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Marika  Charalambous

Professor Marika Charalambous

School Academic Lead (Research & Impact)

  • Professor of Developmental Physiology

Biography

My research career has focused primarily on the relationship between epigenetic gene dosage control and developmental physiology. Much of my work has utilised imprinted genes in the mouse as experimental models since the epigenetic modulation of these exquisitely dosage-sensitive genes has important consequences for prenatal growth and development in mouse and man.

During my postdoctoral work I investigated the actions of imprinted genes on mouse chromosome 12 in the development of brown adipose tissue (Ferguson-Smith lab, University of Cambridge); described a mouse model with defects in placental development and growth as a result of the loss of function of the imprinted Grb10gene (Ward lab, University of Bath).

In addition, I undertook a training postdoctoral position in metabolic medicine in order to link my interest in prenatal growth and development with lifelong outcomes on metabolic health (Withers Lab, Imperial College London). I was appointed to an Early Careers Fellowship at the Centre for Endocrinology at Queen Mary University of London in early 2013 and became a Senior Lecturer in 2015. I joined the Department of Medical and Molecular Genetics in October 2017.

    Research

    Developmental Epigenetics Group thumbnail (1)
    Developmental Epigenetics Group

    The overall scientific theme of the group is to explore how genetic pathways act during early life to modulate metabolic/endocrine health across the life-course.

    OILRIG
    Lipids and Membranes Research Interest Group

    A Lipids and Membranes Research Interest Group

    From Dev Biology to Regen Medicine-hero
    From Developmental Biology to Regenerative Medicine

    Understanding organ development and tissue regeneration provides a framework for elucidating disease mechanisms as well as for developing new therapeutics.

    on-edge
    King’s Engaged Research Network (KERN)

    Find out more about the King’s Engaged Researcher Network

    Crick
    The Francis Crick Institute

    King’s is delighted to be a founding academic partner alongside UCL and Imperial College in the Francis Crick Institute, joining the multidisciplinary research expertise from all the Partners together to deliver world-leading biomedical research.

    News

    Molecular key in transporting important dietary fats to foetus during pregnancy identified

    A new mechanism for transporting long-chain polyunsaturated fatty acids, like omega-3s, from the mother to the foetus during pregnancy has been identified in...

    mother holding baby

    European consortium launches toxicology study to benefit newborn health

    King’s is one of fourteen partners in a consortium on the European HYPIEND project, to study how exposure to endocrine disrupting chemicals (EDCs) impacts...

    Little girl and mother

    Features

    5 minutes with Marika Charalambous

    Dr Marika Charalambous is a Reader in Developmental Epigenetics and was recently promoted to the position of School Lead for Research & Impact, for the School...

    dna banner

      Research

      Developmental Epigenetics Group thumbnail (1)
      Developmental Epigenetics Group

      The overall scientific theme of the group is to explore how genetic pathways act during early life to modulate metabolic/endocrine health across the life-course.

      OILRIG
      Lipids and Membranes Research Interest Group

      A Lipids and Membranes Research Interest Group

      From Dev Biology to Regen Medicine-hero
      From Developmental Biology to Regenerative Medicine

      Understanding organ development and tissue regeneration provides a framework for elucidating disease mechanisms as well as for developing new therapeutics.

      on-edge
      King’s Engaged Research Network (KERN)

      Find out more about the King’s Engaged Researcher Network

      Crick
      The Francis Crick Institute

      King’s is delighted to be a founding academic partner alongside UCL and Imperial College in the Francis Crick Institute, joining the multidisciplinary research expertise from all the Partners together to deliver world-leading biomedical research.

      News

      Molecular key in transporting important dietary fats to foetus during pregnancy identified

      A new mechanism for transporting long-chain polyunsaturated fatty acids, like omega-3s, from the mother to the foetus during pregnancy has been identified in...

      mother holding baby

      European consortium launches toxicology study to benefit newborn health

      King’s is one of fourteen partners in a consortium on the European HYPIEND project, to study how exposure to endocrine disrupting chemicals (EDCs) impacts...

      Little girl and mother

      Features

      5 minutes with Marika Charalambous

      Dr Marika Charalambous is a Reader in Developmental Epigenetics and was recently promoted to the position of School Lead for Research & Impact, for the School...

      dna banner