Ljubica Harhaji Trajkovic, a Principal Research Fellow, was born in Belgrade in 1976. She earned a B.Sc. in Molecular Biology and Physiology (2001), an M.Sc. (2004) and a Ph.D. (2006) at the Faculty of Biology, University of Belgrade. Dr. Harhaji Trajkovic completed postdoctoral training at the Panum Institute, University of Copenhagen, Denmark in 2007. In 2011, she received the L'Oréal-UNESCO “For Women in Science Awardsˮ. Ljubica was the leader of the project “The role of autophagy in tumor cell death" (2011 to 2019), funded by MESTD. She is currently leading the project "Dual targeting of lysosomal stability and energy metabolism as a novel antimelanoma strategy", for which she received a donation from the non-profit international organization “Climbers Against Cancer”. Her research interests include cancer biology, neurophysiology, cancer cell metabolism, autophagy, and lysosomal cell death. Ljubica is co-author of 67 scientific articles published in international journals, which have been cited more than 9000 times.
Understanding the physiological and functional characteristics of cancer cells at the individual level, and the tumor tissue as a highly orchestrated multicellular formation, by whose activity the tumor expands, invades and disseminates, is the main goal of cancer biology research today. Defining the causes of abnormal behavior of neoplastic cells individually and in the context of the tumor microenvironment, including the histological, metabolic and immunological specificities of this tissue, represents a platform for designing new approaches in cancer treatment. Investigating the phenomenon of initial or acquired tumor resistance helps to gain deeper insights into the reasons for limited effects of the conventional treatments, enabling the improvement of existing protocols.
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.
Ljiljana Nikolic received a Ph.D. degree from the Faculty of Biology, University of Belgrade, in 2012. During her doctoral studies, she also spent some time at the Institute of Physiology ASCR v.v.i in Prague in the laboratory of Dr. Hana Zemkova. Dr. Nikolic completed post-doctoral training in the neuron-glia interactions research group in the laboratory of Dr. Etienne Audinat at the Paris Descartes Faculty of Medicine. In 2018, Dr. Nikolic returned to IBISS in the Department of Neurophysiology, where she is now a Principal Research Fellow.
Research Focus: Understanding the interactions between the cells of the CNS is crucial to understanding how the brain works. I am interested in understanding the communication of a particular type of glial cell astrocytes with other cells in the CNS in the healthy brain and in animal models of brain disease. Astrocytes are glial cells that form dense networks throughout the CNS. This places them in a unique position to interact with neurons, immune cells, other glial cell types and blood vessels. I am investigating the mechanisms and signals by which astrocytes engage in the cell-cell interactions by combining live cell imaging with patch-clamp technique.
Honors and Awards:
I received a Fellowship Start-up Award from the Centre for Leadership Development to perform scientific research in the field of Medicine and Life Science in 2018.
I received Academician Radoslav K. Andjus Foundation award (FARKA) for creative young investigator in Physiology and Biophysics in 2012.
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:
• Ph.D. (Faculty of Biology, University of Belgrade, 2013.)
• M.Sc. (Faculty of Biology, University of Belgrade, 2004.)
• B.Sc. (Faculty of Biology, University of Belgrade, 1999.)
Research interests:
• Electrical activity of animals brain
• Animal behavior
Work experience:
• Since 2001, employed at the Institute for Biological Research, Department of Neurobiology, Department of Neurophysiology
Memberships in scientific societies:
• Serbian Biology Society
• Society for Neurosciences of Serbia
• FENS
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.
Kristina Janjetović has finished her PhD thesys "The effect of metformin on the apoptosis of glioma and melanoma cells in vitro and on melanoma growth in vivo" in 2014 at the Faculty of Medicine, University of Belgrade. She graduated in 2002, at the Faculty of Biology at the University of Belgrade in Molecular Biology and Physiology. Dr. Kristina Janjetović studies new approaches in tumor therapy: molecular and cellular mechanisms underlying the cytotoxic effect of new antitumor compounds in vitro and the role of autophagy and its modulation in different pathologies. She was on scientific specialization from 2003 to 2005 at the Institute of Pathophysiology, Medical University of Innsbruck, and during her training in Austria, in 2004, she received an award from the Osterreichische Krebshilfe for research funding "The role of the tumor suppressor PTEN in the development of leukemias and apoptosis of leukemias induced by glucocorticoids" and in 2005 for the research "Functional analysis of new candidate genes selected from comparative profiling of lymphoblasts in children with acute lymphoblastic leukemia". The doctoral dissertation of Dr. Marina Stamenković, whose candidate was a commentor, was awarded with "Goran Ljubijankić Foundation" in 2021. From 2019-2021 she was the project leader "Molecular mechanisms of action of pantoprazole on the induction of apoptosis and/or autophagy in non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) in vitro", funded by the Phillip Morris company as part of the "Start up for Science" program. From 2021-2023. she was responsible for project tasks: "The role of pantoprazole, a proton pump inhibitor, in the regulation of autophagy and apoptosis in the NSCLC H460 cell line" and "Establishment of a methodology for the transfection of the human neuroblastoma cell line SHSY-5Y with plasmids carrying mutations in the amyloid-β protein precursor gene (Swedish ,751, wild-type), as an in vitro model of Alzheimer's disease".
Understanding the physiological and functional characteristics of cancer cells at the individual level, and the tumor tissue as a highly orchestrated multicellular formation, by whose activity the tumor expands, invades and disseminates, is the main goal of cancer biology research today. Defining the causes of abnormal behavior of neoplastic cells individually and in the context of the tumor microenvironment, including the histological, metabolic and immunological specificities of this tissue, represents a platform for designing new approaches in cancer treatment. Investigating the phenomenon of initial or acquired tumor resistance helps to gain deeper insights into the reasons for limited effects of the conventional treatments, enabling the improvement of existing protocols.
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.
Scientific expertise:
• Prenatal influence of antiepileptics and neurobehavioral postnatal development
• extrasynaptic vesicles and epigenetic modifications througout generation
• maternal condition with effect on offspring development
• EEG and ECoG of rodents under various conditions
Working experience:
• 2015.- Research Associate – Department of Neurophysiology, Institute for Biological Research “Siniša Stanković”
• 2011.- Research Assistant – “Neurological development of the offspring exposed to antiepileptic therapy”. P175006 (2011- 2021)
• 2008.- Research Assistant – “Effect of the traumatical, neurotoxical and neuroprotective substances on the electrical activity of mammals brain. Analysis and modelling. P143021 (2006 -2010)
Education:
• 2014.- PhD “Influence of the valproic acid during gestation on the animal model of the mouse – effect on the behavior and motor development of the offspring“. Medical faculty, University of Kragujevac
• 2007.- Doctor of Medicine - Medical faculty, University of Belgrade
Membership in profesional association:
• Serbian Medical Society
• Serbian Biological Society
• Serbian Neuroscience Society
• FENS
COST Actions:
• CA22114 „Maternal Perinatal Stress and Adverse Outcomes in the Offspring: Maximizing infants development”
• BM0601 (NeuroMath)
• BM0605 (On Consciousness)
Reviewer activity
Invited review activity in World Journal of Pediatrics
Fellowship:
• Symposium: ”Harnessing the Power of advanced Technologies for Group-Housed Animal Research”, Granada, 2023.
• “High Throughput Communication between Brain and Machines” COST Action NeuroMath (BM0601) (Greece)
• “Consciousness of the self – Consciousness of others” COST (BM0605) Corsica (France)
Oral Presentations and Leactures:
2016.- Podgorac J. “Quantitative and qualitative assessment of the offspring in the Tail suspension test (TST) which mothers were treated with different doses of valproic acid during entire pregnancy. 7th Global Annual Meet on Neurology and Neurosurgery. Vienna, Austria, 2016.
2012.- Podgorac J. “Effect of valproic acid on neurodevelopment of mice during gestation”. 17th Multidisciplinary International Conference on Neuroscience and Biological Psychiatry “Stress and Behavior”. St-Petersburg, Russia, 2012;
2011.- Podgorac J. “Toxic effect of the antiepileptics on the cerebellum“. Brain awareness week in Serbia, 2011.
2010.- Podgorac J. “Animal models of depression”. Brain awareness week in Serbia, 2010.
Understanding the physiological and functional characteristics of cancer cells at the individual level, and the tumor tissue as a highly orchestrated multicellular formation, by whose activity the tumor expands, invades and disseminates, is the main goal of cancer biology research today. Defining the causes of abnormal behavior of neoplastic cells individually and in the context of the tumor microenvironment, including the histological, metabolic and immunological specificities of this tissue, represents a platform for designing new approaches in cancer treatment. Investigating the phenomenon of initial or acquired tumor resistance helps to gain deeper insights into the reasons for limited effects of the conventional treatments, enabling the improvement of existing protocols.
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:
• Ph.D. (Faculty of Biology, University of Belgrade, 2013.)
• M.Sc. (Faculty of Biology, University of Belgrade, 2004.)
• B.Sc. (Faculty of Biology, University of Belgrade, 2000.)
Research interests:
• Electrical activity of animals brain
• Animal behavior
• Magnetobiology
Work experience:
• Since 2001, employed at the Institute for Biological Research, Department of Neurobiology, Department of Neurophysiology
Projects:
• 2002-2006. “Modulation of membrane excitability and rhythms of bioelectrical activity of neurons of invertebrates and vertebrates. Analysis and modeling”
• 2006-2011. “Effects of traumatic, neurotoxic and neuroprotective factors on electric activity of brain of mammals. Analysis and modeling”
• 2011-2019. ”Interactions of membranes with the intracellular and apoplastic space: studying bioenergetics and signaling using biophysical and biochemical methods” and “The influence of magnetic fields and other environmental stressors on the physiological responses and behavior of different species”
• 2019- “Influence of magnetic field and neuroactive substances on CNS, neuromotor development and behavior of animals”
Memberships in scientific societies:
• Serbian Biology Society
• Society for Neurosciences of Serbia
• FENS
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.
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.
Ana Despotović graduated in 2016 (Molecular Biology and Physiology, Faculty of Biology, University of Belgrade). She defended her Master's thesis entitled "Synergistic antitumor effect of vitamins C and K3 on human glioblastoma cells U251 in vitro" and obtained M.Sc. degree in 2017 (Molecular Biology and Physiology, Faculty of Biology). In the same year, she started PhD studies, also at the Faculty of Biology, University of Belgrade.
Since 2018, Ana has been working as a researcher in the Department of Neurophysiology at the Institute for Biological Research "Siniša Stanković". In 2021, she obtained the title of research associate. In the period from 2018 to 2020, she was involved in the project "The role of autophagy in the regulation of tumor cell death" (173053) and in the period from 2018 to 2019 in the project "Modulation of intracellular energy balance-controlling signalling pathways in therapy of cancer and neuro-immuno-endocrine disorders" (III41025). Both projects were funded by the Ministry of Education, Science and Technological Development of the Republic of Serbia. As part of the bilateral cooperation project between the Republic of Serbia and the People's Republic of China "Investigation of the strontium carbonate and strontium fluoride addition to calcium-silicate dental cements: physico-chemical and biological characterisation" (451-02-818/2021-09/20), she stayed at institutes of the Fujian Medical University in China in April 2023.
Her scientific research is based on the monitoring of intracellular signals and the investigation of molecular mechanisms underlying the response of malignant cells to potential antitumor agents of different origins, with the aim of discovering new therapeutic approaches for the treatment of malignant diseases. Ana is also involved in the biocompatibility testing of bioactive materials for use in regenerative medicine as bone/dental replacement materials.
Ana is a member of the Society for Neuroscience Serbia (DNS), the Federation of European Neuroscience Societies (FENS), the Serbian Biological Society (SBD), the Society for Free Radical Research - Europe (SFRR-E), the Serbian Society for Mitochondrial and Free-Radical Physiology (SSMFRP), the Serbian Society for Molecular Biology (MolBioS), the Serbian Association for Cancer Research (SDIR) and the European Association for Cancer Research (EACR).
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.
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.
Valentina Simeunović is a PhD student in the Molecular Biology study program, in the Animal and Human Physiology module at the Faculty of Biology, University of Belgrade. She completed her undergraduate studies at the Faculty of Biology, University of Belgrade, on the Molecular Biology study program, on the Molecular Biology and Physiology module, while she completed her master's studies at the Faculty of Biology, on the Experimental Physiology of Animals and Humans module.
Valentina is employed as a research trainee at the Institute for Biological Research "Siniša Stanković" (IBISS), Institute of National Importance for the Republic of Serbia, University of Belgrade in the Laboratory for Molecular Neurobiology and Behavior. Her area of research includes monitoring the effect of different nutritional regimes (dietary restriction, fermented food) on behavioral and molecular changes in the brain during aging. In addition, the effects of these treatments on changes in the male and female reproductive system during different periods of life are monitored.
Valentina completed training in Laboratory Animal Science at the Department of Comparative Physiology and Ecophysiology at the Faculty of Biology, University of Belgrade. In 2022, she also attended a summer school called "Molecular Targets for antiaging interventions" (Joint IUBMB/FEBS Advanced Lecture Course, "Molecular Targets for antiaging interventions").
Valentina is an active member of the European Program for Cooperation in the Field of Scientific and Technological Research (COST), the Federation of European Neurosciences (FENS), the Neuroscience Society of Serbia (DNS) and the ALBA Society (The ALBA Network).
The biology of ageing is focused on better understanding the molecular, cellular and physiological processes underlying the ageing process and the diseases associated with this process.
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.
Nutrition is the process by which the body uses food to produce energy and sustain life. The science of nutrition studies the role of nutrients and other food components in the growth, reproduction, health and disease of the organism. Food ingredients with medicinal properties are called nutriceuticals and can be used to treat or prevent disease. There are more and more alternative sources of food, such as edible insects, which should limit the negative impact of food production on the environment.
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.
Olga Dubljević is a Research associate at the Department of Neurobiology, Institute for Biological Research "Siniša Stanković" – National Institute of the Republic of Serbia. The topic of her doctoral dissertation, under the mentorship of scientific advisor Dr. Vesna Pešić at the Laboratory for Molecular Neurobiology and Behavior, was approved by the Teaching-Scientific Council of the Faculty of Biology under the title: "Identification and Characterization of the Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder Endophenotype in the A53T Transgenic Mouse Model of Parkinson's Disease". In her previous work, she has been involved in investigating cognitive, behavioral, neurophysiological, and neuroimmune changes under various conditions of pathology, health, and development using eclectic methods on various animal models as well as human subjects. She enrolled in PhD studies in 2020 as part of the Translational Research in Neurobiology and Biomedicine module at the Department of Molecular Biology, Faculty of Biology, University of Belgrade. She completed her undergraduate and master's studies at the Department of Psychology, Faculty of Philosophy, University of Belgrade. She completed her internship as a neuropsychologist at the Clinic for Neurobiology, Clinical Center of Serbia. She is a member of Serbian Neuroscience Society (SNS), Federation of European Neuroscience Society (FENS), Serbian Biological Society (SBS) and The Alzheimer's Association International Society to Advance Alzheimer's Research and Treatment (ISTAART).
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.
The biology of ageing is focused on better understanding the molecular, cellular and physiological processes underlying the ageing process and the diseases associated with this process.
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.
The object of his Ph.D. thesis in the Laboratory for Molecular Biology and Behavior is related to the effects of a synthetic neuroactive steroid in male and female APP knock-in mice. APP KI mice represent a new generation model of Alzheimer's disease and are particularly suitable for studying the molecular mechanisms of pathogenesis in the early stages of the disease. The results may contribute to a better understanding of the mechanisms underlying the onset of Alzheimer's disease and to the development of potential therapeutics.
Education:
• Ph.D. student, Faculty of Biology, University of Belgrade, 2021 -
• M.Sc. in Biological Sciences, Faculty of Biology, University of Belgrade, 2021
• B.Sc. in Molecular Biology and Physiology, Faculty of Biology, University of Belgrade, 2020
Professional Memberships:
• Serbian Neuroscience Society (SNS)
• Federation of European Neuroscience Societies (FENS)
• Serbian Biological Society (SBS)
• Alzheimer's Association International Society to Advance Alzheimer's Research and Treatment (ISTAART)
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.
The biology of ageing is focused on better understanding the molecular, cellular and physiological processes underlying the ageing process and the diseases associated with this process.
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.
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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