Clinical Pharmacology
and Evaluation of
Bioactive Compounds

Profile

Main thematic areas
Evaluation of biological properties of drugs and plant extracts, Isolation and Characterization of Natural Products, Genetics of Human Disease, Targeted Drug Delivery to Cells, Pharmacogenetics and Pharmacogenomics

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Overview

The Clinical Pharmacology and Evaluation of Bioactive Compounds Research Unit focuses on translational research at the interface of molecular biology, biotechnology, clinical pharmacology and pharmacognosy.

Our work aims to contribute to a better understanding of disease mechanisms and treatment strategies through a multidisciplinary approach.

The main research interests and activities of the members of the lab are related to:

- Evaluation of Bioactive Compounds:

Assessing the pharmaceutical potential of bioactive compounds, including their isolation and biological characterization, through in vitro and in vivo methodologies. These include: phytochemical screening to identify the bioactive constituents responsible for biological activities and tests to evaluate their antioxidant, antimicrobial and anticancer activity.

- Pharmacogenetics and Pharmacogenomics:

Investigating how genetic variation influences drug response to support the development of more personalized and targeted therapeutic approaches. 

- Genetics of Clinical Phenotypes:

Exploring the role of genetic variants in disease susceptibility, symptom presentation, and clinical outcomes beyond drug response, with the goal of identifying relevant biomarkers and pathways.

Research collaboration and project engagement

The team has participated in several national and international research projects funded by the Research & Innovation Foundation (Cyprus), Frederick University, and other organizations, and actively collaborates with academic and clinical partners.

PositionNameDepartmentResearch Domain
Research Team Leader Dr Despina Charalambous Pharmacy Molecular Biology
Research Team Leader Dr Maria Papasavva Pharmacy Pharmacogenetics/Pharmacogenomics
Research Leader Dr George Karikas Pharmacy Pharmacognosy
Team Member Nectarios Nicolaou (PhD student) Pharmacy Clinical Biochemistry
Team Member Krystallo Christou Pharmacy Molecular Biology
Start YearProject TitleLead Partner/ AssigneeFunding fromProject Website
2023 Chemical characterization, antioxidant and antimicrobial activity of nine Hypericum species from Greece and one endemic species from Cyprus Frederick University Frederick University – Internal Funding N/A
2022 Νovel ADCY3 variant predicts a molecular target for tackling obesity Frederick University Frederick University – Internal Funding N/A
2022 Development of novel polymeric nanocarrier drug delivery system for melanoma therapy Frederick Research Center Research & Innovation Foundation (Cyprus) N/A
2019 Development of natural soap Frederick Research Center Research & Innovation Foundation (Cyprus) https://www.cyherbia.com/natcy-soap/
2018 Analysis of RO Purification System Frederick Research Center Research & Innovation Foundation (Cyprus) N/A
2018 Characterizing herbal extracts Frederick Research Center Research & Innovation Foundation (Cyprus) N/A
2017 CDKN2A and MC1R variants found in Cypriot patients diagnosed with cutaneous melanoma Frederick University Frederick University - Internal Funding N/A