The Balkan Region represents one of the European major centers of plant diversity, with a substantial number of endemic genera and species. There is an urgent requirement to clarify and improve the methodologies and investigations that enable scientists to conserve, manage and utilize plants and their habitats in this region. We developed ex situ conservation strategies for selected rare and/or endangered plant species, to complement existing long-term in situ conservation efforts. The assessment of genetic diversity in extant populations, as well as establishment and maintenance of seed and/or in vitro germplasm collections which are adopted to fulfill an adequate genetic representation of the genetic makeup of species, is performed.

The aim of the project is to assess the influence of heterogenity of abiotic and biotic environment at molecular, citological and morphological on variability, as well as variability of life history traits and behaviour, population structure and evolution processes (genetic specialisation, phenotype plasticity, speciation) of different organisms (vertebrates, invertebrates and plants). Achieved results will enable assessment of appropriate indicators of environmental devastation and will be included in phylogeographic analyses and ecological status evaluation of the ecosystems in region and Europe.

Industrial and technological progress increases the incidence of magnetic fields of different characteristics in our working and living environment. The subproject "Neurophysiological and behavioral responses of different species to external magnetic fields" (led by Dr. Branka Petković) deals with the effects of magnetic fields, particularly on the neuroendocrine system, in insects (Drosophila sp., Musca domestica, Tenebrio molitor, Baculum extradentatum, Morimus funereus,...), snail (Helix pomatia) and mammals (Rattus sp., Meriones unguiculatus). Electrophysiological studies in vitro and in vivo, histological and biochemical analyses (oxidative stress parameters, nucleotide content, gases turnover, enzyme and receptor activities), monitoring of development and behavior in selected model systems are planned. Obtained results reveal the mechanisms of magnetoreception in evolutionary distant species and whether magnetic field-induced response is unique or species-specific.

Multiple sclerosis is inflammatory, autoimmune disease of the central nervous system (CNS). The immune response directed towards cells and structures of CNS tissue causes demyelinization and neurodegeneration, thus inducing various neurological deficits in patients. In majority of patients multiple sclerosis takes relapsing-remitting or chronic progressive course. Experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis (EAE) induced in DA rats is a model of multiple sclerosis and shares numerous immunopathogenic features with the human disease. Still, there is a major difference in the clinical course, as EAE in DA rats is acute monophasic disease. DA rats completely recover from EAE and are highly resistant to further attempts of the disease induction. The main goal of this project is to identify cell populations and molecular mechanisms responsible for the recovery of DA rats from EAE and their resistance to EAE re-induction. Consequently, the obtained knowledge should be useful for improvement of multiple sclerosis therapy.

The aim of the project is investigation of the effects of environmental agents on important physiological homeostatic system, immune system, of mouse-like rodents. Cellular and molecular mechanisms of immunomodulatory potential of two environmental xenobiotics (ubiquitous pollutant cadmium and anticoagulant warfarin, used for control of pest rodents) is investigated in laboratory populations of Norway rat ( Rattus norvegicus). The effect of these agents on immune system is analyzed using parameters of basal immune activity and in settings of immune response induction as well. Distinct aspect is examination of the impact of these agents on laboratory rat's resistance to opportunistic fungus Aspergillus fumigatus. Wild Norway rats harbor variety of parasites and microorganisms and are thus considered as natural biological models suitable for examination of immune function in settings of multiple infections. Analysis of basic parameters of immune function as well as immune-mediated damage of peripheral tissues of Norway rats from urban environment and comparison with same parameters in several laboratory strains of Norway rats gives insight into the effect of the environment on immunity.

The specific area of research represents investigation of regulation of oxidant-induced changes of aerobic organisms and we develop three various areas of investigation: 1) biomonitoring of aquatic organisms, 2) toxicology and 3) biomarkers and pathophysiological states.

1) Biomonitoring of aquatic organisms. Molecular and physiological biomonitoring based on the antioxidant defense enzyme activities as biochemical biomarkers: superoxide dismutase, catalase, glutathione peroxidase, glutathione reductase, glutathione-S-transferase and the concentrations of vitamin E, vitamin C, glutathione.

2) Toxicology. Prooxidative effects of cadmium and cisplatin in acute and chronic treatment and protective role of antioxidants on alteration of oxidative stress biochemical biomarkers in the blood and tissues of mail Wistar albino rats will be investigated.

3) Biomarkers and pathophysiological states. The study of estradiol and its role inpreeclampsia, the assessment of oxidative damage and antioxidative capacity of healthy tissues in response to therapeutic doses of radiation in the treatment of breast cancer and the pathogenesis of gastrointestinal disorders will be investigated.

The amphibians and reptiles of the Balkan Peninsula included in the scope of the proposed research represent a "natural laboratory" and excellent model-system for both evolutionary and conservation studies. These vertebrates are characterised by low dispersal abilities and mostly strict ecological requirements, resulting in high evolutionary differentiation and intraspecific variation in their morphology, genetics, life history and ecology. The specificity of the Balkans with its complex paleogeographic history, heterogeneous landscapes, topographic diversity and climatic variation, resulted in a complex picture of amphibian and reptile diversity. Moreover, the Balkans are the origin of numerous taxa, an area of high endemicity, high rate of allopatric and parapatric speciation, and numerous hybridization zones. By combining data from natural populations and experimental studies, we propose to examine the following issues in evolutionary biology: (1) the evolution of complex morphological entities, (2) the evolution of life-history traits, (3) phylogeographic patterns of evolutionary lineages, and (4) the relation between eco-geographical and environmental variables as a function of the distribution of species, phylogenetic lineages and hybrid zones. Conservation research studies will be related to the recognition of evolutionary significant units, and to population ecology studies as a basis for further conservation strategies of autochthonous populations and species.

Macroautophagy (hereafter reffered to as autophagy) is a process of intracellular protein digestion in autophagolysosomes, allowing for removal of damaged proteins and preservation of energy and survival during metabolic stress, but also able to cause cell death when activated innapropriately. The main aim of the project is to establish the role of autophagy in therapy-induced death of cancer cells. The induction of autophagy and underlying molecular mechanisms will be investigated in cancer cell lines treated with various conventional (e.g. cisplatin, taxol, cytarabine, idarubicin) or experimental anticancer agents (e.g. metformin, statins, indomethacin, nanoparticles).