As part of the STRIMHealth project activities to improve the research management skills of IBISS researchers and staff, we are pleased to announce the Training on EU-based research funding and project management, which will take place on March 10, 2025, at the Library of the Institute for Biological Research “Siniša Stanković” (Belgrade, Serbia).
Luka Grbović was born on October 9, 1996, in Belgrade, where in 2015 he enrolled in graduate academic studies at the Faculty of Biology - University of Belgrade. He graduated in 2020 with an average grade of 8.65 in the Biology module.
In 2020, at the same faculty, he enrolled in the master's academic studies in the Zoology module, which he completed in 2021 with an average grade of 10, defending the master's thesis "Zoological component of periphyton from artificial substrates in the Baračka pond (SRP "Upper Podunavlje") - diversity and monthly dynamics".
He enrolled in doctoral studies in 2024 at the Faculty of Biology - University of Belgrade, study program Biology, module Algology. The preparation of the doctoral dissertation will be conducted under the mentorship of Dr. Jelena Krizmanić from the Faculty of Biology and Dr. Božica Vasiljević from the "Siniša Stanković" Institute for Biological Research, an institute of national importance for the Republic of Serbia, University of Belgrade.
Since February 3, 2025, he has been employed as a junior research assistant at the “Siniša Stanković” Institute for Biological Research, in the Department of Hydroecology and Water Protection.
Aquatic ecology studies the ecosystems in aquatic environments including seas, rivers, lakes, ponds and wetlands. It examines the interaction between the physical, chemical, and biological components of aquatic ecosystems. Aquatic ecologists are also interested in human interactions with the environment, and the impact of human activity on aquatic ecosystems.
Biodiversity is the variety and variability of life on Earth. It encompasses diversity at the genetic, taxonomic and ecosystem levels. Biodiversity is important in both natural and artificial ecosystems. Today, biodiversity is threatened by habitat loss and fragmentation, unsustainable resource use, invasive species, pollution and global climate change.
Biomonitoring is the process of systematically observing, measuring, and analysing the physiological, biochemical, molecular, and genetic responses of living organisms to environmental changes, thus providing qualitative or quantitative information on the state of the environment. It includes the use of various bioindicators, biomonitors, bioaccumulators, and biomarkers.
Functional ecology focuses on the understanding of various biological phenomena (functions) at different levels of organization from organisms to ecosystems, thus enabling the understanding of the existence of certain patterns in nature. It identifies and studies the processes and/or activities that keep an organism or entire ecosystem functioning.
Climate change is an all-encompassing and growing global threat to biodiversity and ecosystems. It directly leads to phenological, physiological, morphological, and ethological changes, the spread of invasive species, and a decrease in the number of native species and their extinction. Changed climatic conditions affect habitat quality, resulting in changes in the distribution of species and communities. In order to mitigate the effects of climate change on the environment, it is necessary to predict and understand their impact on the living world.
Environmental protection comprises reduction or prevention of pollution, negative impacts on the environment, damage caused to ecosystems or natural resources caused by human activities.
On 04th February 2025, Dr. Milica Pešić, a representative of the IBISS KTT team in the BIO4 delegation, visited Pfizer's Center for Digital Innovation in Thessaloniki, where she learned how the centre works. During the visit, she gave a short presentation. She presented IBISS as an institution with broad biodiversity, biotechnology, and biomedicine expertise that is open to collaboration and has great innovation potential.
Aquatic ecology studies the ecosystems in aquatic environments including seas, rivers, lakes, ponds and wetlands. It examines the interaction between the physical, chemical, and biological components of aquatic ecosystems. Aquatic ecologists are also interested in human interactions with the environment, and the impact of human activity on aquatic ecosystems.
Biodiversity is the variety and variability of life on Earth. It encompasses diversity at the genetic, taxonomic and ecosystem levels. Biodiversity is important in both natural and artificial ecosystems. Today, biodiversity is threatened by habitat loss and fragmentation, unsustainable resource use, invasive species, pollution and global climate change.
Biomonitoring is the process of systematically observing, measuring, and analysing the physiological, biochemical, molecular, and genetic responses of living organisms to environmental changes, thus providing qualitative or quantitative information on the state of the environment. It includes the use of various bioindicators, biomonitors, bioaccumulators, and biomarkers.
Functional ecology focuses on the understanding of various biological phenomena (functions) at different levels of organization from organisms to ecosystems, thus enabling the understanding of the existence of certain patterns in nature. It identifies and studies the processes and/or activities that keep an organism or entire ecosystem functioning.
Climate change is an all-encompassing and growing global threat to biodiversity and ecosystems. It directly leads to phenological, physiological, morphological, and ethological changes, the spread of invasive species, and a decrease in the number of native species and their extinction. Changed climatic conditions affect habitat quality, resulting in changes in the distribution of species and communities. In order to mitigate the effects of climate change on the environment, it is necessary to predict and understand their impact on the living world.
Environmental protection comprises reduction or prevention of pollution, negative impacts on the environment, damage caused to ecosystems or natural resources caused by human activities.
Aquatic ecology studies the ecosystems in aquatic environments including seas, rivers, lakes, ponds and wetlands. It examines the interaction between the physical, chemical, and biological components of aquatic ecosystems. Aquatic ecologists are also interested in human interactions with the environment, and the impact of human activity on aquatic ecosystems.
Biodiversity is the variety and variability of life on Earth. It encompasses diversity at the genetic, taxonomic and ecosystem levels. Biodiversity is important in both natural and artificial ecosystems. Today, biodiversity is threatened by habitat loss and fragmentation, unsustainable resource use, invasive species, pollution and global climate change.
Biomonitoring is the process of systematically observing, measuring, and analysing the physiological, biochemical, molecular, and genetic responses of living organisms to environmental changes, thus providing qualitative or quantitative information on the state of the environment. It includes the use of various bioindicators, biomonitors, bioaccumulators, and biomarkers.
Functional ecology focuses on the understanding of various biological phenomena (functions) at different levels of organization from organisms to ecosystems, thus enabling the understanding of the existence of certain patterns in nature. It identifies and studies the processes and/or activities that keep an organism or entire ecosystem functioning.
Climate change is an all-encompassing and growing global threat to biodiversity and ecosystems. It directly leads to phenological, physiological, morphological, and ethological changes, the spread of invasive species, and a decrease in the number of native species and their extinction. Changed climatic conditions affect habitat quality, resulting in changes in the distribution of species and communities. In order to mitigate the effects of climate change on the environment, it is necessary to predict and understand their impact on the living world.
Environmental protection comprises reduction or prevention of pollution, negative impacts on the environment, damage caused to ecosystems or natural resources caused by human activities.
My name is Maša Marković, and I was born on November 27, 2000, in Belgrade. I graduated from the First Belgrade Gymnasium, specializing in the natural sciences and mathematics track, in 2019. That same year, I enrolled in the first year of undergraduate academic studies at the Faculty of Biology, University of Belgrade, in the Biology study program. I completed my undergraduate studies in 2023 with a GPA of 9.14 and earned the title of Bachelor of Biology. In 2023, I enrolled in a master's academic program at the Faculty of Biology, specializing in Immunology. I conducted the experimental part of my master's thesis at the Institute for Biological Research "Siniša Stanković," focusing on "The effect of phenethyl ester of rosmarinic acid on the production of pro-inflammatory mediators in immune lung cells." I successfully defended my thesis in 2024, completing my master's studies with a GPA of 10.00 and earning the title of Master of Biology. Additionally, I had the opportunity to participate in the 13th Conference of the Serbian Biochemical Society as a contributor with an abstract and a poster on the topic "Phenethyl ester of rosmarinic acid ameliorates acute respiratory distress syndrome."
I have enrolled in the first year of doctoral academic studies at the Faculty of Biology in the Molecular Biology and Physiology program, under the submodule Animal and Human Physiology. I have continued my research collaboration and scientific work at the Institute for Biological Research "Siniša Stanković."
My dissertation research focuses on examining the effects of NRF2 activators on various experimental models of autoimmune diseases, such as type 1 diabetes, experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis, and experimental myocarditis. Additionally, my research encompasses inflammatory diseases, with a particular emphasis on acute respiratory distress syndrome. The goal of my work is to assess the potential of NRF2 activators in modulating immune response processes.
Inflammation is a response to damage and danger in organisms and is an integral part of research in immunology, but also in other scientific disciplines, since inflammation occurs in numerous pathological conditions like diabetes or cancer. Immunology studies body’s defence mechanisms at cellular and molecular level in infective diseases, as well as immune system malfunctions in autoimmune diseases and allergies Modification of body’s immune system is useful in treatment of these diseases, and can be performed through pharmacological modulation or immunotherapy, where immune cells or their parts are used. Acute-phase proteins and potential biological markers of inflammation involved in the modification and integration of signalling pathways are being investigated in order to predict and intervene in diseases.
Biodiversity is the variety and variability of life on Earth. It encompasses diversity at the genetic, taxonomic and ecosystem levels. Biodiversity is important in both natural and artificial ecosystems. Today, biodiversity is threatened by habitat loss and fragmentation, unsustainable resource use, invasive species, pollution and global climate change.
Biomonitoring is the process of systematically observing, measuring, and analysing the physiological, biochemical, molecular, and genetic responses of living organisms to environmental changes, thus providing qualitative or quantitative information on the state of the environment. It includes the use of various bioindicators, biomonitors, bioaccumulators, and biomarkers.
Climate change is an all-encompassing and growing global threat to biodiversity and ecosystems. It directly leads to phenological, physiological, morphological, and ethological changes, the spread of invasive species, and a decrease in the number of native species and their extinction. Changed climatic conditions affect habitat quality, resulting in changes in the distribution of species and communities. In order to mitigate the effects of climate change on the environment, it is necessary to predict and understand their impact on the living world.
Conservation biology aims to conserve biodiversity on Earth and is concerned with the long-term sustainability of ecosystems. With an interdisciplinary approach, conservation biology addresses conservation problems at the level of species, communities, and ecosystems that are directly or indirectly disturbed by human activities or other impacts.
Population genetics studies genetic composition - distribution and change in frequency of alleles over time, within and between populations. It uses mathematical models of allele frequency dynamics, makes predictions about the likely patterns of genetic variation in actual populations, and tests the predictions against empirical data.
Terrestrial ecology studies relationships between organisms and ecological communities (biocenoses) on the one hand and external environmental conditions on the other. It also investigates the interaction between living beings on land. This research provides a conceptual basis for understanding processes in terrestrial ecosystems and their sensitivity to environmental and biotic changes.
Urban ecology focuses on studying fundamental ecological concepts within urban areas. It examines how ecological patterns, relations and processes differ in urban environments compared to non-urban environments, and investigates the impact of urbanisation on the ecology of organisms. Additionally, urban ecology examines the relationships and interactions between ecological and social systems within urban ecosystems that are made exclusively by anthropogenic activity.
Environmental protection comprises reduction or prevention of pollution, negative impacts on the environment, damage caused to ecosystems or natural resources caused by human activities.
EDUCATION
2024 – Enrolled in Doctoral Academic Studies at the Faculty of Sciences, University of Niš, study program Biology and Ecology, module Biology.
2019–2020: Master's Academic Studies at the Faculty of Biology, University of Belgrade, study program Biology, module Plant Physiology and Biotechnology.
2014–2019: Bachelor's Academic Studies at the Faculty of Biology, University of Belgrade, study program Biology.
WORK EXPERIENCE AND PRACTICE
2018–2019: Volunteer work at the Department of Plant Physiology, IBISS
2018–2019: Experimental part of the Master's thesis defended under the title "In vitro propagation of Micromeria graeca and morphological and histochemical analysis of glandular trichomes of leaves"
2020–2024: Biology teacher at Deveta beogradska gimnazija "Mihailo Petrović Alas"
RESEARCH INTERESTS
Physiology, molecular biology, and plant biotechnology
Regeneration of endemic, medicinal, and aromatic plant species – physiological, morpho-anatomical, histological, and cytological aspects of in vitro morphogenesis
Plant secretion biology – histocytological aspects of ontogenesis and secretion of various types of secretory structures in medicinal and aromatic plants
Physiology and molecular biology of plants studies the mechanisms underlying plant growth and development, plant morphogenesis in vitro (organogenesis, somatic embryogenesis, androgenesis), synthesis and accumulation of specialised metabolites, plant responses to different types of stressors, as well as allelopathic relationships between plants.
Isidora Marković is a PhD student at the Faculty of Biology, University of Belgrade. Since February 2025, she has been employed as a junior research assistant at the Department of Molecular Biology of the Institute for Biological Research "Siniša Stanković" - National Institute of the Republic of Serbia. In the same department, she completed her master's thesis entitled "Effect of hydrogen sulfide donors on liver and pancreas of diabetic mice" under the mentorship of dr Ana Stančić and dr Iva Lakić. She is currently researching the effects of different natural and synthetic hydrogen sulfide donors on the regulation of ferroptosis in the pathogenesis of type 1 diabetes, with a focus on enzymes involved in antioxidant defense and iron metabolism. In previous research, she used an in vivo model, specifically the C57BL/6 and NOD mouse strains.
EDUCATION:
2024. – PhD student, Biology of Cells and Tissues module, Faculty of Biology, University of Belgrade;
2024. –MSc in biology, Experimental Biomedicine module, Faculty of Biology, University of Belgrade;
2023. – BSc in biology, Biology module, Faculty of Biology, University of Belgrade;
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.
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.
Redox biology is the study of all aspects of biology mediated or influenced by biochemical processes involving reduction (gain of electrons) and oxidation (loss of electrons). Redox homeostasis is central to the basic functions of life, including metabolism and respiration, and when altered it can promote the progression of disease and ageing.
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.
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.
Redox biology is the study of all aspects of biology mediated or influenced by biochemical processes involving reduction (gain of electrons) and oxidation (loss of electrons). Redox homeostasis is central to the basic functions of life, including metabolism and respiration, and when altered it can promote the progression of disease and ageing.
Dr. Irena Todorović was born on April 27th, 1995 in Belgrade. She graduated from Zemun High School in 2014, after which she enrolled in Undergraduate studies at the Faculty of Biology, University of Belgrade, study program Biology (Ecology module). In 2017, she was the coordinator of the Congress of Biology Students "Simplast". She graduated in 2018, earning the title of Graduated biologist. In the same year, she enrolled in the Master's Program at the Faculty of Agriculture, University of Belgrade, study program Food Technology (module Microbiology of Food and the Environment), and completed them in 2019. She worked on the Master's thesis titled "Possibilities for application of Bacillus megaterium inoculum and Aspergillus piperis metabolites in seed biopriming" at the Department for Environmental Microbiology, and she defended it on July 4th, 2019 with a grade 10, earning the title Master engineer of technology. In the same year, she was awarded a scholarship by the French government for joint Doctoral academic studies at the University Claude Bernard Lyon 1 (Claude Bernard Lyon 1, doctoral school Évolution, Écosystèmes, Microbiologie, Modélisation) and at the University of Belgrade (Faculty of Agriculture, study program Agricultural Sciences), as well as Scholarship from the Foundation for Young Talents in the Republic of Serbia, for the best students studying abroad. On May 31st, 2024, she defended her doctoral dissertation entitled "Indigenous bacterial populations in soil suppressiveness to Fusarium graminearum", earning the title of Doctor of Biotechnical Sciences (in Serbia) and Doctor of the University of Lyon (in France). Dr. Irena Todorović participated in the SupressSoil project, funded by the BiodivERsA3 ERA-Net COFUND program, and the ANR (French National Research Agency), that aimed to understand molecular and ecological processes in soils suppressive to pathogenic fungi, in Germany, Switzerland, Serbia and France. In addition, she participated in the Multilateral Scientific and Technological Cooperation project, which brought together researchers from France, Serbia and the Czech Republic, and aimed to test the suppressiveness of soils to Fusarium graminearum. Irena Todorović speaks, reads and writes English (level C2/C2) and French (level B2/C2).
Biodiversity is the variety and variability of life on Earth. It encompasses diversity at the genetic, taxonomic and ecosystem levels. Biodiversity is important in both natural and artificial ecosystems. Today, biodiversity is threatened by habitat loss and fragmentation, unsustainable resource use, invasive species, pollution and global climate change.
Biotechnology is defined as the use of biological processes and systems (living organisms or their parts) to develop or modify different processes or products useful to humans and includes analysis of risks of its implementation (biosafety).
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.
Environmental protection comprises reduction or prevention of pollution, negative impacts on the environment, damage caused to ecosystems or natural resources caused by human activities.
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Email: ibiss@ibiss.bg.ac.rs
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