology, 12, 868868
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Title: Preclinical evaluation of zoledronate using an in vitro mimetic cellular model for breast cancer metastatic bone disease
Authors: PG Dedes, I Kanakis, C Gialeli, AD Theocharis, T Tsegenidis, D Kletsas, …
Year: 2013
Citations: 16
Source: Biochimica et Biophysica Acta (BBA) – General Subjects, 1830(6), 3625–3634
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Title: Pathophysiology and pharmacological targeting of tumor-induced bone disease: current status and emerging therapeutic interventions
Authors: VT Labropoulou, AD Theocharis, A Symeonidis, SS Skandalis, …
Year: 2011
Citations: 15
Source: Current Medicinal Chemistry, 18(11), 1584–1598
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Title: IGF-I affects glycosaminoglycan/proteoglycan synthesis in breast cancer cells through tyrosine kinase-dependent and-independent pathways
Authors: TN Mitropoulou, AD Theocharis, D Nikitovic, NK Karamanos, …
Year: 2004
Citations: 14
Source: Biochimie, 86(4–5), 251–259
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Title: Resistance to hormone therapy in breast cancer cells promotes autophagy and EGFR signaling pathway
Authors: KE Siatis, E Giannopoulou, D Manou, P Sarantis, MV Karamouzis, …
Year: 2023
Citations: 11
Source: American Journal of Physiology – Cell Physiology, 325(3), C708–C720
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Title: Hyaluronan determination: Biological significance & analytical tools
Authors: CJ Malavaki, I Kanakis, AD Theocharis, FN Lamari, NK Karamanos
Year: 2007
Citations: 11
Source: Current Pharmaceutical Analysis, 3(2), 117–128
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Title: Synthesis and antiproliferative activity of novel dehydroabietic acid-chalcone hybrids
Authors: S Grigoropoulou, D Manou, AI Antoniou, A Tsirogianni, C Siciliano, …
Year: 2022
Citations: 10
Source: Molecules, 27(11), 3623
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Title: Cellular microenvironment in human pathologies
Authors: D Vigetti, M Götte, MSG Pavão, AD Theocharis
Year: 2013
Citations: 10
Source: BioMed Research International, 2013, 946958
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Title: Immunological studies of sheep brain keratan sulphate proteoglycans
Authors: N Papageorgakopoulou, AD Theocharis, SS Skandalis, DH Vynios, …
Year: 2002
Citations: 10
Source: Biochimie, 84(12), 1223–1226
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Title: Isolation and analysis of a novel acidic polysaccharide from the case of squid pen
Authors: AD Theocharis, NK Karamanos, T Tsegenidis
Year: 1999
Citations: 10
Source: International Journal of Biological Macromolecules, 26(1), 83–88
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Title: Immunization with specific polysaccharide antigen reduces alterations in corneal proteoglycans during experimental slime-producing Staphylococcus epidermidis keratitis
Authors: CD Georgakopoulos, AM Exarchou, SP Gartaganis, F Kolonitsiou, …
Year: 2006
Citations: 9
Source: Current Eye Research, 31(2), 137–146
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Title: Keratan sulfate‐containing proteoglycans in sheep brain with particular reference to phosphacan and synaptic vesicle proteoglycan isoforms
Authors: EA Sinouris, SS Skandalis, V Kilia, AD Theocharis, DA Theocharis, …
Year: 2009
Citations: 8
Source: Biomedical Chromatography, 23(5), 455–463
🏁 Conclusion
Prof. Achilleas D. Theocharis is a distinguished leader in extracellular matrix science and cancer biology. With an impressive portfolio — 116 publications, 13,750 citations, dual h-indices (Scopus: 47; Google Scholar: 54), and 27 invited lectures — he exemplifies research excellence 🌟. His contributions span from fundamental mechanism elucidation to clinical relevance, supported by strong mentorship and institutional leadership. His roles in national/international scientific societies, editorial boards, and grant panels underscore his collaborative vision. While continuing to grow in translational impact, he builds a legacy of innovation, education, and scientific integrity. Prof. Theocharis is a compelling candidate for the Best Researcher Award, combining scholarly brilliance with global influence and community service 🏆.