Constantine Stratakis
Research Director
Dr. Stratakis has been successful in employing genetic linkage and other genome-wide tools to identify genetic defects responsible for a number of human diseases starting with the identification of the protein kinase A (PKA) regulatory subunit type 1A (PRKAR1A) as the gene responsible for Carney complex. Dr. Stratakis has authored more than 800 publications and serves in major Editorial roles of leading journals. He received the 2009 Ernst Oppenheimer Award (US Endocrine Society), and a number of other honors, including the 2019 Dale Medal (SfE) and the International Award (ESPE). He holds two honorary doctoral degrees from the Universities of Liege and Athens. As a Mentor, Dr. Stratakis has worked with more than 200 trainees and nurtured their careers. At FORTH, Dr. Stratakis laboratory on Human Genetics and Precision Medicine investigates molecular, human, and animal phenotypes that could be linked to PKA and its function, through the use of state-of-the-art technologies, including genomics, animal modelling, and identification of small molecules that could be used as pharmaceutical targets and possibly advance to clinical trials. For example, PRKACA inhibitors may be used from treating rare diseases like Cushing syndrome to various common neoplasms where PKA activity is found activated. PKA-directed compounds may also be used for the treatment of metabolic syndrome and/or obesity, as well as to prevent fatty liver and its complications. Dr. Stratakis’ laboratory at FORTH aims at advancing our (1) basal knowledge of cAMP and PKA signaling (2) provide molecular markers for predisposition to diseases or specific phenotypes; and, (3) lead to the development of a new class of therapeutic targets linked to one of the first serine-threonine kinases ever studied, PKA, and a major signaling pathway in any cell, that of cAMP.