Nikolaos Vakirlis

HPI, is a private, non-profit organization, operating under the auspices of the General Secretariat of Research and Technology and the Ministry of Health and Welfare. Today, the dynamic presence of the HPI in the field of Biomedical Science and Public Health is worthy of its long tradition as a Research Institute in the Service of Public Health. The study of infectious diseases constitutes the main focus of the Institute’s research activities, with pioneering contributions in the field. At the same time, new developments in the fields of immunology and neurobiology allowed the Institute to contribute significantly towards the understanding of pathogenesis and the development of therapeutic strategies for auto-immune and neuro-degenerative diseases of the nervous system. Special emphasis is given to: The development of new diagnostic systems for the detection of infectious agents or pathogens causing diseases of major importance for animal and human health, including Echinococcus, Helicobacter pylori, Hepatitis C virus, Herpes Simplex virus, and Leishmania parasite, to name a few. The development of new generation vaccines, in particular against Hepatitis C and leishmaniasis. The understanding of the mechanisms of pathogenesis of auto-immune diseases (i.e. myasthenia gravis, rheumatoid arthritis, multiple sclerosis), disorders of the brain and neuro-degenerative diseases as well as infectious diseases, with the aim to contribute to the improvement of their diagnosis and treatment. There is ongoing work on pioneering methods of treatment such as gene therapy and transplant of genetically modified stem cells with improved therapeutic capacity. Services rendered in the area of public health, such as microbiological control of foods and drinks for various industrial units of the country and the control of efficacy of antiseptic and other disinfectant substances.