Greek scientist and PhD candidate Elena Thanou is developing cutting-edge molecular methodologies to detect cancer biomarkers.
Her goal at the laboratories of the Department of Chemistry at the National and Kapodistrian University of Athens (NKUA) is to bring liquid biopsy closer to widespread clinical implementation.
For her pioneering work, Thanou has been named the latest fellow of the “Elena Iliopoulou Giama” Foundation.
Thanou’s academic journey began at NKUA’s Department of Chemistry, driven by a desire to bridge the gap between human health and chemical science. This passion led her to the interdisciplinary Master’s program in “Clinical Biochemistry-Molecular Diagnostics.”
Now midway through her doctoral studies, she is focused on detecting cancer biomarkers in biological fluids through minimally invasive or non-invasive methods—ranging from blood plasma and bronchial washes to less-studied sources like urine and saliva.
Greek scientist: “Cancer is a challenge that affects us all”
“Cancer is a challenge that affects us all, and increasingly so due to modern lifestyles,” Thanou told the Athens-Macedonian News Agency (AMNA).
“While we once focused primarily on heredity, the role of lifestyle factors is now clear. The rising incidence of the disease means almost every family is eventually confronted by it.”
Her research sits at the forefront of liquid biopsy—a diagnostic tool that determines a tumor’s molecular profile via biological fluids, acting as a vital supplement to traditional tissue biopsies.
“The dream for those of us in this field,” she explains, “is for liquid biopsy to become a cornerstone of clinical practice, providing doctors with rapid insights to determine if a specific treatment is truly effective for a patient.”
Related: Greek Researcher Advances Cancer Fight With New Technique
