Prof. Dr. Tsatsakis Aristides

Prof. Dr. Aristides Tsatsakis
Director of the Department of Toxicology and Forensic Sciences of the Medical School at the University of Crete and the University Hospital of Heraklion

Telomeres and more about well-being and successful aging

Authors: Stella Baliou1,2, A. Tsatsakis1,2
1Laboratory of Toxicology, Medical School, University of Crete, Heraklion, Greece
2Lifeplus S.A., Science & Technological Park of Crete, Heraklion, Greece

Telomere length is a vital indicator of biological aging. It gradually decreases with each cell division, although environmental and genetic factors can accelerate telomere shortening. Cells with critically short telomeres trigger a DNA damage response (DDR), resulting in senescence and apoptosis. Impaired maintenance of telomere length may contribute to a higher incidence of age-related disorders and cancer. Determining telomere length values can provide valuable insights into susceptibility to increased disease risk since telomere length is a prognostic tool for various diseases, including cardiovascular disease, diabetes, solid tumors, leukemia, neurodegenerative diseases, and autoimmune disorders. Beyond its prognostic significance, telomere length is also a predictive tool for monitoring disease progression. In a molecular context, oxidative stress and inflammation are the primary mechanisms driving telomere shortening, leading to premature aging and heightened disease risk. As reactive oxygen species (ROS) accumulate, the increased occurrence of 8-hydroxy-2′-deoxyguanosine (8-oxoG) at telomeres disrupts replication and DNA repair processes, causing telomere shortening, accumulation of DNA damage at telomeres, and impaired cellular function. Drawing from our expertise in telomere research, LifePlus utilizes state-of-the-art biomedical tools to provide essential professional insights into cellular health based on personalized telomere length values. Specifically, LifePlus employs quantitative polymerase chain reaction (qPCR) and telomere length metaphase quantitative fluorescence in situ hybridization (Q-FISH) to reveal individuals’ biological age. The telomere-length metaphase Q-FISH method estimates an individual’s telomere length distribution at both the cell and chromosome-specific levels with high molecular resolution. Utilizing the telomere-length metaphase Q-FISH method, we can also assess the median of short and critically short telomeres, evaluating each individual’s genome stability, which is crucial for well-being and successful aging.

Scurt CV

Prof Tsatsakis has published well over 1000 works (articles in journals, books and abstracts proceedings), over 600 of them in ISI journals and PubMed. He is the holder of several patents and has an extensive array of citations (over 41,200 GS) and reads /downloads (over 297,000 RG) of his papers. His current IF index is 90 (GS) and 73 (Web of Science).
Prof Tsatsakis has given over 300 keynote and plenary lectures in international congresses and has been the promoter and chair of numerous Symposiums and workshops in International Forum.
He has coordinated as a PI in over 60 scientific research and technology projects and has established worldwide collaborations.
Prof. Tsatsakis has a long-standing activity as Editor and Guest Editor in toxicology journals, such as Toxicology Reports, Toxicology, Food and Chemical Toxicology, Toxicology Letters.
Aristidis Tsatsakis was elected EUROTOX President-Elect in 2012 served as President (2014-2016) of the Federation of European Toxicologists and European Societies of Toxicology.
He is Emeritus Professor for the Federal Institute of Hygiene and Toxicology in Moscow (2014), Doctor Honorary Causa of the Mendeleev Moscow University (2016), of the Far East Federal University (FEFU), Vladivostok 2017 and of the Carol Davila, in Bucharest (2017).
In 2016 he was elected Foreign Member of the National Academy of Sciences of Russia (FMRAS), in 2017 Foreign Member of Fellow Academy of Toxicological Sciences (FATS, USA) and in 2018 Full Member of The World Academy of Sciences (FMWAS). In 2017 he was elected Honorary Member of Bulgarian Toxicology Society, in 2018 Honorary President of the European Institute of Nutritional Medicine (E.I.Nu.M.) and Honorary Member of EUROTOX and in 2019 Honorary Member of Slovak Society of Toxicology (SETOX).
Prof. Tsatsakis was recognized for two consecutive years as Highly Cited Researcher 2020 and 2021 in the field of Pharmacology – Toxicology.
Currently, he was presented the EUROTOX Merit Award 2022 by the Federation of European Toxicologists and European Societies of Toxicology for his important contribution to the advancement of the field of Toxicology.
He is also the inspirator, founder and chief scientific leader of the University of Crete spin-off Company ToxPlus S.A.
The main research interests of Professor Tsatsakis include biomonitoring and risk assessments of xenobiotics as well as links of chronic exposure to them at low doses with health problems and diseases. He developed numerous biomarkers of exposure and of effects for various chemicals, in particular pesticides, pharmaceuticals, etc., uncovering the mechanistic understanding of the mode of action and adverse outcome pathways leading to clinical effects and chronic diseases (metabolic, autoimmune, cancer etc.)
Professor Tsatsakis’ long-standing public activities in disseminating science for safety health and wellbeing of the society and the environment have often been endorsed and awarded by state and municipal authorities. His motivation and basic concept highlight the important role of academia involvement in social life problems. The postulation of real-life risks simulation based on low dose combined long term exposures related to health issues, is a crucial element and the central driving force for application of theory to practice on safety evaluations in 21st century.