Dr Ioanna Myrtziou Kanaki
Lecturer
Ioanna is a biochemist and biotechnologist with a broad range of research interests expanding from oxidative stress and nitric oxide signalling to the effects of microgravity on the musculoskeletal system. She is interested in science communication and widening participation in medical and STEM education as well as SEN teaching in HE.
Ioanna’s PhD research focused on oxidative stress and enzymes of the antioxidative mechanism. It involved transient expression of recombinant enzymes, subcellular localisation of proteins with the use of confocal microscopy, biochemical analysis and S-nitrosylation patterns with mass spectroscopy.
Ioanna spent a year in industry with Gentronix Ltd at Alderley Park, working on a new bioengineered product to detect genotoxicity in pharmaceuticals, nutritional and cosmetic products.
During her Post-doc at the Wellcome Trust Centre for Cell-Matrix Research in Manchester, she worked on the musculoskeletal system looking into the efficiency of a novel protein-based treatment against osteoarthritis and osteoporosis. She used 3D chondrocyte cell cultures, primary and differentiated osteoblasts and osteoclasts as models and monitored responses at expressional level with NGS and functional level by staining for in vitro produced calcified matrix or pits on dentine slices.
Another project Ioanna was involved in with the University of Liverpool was looking into the effect of protein intake on muscle and bone formation in offspring using imaging techniques to study bone density and architecture, muscle fibre structure and NGS analysis for the discovery of new pathways and targets.
Ioanna teaches biochemistry, enzymology, biochemical laboratory techniques and science communication as well as data analysis and interpretation across all levels within the Chester Medical School.
She is Module Leader for MD5017, MD6042 and MD7002.
She delivers sessions for MD4010, MD4011, MD5027/34, MD6029 and MD7003.
Ioanna’s main research interests focus on the musculoskeletal system and redox/NO signalling. Through a systemic approach, using tools as proteomics and transcriptomics she tries to shed light on the underlying mechanisms behind musculoskeletal pathologies as well as nutritional programming and its effect on musculoskeletal development.
Within Chester Medical School Ioanna is working towards developing understanding on a new field of research focused on Space Medicine. She is looking into how microgravity effects cells, organs and systems with special interest in the musculoskeletal system. In parallel, she is interested in contributing to the development of what is currently known as Exploration Community, professionals involved in space exploration missions.
Research articles
Giakoumaki, I., Pollock, N., Aljuaid, T., Sannicandro, A. J., Alameddine, M., Owen, E., Myrtziou, I., Ozanne, S. E., Kanakis, I., Goljanek-Whysall, K., & Vasilaki, A. (2022). Postnatal Protein Intake as a Determinant of Skeletal Muscle Structure and Function in Mice—A Pilot Study. International Journal of Molecular Sciences, 23(15), 8815.
Kanakis, I., Alameddine, M., Folkes, L., Moxon, S., Myrtziou, I., Ozanne, S. E., Peffers, M. J., Goljanek-Whysall, K., & Vasilaki, A. (2021). Small-RNA Sequencing Reveals Altered Skeletal Muscle microRNAs and snoRNAs Signatures in Weanling Male Offspring from Mouse Dams Fed a Low Protein Diet during Lactation. Cells, 10(5), 1166.
Castella C., Mirtziou I., Seassau A., Boscari A., Montrichard F., Papadopoulou K., Rouhier N., Puppo A. (2017) Post-translational modifications of Medicago truncatula glutathione peroxidase 1 induced by nitric oxide. Nitric Oxide, 68: 125-136.
Ouzounidou G, Papadopoulou KK, Asfi M, Mirtziou I and Gaitis F. (2013) Efficacy of different chemicals on shelf-life extension of parsley stored at two temperatures. International Journal of Food Science & Technology, 48: 1610–1617
Book Chapters
Kanakis, I., Mirtziou, I., Vasilaki, A., & Goljanek-Whysall, K. (2022). MicroRNAs as central regulators of adult myogenesis and proteostasis loss in skeletal muscle ageing. In N. Chondrogianni, E. Pick, & A. Gioran (Eds.), Proteostasis and proteolysis. CRC Press.
Published Abstracts
Tate, M., Djouani, A., Myrtziou-Kanaki, I., Billinton, N., & Walmsley, R. (2014, November). Epigenetic modifications by DNA methyltransferase inhibitors in TK6 cells: effects on methylation status and GADD45a expression. In MUTAGENESIS (Vol. 29, No. 6, pp. 522-522). GREAT CLARENDON ST, OXFORD OX2 6DP, ENGLAND: OXFORD UNIV PRESS.
PhD in Biochemistry and Biotechnology
BSc in Biochemistry and Biotechnology
Certified Mental Health First Aider
Certified First Aider
Certified Phlebotomist
Qualification in IOSH Managing Safety