Projects

Project leader: Dr. Tijana Štajner

Project collaborators: Dr. Jelena Srbljanović, Dr. Branko Bobić, Dr. Vladimir Dobričić, Dr. Anđelija Ilić, Dr. Dragana Vujić, Đorđe Zlatković, Olivera Lijeskić, Jelena Trajković

Project number: 7328

Duration of the project: 2023-2026.

Leading institution: Institute for Medical Research, University of Belgrade

Collaborating institutions: Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Belgrade, Faculty of Medicine, University of Belgrade, Institute of Physics Belgrade, University of Belgrade

Description of the project:

Toxoplasma gondii, the causative agent of toxoplasmosis, is a parasitic protozoan that infects almost a third of the global population. In cases of prolonged immunosuppression, reactivation of the infection occurs in chronically infected patients , which can be life-threatening. Reactivated toxoplasmosis (RT) is a particularly devastating complication in allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell recipients, who represent the fastest growing population of immunosuppressed patients in Europe. Despite this, there are still no guidelines for the diagnosis and treatment of RT. Moreover, the limited therapeutic options for RT are not only inadequate for allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell recipients due to pronounced myelotoxicity, but also ineffective because they only act on circulating parasites.

The main goal of the ToxoReTREAT project is to solve the problem of RT in the population of recipients of allogeneic hematopoietic stem cells using a multidisciplinary approach (medicine, pharmaceutical analysis, chemical industry); improve efficiency and reduce side effects; and the formulation of national guidelines for the diagnosis and treatment of RT. Namely, molecular monitoring of RT, isolation and characterization of T. gondii strains, identification of risk factors and evaluation of the effectiveness of standard treatment options will result in the formulation of National Guidelines for the diagnosis and treatment of toxoplasmosis in allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell recipients. The activity of newly synthesized and modified derivatives of acridine and acridone will be investigated both in vitro and in vivo experimental models of RT. T. gondii strains will be isolated from patients diagnosed with RT. Our research will identify at least one RT drug candidate with reduced toxicity and increased overall efficacy against T. gondii tachyzoites and bradyzoites, compared to standard therapy. We expect that the results of our project will arouse the interest of the pharmaceutical industry to engage in the development of new drugs for the treatment of toxoplasmosis. The sustainable transfer of knowledge gained through chemotherapy experiments will be contributed by the application of the freely available ImageJ software for the improvement of the automated assessment of the results of the experiments.

Project leader: Dr. Aleksandra Jauković

Project collaborators: Dr. Drenka Trivanović, Dr. Hristina Obradović, Dr. Slavko Mojsilović, Dragana Aleksandrović, Milica Karahasan

Project number: 19

Duration of the project: 2025-2026.

Leading institution: Institute for Medical Research, University of Belgrade

Collaborating institutions: Etablissement francais du sang, Bourdeaux, Neuvelle Aquitania, UMR1211 Laboratory for Rare Diseases, Genetics, and Metabolism

Description of the project:

Mesenchymal stromal cells (MStroC) represent one of the most promising tools in regenerative medicine due to their regenerative and immunomodulatory properties. However, their clinical application is limited by significantly reduced survival and functionality after cryopreservation, which highlights the need to improve their storage strategies before transplantation. The main objective of this project is to develop an innovative, non-cryogenic method for MStroC preservation by using a hydrogen sulfide (H₂S) donor to induce a state of low metabolic activity similar to hibernation, thereby protecting cells from cold stress during short-term storage at 4°C, while preserving their viability, regenerative and immunomodulatory potential upon rewarming. Through the collaboration of a Serbian and French team, the project aims to create a new and efficient platform for short-term storage of MStroC at 4°C. This approach would enable better preparation, transport, and clinical application of MStroC as advanced therapeutic products (ATMPs) in regenerative medicine and cell therapies.

Project leader: Dr. Drenka Trivanović

Project collaborators: Dr. Slavko Mojsilović, Dr. Ivana Okić Đorđević, Dr. Aleksandra Jauković, Dr. Sanja Momčilović, Dr. Anđelija Petrović, Dr. Jovana Kovačević (Faculty of Mathematics)

Project number: 14851

Duration of the project: 2024-2025.

Leading institution: Institute for Medical Research, University of Belgrade

Collaborating institution: Faculty of Mathematics, University of Belgrade

Description of the project:

Multiple myeloma (MM), an incurable cancer of the bone marrow plasma cells, is the second most frequent hematological malignancy. Despite growing number of approved therapeutics, proliferative clonal myeloma plasma cells (MPCs) persist in bone marrow, even in patients where minimal residual disease (MRD) is not evident. Existing treatment options are generalized, often ineffective, and highly toxic, emphasizing the urgency for personalized oncology development. However, no bone marrow in vitro drug testing system has been available for extensive drug response assessment. This project aims to develop a miniaturized, xeno-free platform that mimics the myeloma bone marrow microenvironment for the growth of patient-specific MPCs using human platelet-released factors, adjusted oxygen levels, and patient-derived mesenchymal stromal cells as feeder layers. MPC quality is monitored through immunophenotype, proliferation, clonality, and DNA index analyses. The platform targets high-throughput, low-cost anti-myeloma drug screening and personalized response prediction for use in biopharma, clinical research, and healthcare settings, with a defined commercialization strategy at local and global levels.

Project leader: Dr. Tatjana Zorčec

Project collaborators: Dr. Vesna Vučić, Dr. Danijela Ristić-Medić

Project number: KA220-ADU-AB287E78

Duration of the project: December 2022-November 2024.

Leading institution: Macedonian Association for Applied Psychology-MAAP, North Macedonia, Catholic University of Croatia, Institute for Medical Research, University of Belgrade

Description of the project:

Project leader: Dr. Marija Glibetić

Project collaborators: Dr. Marija Takić, Dr. Milica Zekovic, Dr. Biljana Pokimica, Dr. Tamara Popovic, Dr. Gordana Petrovic-Oggiano, Dr. Jelena Milešević, Dr. Jasmina Martačić-Debeljak, Dr. Marija Knez, Dr. Marija Ranić, Dr. Irena Krga, Dr. Vuk Stevanovic, Dr. Nevena Kardum, Dr. Mirjana Gurinović, Marta Despotović

Project number: OC/EFSA/DATA/2016/02

Duration of the project: 2016-2022.

Leading institution:

Description of the project:

Project leader: Dr. Mirjana Gurinović

Project collaborators: Dr. Marija Takić, Dr. Milica Zekovic, Dr. Biljana Pokimica, Dr. Tamara Popovic, Dr. Gordana Petrovic-Oggiano, Dr. Jelena Milešević, Dr. Jasmina Martačić-Debeljak, Dr. Marija Knez, Dr. Marija Ranić, Dr. Irena Krga, Dr. Vuk Stevanovic, Dr. Nevena Kardum, Dr. Marija Glibetić, Marta Despotović

Project number: OC/EFSA/DATA/2016/03

Duration of the project: 2016-2022.

Leading institution:

Description of the project:

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.

Project leader: Dr. Ivana Okić Đorđević

Project collaborators: Dr. Hristina Obradović, Dr. Drenka Trivanović, Dr. Ivana Drvenica, Dr. Sanja Momčilović

Project number: 337-00-110/2023-05/36

Duration of the project: Jul 2023-Jun 2025.

Leading institution: Institute for Medical Research, University of Belgrade

Collaborating institution: Institute of Cell Biology, University of Ljubljana

Description of the project:

Human amniotic membrane (hAM) is an available, inexpensive, and biocompatible collagen-based extracellular matrix with the cells derived from human placenta. hAM and its derivatives possess anti-inflammatory and regenerative properties. Until now, hAM has been used for post-operative and post-traumatic skin defects, intra-oral and genital reconstruction, and ophthalmologic disorders. In recent decades, the regenerative and modulatory properties of stem cells (SCs) have gained the attention of scientists indicating the possibility of their use in cell therapy. Periodontal ligament SCs (PDLSCs), obtained after tooth extraction for orthodontic reasons are recently discovered cells playing a crucial role in oral tissue homeostasis. Since the outcomes of currently available wound healing treatment approaches of oral tissues are expensive and sometimes not predictable, the search for new molecules with regenerative potential is an important goal in oral tissue regeneration. For this purpose, the objectives of this project include the influence of hAM on wound healing and regenerative potential of PDLSCs.