Home page
ع

Andreas Kakarougkas

  • Position: Assistant Professor, Biology
  • Department: Department of Biology
  • Email: [email protected]
Brief Biography

Andreas Kakarougkas is an assistant professor of cell and molecular biology at The American University in Cairo (AUC). He is passionate about teaching and has delivered courses at all levels (introductory-graduate). Kakarougkas is particularly interested in applying the latest pedagogical approaches in order to enrich the learning experience of his students. He employs active learning approaches such as problem-based learning and blended learning to make his classes highly interactive.

Kakarougkas’ research focuses on how our bodies respond to carcinogens in our environment. In particular, he is interested in how damage to our DNA can lead to cancer. He has received specialist training in all aspects of cell and molecular biology, toxicology and DNA repair analysis. His research in the DNA damage responses field is published in high impact peer reviewed journals. Kakarougkas is currently working on the health implications of exposure to metallic nanoparticles found in air pollution. His research is particularly pertinent to Egypt due to the large number of people exposed to airborne pollutants.

Research Interest
  • DNA Double Strand Break Repair
  • Impact of airborne pollutants on genome stability
  • Personalized Cancer Treatment
  • Active and Blended learning in Biology

Articles

  • “Recent advances on electrospun scaffolds as matrices for tissue-engineered heart valves”, Materials Today Chemistry 2017-23-05, (5)11-23.
  • “SETDB1, HP1 and SUV39 promote repositioning of 53BP1 to extend resection during homologous recombination in G2 cells”, Nucleic Acids Research, 2015-18-09, 43(16), 7931–7944.
  • “The PBAF chromatin remodeling complex represses transcription and promotes rapid repair at DNA double-strand breaks,” Molecular Cellular Oncology,2015-01-23,2(1),3.
  • “Requirement for PBAF in transcriptional repression and repair at DNA breaks in actively transcribed regions of chromatin,” Molecular Cell,2014-07-24,55(5),723-732.
  • “DNA DSB repair pathway choice: an orchestrated handover mechanism,” British Journal of Radiology,2014-01-31,87(1035),5.
  • “Co-operation of BRCA1 and POH1 relieves the barriers posed by 53BP1 and RAP80 to resection,” Nucleic Acids Research,2013-09-05,41(22).
  • “Co-operation of BRCA1 and POH1 relieves the barriers posed by 53BP1 and RAP80 to resection,” Nucleic Acids Research,2013-09-05,41(22),13.
  • “Opposing roles for 53BP1 during homologous recombination,” Nucleic Acids Research,2013-08-22,41(21),12.
  • “Factors determining DNA double-strand break repair pathway choice in G2 phase,” EMBO Journal,2011-02-11,30(6),13.

PhD, 2012, University of Sussex, Brighton, East Sussex, United Kingdom.

  • UK Medical Research Council Centenary award, 2013, UK Medical Research Council.
  • Young Investigator award, 2012,Association of Radiation Research.
  • Young Investigator award, 2010,Association of Radiation Research.
  • Introduction to Life Sciences
  • Introductory Biology I
  • Genetics
  • Molecular and Cell Biology
  • Scientific Thinking
  • Special topics in Biotechnology (Current techniques in cancer therapy)