Dr. Alexis Panoutsopulos, BSc, MSc, Ph.D.

Postdoctoral, Marie Skłodowska-Curie Fellow

Alexis is a postdoctoral researcher currently working in the field of developmental biology and neurodevelopmental disorders. He holds a PhD in Molecular Biology and Ophthalmology from the University of Patras, and has conducted extensive research in developmental neurobiology. His research interests center on neural tube development, nervous system plasticity, and the molecular mechanisms underlying neurogenesis and craniofacial defects.

His work focuses on understanding the molecular mechanisms behind neural tube defects (NTDs) and the effects of antidepressants, such as SSRIs and ketamine, on early embryonic development. Using human-induced pluripotent stem cell-derived neural organoids, Dr. Panutsopulos investigates how these medications influence neural tube closure and the downstream signaling pathways involved in neurodevelopmental disorders.

His research explores the potential role of NMDA and AMPA receptors in NTDs, as well as the possibility of rescuing defective phenotypes with antidepressant supplementation. His cutting-edge work contributes to novel insights into the safety and efficacy of antidepressant use during pregnancy, with the goal of better understanding the risks associated with neural tube defects.

Research Interests:

• Neural tube defects
• Antidepressant effects on embryonic neurodevelopment
• NMDA and AMPA receptor function in neurogenesis
• Craniofacial developmental defects
• Neuroregeneration and synaptic plasticity
• Folate metabolism and its role in neurodevelopment
• Developmental neurobiology using iPSC-derived neural organoids

Selected Publications:

https://scholar.google.com/citations?user=pGN0qLUAAAAJ&hl=el

Contact info:

E-mail: panoutsopulos.alexios@ucy.ac.cy