Over the past 15 years, researchers at the Hellenic Pasteur Institute have gained extensive experience in organizing training courses and educational seminars at both the national and international levels. These activities have provided specialized scientific knowledge and hands-on training opportunities to early-career and experienced scientists alike. Several of these courses were introduced in Greece for the first time and offered innovative approaches to scientific education and professional development. A significant body of educational and training material was developed through these initiatives.
Between 2000 and 2017, the Hellenic Pasteur Institute organized the following training courses and educational seminars through competitive projects funded by national and international organizations.
Αdvanced Photonic Microscopy Training Seminars
1st Seminar: Applications of Photonic Microscopy Methods in Biomedical Research and Diagnostics
2nd Seminar: Advanced Photonic Microscopy Methods and Their Applications in Biomedical Research and Diagnostics
Organizers: Dr. Dimitra Thomaidou and Dr. Charalambia Boleti (More information, Poster, Programme, Training Materials)
These two advanced training seminars were organized at the Hellenic Pasteur Institute within the framework of the Hellenic Photonic Microscopy Network, coordinated by the Institute between 2004 and 2006 in collaboration with the University of Ioannina, the Biomedical Research Institute of FORTH (Foundation for Research and Technology-Hellas) in Ioannina, and the University of Crete.
The seminars combined theoretical lectures with hands-on laboratory training. The theoretical component covered the fundamental principles of photonic microscopy, including bright-field and fluorescence microscopy, as well as the advances made possible through the integration of digital imaging technologies with optical microscopy. Participants were also introduced to the principles and applications of confocal microscopy.
Particular emphasis was placed on the applications of photonic microscopy in biomedical research and medical diagnostics, especially in the fields of infectious diseases, cell biology, and neuroscience. The seminars also presented state-of-the-art technologies, including fluorescent protein-based imaging and advanced techniques such as FRET (Fluorescence Resonance Energy Transfer), FRAP (Fluorescence Recovery After Photobleaching), and FCS (Fluorescence Correlation Spectroscopy). In addition, modern approaches to in vivo imaging, including time-lapse video microscopy, were discussed by distinguished speakers from Greece and abroad.
The practical sessions were designed to provide participants with hands-on experience in sample preparation for conventional and confocal microscopy, staining techniques and reagents used for the visualization of intracellular molecular markers and cellular morphology, operation of upright and inverted microscopes, and the use of digital cameras and image acquisition software. Participants were also trained in digital image processing and analysis methodologies.
The activities of the Hellenic Photonic Microscopy Network were funded by the General Secretariat for Research and Technology through the programme Competitiveness – Human Research and Technology Training Networks. Additional support for the organization of the seminars was provided by private-sector partners, including HYGEIA Hospital, Analytical Instruments S.A., and LAB SUPPLIES. Analytical Instruments S.A., Scientific Instruments & Equipment, and Labor Science S.A. contributed equipment and technical personnel for the practical laboratory training sessions.
Programme Coordinator : Dr. Charalambia Boleti
Optical Microscopy Unit & Department of Microbiology, Hellenic Pasteur Institute
Teacher Training Seminars for Secondary Education Biology Teachers at the Hellenic Pasteur Institute (HPI)
An initiative for the dissemination of contemporary scientific knowledge in Biology
Organization and Editorial Coordination:
Dr. Charalambia Boleti – Dr. Sylva Charalambous
(Poster, Programme, Seminar Materials)
Three training seminars for secondary education teachers were organized at the Hellenic Pasteur Institute (HPI) on 26-28 June 2006, 18-20 December 2006, and 2-4 July 2007. The primary objective of this initiative was to convey the new scientific and social reality to secondary school teachers of Biology, who are among its principal disseminators.
"When excellence in research is set as a primary goal, excellence in education should be pursued with equal commitment. When continuous updating of knowledge becomes a social necessity, so too does the continuous reform of education."
Motivation for Organizing the Seminars
Advances in the biological sciences today constitute a new axis around which a significant part of the global economy is structured. The rapid generation of vast amounts of new scientific data leaves little time for their social integration. Modern citizens must be able to distinguish between useful innovations, potential risks, and unrealistic expectations. This is essential, as they are required to make decisions that enable them to benefit from scientific and technological developments while at the same time protecting themselves from potentially harmful extremes.
Achieving this requires sound education and reliable information. The scientific community, in particular, must play an active role in disseminating and facilitating the understanding of new knowledge. It is responsible for developing communication initiatives that help knowledge recipients recognize both the benefits and the risks associated with scientific progress. New approaches to understanding and managing knowledge are needed, approaches in which both quantity and quality are promoted as equally important values. Interdisciplinary perspectives, critical thinking, evaluation, and the placement of scientific knowledge within its historical context can contribute significantly to achieving this ambitious objective.
Objective
In line with similar initiatives undertaken by scientific centers throughout Europe, the Hellenic Pasteur Institute, responding to this need as an organization with a social role in both Public Health and Education, secured funding from the General Secretariat for Research and Technology through the “Open Doors” programme. Within this framework, the Institute undertook, among other activities, the initiative to organize a series of educational seminars focusing on cutting-edge biotechnological and life science topics.
Implementation
To achieve this objective in the most effective way, active researchers from the Hellenic Pasteur Institute, a research center with an internationally recognized contribution to cutting-edge biomedical research, undertook the task of transferring the latest advances in biological research to secondary education Biology teachers. These educators are, in turn, responsible for ensuring that future citizens acquire an accurate understanding of these scientific developments.
Topics Covered
The seminars focused on the relationship between selected contemporary scientific discoveries and the corresponding emerging or established technologies. Emphasis was placed on their theoretical and practical dimensions, as well as on their interdisciplinary nature.
Characteristics of the Initiative
The seminars, held during the periods 26-28 June 2006, 18-20 December 2006, and 2-4 July 2007, were characterized by:
- The participation of speakers from diverse scientific disciplines and professional backgrounds.
- The involvement of young trainers, including postgraduate students and postdoctoral researchers.
- Collaboration with the European Molecular Biology Laboratory (EMBL-ELLS).
- The participation of teachers who, on the one hand, had not previously received formal instruction on these topics and, on the other hand, often came from regional areas where opportunities for experiential engagement with new scientific knowledge were limited.
- The development of a dedicated publication and accompanying CD-ROM.
- A comprehensive evaluation study based on questionnaires specifically designed for each category of participants (speakers, trainers, and teachers) to assess the impact and outcomes of the initiative.
Contribution
The contribution of this project, which we hope may one day become an institutionalized and sustainably supported initiative of the Ministry of Education, lies in fostering a creative, multi-level interaction among social groups engaged in a common field of activity related to contemporary reality. This reality is shaped by developments in the life sciences and defines the world of the twenty-first century.
European FP7 REGPOT-2010-1 “Functional Analysis of CNS-Infiltrating Cells During the Development of CNS Autoimmunity, Injury and Repair”
(Functional Analysis of Cells Infiltrating the Central Nervous System During the Development of CNS Autoimmunity, Injury, and Repair)
Organizing Committee:
Dr. Maria Evangelidou, Ioannis Grivas, Maria Karamita, Vasiliki Kyrargyri, Lesley Probert, Stavroula Tseveleki
(Poster, Programme)
This four-day workshop was organized by members of the Laboratory of Molecular Genetics from 4 to 7 December 2012, within the framework of the European REGPOT “NeuroSign” project (2010-2013). The funding was awarded by the European Union to three Neuroscience laboratories of the Hellenic Pasteur Institute, led by Dr. Socrates Tzartos (Scientific Coordinator of the project), Dr. Rebecca Matsas, and Dr. Lesley Probert, with the objective of substantially upgrading research expertise and infrastructure and establishing a Centre of Excellence in Neurosciences.
Thirteen speakers from seven European countries participated in the workshop, delivering lectures and practical demonstrations to 44 students from Greece and Italy.
1st Training Seminar: “Laboratory Animals and Everyday Practice”
Organizers:
Dr. Eirini Fragkiadaki, Dr. Sylva Charalambous
(Seminar Programme)
This was the first in a series of educational seminars organized by the Department of Biomedical Research Animal Models of the Hellenic Pasteur Institute, aimed at shaping the scientific training and professional development of young researchers who work with laboratory animals.
Objective
The seminars aim to harmonize laboratory animal management practices with internationally accepted principles of animal welfare, namely the 3Rs (Replacement, Reduction, and Refinement), promoting both the ethical use of animals and excellence in scientific research.
The structure of the seminars is based on European Union legislation and the corresponding Greek Presidential Decree 56/2013, covering both the Core Modules and the Specific Function Modules required for education and training in laboratory animal science. In addition, each seminar includes lectures presenting the latest animal models developed for the study of human and animal diseases.
Content and Format
The seminars consist of both theoretical and practical components.
The theoretical sessions feature invited speakers from research institutes and universities throughout Greece, as well as researchers from the Hellenic Pasteur Institute.
Certificates
Certificates of Attendance were awarded to participants upon successful completion of the seminar.
RIIP Regional Course: “Digital Image Processing/Analysis Tools in Light Microscopy: From the Basics and Beyond”
(Bioinformatics Tools for Digital Image Analysis and Processing in Light Microscopy)
Lead Organizer:
Dr. Charalambia Boleti
Co-organizers:
Dr. Jean-Christophe Olivo-Marin & Dr. Dimitra Thomaidou
(Poster, Programme, Training Materials)
This eight-day international training course was organized at the Hellenic Pasteur Institute from 10 to 17 June 2013, with the support of the Réseau International des Instituts Pasteur (RIIP) and the Institut Carnot Pasteur Maladies Infectieuses.
The objective of the course was to provide both theoretical and hands-on training in fundamental and advanced concepts and methodologies of digital image analysis. Participants were trained in the use of both open-source software packages, including ImageJ/Fiji, Icy BioImage Analysis, CellProfiler, and Timm's Tracking Tool, as well as commercial software platforms such as Imaris and Scientific Volume Imaging (SVI), for the quantitative analysis of fluorescence microscopy data.
Training was delivered through:
- Lectures on image analysis principles and methodologies.
- Practical exercises using microscopy datasets provided either by the participants or the instructors.
- Discussions with specialists in the field of microscopy data analysis and image processing.
Twenty selected trainees participated in both the theoretical and practical components of the course, while a large number of additional participants attended the theoretical sessions only.
The course featured a distinguished group of Greek and international instructors from the research community, as well as specialists representing software companies. Trainees, instructors, and speakers came from 14 different countries across three continents, highlighting the international character of the event.
Funding Organizations:
Réseau International des Instituts Pasteur (RIIP), Institut Carnot Pasteur Maladies Infectieuses, Hellenic Pasteur Institute
2nd Training Seminar : “Laboratory Animals and Everyday Practice”
Organizers:
Dr. Eirini Fragkiadaki, Dr. Sylva Charalambous
(Seminar Programme)
This was the second in a series of annual educational seminars organized by the Department of Biomedical Research Animal Models of the Hellenic Pasteur Institute, aimed at fostering the educational development of young scientists who work with laboratory animals.
Objective
The purpose of these seminars is to harmonize laboratory animal management practices with internationally recognized animal welfare principles, namely the 3Rs (Replacement, Reduction, and Refinement), thereby promoting both the ethical use of animals and excellence in scientific research.
The course structure follows European Union legislation and the corresponding Greek Presidential Decree 56/2013, covering both the mandatory Core Modules and Specific Function Modules required for education and training in laboratory animal science.
In addition, each seminar includes lectures on newly developed animal models used in the study of human and animal diseases.
Structure
The seminars comprise both theoretical and practical training components.
The theoretical sessions include presentations by invited experts from research institutes and universities throughout Greece, as well as researchers from the Hellenic Pasteur Institute.
Certificates
Certificates of Attendance were awarded to participants upon successful completion of the seminar.
European FP7 REGPOT-2010-1 “NeuroSign” Programme
Theoretical and Practical Workshop: “Live Cell Imaging and Electrophysiology”
(Ζωντανή Απεικόνιση Κυττάρων και Ηλεκτροφυσιολογία)
Organizers:
Dr. Dimitra Thomaidou, Dr. Rebecca Matsas, Dr. Socrates Tzartos, Dr. Marios Zouridakis
This three-day training workshop was organized at the Hellenic Pasteur Institute within the framework of the FP7 REGPOT 2010-1 EC Programme “NeuroSign” (Grant Agreement No. 264083), which aimed to establish a Centre of Excellence at the Hellenic Pasteur Institute for the study of signaling mechanisms in the nervous system under both physiological and pathological conditions.
The workshop was designed to provide doctoral candidates and postdoctoral researchers with theoretical knowledge and practical experience in:
- In vivo imaging of the Central Nervous System (CNS) in living experimental animals.
- Electrophysiological techniques and applications.
During the practical sessions, the 20 selected trainees had the opportunity to observe and learn:
- Surgical procedures for creating cranial and spinal imaging windows in experimental animals.
- Multiphoton imaging of living animals through cranial windows.
- Ion-current recordings in mammalian cells using the patch-clamp electrophysiology technique.
The workshop was taught by a large group of distinguished Greek and international scientists with extensive expertise in state-of-the-art imaging technologies and experimental neuroscience methodologies.
3rd Training Seminar : “Introduction to Laboratory Animal Science”
Organizers:
Dr. Eirini Fragkiadaki, Dr. Sylva Charalambous
(Further Information)
This was the third in a series of annual training seminars organized by the Department of Biomedical Research Animal Models of the Hellenic Pasteur Institute (HPI), aimed at developing the scientific knowledge and professional training of young researchers who work with laboratory animals.
Objective
The purpose of these seminars is to harmonize laboratory animal management practices with internationally accepted principles of animal welfare, namely the 3Rs (Replacement, Reduction, and Refinement), promoting both the ethical use of laboratory animals and excellence in scientific research.
The seminar structure is based on European Union legislation and the corresponding Greek Presidential Decree 56/2013, covering both the required Core Modules and the Specific Function Modules. In addition, each seminar includes lectures on the most recently developed animal models used in research on human and animal diseases.
Structure
The seminars comprise both theoretical and practical training components.
The theoretical sessions feature invited speakers from research institutes and universities throughout Greece, as well as researchers from the Hellenic Pasteur Institute.
Certificates
Certificates of Attendance were awarded to participants upon successful completion of the seminar.
1st Summer School : “Nanomaterials for Bio-applications: Focus on Antimicrobial Research”
(Further Information)
The first CycloN Hit Summer School included lectures and practical workshops covering:
- Bacteria, antibiotics, and mechanisms of antimicrobial resistance.
- Fundamental principles of bioimaging and experimental animal models.
- Microsystems and diagnostic devices for pathogen detection.
- Cyclodextrins, including their synthesis, drug encapsulation properties, and pharmacokinetic applications.
The Summer School was designed to provide young researchers with an interdisciplinary introduction to cutting-edge approaches in antimicrobial research and biomedical applications of nanomaterials.
A total of eighteen early-stage researchers participated in the programme.
Funding
Marie Curie FP7 Programme.
LAS-RIIP International Course “Laboratory Animals in Biomedical Research : Theory and Practice”
Organizers:
Dr. Eirini Fragkiadaki, Dr. Sylva Charalambous, Dr. Marion Bérard
(Further Information)
The Department of Biomedical Research Animal Models of the Hellenic Pasteur Institute (HPI), in collaboration with the International Network of Pasteur Institutes (RIIP), organized for the first time both at HPI and within the International Pasteur Network a five-day training course entitled:
“Laboratory Animals in Biomedical Research: Theory and Practice”
The course was held at the Department’s facilities in Athens from 18 to 22 May 2015.
The course was designed for life scientists and technical personnel who work with laboratory animals and provided both fundamental theoretical knowledge and practical training, fully aligned with the educational requirements of Directive 2010/63/EU on the protection of animals used for scientific purposes.
Objectives
The course aimed to equip participants with the theoretical background and practical skills required for the responsible and effective use of laboratory animals in biomedical research, while promoting high standards of animal welfare and experimental quality.
Course Structure
The training programme combined:
- Theoretical instruction on the principles of laboratory animal science.
- Practical training in the handling and management of laboratory animals.
- Education in accordance with the training requirements established by European Union Directive 2010/63/EU.
Funding
International Network of Pasteur Institutes (RIIP)
Co-funding
Hellenic Pasteur Institute and additional supporting companies
(See Seminar Announcement and Poster)
Alternative title (more suitable for a brochure or institutional report)
LAS-RIIP International Training Course Laboratory Animals in Biomedical Research: Theory and Practice
Organized by the Department of Biomedical Research Animal Models of the Hellenic Pasteur Institute in collaboration with the International Network of Pasteur Institutes (RIIP), this five-day international training course was held in Athens from 18 to 22 May 2015. The programme provided life scientists and laboratory animal technicians with comprehensive theoretical and practical training in laboratory animal science, in accordance with the educational requirements of Directive 2010/63/EU. Through lectures and hands-on sessions, participants acquired essential knowledge and skills for the ethical use and proper management of laboratory animals in biomedical research. The course was funded by the International Network of Pasteur Institutes and co-funded by the Hellenic Pasteur Institute and additional sponsors.
Institut Pasteur International Network Course “Cell Biology and Infection: Digital Image Processing/Analysis Tools for Quantitative Light Microscopy Imaging”
(Cell Biology and Pathogen Infections: Bioinformatics Tools for Digital Image Analysis and Processing for the Quantification of Light Microscopy Imaging)
Lead Organizer:
Dr. Charalambia Boleti
Co-organizers:
Dr. Jean-Christophe Olivo-Marin, Dr. Evangelia Xyggi, and Dr. Fabrice de Chaumont
(Poster, Programme, Course Materials)
This five-day international training course was organized at the Hellenic Pasteur Institute from 4 to 8 June 2016, with the support of the Réseau International des Instituts Pasteur (RIIP) and the Institut Carnot Pasteur Maladies Infectieuses.
The aim of the course was to provide both theoretical and practical training in fundamental and advanced concepts and methodologies of bioimage informatics.
The course included:
-
Lectures covering concepts and methodologies for the processing and analysis of digital imaging data (images and videos), as well as selected topics in cell biology and the biology of host-pathogen interactions.
-
Hands-on computer-based training sessions focusing on the quantitative analysis of microscopy image datasets using the open-source software platforms Icy and ImageJ/Fiji.
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Interactive discussions with experts in the field of bioimage analysis and processing.
The course was attended by graduate students, postdoctoral researchers, and technical staff involved in research projects requiring fluorescence microscopy imaging and quantitative image and video analysis.
A large number of Greek and international instructors participated in the programme, including researchers and specialized representatives from software development companies.
In total, 23 early-career scientists from 11 countries across four continents received training through the course.
Funding Organizations
-
Pasteur International Network Association (APIN)
- Institut Carnot Pasteur Maladies Infectieuses
- Institut Pasteur
- Hellenic Pasteur Institute
4th Training Seminar “Laboratory Animals: A Paradigm Shift”
Organizers:
Dr. Eirini Fragkiadaki, Dr. Sylva Charalambous
(Poster, Programme)
This was the fourth training seminar in the continuing educational programme organized by the Department of Biomedical Research Animal Models of the Hellenic Pasteur Institute, focusing on contemporary developments in Laboratory Animal Science and evolving approaches to the use of animal models in biomedical research.
The seminar addressed the changing landscape of laboratory animal science, emphasizing modern principles of animal welfare, ethical responsibility, scientific quality, and compliance with current European legislation governing the use of animals in research.
Through lectures and discussions, participants were introduced to the latest developments and emerging perspectives that are shaping a new paradigm in biomedical research involving laboratory animals.
TT-RIIP International Course “Transgenic Technologies in Human Disease Modelling: Fundamental Principles, Related Technologies, Laboratory Animal Management and Bioethics”
Organizers:
Dr. Sylva Charalambous, Dr. Francina Langa-Vives, Dr. Martina Crispo, Dr. Eirini Fragkiadaki
(Poster, Programme, Further Information)
The Transgenic Technology Laboratory of the Hellenic Pasteur Institute, in collaboration with the corresponding laboratories of the Pasteur Institute of Montevideo and the Pasteur Institute in Paris, organized for the first time in Greece an eight-day international training course dedicated to transgenic technology and its application in the modelling of human diseases.
The course was designed to provide participants with a comprehensive and holistic understanding of the field, combining theoretical instruction with hands-on laboratory training in the fundamental techniques of transgenesis. In addition, it offered valuable opportunities for the exchange of scientific and technological knowledge, as well as for networking between internationally recognized experts and early-career researchers.
Objectives
The course aimed to:
- Introduce participants to the principles and applications of transgenic technologies in biomedical research.
- Demonstrate how transgenic animal models contribute to the study and understanding of human diseases.
- Provide practical laboratory training in core transgenesis techniques.
- Address issues related to laboratory animal management and welfare.
- Explore the ethical and bioethical dimensions of transgenic research and animal experimentation.
- Promote scientific exchange and collaboration among researchers within the Pasteur International Network and the broader scientific community.
Training Components
The programme combined:
- Lectures on the scientific foundations of transgenic technologies.
- Practical laboratory sessions on key transgenesis methodologies.
- Discussions on laboratory animal management and regulatory requirements.
- Sessions focusing on bioethics and responsible research practices.
- Networking opportunities and scientific exchanges between participants and leading experts in the field.
Funding and Support
This initiative was funded by the International Network of Pasteur Institutes (RIIP) and received additional support from:
- The International Society for Transgenic Technologies (ISTT)
- The Hellenic Pasteur Institute
- Other sponsoring organizations and companies
(See seminar announcement for further details.)