Welcome to the very first column of Scientific Crete, a new feature of The Khronicles, which I am proud to author.  Each month, I will be using my expertise as a scientific journalist to showcase an area of scientific excellence from one of the many world-class research facilities operating right here on Crete.

To launch this column, I bring you a highlight of one of the most prominent, world-recognized immunologists, Professor Dimitrios Boumpas, and his colleagues at the University of Crete’s Laboratory of Autoimmunity and Inflammation. The research lab, as well as state-of-the-art facilities, boasts a team of hand-picked immunology, molecular biology and genetics experts, and several prestigious collaborations, for example with the local Institute of Molecular Biology and Biotechnology (FORTH) and with Harvard University.

But before we go any further, it is important to outline some basic facts.

Dr. Boumpas’ group works in the fields of immunology and rheumatology. Immunology is the science devoted to the study of the special cells that comprise our immune system, the body’s own self-defense mechanism.

Problems with the immune system, such as failure of the defense cells to recognize the body’s own cells, thus turning against them, can lead to autoimmune diseases, more commonly known as rheumatic diseases.

Put simply, Dr. Boumpas’ research focuses on the study of the reasons behind the unprovoked immune response of inflammation, as observed in autoimmune diseases such as rheumatoid arthritis, lupus, and familial Mediterranean fever.

The lab has several specific fields of study: research into rheumatoid arthritis is headed up by Dr. Sidiropoulos, whose team aims to develop new therapies for specific consequences of rheumatic disease, such as anaemia and atherosclerosis; lupus research is managed by Dr. Boumpas himself, and focuses mainly on the role of specific immune cells, the T cells, as well as the role of genetics, in lupus.

Two other facilities also focus on work in the field of autoimmunity, including work by Dr. Verginis, who joined the lab from Harvard, and Dr. Tassiulas; their separate research investigates mechanisms of specific cells in the immune system that are involved in rheumatic disease and how the effects of disease on the immune system can be restored to their previous, normal, function.

Finally, geneticist Dr. Goulielmos, heads research into the genetic background of rheumatic diseases, aiming to identify the role of specific genes associated with the disease. Research findings from the laboratory are regularly published in prominent international journals and Dr. Boumpas is part of the European committee that develops treatment guidelines for lupus.

"I believe that alongside the importance of conducting internationally recognized groundbreaking work," he says, "lays the equally important awareness of the value of such research on both a social and economic level."

The group is involved in all areas of education, including undergraduate, post-graduate and continuing medical education programmes. All these activities require substantial funds, and Dr. Boumpas and his team work tirelessly to continue securing grants not only to support their ongoing work, but also to allow for future progress and expansion of existing facilities.

Dr. Boumpas and his colleagues are enthusiastic in their support of increasing awareness of their work in the local community, and providing information and education about the research they do. It is a general problem in science that laboratory work appears to be so specialized, that it often feels very much removed from the object of study, the actual disease and the patients that suffer from it.

“(Laboratory) Research is incremental, a series of very small but important steps," he says. "It is important for the public to realize this.”

The group at the laboratory certainly knows this; their whole careers are defined by these small, but crucial steps that might one day provide the means for treatment or prevention of rheumatic diseases.