[et_pb_section fb_built=”1″ fullwidth=”on” _builder_version=”4.16″ global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_fullwidth_image src=”http:\/\/www.vet.uth.gr\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/12\/microbiology.png” _builder_version=”4.16″ animation_style=”slide” animation_direction=”left” animation_duration=”500ms” animation_intensity_slide=”10%” animation=”left” border_style=”solid” global_colors_info=”{}”][\/et_pb_fullwidth_image][\/et_pb_section][et_pb_section fb_built=”1″ _builder_version=”4.16″ global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_row column_structure=”3_4,1_4″ _builder_version=”4.16″ background_size=”initial” background_position=”top_left” background_repeat=”repeat” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_column type=”3_4″ _builder_version=”4.16″ custom_padding=”|||” global_colors_info=”{}” custom_padding__hover=”|||”][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.16″ background_size=”initial” background_position=”top_left” background_repeat=”repeat” border_style=”solid” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n
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Quality Assurance Policy<\/strong> of the Laboratory is available here.<\/a><\/p>\n Laboratory of Microbiology & Parasitology focuses its research on all aspects of zoonotic infectious diseases; more specifically, the Laboratory is concentrated on the following areas of interest and research:<\/p>\n \u2022 The study of microorganisms that cause animal diseases and can be transmitted from animals to humans (zoonoses) <\/strong><\/p>\n Wildlife Ecology, Zoonoses & GIS Research Team<\/strong><\/p>\n The Wildlife Ecology, Zoonoses & GIS Research Team is composed of scientists of several specialties, mainly members of the Laboratory of Microbiology and Parasitology. The head of the working group is professor Charalambos Billinis, who is a member of the European College of Zoological Medicine in the discipline of wildlife population health. The main research interests of the team are the study of diseases of wild fauna species and the establishment and implementation of large-scale surveillance studies on emerging and re-emerging diseases. Moreover, the team studies the potential interactions among wild and domestic animal species during the spread of diverse infectious agents, as well as the zoonotic aspects of wildlife diseases. The study of vector-borne diseases is another priority of the working group. Research Grants received by the Laboratory and\/or Head of the Laboratory<\/strong><\/p>\n 1. \u201cScrapie and Visna-Maedi of the sheep: study of the fatality, frequency of the diseases and PrP gene polymorphisms in flocks with mixed diseases\u201d (funded by the University of Thessaly) 18.\u00a0\u201cMonitoring of West Nile Virus (WNV) circulation levels in the Municipality of Evrotas, of Laconia Regional unit.\u201d (funded by Municipality of Evrotas)<\/p>\n 19.\u201cRecording of bird species in wetlands of the Peloponnese Region over a three-month period. – Their role in the transmission of West Nile Virus\u201d (funded by Messinia Development SA \u2013 Local Government Development Organization)<\/p>\n 20.\u00a0\u201cIntegrated Mosquito Control Program, Creation of a Control Structure and Development of a Surveillance and Vigilance Mechanism for West Nile Virus, in the Peloponnese Region\u201d (funded by Messinia Development SA \u2013 Local Government Development Organization)<\/p>\n 21.\u00a0\u201cIntegrated Mosquito Control Program, Creation of a Control Structure and Development of a Surveillance and Vigilance Mechanism for West Nile Virus, in the Peloponnese Region\u201d (funded by Peloponnese Region)<\/span><\/p>\n <\/p>\n To view the Curriculum Vitae or Personal Webpage of each member of the Department, click on the corresponding link.<\/em><\/p>\n [\/et_pb_text][et_pb_divider show_divider=”off” disabled_on=”on|on|off” _builder_version=”4.16″ height=”2px” hide_on_mobile=”on” global_colors_info=”{}”][\/et_pb_divider][et_pb_text admin_label=”Text” _builder_version=”4.16″ background_size=”initial” background_position=”top_left” background_repeat=”repeat” border_style=”solid” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n [\/et_pb_text][et_pb_team_member name=”\u03a7\u03b1\u03c1\u03ac\u03bb\u03b1\u03bc\u03c0\u03bf\u03c2 \u039c\u03c0\u03b9\u03bb\u03bb\u03af\u03bd\u03b7\u03c2” position=”\u039a\u03b1\u03b8\u03b7\u03b3\u03b7\u03c4\u03ae\u03c2” image_url=”https:\/\/www.vet.uth.gr\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/12\/Billinis.jpg” admin_label=”Person” _builder_version=”4.16″ background_size=”initial” background_position=”top_left” background_repeat=”repeat” border_style=”solid” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n Personal Webpage<\/a><\/p>\n [\/et_pb_team_member][\/et_pb_column][et_pb_column type=”1_4″ _builder_version=”4.16″ custom_padding=”|||” global_colors_info=”{}” custom_padding__hover=”|||”][et_pb_image src=”http:\/\/www.vet.uth.gr\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/11\/LOGO-SAI-UAF9001_KARDITSA.jpg” title_text=”LOGO SAI-UAF(9001)_KARDITSA” admin_label=”Image” _builder_version=”4.16″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][\/et_pb_image][et_pb_image src=”https:\/\/www.vet.uth.gr\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/07\/Cert_iso9001_gr-Rev4_RA-2-scaled.jpg” title_text=”Cert_iso9001_gr Rev4_RA-2″ show_in_lightbox=”on” _builder_version=”4.18.0″ _module_preset=”default” 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position=”\u0391\u03bd\u03b1\u03c0\u03bb\u03b7\u03c1\u03c9\u03c4\u03ae\u03c2 \u039a\u03b1\u03b8\u03b7\u03b3\u03b7\u03c4\u03ae\u03c2” image_url=”http:\/\/www.vet.uth.gr\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/12\/Lefkaditis-e1576070887107.jpg” _builder_version=”4.18.0″ background_size=”initial” background_position=”top_left” background_repeat=”repeat” border_style=”solid” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n Personal Webpage<\/a><\/p>\n [\/et_pb_team_member][\/et_pb_column][et_pb_column type=”1_3″ _builder_version=”4.16″ custom_padding=”|||” global_colors_info=”{}” custom_padding__hover=”|||”][et_pb_team_member name=”\u0393\u03b9\u03ce\u03c1\u03b3\u03bf\u03c2 \u0392\u03b1\u03bb\u03b9\u03ac\u03ba\u03bf\u03c2” position=”\u0391\u03bd\u03b1\u03c0\u03bb\u03b7\u03c1\u03c9\u03c4\u03ae\u03c2 \u039a\u03b1\u03b8\u03b7\u03b3\u03b7\u03c4\u03ae\u03c2” image_url=”https:\/\/www.vet.uth.gr\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/11\/Valiakos-CV-photo.jpg” _builder_version=”4.27.4″ global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n Personal Webpage<\/a><\/p>\n [\/et_pb_team_member][\/et_pb_column][et_pb_column type=”1_3″ _builder_version=”4.16″ custom_padding=”|||” global_colors_info=”{}” custom_padding__hover=”|||”][et_pb_team_member name=”\u039c\u03b1\u03c1\u03af\u03bd\u03b1 \u03a3\u03bf\u03c6\u03af\u03b1” position=”\u0395\u03c0\u03af\u03ba\u03bf\u03c5\u03c1\u03b7 \u039a\u03b1\u03b8\u03b7\u03b3\u03ae\u03c4\u03c1\u03b9\u03b1” image_url=”https:\/\/www.vet.uth.gr\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/250×250.jpg” _builder_version=”4.27.4″ link_option_url=”https:\/\/www.vet.uth.gr\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/\u039c\u03b1\u03c1\u03af\u03bd\u03b1-\u03a3\u03bf\u03c6\u03af\u03b1-\u03c0\u03c1\u03bf\u03c3\u03c9\u03c0\u03b9\u03ba\u03ae-\u03b9\u03c3\u03c4\u03bf\u03c3\u03b5\u03bb\u03af\u03b4\u03b1-Gr.pdf” border_style=”solid” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n Personal Webpage<\/a><\/p>\n [\/et_pb_team_member][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][et_pb_row column_structure=”1_2,1_2″ _builder_version=”4.16″ background_size=”initial” background_position=”top_left” background_repeat=”repeat” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_column type=”1_2″ _builder_version=”4.16″ custom_padding=”|||” global_colors_info=”{}” custom_padding__hover=”|||”][et_pb_team_member name=”\u0391\u03bb\u03ad\u03be\u03b7\u03c2 \u0393\u03b9\u03b1\u03bd\u03bd\u03b1\u03ba\u03cc\u03c0\u03bf\u03c5\u03bb\u03bf\u03c2” position=”\u039c\u03ad\u03bb\u03bf\u03c2 \u0395\u0394\u0399\u03a0” image_url=”https:\/\/www.vet.uth.gr\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/01\/Giannakopoulos.jpg” _builder_version=”4.16″ border_style=”solid” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n Full curriculum Vitae<\/a><\/p>\n [\/et_pb_team_member][\/et_pb_column][et_pb_column type=”1_2″ _builder_version=”4.27.4″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_team_member name=”\u0396\u03c9\u03ae \u0391\u03b8\u03b1\u03bd\u03b1\u03c3\u03b1\u03ba\u03bf\u03c0\u03bf\u03cd\u03bb\u03bf\u03c5” position=”\u039c\u03ad\u03bb\u03bf\u03c2 \u0395\u0394\u0399\u03a0” image_url=”http:\/\/www.vet.uth.gr\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/01\/Athanasakopoulou-e1579813864493.jpg” _builder_version=”4.27.4″ global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n Full curriculum Vitae<\/a><\/p>\n [\/et_pb_team_member][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][et_pb_row column_structure=”1_3,1_3,1_3″ _builder_version=”4.16″ background_size=”initial” background_position=”top_left” background_repeat=”repeat” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_column type=”1_3″ _builder_version=”4.16″ custom_padding=”|||” global_colors_info=”{}” custom_padding__hover=”|||”][et_pb_team_member name=”\u03a3\u03c0\u03c5\u03c1\u03b9\u03b4\u03ce\u03bd\u03b7\u03c2 \u0391\u03b8\u03b1\u03bd\u03ac\u03c3\u03b9\u03bf\u03c2” position=”\u03a5\u03c0\u03bf\u03c8\u03ae\u03c6\u03b9\u03bf\u03c2 \u0394\u03b9\u03b4\u03ac\u03ba\u03c4\u03bf\u03c1\u03b1\u03c2” image_url=”https:\/\/www.vet.uth.gr\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/DSC_0502-240×300.jpg” _builder_version=”4.27.4″ _module_preset=”default” hover_enabled=”0″ global_colors_info=”{}” sticky_enabled=”0″]<\/p>\n
\u2022 The diagnosis of infectious animal diseases and zoonoses
\u2022 The identification and molecular characterization of pathogenic microorganisms that cause infections in animals and can be transmitted to humans
\u2022 The development and application of new molecular diagnostics
\u2022 The identification of new and emerging pathogens that can be transmitted from animals to humans
\u2022 The detection of emerging diseases that are transmitted from wild fauna
\u2022 Molecular genetics of the final host of microorganisms in order to find polymorphisms that confer resistance in animals
\u2022 The software development of molecular epidemiological surveillance of infectious animal diseases
\u2022 The geostatistical analysis of GIS data related to diseases outbreaks, the recognition of implicating environmental factors and high-risk areas of dispersion<\/p>\n
In a molecular perspective, the team conducts molecular typing of wildlife infectious pathogens, investigating the existence of polymorphisms or mutations that confer resistance to a specific animal diseases. In addition, the team carries out genomic and metagenomic studies, in order to clarify the population density in endangered species of animals and collect data for their habitats.
Further, the working group combines specialized applications statistics and spatial analysis, modeling \/ modeling-sharing prevention of diseases and zoonoses with the help of GIS (Geographic information systems), surveying geospatial data and building geographic databases, Geospatial Data Management and analysis.
Finally, the team has an extensive experience and specialization in environmental issues, being actively engaged in the collection, analysis, and interpretation of ecological data pertaining to wildlife species. Since 2008, the team participates in wildlife and habitat protection programs.<\/p>\n
2. \u201cThe role of wildlife in the epidemiology of mycobacterium avium subsp. paratuberculosis in domestic ruminants in Europe\u201d (funded by EU)
3. \u201cIdentification of Noda virus in cultured sea bass (Dicentrarchus labrax L.) with PCR method and molecular characterization of the virus\u201d (funded by the University of Thessaly)
4. \u201cThematic network BVDV control\u201d \u2013 Network coordinator, Paul Steinar Valle, Head of Department of Production Animal Clinical Sciences, Norwegian School of Veterinary Science (funded by EU)
5. \u201cMolecular characterization and pathogenicity study of Greek PCV2 isolates\u201d (funded by the Ministry of Education)
6. \u201cBVDV eradication program in Greek dairy herds\u201d (funded by ANIMPEX SA)
7. \u201cPrevalence of sheep infectious diseases in Thessaly region\u201d (funded by the Ministry of Agriculture)
8. \u201cNovel Technologies for Surveillance of Emerging and Re-emerging Infections of Wildlife\u201d (funded by EU 2009-2013)
9. \u201cInterdisciplinary Investigation and Identification of Rotaviruses, Bartonella henselae<\/em> and Leishmania<\/em> spp from Children and Animal Hosts using Novel Technologies: Public Health Importance\u201d (funded by EU 2007-2013)
10. \u201cESNIP 3 – European surveillance network for influenza in pigs (ESNIP) 3\u201d (funded by EC, FP7)
11. \u201cIntegrated surveillance and control programme for West Nile virus and malaria in Greece – MALWEST\u201d (funded by NSRF 2007-2013)
12. \u201cNovel technologies for surveillance and characterization of Extended-spectrum \u03b2-lactamase and Carbapenemase producing Enterobacteriaceae<\/em>, in humans and animals – CarbaTech\u201d (funded by NSRF 2014-2020)
13. \u201cMonitoring and Evaluation of the Conservation Status of Bird Species in Greece\u201d (funded by Fotios Fasoylas & Nikos Mantzios – Yloriki Co)
14. \u201cMonitoring the levels of infectious agents\u2019 circulation and investigating the effect of environmental-hydrological parameters on vectors breeding sites\u201d (funded by the Prefecture of Peloponnese – Peloponissos A.E.)
15. \u201cDevelopment of monitoring mechanism and monitoring the levels of West Nile virus circulation in the region of Peloponnese\u201d (funded by the Prefecture of Peloponnese – Peloponissos A.E.)
16. \u201cLIFE ARCPROM: Improving human-bear coexistence in 4 National Parks of South Europe\u201d (funded by EU)
17. \u201cIncreasing dairy cows fertility through identification and exploitation of genetically thermotolerant individuals – THESUMMERCOW\u201d (funded by NSRF 2014-2020)<\/p>\nLaboratory Director<\/strong><\/h3>\n
Staff<\/strong><\/h3>\n