Göttinger Graduiertenzentrum für Neurowissenschaften, Biophysik und Molekulare Biowissenschaften

Zafeiriou, Maria Patapia Ph.D

Group leader, Institute of Pharmacology and Toxicology


  • 1997-2002: Undergraduate studies in Chemistry, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens
  • 2002: Bachelor of Science (BSc) in Chemistry/Biochemistry, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens
  • 2004: Master of Science (MSc) in Biochemistry, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens
  • 2007: Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) in Biochemisty, Center of Exp. Gynecology & Eicosanoid research, Charité, Berlin and Biochemistry, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens
  • 2008-2010: Postdoctoral fellow, Experimental Cardiology, Max Delbrück Center (MDC), Berlin-Buch, Germany
  • 2010-2019: Postdoctoral fellow, Institute of Pharmacology and Toxicology, University Medical Center Göttingen, Germany
  • Since 2019: Application Specialist “Stem cells and organoids” in the cluster of excellence „Multiscale Bioimaging: from molecular machines to electrically excitable cells”, Institute of Pharmacology and Toxicology, University Medical Center Göttingen, Germany
  • Since 2020: Group leader “3D excitable cell networks” at the Institute of Pharmacology and Toxicology, University Medical Center Göttingen, Germany



Major Research Interests
Our research focuses on the molecular mechanisms underlying electrically excitable cell network function and connectivity. With a special interest in the communication between heart and brain, we investigate how common channelopathies can lead to network imbalance in both organs and how miscommunication due to autonomic dysregulation can lead to cardiac dysfunction. To investigate the molecular and cellular mechanisms underlying infantile epilepsy and sudden cardiac death, we employ human tissue engineering, genome editing and induced pluripotent stem cell technologies. Bioenginneered neuronal organoids representing specific regions of the central (cortex, medial ganglionic eminence, midbrain) and peripheral (spinal motor neurons, autonomic neurons) nervous system are some of the human in vitro models we established and utilize to investigate neuron-neuron and neuron-cardiomyocyte cross-talk.

Homepage Department / Research Group
https://pharmacology.umg.eu/zafeiriou/

ORCID: 0000-0003-4604-4175