Researchers from the Institute for Medical Research, Dr. Aleksandra Jauković and Dr. Slavko Mojsilović, conducted a research visit to Bordeaux in November as part of a bilateral collaboration with the French Blood Institute (Établissement Français du Sang – EFS, Nouvelle-Aquitaine). The visit was carried out within the project “Harnessing H₂S to induce a hibernation-like state of mesenchymal stromal cells as a strategy for efficient non-freezing cell preservation,” which explores alternatives to conventional cryopreservation for cell-based therapies.
The project builds on a collaboration between Dr. Aleksandra Jauković and Dr. Marija Vlaški-Lafarge, an IMR alumna, and is centered on preserving mesenchymal stromal cells by inducing a controlled, hibernation-like state. This approach is designed to retain the cells’ regenerative and immunomodulatory properties while avoiding the limitations associated with freezing.
During the visit, experiments were initiated using the Seahorse XF Analyzer to evaluate the effects of a novel hydrogen sulfide (H₂S) donor on mitochondrial stress in mesenchymal stromal cells under suboptimal environmental conditions. These studies provide insight into how cellular metabolism responds to constrained resources and support the development of more robust strategies for maintaining cell function over extended periods.
The IMR researchers also visited the EFS Cell Therapy Unit, gaining first-hand insight into the structure and operation of a regional system that supports the collection, processing, and clinical use of cells and tissues across the Aquitaine region. Particular attention was given to how research activities are embedded within standard clinical workflows.
As part of the scientific program, Dr. Jauković delivered a lecture at INSERM U1211 at the University of Bordeaux titled “Beyond structural support: Biomaterials for fine-tuning of stem cell regenerative and immunomodulatory potential.” The talk fostered discussion on the role of biomaterials in shaping cellular metabolism and functional plasticity.
In parallel, collaboration was established with the CELLOMET center, which specializes in advanced metabolic analyses of cells and tissues, with a strong emphasis on systems-level approaches in biomedicine.
Beyond the exchange of expertise, the visit enabled a closer alignment of experimental design, infrastructure, and methodology, creating a shared framework for addressing complex biological questions in settings that reflect real-world and clinically relevant conditions.
