Emmanouil Zacharioudakis
Title:
Assistant Professor
PhD Granting Institution:
Institut de Chimie des Substances Naturelles, and Institut Curie, France
Contact:
Email Address: zachario@purdue.edu
Office Phone: 929-427-7268
Lab Website Link: https://manoszax28.wixsite.com/zacharioudakis-lab-2/contact
Primary Training Group:
Cancer Biology
Secondary Training Groups:
Chemical Biology
Research Areas:
The Zacharioudakis Lab investigates how mitochondrial adaptations regulate cell death, with the ultimate goal of overcoming drug resistance in cancer. We focus on developing small molecules that target mitochondrial dynamics, including inhibitors of mitochondrial fusion and chemical probes that modulate cristae remodeling. By integrating modern chemical biology tools—such as molecular glues, hetero-bifunctional molecules, and traditional inhibitor design—we aim to create prototype therapeutics that effectively induce apoptosis in resistant tumors.
Current Projects:
Our work also explores mitochondrial outer membrane permeabilization (MOMP), a critical event that dictates cell fate by triggering apoptosis or inflammation. We seek to identify novel proteins and molecular mechanisms that regulate pore formation and signaling at the mitochondrial membrane. In parallel, we use gene editing, proteomics, and imaging to uncover pathways driving therapeutic resistance in solid tumors. These insights guide rational drug design and combination strategies to restore apoptotic sensitivity and improve long-term cancer treatment outcomes.