Education:
Ph.D. (2023 - ) - Faculty of Biology, University of Belgrade, Biology (module: Cellular and Molecular Oncology)
M.Sc. (2022 – 2023) - Faculty of Biology, University of Belgrade, Molecular Biology and Physiology (module: Cell and Tissue Biology)
B.Sc. ( 2016 – 2022) - Faculty of Chemistry, University of Belgrade, Biochemistry
Employment:
2023 –
Junior Research Assistant, Department of Physiology, IBISS, University of Belgrade
Interests:
Molecular mechanisms of redox regulation of vital cell processes in adipose tissuein physiological and pathophysiological conditions (obesity, diabetes and cancer) and during adaptation to specific environmental conditions.
Memberships in scientific societies:
European Society for Mitochondrial Research and Medicine (E-mit)
Ivona Gizdović, junior research assistant, is a PhD student at the Faculty of Biology, University of Belgrade. Since December 2023, she has been employed at the Department of Cytology, Institute for Biological Research "Siniša Stanković" - National Institute of the Republic of Serbia (IBISS). Her scientific research work is directed towards histology and experimental endocrinology, using models of naturally aged rats of both sexes. The subject of her current research is the effects of liraglutide and physical exercise on the endocrine axes, with a special focus on the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis in an animal model of andropause and menopause. She is a member of the Organizing committee of the 4th Regional Symposium of Young Endocrinologists 2024.
EDUCATION
2023 - PhD student, module Physiology, submodule Animal and Human Physiology, Faculty of Biology, University of Belgrade
2023. MSc in biology, module Experimental biomedicine, Faculty of Biology, University of Belgrade
Master thesis: “The effect of bioflavonoid eriocitrin on pituitary-adrenal system in old aged rats - morphofunctional study", mentors: dr Svetlana Trifunović, Principal Research Fellow (IBISS) and dr Iva Lakić, assistant professor (Faculty of Biology).
2022. BSc in biology, module Molecular Biology and Physiology, Faculty of Biology, University of Belgrade,
RESEARCH EXPERIENCE
2023 – Junior Research Assistant, Department of Cytology, IBISS
2022-2023. Master thesis done at the Department of Cytology, IBISS
RESEARCH INTEREST
neuroendocrinology
neurobiology
biology of aging
menopause and andropause
Dragana Vlahović is a PhD student at the Faculty of Biology, University of Belgrade. Since December 2023, she has been employed as a junior research assistant in the Department of Cytology, Institute for Biological Research "Siniša Stanković" - National Institute of the Republic of Serbia. Her primary areas of study involve experimental endocrinology and histology, utilizing naturally aged rat models of both sexes for her research. She is currently investigating the effects of liraglutide and physical exercise on the pituitary-thyroid axis, skeletal muscles and metabolic status in an animal model of menopause and andropause.
She is a member of the Оrganizing committee of the 4th Regional Symposium of Young Endocrinologists in 2024.
EDUCATION
2023 – PhD student, module Physiology, submodule Animal and Human Physiology, Faculty of Biology, University of Belgrade
2023. MSc in biology, module Animal and Human Experimental Physiology, Faculty of Biology, University of Belgrade
Master thesis: "The effect of bioflavonoid eriocitrin on cholesterol metabolism and the expression of cholesterol 7α-hydroxylase in the liver of old-aged rats" mentors: dr Branka Šošić-Jurjević, Principle Research Fellow (IBISS) and dr Nebojša Jasnić, Associate Professor (Faculty of Biology)
2022. BSc in biology, Faculty of Biology, University of Belgrade
RESEARCH EXPERIENCE:
2023 – Junior Research Assistant, Department of Cytology, IBISS
2022-2023. - Master thesis done at the Department of Cytology, IBISS
RESEARCH INTEREST:
- neuroendocrinology
- biology of skeletal muscles
- biology of aging
- menopause and andropause
Sofija Ignjatović completed her B.Sc. degree at the Faculty of Biology at the University of Belgrade in 2022, with an average grade of 9.00. In the same year, she enrolled in the Master’s program of Experimental biomedicine, and her Master thesis was done in the Group for Gene Regulation in Tumors at the Institute of Molecular Genetics and Genetic Engineering. Sofija defended her Master thesis, “The expression analysis of transcript PHF19-207 in colon cancer cell lines” in September of 2023, and completed her M.Sc. degree with an average grade of 9.83. In October of 2023, she enrolled in the Ph.D. program of Molecular Biomedicine and obtained the title Junior Research Assistant. In December of 2023, Sofija got employed at the Institute for biological research “Siniša Stanković” in the Department of Biochemistry where she will complete her doctoral dissertation. Ph.D. thesis will be completed within the STRIMHealth project (HORIZON-WIDERA-2023-ACCESS-02-01, proposal number: 101159400) and the aim is to find new, non-invasive biomarkers, as well as potential drugs in the fight against Metabolic dysfunction-Associated Steatotic Liver Disease (MASLD).
Metabolism is the totality of all chemical reactions that provide energy to cells and maintain the vital state of cells and organisms. Metabolism is a tightly regulated process, and control of metabolic pathways allows organisms to successfully interact with their environment. Metabolic regulation is key to understanding and treating a number of chronic diseases, including diabetes, obesity, hypertension, and cancer.
Srđan Kesić graduated from the Faculty of Biology, University of Belgrade, in 2005 as the first and best student of his generation. At the same faculty, after completing doctoral studies in neurobiology, he defended PhD thesis in 2014, entitled "Application of Higuchi's fractal dimension and independent component method in the analysis of garden snail Br neuron bursting activity modulated by static magnetic field and ouabain". He also graduated from the Faculty of Philosophy, University of Belgrade, majoring in Philosophy in 2010. Dr. Srđan Kesić has been working at the Institute for Biological Research "Siniša Stanković" - Institute of National Importance for the Republic of Serbia, University of Belgrade, since 2005, where he has been involved in several research projects.
Dr. Kesić's research is focused on the study of the influence of various environmental factors and pharmacologically active substances on the central nervous system functioning, with a particular focus on the effects of prenatal and postnatal exposure to a low-frequency magnetic field on cognition and emotional behavior in peripuberty and the later adult phase of life. Dr. Kesić also studies the electrical activity of neurons with the application of sophisticated methods of biosignal analysis, such as fractal analysis. He is also involved in the philosophy of biology, philosophy of science, and theoretical-philosophical aspects of understanding complex biological systems.
He received a FENS/IBRO scholarship to participate in the "IBRO Summer Training School in Neuroscience: Neuroimaging and complementary Techniques" in Belgrade 2008 and the 7th FENS Forum in Amsterdam. A short visit to Moscow's Institute for Problems of Information Transmission at the Russian Academy of Sciences and Arts. Lecture at the Faculty of Computer Mathematics and Cybernetics at Lomonosov University in Moscow, Russian Federation.
Dr. Kesić is a member of the BioEM Society, the Federation of European Neuroscience Societies (FENS), the Neuroscience Society of Serbia, the Serbian Biological Society, and the Biophysical Society of Serbia. He is a reviewer in several journals on the SCI list and proposals for the New Millennium Nucleus projects of the Republic of Chile. He is a guest editor in Frontiers in Physiology. Dr. Kesić is the coeditor of one book.
Behavioural biology studies animal behaviour at a systemic level by integrating behavioural, ecological, physiological, and molecular approaches to describe how different behavioral elements have been shaped through evolution.
Ecophysiology studies the physiological processes in living beings that are a response to changes in the external environment and that are fundamental to understanding the mechanisms and interactions that underlie the adaptive strategies of organisms. The effect of climate change, the presence of various pollutants, the availability of nutrients, and habitat degradation are some of those influences that are studied.
Animal physiology studies how biological processes work, how they operate under different environmental conditions, and how these processes are regulated and integrated. They can be studied at different levels of organisation, from organelles and cell membranes to cells, tissues, organ systems, and the whole animal, both during development and in adulthood.
Neurobiology studies the anatomy, physiology, and pathology of the nervous system. From the molecular and biochemical basis of this system, to the study of behavioral plasticity, to understanding the driving forces of neurodegenerative diseases and how they can be treated. Electrophysiology studies biophysical properties in vertebrate neurons and links morphofunctional features of the brain to observed animal behavior. The ultimate goal is to identify active substances that may have a protective effect in neurological and psychiatric diseases.
Nevena (Raičević) Zogović graduated from the Faculty of Biology at the University of Belgrade, majoring in Molecular Biology and Physiology. She enrolled in postgraduate studies at the same faculty, majoring in Immunobiology. She defended her M.Sc. thesis, entitled "Functions of rat macrophages in an experimental model of different severity trauma" in 2002 and her PhD thesis, entitled "Mechanism of cell death caused by oxidative stress in astrocyte culture: the role of nitrogen monoxide and iron" in 2006. In 2000-2001, Dr. Zogović was employed at the Department of Biology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, UB. Since 2001, she holds a permanent position at the Institute for Biological Research "Siniša Stanković" – National Institute of the Republic of Serbia, UB. At present, she is a Senior Research Associate.
Dr Zogović's research is focused on molecular and cellular mechanisms underlying cell-based models of cancer and neurodegeneration, as well as on the potential benefits of novel therapeutics for these diseases. In recent years, using state-of-the-art biochemical and molecular methods, her research has been directed toward revealing the role of autophagy, oxidative stress, mitochondria, and cell death, and their regulation as prospective therapeutic targets.
From 2008 to 2009, Dr Zogović was engaged as a postdoc on the FP6 project „Reinforcing a centre for laser microscopy and cell profiling for regional networking – NEUROIMAGE“, enabling her to visit the Laboratory of Professor Gian Micheale Ratto, Scuola Normale Superiore, Pisa, Italy as visiting scientist where I was trained in confocal microscopy.
Dr Nevena Zogović received a fellowship for advanced graduate students, of the Ministry of Science, Technology and Development of the Republic of Serbia (year 2000). Dr Zogović is the first laureate of the award for a young scientist in the field of physiology and/or biophysics of the Foundation "Akademik Radoslav K. Anđus" for 2005.
Dr Zogović is a member and one of the founders of the Optical Society of Serbia. She is also a member of the Serbian Biological Society (a member of the Scientific Board), the Serbian Neuroscience Society (SNS), Society for Neurosciences of Serbia, the Serbian Society for Mitochondrial and Free Radical Physiology, the Serbian Society for Molecular Biology (MolBioS), Federation of European Neuroscience Society (FENS), and the European Society for Free Radical Research (SFRR-E).
Behavioural biology studies animal behaviour at a systemic level by integrating behavioural, ecological, physiological, and molecular approaches to describe how different behavioral elements have been shaped through evolution.
Ecophysiology studies the physiological processes in living beings that are a response to changes in the external environment and that are fundamental to understanding the mechanisms and interactions that underlie the adaptive strategies of organisms. The effect of climate change, the presence of various pollutants, the availability of nutrients, and habitat degradation are some of those influences that are studied.
Animal physiology studies how biological processes work, how they operate under different environmental conditions, and how these processes are regulated and integrated. They can be studied at different levels of organisation, from organelles and cell membranes to cells, tissues, organ systems, and the whole animal, both during development and in adulthood.
Neurobiology studies the anatomy, physiology, and pathology of the nervous system. From the molecular and biochemical basis of this system, to the study of behavioral plasticity, to understanding the driving forces of neurodegenerative diseases and how they can be treated. Electrophysiology studies biophysical properties in vertebrate neurons and links morphofunctional features of the brain to observed animal behavior. The ultimate goal is to identify active substances that may have a protective effect in neurological and psychiatric diseases.
Education
• 2009, PhD in Multidisciplinary Sciences - Neuroscience, University of Belgrade.
• 2001-2003, Researcher at the Department of Cellular and Molecular Physiology, Yale University, Connecticut, USA.
• 2000-2001, Research Fellow in the Pain Laboratory, Department of Gastroenterology, UTMB, Texas, USA.
• 1996 University of Belgrade, Faculty of Biology, B.Sc. Molecular biologist and physiologist, majoring in Biophysics.
Research interests
Application of electrophysiological techniques in order to elucidate the mechanisms of regulation of ion transport through the cell membrane.
Part of the work in our laboratory is aimed at investigating the physiological role and modulation mechanisms of ion channels. Ion channels in the cell membrane act as molecular transducers - in response to various stimuli (chemical, mechanical or electrical) the channel pore opens, allowing ions to pass through the membrane. The activity of ion channels is pivotal for many physiological processes, including the transmission of nerve impulses and transport across epithelia. They are key elements of cell membrane physiology in all cell types, regardless of the organism or kingdom of life. Recently, I have focused on studying the activity of ion channels in the membranes of filamentous fungi, which are poorly characterized compared to ion channels in other groups of organisms. Using the patch clamp, it is possible to carry out such investigations only on the specific experimental models. To open up this field, we are developing, in collaboration with colleagues from other institutions, a new experimental approach to study the activity of ion channels in filamentous fungi that enables the reliable high-resolution recording of ion currents in filamentous fungi.
Projects
• Work package coordinator for the project "Advanced BioPhysical Methods for Soil Targeted Fungi-Based Biocontrol agents" (BioPhysFUN) within the Green Program, Science Fund of the Republic of Serbia.
Metabolism is the totality of all chemical reactions that provide energy to cells and maintain the vital state of cells and organisms. Metabolism is a tightly regulated process, and control of metabolic pathways allows organisms to successfully interact with their environment. Metabolic regulation is key to understanding and treating a number of chronic diseases, including diabetes, obesity, hypertension, and cancer.
Mycology is the study of fungi that investigate their genetics, growth, structure, and interactions with other organisms in an ecosystem. The areas of mycological research at the Institute include medicinal mycology, phytopathology, description of new species and their potential application in biotechnology and industry.
Microbiology studies the structure, function, genetics, and ecology of microorganisms, including bacteria, viruses, fungi, and protozoa. Within the Institute, important areas of microbiological research include medical microbiology, environmental microbiology and industrial microbiology.
Neurobiology studies the anatomy, physiology, and pathology of the nervous system. From the molecular and biochemical basis of this system, to the study of behavioral plasticity, to understanding the driving forces of neurodegenerative diseases and how they can be treated. Electrophysiology studies biophysical properties in vertebrate neurons and links morphofunctional features of the brain to observed animal behavior. The ultimate goal is to identify active substances that may have a protective effect in neurological and psychiatric diseases.
Maja Misirkić Marjanović successfully defended her doctoral dissertation titled "Mechanisms of cytotoxic and cytoprotective action of fullerene (C60) nanoparticles" at the Faculty of Medicine, University of Belgrade, in 2015. She had previously earned her Master in Molecular Biology and Physiology from the Faculty of Biology at the same university in 2005. Dr. Misirkić Marjanović's research significantly contributes to understanding the antitumor and immunomodulatory potential of nanoparticles. Her work focuses on investigating the mechanisms and impact of autophagy on the antitumor properties of newly synthesized compounds, neuronal and leukemic cell differentiation processes, and SARS-CoV-2 infection. She collaborated on writing a review paper on guidelines in autophagy investigation published in the scientific journal Autophagy. Her expertise led to invitation to contribute to the fourth version of these guidelines due to the importance of her previous research. These guidelines aid researchers in selecting appropriate methods for studying autophagy and its related processes, and interpreting their findings.
Dr. Misirkić Marjanović received the "Veselin Lučić" Endowment Award in 2022 for outstanding scientific achievements as a faculty member at the University of Belgrade. Additionally, a doctoral dissertation she supervised, authored by Dr. Miloš Mandić, won the "Ivan Đaja" award for the best dissertation in physiology. She also managed a work package "Optimized protocols for cell transfection and treatment" of Science Fund of the Republic of Serbia's special call for COVID-19 research January 2021-November 2022. From 2021 to 2023, she led project tasks focused on understanding the role and mechanisms of autophagy induction in HL-60 cell differentiation induced by PMA.
Dr. Misirkić Marjanović is a member of various scientific societies, including Serbian Society for Molecular Biology, Serbian Biological Society, Society for Neuroscience of Serbia, Federation of European Neuroscience Societies, Nordic Autophagy Society, and the Women in Autophagy network. She participated in the COST actions TRANSAUTOPHAGY and TRANSLACORE.
Metabolism is the totality of all chemical reactions that provide energy to cells and maintain the vital state of cells and organisms. Metabolism is a tightly regulated process, and control of metabolic pathways allows organisms to successfully interact with their environment. Metabolic regulation is key to understanding and treating a number of chronic diseases, including diabetes, obesity, hypertension, and cancer.
Mycology is the study of fungi that investigate their genetics, growth, structure, and interactions with other organisms in an ecosystem. The areas of mycological research at the Institute include medicinal mycology, phytopathology, description of new species and their potential application in biotechnology and industry.
Microbiology studies the structure, function, genetics, and ecology of microorganisms, including bacteria, viruses, fungi, and protozoa. Within the Institute, important areas of microbiological research include medical microbiology, environmental microbiology and industrial microbiology.
Neurobiology studies the anatomy, physiology, and pathology of the nervous system. From the molecular and biochemical basis of this system, to the study of behavioral plasticity, to understanding the driving forces of neurodegenerative diseases and how they can be treated. Electrophysiology studies biophysical properties in vertebrate neurons and links morphofunctional features of the brain to observed animal behavior. The ultimate goal is to identify active substances that may have a protective effect in neurological and psychiatric diseases.
Ljubica Vučićević graduated 2005, at the Faculty of Biology University of Belgrade in Molecular Biology and Physiology. She defended her doctoral dissertation entitled "The role of adenosine monophosphate-activated protein kinase inhibition in the induction of apoptosis and autophagy in tumor cell lines" at the Faculty of Biology of the University of Belgrade in 2013. She received the "Goran Ljubijankić" award for the best doctoral dissertation in the field of molecular biology in 2013. As a member of a national research project OI173053 she coordinated the project task entitled “Investigation of the role of autophagy in the antitumor effect of experimental drugs in the therapy of human neuroblastoma”. In 2016, she was the winner of the national scholarship program “Start Up for Science”, for the project “Modulation of intracellular energy balance-controlling signaling pathway and autophagy in an in vitro model of cerebral ischemia”. In 2017, she was on a short postdoctoral research training at the Institute for Cell & Molecular Biosciences (Newcastle University, UK). Within the special research program for COVID-19 of the Science Fund of the Republic of Serbia (2021. - 2022) as a member of a project ,,Targeting Autophagy to Combat SARS-CoV-2-induced Immune Dysregulation“, she coordinated working package entitled „Modulation of autophagy and immune response by SARS-CoV-2 proteins“. At the contest of the "Veselin Lučić" Endowment for the best scientific achievement for the year 2022, she was awarded as a co-author for an article “MAP kinase-dependent autophagy controls phorbol myristate acetate-induced macrophage differentiation of HL-60 leukemia cells”. She is involved in the research of the macroautophagy process and so far has studied the role and mechanisms of autophagy in starvation, oxidative stress, excitotoxicity, inflammation, differentiation and cancer therapy. She participated in COST actions Transautophagy CA15138, and in Translacore CA21154 as a MC member. She is a member of Serbian Society for Molecular Biology, Serbian Biological Society, Serbian Neuroscience Society, Federation of European Neuroscience Societies, and Women in autophagy.
Metabolism is the totality of all chemical reactions that provide energy to cells and maintain the vital state of cells and organisms. Metabolism is a tightly regulated process, and control of metabolic pathways allows organisms to successfully interact with their environment. Metabolic regulation is key to understanding and treating a number of chronic diseases, including diabetes, obesity, hypertension, and cancer.
Mycology is the study of fungi that investigate their genetics, growth, structure, and interactions with other organisms in an ecosystem. The areas of mycological research at the Institute include medicinal mycology, phytopathology, description of new species and their potential application in biotechnology and industry.
Microbiology studies the structure, function, genetics, and ecology of microorganisms, including bacteria, viruses, fungi, and protozoa. Within the Institute, important areas of microbiological research include medical microbiology, environmental microbiology and industrial microbiology.
Neurobiology studies the anatomy, physiology, and pathology of the nervous system. From the molecular and biochemical basis of this system, to the study of behavioral plasticity, to understanding the driving forces of neurodegenerative diseases and how they can be treated. Electrophysiology studies biophysical properties in vertebrate neurons and links morphofunctional features of the brain to observed animal behavior. The ultimate goal is to identify active substances that may have a protective effect in neurological and psychiatric diseases.
Phone: +381 11 20 78 300
Fax: +381 11 27 61 433
Email: ibiss@ibiss.bg.ac.rs
Bulevar despota Stefana 142
11108 Belgrade
Serbia
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