Evripidis Gavathiotis, Ph.D.
Assistant Professor, Department of Biochemistry
Assistant Professor, Department of Medicine (Cardiology)
Dr. Gavathiotis' laboratory aims to elucidate and target molecular signaling mechanisms of cell death and survival signaling pathways that are deregulated in cancer and other diseases. His research focuses on understanding the protein interaction network of the BCL-2 family of proteins that controls apoptosis, necrosis and mitochondrial physiology and regulators of chaperone-mediated autophagy process. His goal is to translate our mechanistic insights of protein interactions into novel pharmacological strategies and chemical probes that can be used for target validation and serve as the basis for novel therapeutics.
His research approach is at the interface of chemistry and biology combining techniques from chemical biology, structural biology, cellular biology and pharmacology.
His interest in cardiovascular research currently focuses on targeting BAX/BAK-mediated cell death and chaperone-mediated autophagy to protect premature loss of cardiac cells and ensure their proper survival. Dr. Gavathiotis aims to apply his research in myocardial infarction (heart attack) and prevention of heart failure.
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Key Publications
- Li R., Cheng C., Balasis M. E., Liu Y., Garner T. P., Daniel K. G., Li J., Qin Y., Gavathiotis E. *, Sebti S. M. Design, synthesis and evaluation of marinopyrrole derivatives as selective inhibitors of Mcl-1 binding to pro-apoptotic Bim and dual Mcl-1/Bcl-xL inhibitors. Eur. J. Med. Chem. 2015, 90: 315-331.
- Anguiano J. Garner T., Mahalingam M., Das B. S., Gavathiotis E.* and Cuervo A. M. Chemical modulation of chaperone-mediated autophagy by novel retinoic acid derivatives. Nat. Chem. Biol. 2013; 9:374-382.
- Gavathiotis E.*, Rayna D.R., Bellairs J., Leshchiner E.S., Walensky L.D. Direct and Selective Small Molecule Activation of Pro-apoptotic BAX. Nat. Chem. Bio. 2012; 8: 639-645.
- Gavathiotis E., Reyna D. E., Davis M. L., Bird G.H., Walensky L.D. BH3-triggered structural reorganization drives the activation of proapoptotic BAX. Mol. Cell 2010; 40: 481-492.
- Gavathiotis E., Suzuki M., Davis M. L., Pitter K., Bird G. H., Katz S. G., Tu H. C., Kim H., Cheng E. H., Tjandra N., Walensky L. D. BAX Activation is Initiated at a Novel Interaction Site. Nature 2008; 455:1076-1081. (*co-corresponding author)
Funding
- R01CA178394 Research Project Grant, (PI:Gavathiotis)
7/1/2014 - 6/30/2019
NIH-NCI
Small Molecule Activators of Pro-apoptotic BAX for Cancer Therapy
- R01CA178394 Research Project Grant, (PI:Gavathiotis)
7/1/2014 - 6/30/2019
NIH-NCI
Small Molecule Activators of Pro-apoptotic BAX for Cancer Therapy
- Medical Research Award, (PI:Gavathiotis)
6/1/2013 - 5/30/2016
Gabrielle’s Angel Foundation for Cancer Research
Targeting anti-apoptotic BHRF1: A novel therapeutic strategy for EBV-associated lymphomas
- Kimmel Scholar Award, (PI:Gavathiotis)
7/1/2013 - 6/30/2015
Sidney Kimmel Foundation for Cancer Research
Direct Targeting of Pro-apoptotic BAX as a Therapeutic Strategy to Restore Cancer Cell Death
- Sinsheimer Scholar Award, (PI:Gavathiotis)
9/1/2013 - 8/31/2016
The Alexandrine & Alexander L. Sinsheimer Foundation
Targeting Novel BCL-2 Family Protein Interactions for Cancer Therapy
- Young Investigator Award, (PI:Gavathiotis)
7/1/2015 – 6/30/2018
Pershing Square Sohn Cancer Research Alliance
Expanding A Pharmacological Approach To Selective Apoptosis Induction For Cancer Therapy
- Collaborative Science Award, (PIs:Gavathiotis, Kitsis)
7/1/2015 – 6/30/2018
American Heart Association
BAX as a small molecule therapeutic target for myocardial infarction
- Research Grant Program (PIs:Cuervo, Gavathiotis)
7/15/2014 - 7/14/2015
Michael J. Fox Foundation for Parkinson’s Research
Chemical Modulator for of Chaperone-mediated Autophagy for Parkinson’s Disease.
- 3P01AG031782 Program Project Grant (Cuervo)
7/1/2014 - 6/31/2019
NIH-NIA
Functional Consequences Of Impaired Autophagy in Aging
- Transatlantic Network of Excellence, (PI:Kitsis)
10/1/2015 - 9/30/2020
Foundation Leducq
Modulating autophagy to treat CV disease