Projects

Project leader: Dr. Ivana Drvenica

Project collaborators: Dr. Vesna Ilić, Dr. Steva Lević

Duration of the project: 1.6.2024-31.5.2025.

Leading institution: Institute for Medical Research, University of Belgrade

Collaborating institution: Faculty of Agriculture, University of Belgrade

Description of the project:

Slaughterhouse blood is generated in a very large volume all around the world. Within the EU meat industry, slaughterhouse blood is classified as a third-category animal by-product that has been deemed suitable for human consumption but is not intended for consumption due to either being not typically eaten or commercially sold. Unfortunately, in Western Balkan countries, it’s commonly treated as waste and completely disregarded, leading to serious environmental problems if not properly managed, due to its high pollutant capacity. On the other hand, our research demonstrated that slaughterhouse blood can be a sustainable source of biomolecules and biomaterials with significant nutritional/functional value if adequately managed.

We created technology to obtain completely preserved high-purity hemoglobin from slaughterhouse blood, a valuable source of heme- iron, the most bioavailable form of iron. Knowing that anemia due to iron deficiency is the most prominent nutritional deficiency, we are developing novel long-term stable solid-state complexes of low-cost sugar and recovered biologically active hemoglobin from bovine and porcine slaughterhouse blood, as potential dietary supplements. Our goal was to achieve the effectiveness of the current industry standard protein stabilizer, by using cost-effective sugar in tandem with the optimized process parameters of two drying methods of recovered hemoglobin. From the selected dried hemoglobins with satisfactory cost-benefit and techno-functional features, two products as a source of heme iron will be developed and tested for their sensory and technological characteristics. Thanks to the scalable and transferable technologies of the M2BoostHEM project, the production of such added-value food supplements could be performed in any geographical area in the world. Thus, the M2BoostHEM project has the potential to enhance the sustainability of the food industry and minimize its environmental footprint.

Project leader: Dr. Aleksandar Krmpot

Project collaborators: Dr. Ivana Drvenica, Dr. Drenka Trivanović, Dr. Mihajlo Radmilović, Dr. Stanko Nikolić, Dr. Danica Pavlović

Duration of the project: 1.9.2020–31.8.2022.

Leading institution: Institute of Physics, University of Belgrade

Collaborating institution: Institute for Medical Research, University of Belgrade

Description of the project:

In this project, we are aiming to utilize state-of-the art optical microscopic techniques expanding their applicability for erythrocytes and erythrocyte derivatives imaging as a potential diagnostic method for modern age disorders, such as cancer, diabetes and other inflammatory/autoimmune diseases. Our research will be mostly based on two-photon excitation fluorescence microscopy (TPEF) and recently demonstrated intrinsic feature of hemoglobin to become a fluorescent molecular target upon two-photon excitation by ultra-short laser pulses. We will unite our “know-how” on TPEF with third harmonic generation (THG) imaging of erythrocytes and complement it with quantitative information obtained by fluorescence correlation spectroscopy (FCS). The latter two will be developed within this project. Using erythrocytes as sensitive markers, we will demonstrate how combining the data acquired by custom–made techniques and established protocols for in vitro and ex vivo hemoglobin based imaging can contribute to a better understanding of the underlying biological basis of specific disorders. This is the first step in development of novel methods for diagnosis and disease risk stratification. We will also boost our initiated research on TPEF microscopy as an effective tool for label- and fixation -free imaging of erythrocytes and their membranes at single cell level. The research revealed the relation between spatial distribution of hemoglobin within erythrocytes and their morphology implying that this relation is an indicator of erythrocytes functional status.

Six researchers from two leading national institutions and from various, complementary, fields (physics, biology, biophotonics, pharmacy) will carry out the activities divided into 7 tasks and deliver 13 items, amongst two new techniques will be developed: THG and FCS for the benefit to the broad international and Serbian scientific community. HEMMAGINERO is supported by DESY, Germany and Karolinska Institutet, Sweden formally and by open access to the equipment. The project will be realized in 2 years and by cca 200,000EUR employing and upgrading the most valuable equipment in Serbian scientific institutions and respecting all the safety and ethical issues.

Project leader: Dr. Jelena M. Aleksić

Project collaborators: Dr. Nevena Mihailović-Stanojević, Dr. Zoran Miloradović, Dr. Milan Ivanov, Dr. Una-Jovana Vajić, Dr. Danijela Karanović, Dr. Jasmina Milenković, Dr. Ivana Živković

Duration of the project: 27.06.2024-26.02.2025.

Leading institution: Institute for Medical Research, University of Belgrade

Collaborating institutions: Institute for Forage Crops, Kruševac, Institute for Multidisciplinary Research, University of Belgrade

Description of the project:

Dopamine deficiency is a key factor in neurodegenerative and movement disorders such as Parkinson’s disease and restless legs syndrome, as well as in depression. Conventional treatments for these conditions use synthetic L-dopa, which causes numerous side effects. Natural L-dopa, which is present in certain plant species including faba bean, is a suitable alternative. On the other hand, in the nutraceutical and functional food industry, there is a rapidly growing demand for natural, bioactive compounds that have positive effects on human health, especially antioxidants such as polyphenols.

The project proved the concept that local faba bean populations from the Republic of Serbia differ in the content of L-dopa, polyphenols and other bioactive compounds, and that the content of desirable bioactive compounds can be increased in dry seed extracts by applying a cost-effective and scalable technology that, in addition, enables modeling of the composition of extracts for the purpose of optimization for various healthcare applications and market needs.

Faba bean extracts naturally enriched with desirable bioactive compounds represent natural dietary supplements that have positive effects on neurological health, dopamine regulation, and general well-being, and can also be used to increase the nutritional value of food products through enrichment with natural bioactive compounds and the production of functional foods. In addition to the beneficial effects of natural dietary products for neurological and chronic human conditions, additional benefits of their production include organic faba bean cultivation with improved soil health and reduced chemical inputs, as well as lower CO₂ emissions and reduced soil, air and water pollution through environmentally friendly agricultural practices.

Project leader: Dr. Đurđica Jovović

Project collaborators: Dr. Zoran Miloradović, Dr. Nevena Mihailović-Stanojević, Dr. Jelica Grujić Milanović, Dr. Milan Ivanov, Dr. Dinko Sušić, Dr. Slađan Milanović, Dr. Dijana Jovanović, Dr. Dragana Dekanski, Dr. Anamarija Simić, Dr. Jasmina Varagić, Dr. Danijela Karanović, Dr. Una-Jovana Vajić

Project number: 175096

Duration of the project: 2011-2019.

Leading institution: Institute for Medical Research, University of Belgrade

Collaborating institutions: Faculty of Medicine, University of Belgrade, “Galenika” A.D.

Description of the project:

The results of the project demonstrated that therapy with olive leaf extract has a beneficial effect on cardiovascular and renal parameters. It reduced oxidative stress, arterial blood pressure (systolic, diastolic, and mean), and total peripheral resistance in a rat model of essential hypertension. In the same experimental model, the olive leaf extract led to an improvement in renal circulation, a reduction in renal vascular resistance, and a decrease in the synthesis of harmful reactive oxygen species.

Similarly to the olive leaf extract, therapy with resveratrol—an active ingredient found in grapes—led to a reduction in arterial blood pressure and vascular resistance in an animal model of essential hypertension. In an experimental model of malignant hypertension, this therapy resulted in even greater improvements in hemodynamic parameters compared to essential hypertension, as well as the prevention of degenerative changes in the arterioles.

Angiotensin 2 receptor blockade, applied in a rat model of post-ischemic acute renal failure associated with hypertension, led to the improvement of systemic and renal hemodynamic parameters and reduced damage to the glomeruli and tubules. Additionally, therapy with synthetic analogues of the enzyme superoxide dismutase in the same experimental model reduced renal vascular resistance.

Project leader: Dr. Dušan Božanić

Project collaborators: Dr. Tijana Mišeljić, Dr. Jelena Pajović, Dr. Biljana Ristić, Anamarija Abu el Rub, Dr. Vladimir Đoković

Project number: 275

Duration of the project: 2025-2026.

Leading institution: Vinča Institute of Nuclear Sciences, University of Belgrade

Collaborating institutions: Faculty of Physics, University of Belgrade, Institute for Medical Research, University of Belgrade, The Danish National Research Foundation and Villum Foundation’s Center for Intelligent Drug Delivery and Sensing Using Microcontainers and Nanomechanics (IDUN), Department of Health Technology, Technical University of Denmark (DTU)

Description of the project:

The NIMPHA project is dedicated to developing of a ballistic method for transporting medications through the membranes of superficial cells, bypassing the standard endocytosis process. The methodology is based on the use of nanomotors that are activated and propelled by light in the near-infrared region of the spectrum, allowing precise control of the nanomotors’ available energy range through light intensity regulation. The expected results of the NIMPHA project will contribute to the development of advanced technologies for delivering drugs or genetic material through cell membranes with minimal disruption to cellular structure, thereby opening new possibilities for improving the treatment of skin cancers.

Project leader: Dr. Biljana Ristić

Project collaborators: Dr. Ivana Drvenica, Dr. Marijana Kovačić, Dr. Irina Maslovarić, Dr. Tamara Đukić, Dr. Verica Paunović, Dr. Attila Bóta, Dr. Zoltán Varga, Dr. Judit Mihály

Project number: 001908878 2025 13440 003 000 000 001 02 010

Duration of the project: 2025-2027.

Leading institution: Institute for Medical Research, University of Belgrade

Collaborating institutions: Faculty of Medicine, University of Belgrade, Institute of Materials and Environmental Chemistry, Hungarian Academy of Sciences

Description of the project:

The project is focused on the development and optimization of the production of nanoerythrosomes based on human erythrocyte membranes, with the aim of obtaining safe and efficient carriers for targeted drug delivery. Its significance lies in the development of innovative biomimetic nanoplatforms which, owing to the preserved structural and functional properties of the erythrocyte membrane, enable prolonged circulation of therapeutics, evasion of immune recognition, and the potential to overcome the blood–brain barrier. The expected outcomes of the project will contribute to the development of nanoerythrosomes with enhanced functional and biological properties, thereby providing a significant contribution to the field of modern nanomedicine and establishing a foundation for the application of novel bioinspired drug delivery platforms. The project is implemented through bilateral collaboration between research teams from Serbia and Hungary, integrating complementary expertise, advanced methodologies, and state-of-the-art analytical infrastructure. This collaborative framework facilitates efficient knowledge exchange and supports the development of innovative solutions in the field of nanomedicine.

Project leader: Dr. Vesna Vučić

Project collaborators: Dr. Danijela Ristić-Medić, Dr. Aleksandra Arsić, Dr. Maja Milošević, Dr. Snježana Petrović, Dr. Nebojša Ivanović, Dr. Biljana Pokimica, Dr. Anđelija Čukić, Dr. Marijana Kovačić

Project number: 5050

Duration of the project: December 1, 2023-December 1, 2026.

Leading institution: Institute for Medical Research, University of Belgrade

Collaborating institutions: Faculty of Medicine, University of Belgrade

Description of the project:

With 3700 new breast cancer (BRC) cases each year in Serbia, and 2.1 million globally, BRC is one of the biggest health challenges today. Available anticancer therapies have limited efficacy and are coupled with toxic side effects. Nutritional intervention can ameliorate undesirable effects, reduce exhaustion, psychological harm, and costs spent on treating these side effects.

The project AID aims to improve clinical outcome, quality of life (QoL) and survival rate in BRC patients on adjuvant endocrine therapy with aromatase inhibitors (AI) by nutritional interventions. In a three-arm randomised controlled nutritional trial involving 80 BRC patients who receive either supplement or placebo pills (control group), or an anti-inflammatory diet for 4 months, along with the AI therapy, changes in nutritional status, QoL, biochemical and clinical parameters аrе measured in comparison among three groups.

The second goal is to establish cause-and-effect relationships among the clinical outcomes, nutritional status and biochemical parameters related to cancer, including inflammatory and redox status, plasma lipidome and polymorphism of fatty acid desaturase (FADS) genes. The challenges are tackled by our research team which holds the expertise to accomplish the nutritional, clinical, and biochemical tasks of the project.

The project tends to go beyond the current state-of-the-art by implementing high-throughput lipidomic analyses in nutritional trials. This helps in building the research capacity of our team with the long-term goals toward the elucidation of the biochemical pathways by integration of machine learning and to the creation of the first lipidomic centre in Serbia. Introducing an effective nutritional intervention in BRC patients as an integral part of the multimodal therapeutic approach through this project will immediately have an outstanding impact for patients and their families, as well as for local and global economy in a long run.

Project leader: Dr. Lucy Robertson

Project collaborators: Dr. Olgica Đurković-Đaković, Dr. Branko Bobić

Project number: FA1408

Duration of the project: 2014-2019.

Leading institution: Norwegian University of Life Sciences

Description of the project:

The main objective of EURO-FBP is to decrease the impact on human health from foodborne parasites (FBP), through establishing a risk-based control programme for FBP containing robust and appropriate protective strategies. EURO-FBP will use an interdisciplinary, One Health perspective to assimilate information, coordinate research and harmonize diagnostics, surveillance, analytical methods, potential interventions and mapping of global trends regarding FBP. The Action will determine those FBP of greatest regional importance, pinpoint knowledge gaps, and focus resources strategically for control of FBP. FBP include protozoa, nematodes, cestodes and trematodes. Although a significant public health issue, FBP have been neglected compared with other foodborne pathogens such as viruses or bacteria. Furthermore, globalisation and changes in climate, agricultural practices, and human behaviourand lifestyles all contribute to emergence of FBP in new settings, with new hosts and transmission routes. Previously associated with specific regions, FBP are now spreading. FBP research is fragmented and groups often focus on a single genera or group of parasites. Hence COST is ideal for EURO-FBP, enabling collaboration among scientists that rarely interact. The agenda will focus on how to address FBP, optimising efforts and resources in order to control FBP in Europe – and globally.