Greece Honors James D. Watson

Ioannis Matsoukas was born and raised in Patras. He studied in the Chemistry Department of the University of Patras in the first row of its students newly established University and subsequently at the University of New Brunswick in Canada where he obtained a Master’s degree M.Sc. in the organic synthesis of natural products. The doctoral thesis followed on the Chemistry Department of the University Patras in synthesis and spectroscopy study of peptides and amino acid derivatives. He performed post-doctoral research in the Department of Pharmacology of the School of Medicine University of Calgary in Canada (1981-1984) in the Renin angiotensin receptor (RAS), in the development of a new generation of antihypertensive products, Sartans, and their mechanism of action. He was elected and became an assistant and then a substitute and regular professor. In 2005 he was elected President of the Department of Chemistry promoting the excellence. He was the founder and for many years was the Director of the flagship interdepartmental postgraduate program ”Medicine Chemistry“ of the first in Greece awarded as Euromaster. He globalized the research of this program and invited to the annual Medicinal Chemistry conferences of world-renowned researchers among including six Nobel laureates. His research interests focus in the study of important peptides and hormones such as Angiotensine, Myelin epitopes and the Gonadotropic hormone that implicates respectively in Hypertension (the RAS system is associated with the disease Covid 19), Multiple Sclerosis, infertility and cancer. His research group was the first in the international literature that synthesized and studied cyclic peptides, synthetic masterpieces structures, to investigate the mechanism of action of angiotensin, myelin and gonadotropin. Big investments have been made for its exploitation of his research and has been honored with many awards. He has been awarded the title of Honorary Professor from the University of Calgary, Canada and Victoria, Australia with which it has a long and successful collaboration. He is in charge of international pharmaceutical research network and has a large number of publications in high- profile journals and many patent techniques. He is among the first scholar who ventured early to establish in Canada and Greece startup companies for the utilization of his research. Thomas Mavromoustakos was born in the suburb of Morfou in Cyprus in 1960. He studied in the Department of Chemistry of the National and Kapodistrian University of Athens (NKUA) from 1980-1985. He completed his postgraduate, doctoral and post-doctroal studies at the Department of Pharmacy of Connecticut of the United States of America from 1985-1990. From 1991-2007 he was working as a researcher at National Institute of Research. From 2012 he serves as a full professor at the Department of Chemistry of NKUA and in 2020 as Director of the Laboratory of Organic Chemistry. In 2022 he was elected as Vice-President of the Department of Chemistry of NKUA, at which he serves. As a researcher of the Department of Chemistry he studies the interactions of pharmaceutical products with receptors and lipidic bilayers, as well as with the transfer using delivery vehicles at the desired organs-targets. To achieve those goals he uses Nuclear Magnetic Resonance Solid State, X-ray Diffraction of small and large angle, Differential Scanning Calorimetry, Raman Spectroscopy and more. He also studies the interactions, with the active sites using Molecular Docking and Molecular Dynamics. He applies three-dimensional relations of structure and activity and data mining from data bases for the discovery of new molecules against neuro- degenerative and cardiovascular diseases. He is a Graduate of the Theological School (2007) and a doctor of Social Theology (2012). At Theology his research targets are the understanding of potential combinations of numbers and hours at the texts of the New Testament, which promote their interpretation and deeper understanding.

• From Hippocrates and Archimedes to Watson and CrickThey preface the AlbumGreece and the University of Patras they welcome James Watson - A personal testimonyJames Watson at the 12th Congress of Medicinal Chemistry, at the University of Patras The 12th Congress of Medicinal Chemistry University of Patras, April 12-14, 2011 Visit to the Biology Department of the University of PatrasAwarding James Watson an Honorary Doctorate of the Department of Medicine of the University of Patras Mimi Plessa concert in honor of James Watson?Discovering the Double Helix of DNA? Speech by James WatsonWatson visits the technology company CBL in the Patras Industrial Zone and the Patras Science Park WatsonJames Watson at the 17th Medicinal Chemistry Conference in Spetses17th Congress of Medicinal Chemistry, Spetses, August 29-31, 2016 50th Anniversary of the Beginning of Molecular Biology Conferences in Spetses (1966–2016)Announcing ceremony James Watson honorary citizen of SpetsesJames Watson interview on ERT1 Spetses, August 30, 2016The Roots of the DNA Double HelixFrom Mendel and the first laws of heredity, to James Watson and the DNA Double HelixThe secret of genetic transfer The pioneers of the great DiscoveryHistorical route of James WatsonThe great moment of discovery – February 28, 1953James D. Watson, pioneer in the fight against cancer A life dedicated to researchFebruary 28, 1953 The birthday of the DNA Double HelixResearch and Writing ProjectThe historic acceptance speech of the Nobel Prize in Medicine and Physiology by James D. Watson Swedish Academy, Stockholm Concert Hall December 10, 1962James Watson’s Acceptance Speech for the Nobel Prize in Medicine and Physiology, December 10, 1962When James Watson met Melina Mercouri Spetses, July 1966The Human Genome ProjectHonors–Awards–Contribution to International PeaceCold Spring Harbor Laboratory, the DNA University?Molecular Biology of Homo sapiens? The 51st Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory (CSHL) Quantitative Biology Symposium Human Genome Program (HGP)Letter to Cold Spring Harbor LaboratoryFrom Hippocrates and Archimedes to Watson and Crick Honorary Mentions and CeremoniesThe President of the Republic Mr. Prokopios Pavlopoulos praises Harald zur Hausen, James Watson and the Master Programm ?Medicinal Chemistry?Mimis Plessas, Composer and Honorary Doctor of Chemistry of the University of PatrasEfstathios D. Leontis Creator of the sculptural composition of the DNADouble Helix which adorns the University of Patras Master’s Program Medicinal ChemistryCourse and achievements of the ?Medicinal Chemistry? Master’s ProgramAward of the Program with the Euromaster titleGraduates of the ?Medicinal Chemistry? BADistinguished Researchers and Nobel Prize winners in Patras awarded by the ?Medicinal Chemistry? Master’s Program and the University of Patras Distinguished Researchers and Nobel Prize winners who have been honored with the participation the Conferences of the Medicinal Chemistry Graduate ProgramThe initiative «Support for Greece» and its recommendation Hellenic Research Foundation and Innovation (ELIDEK)Support for Greece – Support of Greece by James Watson and 15 Nobel Prize winners Hellenic Research and Innovation Foundation – ELIDEK Nobel laureates support Greece – Support for Greece Petition Establishment of a Hellenic Research and Innovation FoundationHistorical material from Medicinal Chemistry Conferences12th Medicinal Chemistry Conference Introduction of James Watson April 13th 2011Greeting and presentation of the MPS Medicinal Chemistry by the Chemistry Professor Yannis Matsoukas, 12th Congress of Medicinal Chemistry, April 13, 2011Greetings Professor of Medicine, Panagiotis Goumas, 12th Medicinal Chemistry Conference, April 13, 2011Welcome and introduction of James Watson by Professor of Chemistry, EKPA, Thomas Mavromoustakos, 12th Medicinal Chemistry Conference, April 14, 2011Correspondence with James WatsonMedicinal Chemistry Conference ProgramsMedicinal Chemistry Conference PostersFrom Hippocrates to Watson