Projects

Determining the potential of placental tissue derivatives for use in post-mastectomy breast reconstruction: Development of a 3D-printed bioscaffold (AmnioPrintCare)

Project leader: Dr. Hristina Obradović

Project collaborators: Dr. Ivana Okić Đorđević, Dr. Sanja Momčilović, Dragana Aleksandrović, Dr. Ivana Gazikalović (external team member), Dr. Nikola Jeftić (external team member)

Project number: 11073

Duration of the project: 2024-2026.

Leading institution: Institute for Medical Research, University of Belgrade

Collaborating institutions: Innovation Center, Faculty of Technology and Metallurgy, University of Belgrade, Institute for Oncology and Radiology of Serbia

Description of the project:

Despite their safety and feasibility for patients, existing breast reconstruction techniques following mastectomy carry the risk of potential complications, and do not significantly alter the likelihood of disease recurrence compared to mastectomy alone. Hence, these factors must be considered when evaluating the available breast reconstruction options post-mastectomy. The field of tissue engineering has been intensively growing primarily focusing on crafting diverse scaffolds that act as templates for tissue regeneration. For nearly a century, the amniotic membrane (AM) of the placenta has been utilized in skin and cornea regeneration, and numerous studies have demonstrated its antitumor, antifibrotic, antiinflammatory, and immunomodulatory properties. AmnioPrintCare aims to develop the scaffold biomaterial using human AM homogenate that will preserve and exhibit its regenerative and antitumor effects over an extended period when applied. By establishing advanced 3D bioprinting techniques for scaffold fabrication, AmnioPrintCare will enable more accessible and personalized regenerative medicine practices in breast reconstruction. To achieve that, by using different technological methods and advanced 3D software and bioprinter, we will establish 3D printed bioscaffold based on hAM. Also, we will confirm its biocompatibility with the breast tissue niche cells and its regenerative potential in vitro related to adipogenesis and angiogenesis along with the antitumor effect towards breast cancer cell lines. We will further evaluate its regenerative and antitumor effect upon transplantation in mice. This interdisciplinary project will bring advancement in biotechnology that will lead to improvements in biomedicine and provide basis for better healthcare and survival rate among patients, novelties in the medical and biotechnological education, and improvement of biotech industry in Serbia as it could patent the new ‘’bioink’’ for commercially available bioprinters.

Тип пројекта:

National Projects

Development of Raman spectroscopy method for estimation of regenerative potential of mesenchymal stem cells at single cell level

Project leader: Dr. Tamara Kukolj

Project collaborators: Dr. Jasmina Lazarević, Dr. Uroš Ralević, Dr. Nenad Lazarević from Institute of Physics, University of Belgrade

Project number: “Start up for science” 2019/2020 funded by Philip Morris Company

Duration of the project: 2019-2020.

Leading institution: Institute for Medical Research, University of Belgrade

Description of the project:

Analysis of the characteristics of mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) at the level of individual cells using Raman spectroscopy with the aim of developing Raman spectroscopy as a fast, simple, and non-destructive Single Cell method for evaluating the regenerative potential of MSCs. Most biochemical changes, caused by physiological or pathological changes, are observed in the Raman spectrum under appropriate conditions, as a change in the intensity and/or position of the Raman mode. Therefore, the characteristics of MSCs originating from different tissues and donors will be investigated, as well as changes in age-related characteristics in MSCs populations. Changes in the Raman spectrum resulting from replicative age, i.e. prolonged cultivation in vitro, will be monitored, as well as changes in the spectrum caused by certain pharmacological substances used in the therapy of various diseases, which accelerate the aging process. Based on the obtained results, the correlation between the vibrational spectrum and the regenerative potential of primary MSCs will be determined, which will enable the establishment of Raman spectroscopy as a fast, simple, and non-invasive method for the qualitative analysis of the regenerative potential of a certain population of MSCs. This project will contribute to the detailed characterization of MSCs, to significantly speed up and facilitate their further application in cell therapy and tissue engineering.

Тип пројекта:

National Projects

Regenerative and modulatory potential of adult stem cells

Project leader: Dr. Diana Bugarski

Project collaborators: Dr. Aleksandra Jauković, Dr. Slavko Mojsilović, Dr. Drenka Trivanović, Dr. Ivana Okić Đorđević, Dr. Tamara Kukolj, Dr. Hristina Obradović, Dr. Jelena Krstić, Dr. Juan F. Santibañez, Dr. Sanja Vignjević Petrinović, Dr. Sanja Momčilović, Dr. Irina Maslovarić

Project number: OI 175062

Duration of the project: January 2011-December 2020.

Leading institution: Institute for Medical Research, University of Belgrade

Description of the project:

This project aimed to investigate the cellular and molecular aspects of the biology and function of multipotent adult stem cells, specifically hematopoietic stem cells and mesenchymal stromal cells. At the beginning of the project period, mesenchymal stromal cells were isolated and characterized (phenotypically and functionally) from various tissues of human and animal origin, including bone marrow, adipose tissue, umbilical cord, dental pulp, and periodontal ligament. In the following phase, the role and mode of action of various factors, primarily the inflammatory microenvironment, on the functional properties of adult stem cells were investigated, as well as the interaction of mesenchymal stromal cells with hematopoietic, immune, and tumor cells, with a particular focus on their role in immunoregulation and tumorigenesis. This project resulted in over 60 publications and presentations at scientific conferences (including 35 in JCI-indexed journals).

Тип пројекта:

National Projects

Application of low temperature plasmas in biomedicine, environmental control and nanotechnologies

Project leader: Dr. Nevena Puač

Project collaborators: Dr. Pavle Milenković, Dr. Slavko Mojsilović

Project number: III 41011

Duration of the project: January 2011-December 2020.

Leading institution: Institute of Physics, University of Belgrade

Description of the project:

This interdisciplinary project aimed to develop a new system of cold atmospheric plasma for use in biomedicine, environmental control, and nanotechnology. It consisted of four sub-projects: 1) Atmospheric discharges, 2) Plasma application in biology and medicine, 3) Plasma application in positron diagnostics, nanotechnology, and material functionalization, and 4) Measurements of biogenic volatile organic compounds. Institute for Medical Research participated in the second sub-project, led by Professor Pavle Milenković. Within this sub-project, the impact of cold atmospheric plasma on the regenerative properties of human dental-derived mesenchymal stromal/stem cells was investigated, both in vitro and in vivo (the rabbit calvarial critical-size defect model). The result of this sub-project was the publication of several papers in prestigious scientific journals and presentations at numerous international conferences.

Тип пројекта:

National Projects
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