TY  - JOUR
AU  - Azanjac, Natalija
AU  - Milisavljević, Mira
AU  - Stanović, Stefan
AU  - Kojić, Milorad
PY  - 2024
UR  - https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S1568786424000855
UR  - https://imagine.imgge.bg.ac.rs/handle/123456789/2403
AB  - To identify new molecular components of the Brh2-governed homologous recombination (HR)-network in the highly radiation-resistant fungus Ustilago maydis, we undertook a genetic screen for suppressors of blm-KR hydroxyurea (HU)-sensitivity. Twenty DNA-damage sensitive mutants were obtained, three of which showing slow-growth phenotypes. Focusing on the “normally” growing candidates we identified five mutations, two in previously well-defined genes (Rec2 and Rad51) and the remaining three in completely uncharacterized genes (named Rec3, Bls9 and Zdr1). A common feature among these novel factors is their prominent role in DNA repair. Rec3 contains the P-loop NTPase domain which is most similar to that found in U. maydis Rec2 protein, and like Rec2, Rec3 plays critical roles in induced allelic recombination, is crucial for completion of meiosis, and with regard to DNA repair Δrec3 and Δrec2 are epistatic to one another. Importantly, overexpression of Brh2 in Δrec3 can effectively restore DNA-damage resistance, indicating a close functional connection between Brh2 and Rec3. The Bls9 does not seem to have any convincing domains that would give a clue as to its function. Nevertheless, we present evidence that, besides being involved in DNA-repair, Bls9 is also necessary for HR between chromosome homologs. Moreover, Δbls9 showed epistasis with Δbrh2 with respect to killing by DNA-damaging agents. Both, Rec3 and Bls9, play an important role in protecting the genome from mutations. Zdr1 is Cys2-His2 zinc finger (C2H2-ZF) protein, whose loss does not cause a detectable change in HR. Also, the functions of both Bls9 and Zdr1 genes are dispensable in meiosis and sporulation. However, Zdr1 appears to have overlapping activities with Blm and Mus81 in protecting the organism from methyl methanesulfonate- and diepoxybutane-induced DNA-damage. Finally, while deletion of Rec3 and Zdr1 can suppress HU-sensitivity of blm-KR, Δgen1, and Δmus81 mutants, interestingly loss of Bls9 does not rescue HU-sensitivity of Δgen1.
T2  - DNA Repair
T1  - Suppressors of Blm-deficiency identify three novel proteins that facilitate DNA repair in Ustilago maydis
SP  - 103709
VL  - 140
DO  - 10.1016/j.dnarep.2024.103709
ER  - 

@article{
author = "Azanjac, Natalija and Milisavljević, Mira and Stanović, Stefan and Kojić, Milorad",
year = "2024",
abstract = "To identify new molecular components of the Brh2-governed homologous recombination (HR)-network in the highly radiation-resistant fungus Ustilago maydis, we undertook a genetic screen for suppressors of blm-KR hydroxyurea (HU)-sensitivity. Twenty DNA-damage sensitive mutants were obtained, three of which showing slow-growth phenotypes. Focusing on the “normally” growing candidates we identified five mutations, two in previously well-defined genes (Rec2 and Rad51) and the remaining three in completely uncharacterized genes (named Rec3, Bls9 and Zdr1). A common feature among these novel factors is their prominent role in DNA repair. Rec3 contains the P-loop NTPase domain which is most similar to that found in U. maydis Rec2 protein, and like Rec2, Rec3 plays critical roles in induced allelic recombination, is crucial for completion of meiosis, and with regard to DNA repair Δrec3 and Δrec2 are epistatic to one another. Importantly, overexpression of Brh2 in Δrec3 can effectively restore DNA-damage resistance, indicating a close functional connection between Brh2 and Rec3. The Bls9 does not seem to have any convincing domains that would give a clue as to its function. Nevertheless, we present evidence that, besides being involved in DNA-repair, Bls9 is also necessary for HR between chromosome homologs. Moreover, Δbls9 showed epistasis with Δbrh2 with respect to killing by DNA-damaging agents. Both, Rec3 and Bls9, play an important role in protecting the genome from mutations. Zdr1 is Cys2-His2 zinc finger (C2H2-ZF) protein, whose loss does not cause a detectable change in HR. Also, the functions of both Bls9 and Zdr1 genes are dispensable in meiosis and sporulation. However, Zdr1 appears to have overlapping activities with Blm and Mus81 in protecting the organism from methyl methanesulfonate- and diepoxybutane-induced DNA-damage. Finally, while deletion of Rec3 and Zdr1 can suppress HU-sensitivity of blm-KR, Δgen1, and Δmus81 mutants, interestingly loss of Bls9 does not rescue HU-sensitivity of Δgen1.",
journal = "DNA Repair",
title = "Suppressors of Blm-deficiency identify three novel proteins that facilitate DNA repair in Ustilago maydis",
pages = "103709",
volume = "140",
doi = "10.1016/j.dnarep.2024.103709"
}

Azanjac, N., Milisavljević, M., Stanović, S.,& Kojić, M.. (2024). Suppressors of Blm-deficiency identify three novel proteins that facilitate DNA repair in Ustilago maydis. in DNA Repair, 140, 103709.
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.dnarep.2024.103709

Azanjac N, Milisavljević M, Stanović S, Kojić M. Suppressors of Blm-deficiency identify three novel proteins that facilitate DNA repair in Ustilago maydis. in DNA Repair. 2024;140:103709.
doi:10.1016/j.dnarep.2024.103709 .

Azanjac, Natalija, Milisavljević, Mira, Stanović, Stefan, Kojić, Milorad, "Suppressors of Blm-deficiency identify three novel proteins that facilitate DNA repair in Ustilago maydis" in DNA Repair, 140 (2024):103709,
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.dnarep.2024.103709 . .

TY  - GEN
PY  - 2024
UR  - https://cordis.europa.eu/project/id/101160259
UR  - https://imagine.imgge.bg.ac.rs/handle/123456789/2402
AB  - ZeNCure aims to foster collaborative research and enhance scientific excellence at the Institute of
Molecular Genetics and Genetic Engineering, University of Belgrade (IMGGE) in Serbia. This ambitious
initiative brings together IMGGE, with world-renowned research institutions in Germany (MPG), Portugal
(CF) and the United Kingdom (UoS) along with an associated partner from Latvia (BGI RFL). The
overarching goal is to elevate IMGGE's research profile by strengthening its capabilities in zebrafish (ZF)
research, particularly in the context of non-communicable diseases (NCDs).
NCDs pose a significant global health challenge, accounting for over 74% of all deaths worldwide. These
diseases are influenced by a complex interplay of genetic, physiological, environmental, and behavioral
factors. Recognizing the gravity of the situation, the EU has prioritized NCD research under the Cluster 1:
Health of Horizon Europe.
ZeNCure focuses on the critical role of in vivo models in NCD research, ranging from identifying genetic
and environmental risk factors to testing innovative therapeutics. It leverages cutting-edge technologies,
including next-generation sequencing (NGS) and bioinformatics, to enhance IMGGE's capabilities in this
field.
ZeNCure is poised to accelerate the professional development of both early-stage and senior researchers,
as well as administrative staff. This holistic approach will not only enhance IMGGE's competitiveness in
European research funding schemes but also create an inspiring and supportive research environment.
ZeNCure represents a transformative endeavor that aims to strengthen scientific collaboration, improve
research capabilities, and contribute to the global fight against NCDs. By bridging the gap between IMGGE
and leading European research institutions, the project aspires to elevate IMGGE into a competitive and
internationally recognized research institution in the Western Balkans, fostering regional integration and
convergence with the EU.
T2  - European Comission, HORIZON-WIDERA Twinning
T1  - Enhancing non-communicable disease research excellence through zebrafish capacity building (ZeNCure)
UR  - https://hdl.handle.net/21.15107/rcub_imagine_2402
ER  - 

@misc{
year = "2024",
abstract = "ZeNCure aims to foster collaborative research and enhance scientific excellence at the Institute of
Molecular Genetics and Genetic Engineering, University of Belgrade (IMGGE) in Serbia. This ambitious
initiative brings together IMGGE, with world-renowned research institutions in Germany (MPG), Portugal
(CF) and the United Kingdom (UoS) along with an associated partner from Latvia (BGI RFL). The
overarching goal is to elevate IMGGE's research profile by strengthening its capabilities in zebrafish (ZF)
research, particularly in the context of non-communicable diseases (NCDs).
NCDs pose a significant global health challenge, accounting for over 74% of all deaths worldwide. These
diseases are influenced by a complex interplay of genetic, physiological, environmental, and behavioral
factors. Recognizing the gravity of the situation, the EU has prioritized NCD research under the Cluster 1:
Health of Horizon Europe.
ZeNCure focuses on the critical role of in vivo models in NCD research, ranging from identifying genetic
and environmental risk factors to testing innovative therapeutics. It leverages cutting-edge technologies,
including next-generation sequencing (NGS) and bioinformatics, to enhance IMGGE's capabilities in this
field.
ZeNCure is poised to accelerate the professional development of both early-stage and senior researchers,
as well as administrative staff. This holistic approach will not only enhance IMGGE's competitiveness in
European research funding schemes but also create an inspiring and supportive research environment.
ZeNCure represents a transformative endeavor that aims to strengthen scientific collaboration, improve
research capabilities, and contribute to the global fight against NCDs. By bridging the gap between IMGGE
and leading European research institutions, the project aspires to elevate IMGGE into a competitive and
internationally recognized research institution in the Western Balkans, fostering regional integration and
convergence with the EU.",
journal = "European Comission, HORIZON-WIDERA Twinning",
title = "Enhancing non-communicable disease research excellence through zebrafish capacity building (ZeNCure)",
url = "https://hdl.handle.net/21.15107/rcub_imagine_2402"
}

(2024). Enhancing non-communicable disease research excellence through zebrafish capacity building (ZeNCure). in European Comission, HORIZON-WIDERA Twinning.
https://hdl.handle.net/21.15107/rcub_imagine_2402

Enhancing non-communicable disease research excellence through zebrafish capacity building (ZeNCure). in European Comission, HORIZON-WIDERA Twinning. 2024;.
https://hdl.handle.net/21.15107/rcub_imagine_2402 .

"Enhancing non-communicable disease research excellence through zebrafish capacity building (ZeNCure)" in European Comission, HORIZON-WIDERA Twinning (2024),
https://hdl.handle.net/21.15107/rcub_imagine_2402 .

TY  - GEN
PY  - 2024
UR  - https://imagine.imgge.bg.ac.rs/handle/123456789/2401
AB  - Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) comprise a wide range of synthetic compounds characterized
by a carbon-fluorine bond, which is known to be one of the strongest and shortest chemical bonds. Due
to their unique properties, these compounds are widely used in consumer and industrial products. The
widespread use of PFAS chemicals, combined with their persistence, bioaccumulation, and mobility, has
resulted in severe pollution of air, soil, and water sources worldwide. The adverse health effects
associated with exposure to PFAS underscore the urgent need for immediate action and the development
of novel strategies to address these “forever chemicals”. In addition to effective remediation of PFAS,
there is a crucial need for improved tools to detect them. Currently, there is no PFAS sensor on the market
capable of detecting low concentrations in real time. The aim of this project is to investigate the potential
of unique bacterial enzymes for PFAS detection. The enzymes that can react with PFAS would have the
potential to be used as a biorecognition element in a specific product – an innovative PFAS biosensor.
Biosensors are affordable, portable, and rapid-response devices designed to detect specific analytes in a
sample. Such a device would enable on-site quantification and eliminate the need for complex equipment.
The envisioned biosensor, equipped with novel enzymes, could be used to detect PFAS chemicals in
environmental samples (water and soil) as well as in human samples (blood, breast milk). The
development of a cost-effective, user-friendly, and innovative solution such as a biosensor for PFAS
detection would be of great importance for environmental management and health.
T2  - Science Fund of the Republic of Serbia, Program Proof of Concept
T1  - Enzymes for detection of per- and polyfluoroalkyl (PFAS) chemicals (PFASens)
UR  - https://hdl.handle.net/21.15107/rcub_imagine_2401
ER  - 

@misc{
year = "2024",
abstract = "Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) comprise a wide range of synthetic compounds characterized
by a carbon-fluorine bond, which is known to be one of the strongest and shortest chemical bonds. Due
to their unique properties, these compounds are widely used in consumer and industrial products. The
widespread use of PFAS chemicals, combined with their persistence, bioaccumulation, and mobility, has
resulted in severe pollution of air, soil, and water sources worldwide. The adverse health effects
associated with exposure to PFAS underscore the urgent need for immediate action and the development
of novel strategies to address these “forever chemicals”. In addition to effective remediation of PFAS,
there is a crucial need for improved tools to detect them. Currently, there is no PFAS sensor on the market
capable of detecting low concentrations in real time. The aim of this project is to investigate the potential
of unique bacterial enzymes for PFAS detection. The enzymes that can react with PFAS would have the
potential to be used as a biorecognition element in a specific product – an innovative PFAS biosensor.
Biosensors are affordable, portable, and rapid-response devices designed to detect specific analytes in a
sample. Such a device would enable on-site quantification and eliminate the need for complex equipment.
The envisioned biosensor, equipped with novel enzymes, could be used to detect PFAS chemicals in
environmental samples (water and soil) as well as in human samples (blood, breast milk). The
development of a cost-effective, user-friendly, and innovative solution such as a biosensor for PFAS
detection would be of great importance for environmental management and health.",
journal = "Science Fund of the Republic of Serbia, Program Proof of Concept",
title = "Enzymes for detection of per- and polyfluoroalkyl (PFAS) chemicals (PFASens)",
url = "https://hdl.handle.net/21.15107/rcub_imagine_2401"
}

(2024). Enzymes for detection of per- and polyfluoroalkyl (PFAS) chemicals (PFASens). in Science Fund of the Republic of Serbia, Program Proof of Concept.
https://hdl.handle.net/21.15107/rcub_imagine_2401

Enzymes for detection of per- and polyfluoroalkyl (PFAS) chemicals (PFASens). in Science Fund of the Republic of Serbia, Program Proof of Concept. 2024;.
https://hdl.handle.net/21.15107/rcub_imagine_2401 .

"Enzymes for detection of per- and polyfluoroalkyl (PFAS) chemicals (PFASens)" in Science Fund of the Republic of Serbia, Program Proof of Concept (2024),
https://hdl.handle.net/21.15107/rcub_imagine_2401 .

TY  - GEN
PY  - 2024
UR  - https://imagine.imgge.bg.ac.rs/handle/123456789/2400
AB  - Organophosphates (OPs) enjoy wide application in numerous industrial sectors, including plastic
production, agriculture, and the arms industry. These chemicals serve as plastic additives to improve
product properties, as pesticides to protect crops from pests and diseases, and as chemical weapons in
form of nerve agents. The widespread use of OPs has led to the near-ubiquitous accumulation of OPs in
soils and waters across the globe, with profound health and environmental repercussions. Acute exposure
to anthropogenic OPs causes toxicity in insects, plants, animals, and humans, while chronic exposure has
been linked to neurotoxic effects, developmental abnormalities, and increased risk of certain cancers. The
widespread pollution and high toxicity of OPs require development of efficient and eco-friendly
decontamination methods. Currently, only enzymatic degradation of OPs meets these criteria. However,
just a few enzymes involved in OPs degradation have been discovered. Among them are two novel
enzymes that we identified, which independently and efficiently degrade a wide range of OP plastic
additives, pesticides, and nerve agents1. Nonetheless, their soluble expression and storage stability was
highly problematic, limiting cost-effective production and broad OP decontamination potential.
Therefore, we plan to improve their soluble expression and environmental stability using protein
engineering tools such as ancestral sequence reconstruction and stability optimization algorithms.
Stabilized enzymes will have а wide range of potential applications, from water and soil remediation to
prophylactic protection against OP poisoning. Finally, we will develop bacteria carrying novel
phosphotriesterases as part of the OPs metabolic pathway. The bacteria will be used for OPs
bioremediation converting these toxic compounds into phosphate, a molecule essential for life.
T2  - Science Fund of the Republic of Serbia, Program Proof of Concept
T1  - Enzyme stabilization for biodegradation of organophosphate plastic additives and pesticides (orgOPhix)
UR  - https://hdl.handle.net/21.15107/rcub_imagine_2400
ER  - 

@misc{
year = "2024",
abstract = "Organophosphates (OPs) enjoy wide application in numerous industrial sectors, including plastic
production, agriculture, and the arms industry. These chemicals serve as plastic additives to improve
product properties, as pesticides to protect crops from pests and diseases, and as chemical weapons in
form of nerve agents. The widespread use of OPs has led to the near-ubiquitous accumulation of OPs in
soils and waters across the globe, with profound health and environmental repercussions. Acute exposure
to anthropogenic OPs causes toxicity in insects, plants, animals, and humans, while chronic exposure has
been linked to neurotoxic effects, developmental abnormalities, and increased risk of certain cancers. The
widespread pollution and high toxicity of OPs require development of efficient and eco-friendly
decontamination methods. Currently, only enzymatic degradation of OPs meets these criteria. However,
just a few enzymes involved in OPs degradation have been discovered. Among them are two novel
enzymes that we identified, which independently and efficiently degrade a wide range of OP plastic
additives, pesticides, and nerve agents1. Nonetheless, their soluble expression and storage stability was
highly problematic, limiting cost-effective production and broad OP decontamination potential.
Therefore, we plan to improve their soluble expression and environmental stability using protein
engineering tools such as ancestral sequence reconstruction and stability optimization algorithms.
Stabilized enzymes will have а wide range of potential applications, from water and soil remediation to
prophylactic protection against OP poisoning. Finally, we will develop bacteria carrying novel
phosphotriesterases as part of the OPs metabolic pathway. The bacteria will be used for OPs
bioremediation converting these toxic compounds into phosphate, a molecule essential for life.",
journal = "Science Fund of the Republic of Serbia, Program Proof of Concept",
title = "Enzyme stabilization for biodegradation of organophosphate plastic additives and pesticides (orgOPhix)",
url = "https://hdl.handle.net/21.15107/rcub_imagine_2400"
}

(2024). Enzyme stabilization for biodegradation of organophosphate plastic additives and pesticides (orgOPhix). in Science Fund of the Republic of Serbia, Program Proof of Concept.
https://hdl.handle.net/21.15107/rcub_imagine_2400

Enzyme stabilization for biodegradation of organophosphate plastic additives and pesticides (orgOPhix). in Science Fund of the Republic of Serbia, Program Proof of Concept. 2024;.
https://hdl.handle.net/21.15107/rcub_imagine_2400 .

"Enzyme stabilization for biodegradation of organophosphate plastic additives and pesticides (orgOPhix)" in Science Fund of the Republic of Serbia, Program Proof of Concept (2024),
https://hdl.handle.net/21.15107/rcub_imagine_2400 .

TY  - GEN
PY  - 2024
UR  - https://imagine.imgge.bg.ac.rs/handle/123456789/2393
AB  - Alzheimer’s disease (AD), is the most common neurodegenerative disorder, sharing unclear
pathophysiology and massive social costs. Today, more than 55 million people have been diagnosed
with AD, and this number is forecast to increase more than twice by 2050. AD is tightly associated with
the presence of amyloid beta (Aβ) deposits, organised into insoluble, amyloid fibrils. Despite numerous
contemporary studies focused on the Aβ aggregation reduction, the cure for AD has not been found yet.
Our Project intends to implement the elements of molecular mechanisms underlying the remarkable
phenomenon of plant desiccation tolerance and develop a new Aβ anti-aggregation strategy. Late
Embryogenesis Abundant proteins (LEAPs) are markedly induced upon desiccation and can stabilise the
native structure of proteins and membranes by a mechanism that is not fully understood.
The primary Project aim is to investigate the structural properties of Ramonda serbica LEAPs and their
interactions with Aβ. Firstly, we will recombinantly produce LEAPs with the highest potential to inhibit
Aβ aggregation. Further, we will analyse LEAPs’ secondary structure under different conditions, focusing
on their order-to-disorder transitions. The final aim is to identify Aβ/LEAPs interactions and assess the
Aβ anti-aggregation potential of LEAPs in vitro, which will have an impact on developing new strategies
for AD treatment. Moreover, the results of our project will be important for cryopreservation,
biotechnology, plant physiology, and agriculture. The partner groups involved in this project (Slovak: IEP
SAS) and Serbian: IMGGE) were selected based on their expertise in protein production and structure
analysis. The expertise transfer between partner laboratories will be ensured by mutual training of the
involved PhD and postdoc researchers.
T2  - Ministry of Science, Technological Development and Innovation of the Republic of Serbia
T1  - Inhibition of Aβ Peptide Aggregation by Late Embryogenesis Abundant Proteins: A New Approach for Alzheimer’s Disease Treatment
UR  - https://hdl.handle.net/21.15107/rcub_imagine_2393
ER  - 

@misc{
year = "2024",
abstract = "Alzheimer’s disease (AD), is the most common neurodegenerative disorder, sharing unclear
pathophysiology and massive social costs. Today, more than 55 million people have been diagnosed
with AD, and this number is forecast to increase more than twice by 2050. AD is tightly associated with
the presence of amyloid beta (Aβ) deposits, organised into insoluble, amyloid fibrils. Despite numerous
contemporary studies focused on the Aβ aggregation reduction, the cure for AD has not been found yet.
Our Project intends to implement the elements of molecular mechanisms underlying the remarkable
phenomenon of plant desiccation tolerance and develop a new Aβ anti-aggregation strategy. Late
Embryogenesis Abundant proteins (LEAPs) are markedly induced upon desiccation and can stabilise the
native structure of proteins and membranes by a mechanism that is not fully understood.
The primary Project aim is to investigate the structural properties of Ramonda serbica LEAPs and their
interactions with Aβ. Firstly, we will recombinantly produce LEAPs with the highest potential to inhibit
Aβ aggregation. Further, we will analyse LEAPs’ secondary structure under different conditions, focusing
on their order-to-disorder transitions. The final aim is to identify Aβ/LEAPs interactions and assess the
Aβ anti-aggregation potential of LEAPs in vitro, which will have an impact on developing new strategies
for AD treatment. Moreover, the results of our project will be important for cryopreservation,
biotechnology, plant physiology, and agriculture. The partner groups involved in this project (Slovak: IEP
SAS) and Serbian: IMGGE) were selected based on their expertise in protein production and structure
analysis. The expertise transfer between partner laboratories will be ensured by mutual training of the
involved PhD and postdoc researchers.",
journal = "Ministry of Science, Technological Development and Innovation of the Republic of Serbia",
title = "Inhibition of Aβ Peptide Aggregation by Late Embryogenesis Abundant Proteins: A New Approach for Alzheimer’s Disease Treatment",
url = "https://hdl.handle.net/21.15107/rcub_imagine_2393"
}

(2024). Inhibition of Aβ Peptide Aggregation by Late Embryogenesis Abundant Proteins: A New Approach for Alzheimer’s Disease Treatment. in Ministry of Science, Technological Development and Innovation of the Republic of Serbia.
https://hdl.handle.net/21.15107/rcub_imagine_2393

Inhibition of Aβ Peptide Aggregation by Late Embryogenesis Abundant Proteins: A New Approach for Alzheimer’s Disease Treatment. in Ministry of Science, Technological Development and Innovation of the Republic of Serbia. 2024;.
https://hdl.handle.net/21.15107/rcub_imagine_2393 .

"Inhibition of Aβ Peptide Aggregation by Late Embryogenesis Abundant Proteins: A New Approach for Alzheimer’s Disease Treatment" in Ministry of Science, Technological Development and Innovation of the Republic of Serbia (2024),
https://hdl.handle.net/21.15107/rcub_imagine_2393 .

TY  - CONF
AU  - Novović, Katarina
AU  - Matijašević, Danka
AU  - Malešević, Milka
PY  - 2024
UR  - https://imagine.imgge.bg.ac.rs/handle/123456789/2398
AB  - Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) and air pollution have been
identified as one of the most serious threats to human health
worldwide. The scarce data demonstrating their interdependence
indicates a need to obtain evidence from a broader global area,
especially from regions exposed to high air pollution. Considering
that Serbia is a country struggling with excessive antibiotics use and
misuse, a high percentage of multidrug-resistant bacterial isolates,
and poor air quality, the Serbian capital Belgrade has been recognized
as an interesting research model for the effects of air pollution on the
airborne transmission of AMR. Hence, this abstract aims to present the concept of an ongoing project (AirPollRes) that points to the
additional risk dimension of air pollution to human, animal, and
environmental health. After optimization of air sampling and DNA
extraction protocol, the air samples will be collected at nine locations
in the Belgrade metropolitan area selected according to air pollution
level during four seasons. The state-of-the-art shotgun metagenomic
sequencing and bioinformatic analysis of obtained sequences will
provide information about microbial community composition of
airborne metagenomes. In addition, sequenced airborne
metagenomes will be analyzed for the abundance and diversity of
resistomes (antibiotic and biocide/metal resistance genes) and
mobilomes using several databases and tools. Correlation analyses
will offer us insight into the effect of air pollution and seasonal
variations on abundance and diversity of airborne pathogens,
resistome and mobilome in the Belgrade metropolitan area. In-depth
approach of the AirPollRes project will provide the first insights into
intersection of AMR and air pollution in the Belgrade metropolitan
area, which is highly vulnerable to these health threats. As the AirPollRes is a pioneering project in this field, the expected shortterm
impact is the introduction of routine monitoring of pathogenic
microbes and resistance determinants in the air in Belgrade, while the
longer-term impact will be reflected in the improvement of human
and animal health, allowing for a longer life with higher quality.
PB  - Novi Sad : Faculty of Agriculture
C3  - 3nd International conference Antimicrobial Resistance – current state and perspectives
T1  - ASSESSMENT OF SEASONAL AIRBORNE RESISTOME DYNAMICS IN RESPONSE TO AIR POLLUTION EXPOSURE IN THE BELGRADE METRPOLITAN AREA
EP  - 122
SP  - 120
UR  - https://hdl.handle.net/21.15107/rcub_imagine_2398
ER  - 

@conference{
author = "Novović, Katarina and Matijašević, Danka and Malešević, Milka",
year = "2024",
abstract = "Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) and air pollution have been
identified as one of the most serious threats to human health
worldwide. The scarce data demonstrating their interdependence
indicates a need to obtain evidence from a broader global area,
especially from regions exposed to high air pollution. Considering
that Serbia is a country struggling with excessive antibiotics use and
misuse, a high percentage of multidrug-resistant bacterial isolates,
and poor air quality, the Serbian capital Belgrade has been recognized
as an interesting research model for the effects of air pollution on the
airborne transmission of AMR. Hence, this abstract aims to present the concept of an ongoing project (AirPollRes) that points to the
additional risk dimension of air pollution to human, animal, and
environmental health. After optimization of air sampling and DNA
extraction protocol, the air samples will be collected at nine locations
in the Belgrade metropolitan area selected according to air pollution
level during four seasons. The state-of-the-art shotgun metagenomic
sequencing and bioinformatic analysis of obtained sequences will
provide information about microbial community composition of
airborne metagenomes. In addition, sequenced airborne
metagenomes will be analyzed for the abundance and diversity of
resistomes (antibiotic and biocide/metal resistance genes) and
mobilomes using several databases and tools. Correlation analyses
will offer us insight into the effect of air pollution and seasonal
variations on abundance and diversity of airborne pathogens,
resistome and mobilome in the Belgrade metropolitan area. In-depth
approach of the AirPollRes project will provide the first insights into
intersection of AMR and air pollution in the Belgrade metropolitan
area, which is highly vulnerable to these health threats. As the AirPollRes is a pioneering project in this field, the expected shortterm
impact is the introduction of routine monitoring of pathogenic
microbes and resistance determinants in the air in Belgrade, while the
longer-term impact will be reflected in the improvement of human
and animal health, allowing for a longer life with higher quality.",
publisher = "Novi Sad : Faculty of Agriculture",
journal = "3nd International conference Antimicrobial Resistance – current state and perspectives",
title = "ASSESSMENT OF SEASONAL AIRBORNE RESISTOME DYNAMICS IN RESPONSE TO AIR POLLUTION EXPOSURE IN THE BELGRADE METRPOLITAN AREA",
pages = "122-120",
url = "https://hdl.handle.net/21.15107/rcub_imagine_2398"
}

Novović, K., Matijašević, D.,& Malešević, M.. (2024). ASSESSMENT OF SEASONAL AIRBORNE RESISTOME DYNAMICS IN RESPONSE TO AIR POLLUTION EXPOSURE IN THE BELGRADE METRPOLITAN AREA. in 3nd International conference Antimicrobial Resistance – current state and perspectives
Novi Sad : Faculty of Agriculture., 120-122.
https://hdl.handle.net/21.15107/rcub_imagine_2398

Novović K, Matijašević D, Malešević M. ASSESSMENT OF SEASONAL AIRBORNE RESISTOME DYNAMICS IN RESPONSE TO AIR POLLUTION EXPOSURE IN THE BELGRADE METRPOLITAN AREA. in 3nd International conference Antimicrobial Resistance – current state and perspectives. 2024;:120-122.
https://hdl.handle.net/21.15107/rcub_imagine_2398 .

Novović, Katarina, Matijašević, Danka, Malešević, Milka, "ASSESSMENT OF SEASONAL AIRBORNE RESISTOME DYNAMICS IN RESPONSE TO AIR POLLUTION EXPOSURE IN THE BELGRADE METRPOLITAN AREA" in 3nd International conference Antimicrobial Resistance – current state and perspectives (2024):120-122,
https://hdl.handle.net/21.15107/rcub_imagine_2398 .

TY  - CONF
AU  - Malešević, Milka
AU  - Ćurčić, Jovana
AU  - Jovčić, Branko
PY  - 2024
UR  - https://imagine.imgge.bg.ac.rs/handle/123456789/2397
AB  - Solving the problem of the antimicrobial resistance crisis is one
of the primary challenges currently confronting the healthcare
system. One of the most promising new strategies to combat
antimicrobial resistance is the antivirulence therapy, based on
silencing bacterial cell-to-cell communication (quorum quenching -
QQ). QQ enzymes lactonases represent a diverse group of enzymes
capable of inactivating signaling molecules of bacterial
communication – N-acyl homoserine lactones (AHLs), resulting in
alterations ofbacterial virulence. The numerous virulence factors and
resistance to most conventional antibiotics have led to Pseudomonas
aeruginosa being listed as one of the top-priority pathogens on the
ESCAPE pathogen list, highlighting the urgent need for the development of new therapies to combat this pathogen. P.
aeruginosauses cell-to-cell communication known as quorum sensing
(QS) that allows bacteria to monitor their own population density via
signal molecules and subsequently control bacterial pathogenesis.
Our hypothesis was that bacterial pathogens which share the same
ecological niche with P. aeruginosa during infection have developed a
system to disrupt its QS system, in order to survive in polymicrobial
communities alongside this successful pathogen. In our research we
identified QQ enzymes lactonases originating from two Gramnegative
bacterial pathogens Burkholderiacepacia and Stenotrophomonas
maltophilia. The genes encoding for the enzymes were cloned and
expressed in pQE30 expression vector. B. cepacia BCC4135 synthesizes
two lactonases YtnP and Y2-aiiA, that have the different cellular
localization, but also different substrate specificity, which could imply
the difference in their biological roles. S. maltophilia 6960 YtnP
lactonase has several advantageous biotechnological properties, such
as high thermostability, activity in a wide pH range, and no cytotoxic microscopy analysis showed a strong effect of analyzed
lactonases on preventing biofilm formationand initiating the
decomposition of the preformed biofilm of P. aeruginosa MMA83.
Functional assays showed that lactonases have the ability to
significantly reduce extracellular virulence factors production –
elastase, pyocyanin and rhamnolipid. Additionally, the results
obtained by real-time quantitative PCR showed that analyzed
recombinant enzymes significantly downregulated all three analyzed
P. aeruginosa QS networks at the transcriptional level. Finally, S.
maltophilia 6960 YtnP lactonase significantly prolonged survival of
Caenorhabditis elegans by reducing virulence of P. aeruginosa using fastkilling
liquid assay.
The described properties make B. cepacia and S. maltophilia lactonases
the promising therapeutic candidates for the development of nextgeneration
antivirulence agents.
PB  - Novi Sad : Faculty of Agriculture
C3  - 3nd International conference Antimicrobial Resistance – current state and perspectives
T1  - LACTONASE MEDIATED QUORUM QUENCHING OF PSEUDOMONAS AERUGINOSA VIRULENCE
EP  - 114
SP  - 112
UR  - https://hdl.handle.net/21.15107/rcub_imagine_2397
ER  - 

@conference{
author = "Malešević, Milka and Ćurčić, Jovana and Jovčić, Branko",
year = "2024",
abstract = "Solving the problem of the antimicrobial resistance crisis is one
of the primary challenges currently confronting the healthcare
system. One of the most promising new strategies to combat
antimicrobial resistance is the antivirulence therapy, based on
silencing bacterial cell-to-cell communication (quorum quenching -
QQ). QQ enzymes lactonases represent a diverse group of enzymes
capable of inactivating signaling molecules of bacterial
communication – N-acyl homoserine lactones (AHLs), resulting in
alterations ofbacterial virulence. The numerous virulence factors and
resistance to most conventional antibiotics have led to Pseudomonas
aeruginosa being listed as one of the top-priority pathogens on the
ESCAPE pathogen list, highlighting the urgent need for the development of new therapies to combat this pathogen. P.
aeruginosauses cell-to-cell communication known as quorum sensing
(QS) that allows bacteria to monitor their own population density via
signal molecules and subsequently control bacterial pathogenesis.
Our hypothesis was that bacterial pathogens which share the same
ecological niche with P. aeruginosa during infection have developed a
system to disrupt its QS system, in order to survive in polymicrobial
communities alongside this successful pathogen. In our research we
identified QQ enzymes lactonases originating from two Gramnegative
bacterial pathogens Burkholderiacepacia and Stenotrophomonas
maltophilia. The genes encoding for the enzymes were cloned and
expressed in pQE30 expression vector. B. cepacia BCC4135 synthesizes
two lactonases YtnP and Y2-aiiA, that have the different cellular
localization, but also different substrate specificity, which could imply
the difference in their biological roles. S. maltophilia 6960 YtnP
lactonase has several advantageous biotechnological properties, such
as high thermostability, activity in a wide pH range, and no cytotoxic microscopy analysis showed a strong effect of analyzed
lactonases on preventing biofilm formationand initiating the
decomposition of the preformed biofilm of P. aeruginosa MMA83.
Functional assays showed that lactonases have the ability to
significantly reduce extracellular virulence factors production –
elastase, pyocyanin and rhamnolipid. Additionally, the results
obtained by real-time quantitative PCR showed that analyzed
recombinant enzymes significantly downregulated all three analyzed
P. aeruginosa QS networks at the transcriptional level. Finally, S.
maltophilia 6960 YtnP lactonase significantly prolonged survival of
Caenorhabditis elegans by reducing virulence of P. aeruginosa using fastkilling
liquid assay.
The described properties make B. cepacia and S. maltophilia lactonases
the promising therapeutic candidates for the development of nextgeneration
antivirulence agents.",
publisher = "Novi Sad : Faculty of Agriculture",
journal = "3nd International conference Antimicrobial Resistance – current state and perspectives",
title = "LACTONASE MEDIATED QUORUM QUENCHING OF PSEUDOMONAS AERUGINOSA VIRULENCE",
pages = "114-112",
url = "https://hdl.handle.net/21.15107/rcub_imagine_2397"
}

Malešević, M., Ćurčić, J.,& Jovčić, B.. (2024). LACTONASE MEDIATED QUORUM QUENCHING OF PSEUDOMONAS AERUGINOSA VIRULENCE. in 3nd International conference Antimicrobial Resistance – current state and perspectives
Novi Sad : Faculty of Agriculture., 112-114.
https://hdl.handle.net/21.15107/rcub_imagine_2397

Malešević M, Ćurčić J, Jovčić B. LACTONASE MEDIATED QUORUM QUENCHING OF PSEUDOMONAS AERUGINOSA VIRULENCE. in 3nd International conference Antimicrobial Resistance – current state and perspectives. 2024;:112-114.
https://hdl.handle.net/21.15107/rcub_imagine_2397 .

Malešević, Milka, Ćurčić, Jovana, Jovčić, Branko, "LACTONASE MEDIATED QUORUM QUENCHING OF PSEUDOMONAS AERUGINOSA VIRULENCE" in 3nd International conference Antimicrobial Resistance – current state and perspectives (2024):112-114,
https://hdl.handle.net/21.15107/rcub_imagine_2397 .

TY  - JOUR
AU  - Nikolić, Ivana
AU  - Milisavljević, Mira
AU  - Timotijević, Gordana
PY  - 2024
UR  - https://www.mdpi.com/1422-0067/25/12/6291
UR  - https://imagine.imgge.bg.ac.rs/handle/123456789/2399
AB  - Oxidative stress represents a critical facet of the array of abiotic stresses affecting crop growth and yield. In this paper, we investigated the potential differences in the functions of two highly homologous Arabidopsis DSS1 proteins in terms of maintaining genome integrity and response to oxidative stress. In the context of homologous recombination (HR), it was shown that overexpressing AtDSS1(I) using a functional complementation test increases the resistance of the Δdss1 mutant of Ustilago maydis to genotoxic agents. This indicates its conserved role in DNA repair via HR. To investigate the global transcriptome changes occurring in dss1 plant mutant lines, gene expression analysis was conducted using Illumina RNA sequencing technology. Individual RNA libraries were constructed from three total RNA samples isolated from dss1(I), dss1(V), and wild-type (WT) plants under hydrogen peroxide-induced stress. RNA-Seq data analysis and real-time PCR identification revealed major changes in gene expression between mutant lines and WT, while the dss1(I) and dss1(V) mutant lines exhibited analogous transcription profiles. The Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes enrichment analysis revealed significantly enriched metabolic pathways. Notably, genes associated with HR were upregulated in dss1 mutants compared to the WT. Otherwise, genes of the metabolic pathway responsible for the synthesis of secondary metabolites were downregulated in both dss1 mutant lines. These findings highlight the importance of understanding the molecular mechanisms of plant responses to oxidative stress.
PB  - MDPI
T2  - International Journal of Molecular Sciences
T1  - Assessing Transcriptomic Responses to Oxidative Stress: Contrasting Wild-Type Arabidopsis Seedlings with dss1(I) and dss1(V) Gene Knockout Mutants
IS  - 12
SP  - 6291
VL  - 25
DO  - 10.3390/ijms25126291
ER  - 

@article{
author = "Nikolić, Ivana and Milisavljević, Mira and Timotijević, Gordana",
year = "2024",
abstract = "Oxidative stress represents a critical facet of the array of abiotic stresses affecting crop growth and yield. In this paper, we investigated the potential differences in the functions of two highly homologous Arabidopsis DSS1 proteins in terms of maintaining genome integrity and response to oxidative stress. In the context of homologous recombination (HR), it was shown that overexpressing AtDSS1(I) using a functional complementation test increases the resistance of the Δdss1 mutant of Ustilago maydis to genotoxic agents. This indicates its conserved role in DNA repair via HR. To investigate the global transcriptome changes occurring in dss1 plant mutant lines, gene expression analysis was conducted using Illumina RNA sequencing technology. Individual RNA libraries were constructed from three total RNA samples isolated from dss1(I), dss1(V), and wild-type (WT) plants under hydrogen peroxide-induced stress. RNA-Seq data analysis and real-time PCR identification revealed major changes in gene expression between mutant lines and WT, while the dss1(I) and dss1(V) mutant lines exhibited analogous transcription profiles. The Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes enrichment analysis revealed significantly enriched metabolic pathways. Notably, genes associated with HR were upregulated in dss1 mutants compared to the WT. Otherwise, genes of the metabolic pathway responsible for the synthesis of secondary metabolites were downregulated in both dss1 mutant lines. These findings highlight the importance of understanding the molecular mechanisms of plant responses to oxidative stress.",
publisher = "MDPI",
journal = "International Journal of Molecular Sciences",
title = "Assessing Transcriptomic Responses to Oxidative Stress: Contrasting Wild-Type Arabidopsis Seedlings with dss1(I) and dss1(V) Gene Knockout Mutants",
number = "12",
pages = "6291",
volume = "25",
doi = "10.3390/ijms25126291"
}

Nikolić, I., Milisavljević, M.,& Timotijević, G.. (2024). Assessing Transcriptomic Responses to Oxidative Stress: Contrasting Wild-Type Arabidopsis Seedlings with dss1(I) and dss1(V) Gene Knockout Mutants. in International Journal of Molecular Sciences
MDPI., 25(12), 6291.
https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms25126291

Nikolić I, Milisavljević M, Timotijević G. Assessing Transcriptomic Responses to Oxidative Stress: Contrasting Wild-Type Arabidopsis Seedlings with dss1(I) and dss1(V) Gene Knockout Mutants. in International Journal of Molecular Sciences. 2024;25(12):6291.
doi:10.3390/ijms25126291 .

Nikolić, Ivana, Milisavljević, Mira, Timotijević, Gordana, "Assessing Transcriptomic Responses to Oxidative Stress: Contrasting Wild-Type Arabidopsis Seedlings with dss1(I) and dss1(V) Gene Knockout Mutants" in International Journal of Molecular Sciences, 25, no. 12 (2024):6291,
https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms25126291 . .

TY  - JOUR
AU  - Dorontić, Slađana
AU  - Bonasera, Aurelio
AU  - Scopelliti, Michelangelo
AU  - Marković, Olivera
AU  - Verbić, Tatjana
AU  - Sredojević, Dušan
AU  - Ciasca, Gabriele
AU  - Di Santo, Riccardo
AU  - Mead, James L.
AU  - Budimir, Milica
AU  - Bajuk-Bogdanović, Danica
AU  - Mojsin, Marija
AU  - Pejić, Jelena
AU  - Stevanović, Milena
AU  - Jovanović, Svetlana
PY  - 2024
UR  - https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S221334372401323X
UR  - https://imagine.imgge.bg.ac.rs/handle/123456789/2396
AB  - The widespread usage of the herbicide glyphosate calls for urgent action, aiming at the development of new, simple, low-cost, and eco-friendly detection approaches. In the last decade, investigation of graphene quantum dots (GQDs) as potential optical probes for various pollutants rapidly grew, thanks to their easy-manipulative structure, remarkable photoluminescence (PL) in the visible part of the spectrum, good dispersibility, biocompatibility, and non-toxicity, as well. Herein, a fast, simple, and environmentally friendly method for GQDs structural modification is presented. GQDs raw powder was exposed to γ- rays at three different doses (100, 200, and 300 kGy) in air, without any solvent or reagents. Irradiation of dots under such affordable conditions led to the additional incorporation of oxygen-containing moieties in the GQD structure. For the first time, oxygen-rich GQDs irradiated at a 300 kGy dose were successfully applied as direct turn-off PL probe for glyphosate detection. The high coefficient of determination (R-squared (R2) = 0.99) and very low limit of detection (3.02 μmol L-1) reveal good linearity between the potential sensor and analyte, as well as sensitivity. Glyphosate was successfully detected in celery samples, with a recovery value of 107 ± 0.85%. To evaluate the biological safety of the proposed sensing probe, [3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide] (MTT) and the hemolysis assays were performed. Obtained results show that irradiated and non-irradiated GQDs did not cause the death of MRC-5 cells, and hemolysis of erythrocytes. The obtained results demonstrate that GQDs irradiated in an air medium can be potentially applied for glyphosate detection.
PB  - Elsevier
T2  - Journal of Environmental Chemical Engineering
T1  - High-performing structural optimization of graphene quantum dots as glyphosate herbicide photoluminescent probes: real case studies and mechanism insights
IS  - 4
SP  - 113193
VL  - 12
DO  - 10.1016/j.jece.2024.113193
ER  - 

@article{
author = "Dorontić, Slađana and Bonasera, Aurelio and Scopelliti, Michelangelo and Marković, Olivera and Verbić, Tatjana and Sredojević, Dušan and Ciasca, Gabriele and Di Santo, Riccardo and Mead, James L. and Budimir, Milica and Bajuk-Bogdanović, Danica and Mojsin, Marija and Pejić, Jelena and Stevanović, Milena and Jovanović, Svetlana",
year = "2024",
abstract = "The widespread usage of the herbicide glyphosate calls for urgent action, aiming at the development of new, simple, low-cost, and eco-friendly detection approaches. In the last decade, investigation of graphene quantum dots (GQDs) as potential optical probes for various pollutants rapidly grew, thanks to their easy-manipulative structure, remarkable photoluminescence (PL) in the visible part of the spectrum, good dispersibility, biocompatibility, and non-toxicity, as well. Herein, a fast, simple, and environmentally friendly method for GQDs structural modification is presented. GQDs raw powder was exposed to γ- rays at three different doses (100, 200, and 300 kGy) in air, without any solvent or reagents. Irradiation of dots under such affordable conditions led to the additional incorporation of oxygen-containing moieties in the GQD structure. For the first time, oxygen-rich GQDs irradiated at a 300 kGy dose were successfully applied as direct turn-off PL probe for glyphosate detection. The high coefficient of determination (R-squared (R2) = 0.99) and very low limit of detection (3.02 μmol L-1) reveal good linearity between the potential sensor and analyte, as well as sensitivity. Glyphosate was successfully detected in celery samples, with a recovery value of 107 ± 0.85%. To evaluate the biological safety of the proposed sensing probe, [3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide] (MTT) and the hemolysis assays were performed. Obtained results show that irradiated and non-irradiated GQDs did not cause the death of MRC-5 cells, and hemolysis of erythrocytes. The obtained results demonstrate that GQDs irradiated in an air medium can be potentially applied for glyphosate detection.",
publisher = "Elsevier",
journal = "Journal of Environmental Chemical Engineering",
title = "High-performing structural optimization of graphene quantum dots as glyphosate herbicide photoluminescent probes: real case studies and mechanism insights",
number = "4",
pages = "113193",
volume = "12",
doi = "10.1016/j.jece.2024.113193"
}

Dorontić, S., Bonasera, A., Scopelliti, M., Marković, O., Verbić, T., Sredojević, D., Ciasca, G., Di Santo, R., Mead, J. L., Budimir, M., Bajuk-Bogdanović, D., Mojsin, M., Pejić, J., Stevanović, M.,& Jovanović, S.. (2024). High-performing structural optimization of graphene quantum dots as glyphosate herbicide photoluminescent probes: real case studies and mechanism insights. in Journal of Environmental Chemical Engineering
Elsevier., 12(4), 113193.
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jece.2024.113193

Dorontić S, Bonasera A, Scopelliti M, Marković O, Verbić T, Sredojević D, Ciasca G, Di Santo R, Mead JL, Budimir M, Bajuk-Bogdanović D, Mojsin M, Pejić J, Stevanović M, Jovanović S. High-performing structural optimization of graphene quantum dots as glyphosate herbicide photoluminescent probes: real case studies and mechanism insights. in Journal of Environmental Chemical Engineering. 2024;12(4):113193.
doi:10.1016/j.jece.2024.113193 .

Dorontić, Slađana, Bonasera, Aurelio, Scopelliti, Michelangelo, Marković, Olivera, Verbić, Tatjana, Sredojević, Dušan, Ciasca, Gabriele, Di Santo, Riccardo, Mead, James L., Budimir, Milica, Bajuk-Bogdanović, Danica, Mojsin, Marija, Pejić, Jelena, Stevanović, Milena, Jovanović, Svetlana, "High-performing structural optimization of graphene quantum dots as glyphosate herbicide photoluminescent probes: real case studies and mechanism insights" in Journal of Environmental Chemical Engineering, 12, no. 4 (2024):113193,
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jece.2024.113193 . .

TY  - JOUR
AU  - Makryniotis, Konstantinos
AU  - Nikolaivits, Efstratios
AU  - Taxeidis, George
AU  - Nikodinović-Runić, Jasmina
AU  - Topakas, Evangelos
PY  - 2024
UR  - https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/abs/10.1002/biot.202400053
UR  - https://imagine.imgge.bg.ac.rs/handle/123456789/2341
AB  - The rapid escalation of plastic waste accumulation presents a significant threat of the modern world, demanding an immediate solution. Over the last years, utilization of the enzymatic machinery of various microorganisms has emerged as an environmentally friendly asset in tackling this pressing global challenge. Thus, various hydrolases have been demonstrated to effectively degrade polyesters. Plastic waste streams often consist of a variety of different polyesters, as impurities, mainly due to wrong disposal practices, rendering recycling process challenging. The elucidation of the selective degradation of polyesters by hydrolases could offer a proper solution to this problem, enhancing the recyclability performance. Towards this, our study focused on the investigation of four bacterial polyesterases, including DaPUase, IsPETase, PfPHOase, and Se1JFR, a novel PETase-like lipase. The enzymes, which were biochemically characterized and structurally analyzed, demonstrated degradation ability of synthetic plastics. While a consistent pattern of polyesters’ degradation was observed across all enzymes, Se1JFR stood out in the degradation of PBS, PLA, and polyether PU. Additionally, it exhibited comparable results to IsPETase, a benchmark mesophilic PETase, in the degradation of PCL and semi-crystalline PET. Our results point out the wide substrate spectrum of bacterial hydrolases and underscore the significant potential of PETase-like enzymes in polyesters degradation.
T2  - Biotechnology Journal
T2  - Biotechnology Journal
T1  - Exploring the substrate spectrum of phylogenetically distinct bacterial polyesterases
IS  - n/a
SP  - 2400053
VL  - n/a
DO  - 10.1002/biot.202400053
ER  - 

@article{
author = "Makryniotis, Konstantinos and Nikolaivits, Efstratios and Taxeidis, George and Nikodinović-Runić, Jasmina and Topakas, Evangelos",
year = "2024",
abstract = "The rapid escalation of plastic waste accumulation presents a significant threat of the modern world, demanding an immediate solution. Over the last years, utilization of the enzymatic machinery of various microorganisms has emerged as an environmentally friendly asset in tackling this pressing global challenge. Thus, various hydrolases have been demonstrated to effectively degrade polyesters. Plastic waste streams often consist of a variety of different polyesters, as impurities, mainly due to wrong disposal practices, rendering recycling process challenging. The elucidation of the selective degradation of polyesters by hydrolases could offer a proper solution to this problem, enhancing the recyclability performance. Towards this, our study focused on the investigation of four bacterial polyesterases, including DaPUase, IsPETase, PfPHOase, and Se1JFR, a novel PETase-like lipase. The enzymes, which were biochemically characterized and structurally analyzed, demonstrated degradation ability of synthetic plastics. While a consistent pattern of polyesters’ degradation was observed across all enzymes, Se1JFR stood out in the degradation of PBS, PLA, and polyether PU. Additionally, it exhibited comparable results to IsPETase, a benchmark mesophilic PETase, in the degradation of PCL and semi-crystalline PET. Our results point out the wide substrate spectrum of bacterial hydrolases and underscore the significant potential of PETase-like enzymes in polyesters degradation.",
journal = "Biotechnology Journal, Biotechnology Journal",
title = "Exploring the substrate spectrum of phylogenetically distinct bacterial polyesterases",
number = "n/a",
pages = "2400053",
volume = "n/a",
doi = "10.1002/biot.202400053"
}

Makryniotis, K., Nikolaivits, E., Taxeidis, G., Nikodinović-Runić, J.,& Topakas, E.. (2024). Exploring the substrate spectrum of phylogenetically distinct bacterial polyesterases. in Biotechnology Journal, n/a(n/a), 2400053.
https://doi.org/10.1002/biot.202400053

Makryniotis K, Nikolaivits E, Taxeidis G, Nikodinović-Runić J, Topakas E. Exploring the substrate spectrum of phylogenetically distinct bacterial polyesterases. in Biotechnology Journal. 2024;n/a(n/a):2400053.
doi:10.1002/biot.202400053 .

Makryniotis, Konstantinos, Nikolaivits, Efstratios, Taxeidis, George, Nikodinović-Runić, Jasmina, Topakas, Evangelos, "Exploring the substrate spectrum of phylogenetically distinct bacterial polyesterases" in Biotechnology Journal, n/a, no. n/a (2024):2400053,
https://doi.org/10.1002/biot.202400053 . .

TY  - CONF
AU  - Ćurčić, Jovana
AU  - Malešević, Milka
AU  - Dinić, Miroslav
AU  - Novović, Katarina
AU  - Vasiljević, Zorica
AU  - Stanisavljević, Nemanja
AU  - Jovčić, Branko
PY  - 2024
UR  - https://imagine.imgge.bg.ac.rs/handle/123456789/2380
AB  - Pseudomonas aeruginosa is a Gram-negative
pathogen responsible for frequent hospital-acquired
infections of the bloodstream, the respiratory
tract, and the urinary tract. Quorum
quenching enzymes are recognized as an alternative
antivirulence approach targeting pathogenic
bacteria. The efficacy of YtnP lactonase in
reducing the virulence of P. aeruginosa MMA83
in vivo using Caenorhabditis elegans as a model
system was investigated. The recombinant YtnP
lactonase exhibits no cytotoxicity, demonstrated
by its lack of harmful effects on both the
immortalized human HaCaT cell line and two
strains of C. elegans (AU37 and N2 wild-type). In
a toxin-mediated killing liquid assay, the survival
rates of C. elegans AU37 mutant and N2 wildtype
strains infected with the clinical isolate P.
aeruginosa MMA83 significantly increased when
pre-treated with YtnP lactonase, compared to
untreated controls. Considering that virulence
factors expression is regulated by quorum sensing
(QS) signaling it is hypothesized that YtnP
lactonase prolongs the life span of C. elegans
by downregulating the QS and expression of
virulence factors of MMA83. The protective effects
of YtnP lactonase against MMA83-induced
pathogenicity in C. elegans, coupled with its absence
of cytotoxicity, position YtnP lactonase as
a promising prophylactic agent with antivirulence
properties.
PB  - Serbian Society for Microbiology
C3  - XIII Congress of microbiologists of Serbia: From biotechnology to human and planetary health
T1  - YTNP LACTONASE IMPROVES THE ABILITY OF CAENORHABDITIS ELEGANS TO SURVIVE PSEUDOMONAS AERUGINOSA MMA83 INFECTION
EP  - 143
SP  - 143
UR  - https://hdl.handle.net/21.15107/rcub_imagine_2380
ER  - 

@conference{
author = "Ćurčić, Jovana and Malešević, Milka and Dinić, Miroslav and Novović, Katarina and Vasiljević, Zorica and Stanisavljević, Nemanja and Jovčić, Branko",
year = "2024",
abstract = "Pseudomonas aeruginosa is a Gram-negative
pathogen responsible for frequent hospital-acquired
infections of the bloodstream, the respiratory
tract, and the urinary tract. Quorum
quenching enzymes are recognized as an alternative
antivirulence approach targeting pathogenic
bacteria. The efficacy of YtnP lactonase in
reducing the virulence of P. aeruginosa MMA83
in vivo using Caenorhabditis elegans as a model
system was investigated. The recombinant YtnP
lactonase exhibits no cytotoxicity, demonstrated
by its lack of harmful effects on both the
immortalized human HaCaT cell line and two
strains of C. elegans (AU37 and N2 wild-type). In
a toxin-mediated killing liquid assay, the survival
rates of C. elegans AU37 mutant and N2 wildtype
strains infected with the clinical isolate P.
aeruginosa MMA83 significantly increased when
pre-treated with YtnP lactonase, compared to
untreated controls. Considering that virulence
factors expression is regulated by quorum sensing
(QS) signaling it is hypothesized that YtnP
lactonase prolongs the life span of C. elegans
by downregulating the QS and expression of
virulence factors of MMA83. The protective effects
of YtnP lactonase against MMA83-induced
pathogenicity in C. elegans, coupled with its absence
of cytotoxicity, position YtnP lactonase as
a promising prophylactic agent with antivirulence
properties.",
publisher = "Serbian Society for Microbiology",
journal = "XIII Congress of microbiologists of Serbia: From biotechnology to human and planetary health",
title = "YTNP LACTONASE IMPROVES THE ABILITY OF CAENORHABDITIS ELEGANS TO SURVIVE PSEUDOMONAS AERUGINOSA MMA83 INFECTION",
pages = "143-143",
url = "https://hdl.handle.net/21.15107/rcub_imagine_2380"
}

Ćurčić, J., Malešević, M., Dinić, M., Novović, K., Vasiljević, Z., Stanisavljević, N.,& Jovčić, B.. (2024). YTNP LACTONASE IMPROVES THE ABILITY OF CAENORHABDITIS ELEGANS TO SURVIVE PSEUDOMONAS AERUGINOSA MMA83 INFECTION. in XIII Congress of microbiologists of Serbia: From biotechnology to human and planetary health
Serbian Society for Microbiology., 143-143.
https://hdl.handle.net/21.15107/rcub_imagine_2380

Ćurčić J, Malešević M, Dinić M, Novović K, Vasiljević Z, Stanisavljević N, Jovčić B. YTNP LACTONASE IMPROVES THE ABILITY OF CAENORHABDITIS ELEGANS TO SURVIVE PSEUDOMONAS AERUGINOSA MMA83 INFECTION. in XIII Congress of microbiologists of Serbia: From biotechnology to human and planetary health. 2024;:143-143.
https://hdl.handle.net/21.15107/rcub_imagine_2380 .

Ćurčić, Jovana, Malešević, Milka, Dinić, Miroslav, Novović, Katarina, Vasiljević, Zorica, Stanisavljević, Nemanja, Jovčić, Branko, "YTNP LACTONASE IMPROVES THE ABILITY OF CAENORHABDITIS ELEGANS TO SURVIVE PSEUDOMONAS AERUGINOSA MMA83 INFECTION" in XIII Congress of microbiologists of Serbia: From biotechnology to human and planetary health (2024):143-143,
https://hdl.handle.net/21.15107/rcub_imagine_2380 .

TY  - JOUR
AU  - Balint, Vanda
AU  - Perić, Mina
AU  - Dačić, Sanja
AU  - Stanisavljević Ninković, Danijela
AU  - Marjanović, Jelena
AU  - Popović, Jelena
AU  - Stevanović, Milena
AU  - Lazić, Andrijana
PY  - 2024
UR  - https://imagine.imgge.bg.ac.rs/handle/123456789/2340
AB  - Astrocytes are the main homeostatic cells in the central nervous system, with the unique ability to transform from quiescent into a reactive state in response to pathological conditions by reacquiring some precursor properties. This process is known as reactive astrogliosis, a compensatory response that mediates tissue damage and recovery. Although it is well known that SOX transcription factors drive the expression of phenotype-specific genetic programs during neurodevelopment, their roles in mature astrocytes have not been studied extensively. We focused on the transcription factors SOX2 and SOX9, shown to be re-expressed in reactive astrocytes, in order to study the reactivation-related functional properties of astrocytes mediated by those proteins. We performed an initial screening of SOX2 and SOX9 expression after sensorimotor cortex ablation injury in rats and conducted gain-of-function studies in vitro using astrocytes derived from the human NT2/D1 cell line. Our results revealed the direct involvement of SOX2 in the reacquisition of proliferation in mature NT2/D1-derived astrocytes, while SOX9 overexpression increased migratory potential and glutamate uptake in these cells. Our results imply that modulation of SOX gene expression may change the functional properties of astrocytes, which holds promise for the discovery of potential therapeutic targets in the development of novel strategies for tissue regeneration and recovery.
PB  - MDPI
T2  - Biomedicines
T1  - The Role of SOX2 and SOX9 Transcription Factors in the Reactivation-Related Functional Properties of NT2/D1-Derived Astrocytes
IS  - 4
SP  - 796
VL  - 12
DO  - 10.3390/biomedicines12040796
ER  - 

@article{
author = "Balint, Vanda and Perić, Mina and Dačić, Sanja and Stanisavljević Ninković, Danijela and Marjanović, Jelena and Popović, Jelena and Stevanović, Milena and Lazić, Andrijana",
year = "2024",
abstract = "Astrocytes are the main homeostatic cells in the central nervous system, with the unique ability to transform from quiescent into a reactive state in response to pathological conditions by reacquiring some precursor properties. This process is known as reactive astrogliosis, a compensatory response that mediates tissue damage and recovery. Although it is well known that SOX transcription factors drive the expression of phenotype-specific genetic programs during neurodevelopment, their roles in mature astrocytes have not been studied extensively. We focused on the transcription factors SOX2 and SOX9, shown to be re-expressed in reactive astrocytes, in order to study the reactivation-related functional properties of astrocytes mediated by those proteins. We performed an initial screening of SOX2 and SOX9 expression after sensorimotor cortex ablation injury in rats and conducted gain-of-function studies in vitro using astrocytes derived from the human NT2/D1 cell line. Our results revealed the direct involvement of SOX2 in the reacquisition of proliferation in mature NT2/D1-derived astrocytes, while SOX9 overexpression increased migratory potential and glutamate uptake in these cells. Our results imply that modulation of SOX gene expression may change the functional properties of astrocytes, which holds promise for the discovery of potential therapeutic targets in the development of novel strategies for tissue regeneration and recovery.",
publisher = "MDPI",
journal = "Biomedicines",
title = "The Role of SOX2 and SOX9 Transcription Factors in the Reactivation-Related Functional Properties of NT2/D1-Derived Astrocytes",
number = "4",
pages = "796",
volume = "12",
doi = "10.3390/biomedicines12040796"
}

Balint, V., Perić, M., Dačić, S., Stanisavljević Ninković, D., Marjanović, J., Popović, J., Stevanović, M.,& Lazić, A.. (2024). The Role of SOX2 and SOX9 Transcription Factors in the Reactivation-Related Functional Properties of NT2/D1-Derived Astrocytes. in Biomedicines
MDPI., 12(4), 796.
https://doi.org/10.3390/biomedicines12040796

Balint V, Perić M, Dačić S, Stanisavljević Ninković D, Marjanović J, Popović J, Stevanović M, Lazić A. The Role of SOX2 and SOX9 Transcription Factors in the Reactivation-Related Functional Properties of NT2/D1-Derived Astrocytes. in Biomedicines. 2024;12(4):796.
doi:10.3390/biomedicines12040796 .

Balint, Vanda, Perić, Mina, Dačić, Sanja, Stanisavljević Ninković, Danijela, Marjanović, Jelena, Popović, Jelena, Stevanović, Milena, Lazić, Andrijana, "The Role of SOX2 and SOX9 Transcription Factors in the Reactivation-Related Functional Properties of NT2/D1-Derived Astrocytes" in Biomedicines, 12, no. 4 (2024):796,
https://doi.org/10.3390/biomedicines12040796 . .

TY  - GEN
PY  - 2024
UR  - https://imagine.imgge.bg.ac.rs/handle/123456789/2289
AB  - GlucoAdjust project aims to solve fast-growing health challenges important for the society,
namely it will focus on discovery of new treatments for one rare disease glycogen storage
disease type Ib (GSD Ib) and one common disease diabetes mellitus type 2 (DM type 2). We
propose a completely new concept based on the identification of small molecule (SM)
compounds able to directly bind to glucose-6-phospate translocase (G6PT) and thus fine-tune
glucose level. To tackle these challenges, an interdisciplinary international team will screen large
library of SMs combining in silico and in vitro approaches and identify SMs that directly bind to
G6PT. SMs able to stabilize G6PT and increase its function thus correcting hypoglycemia are
potential drugs for GSD Ib. On the other hand, SMs that inhibit G6PT may be used to induce
hypoglycemia in DM type 2 treatment. To obtain highly functional results of testing SMs in vitro,
human hepatocyte models for GSD Ib and DM type 2 as well as controls will be developed
(differentiated from human healthy and GSD Ib iPSC and diabetic adipose stem cells). For the
first time, whole transcriptome of human GSD Ib hepatocytes will be used to delineate molecular
processes disturbed due to G6PT deficiency. As a result, RNA hallmarks of GSD Ib phenotype will
be determined and used for evaluation of SMs’ effect in both models. To be efficient for GSD Ib,
SMs will have to revert GSD Ib phenotype into normal. The key to discover satisfactorily
effective, yet sufficiently mild inhibitor for DM type 2 will be to avoid hallmarks representing
GSD Ib phenotype. Thus, a revolutionary concept of using GSD Ib as a model of hypoglycemia to
better optimize DM type 2 treatment is proposed here. Results will be openly disseminated to
make a wide scientific, educational, social and economic impacts. GlucoAdjust anticipates
innovative results with a potential to be further translated into drugs able to improve lives of
people with GSD Ib and DM type 2 worldwide.
T2  - Program PRISMA
T1  - New concept for treatment of glycogen storage disease Ib and diabetes mellitus type 2: small molecule compounds able to adjust glucose level through binding glucose-6-phospate translocase (GlucoAdjust)
UR  - https://hdl.handle.net/21.15107/rcub_imagine_2289
ER  - 

@misc{
year = "2024",
abstract = "GlucoAdjust project aims to solve fast-growing health challenges important for the society,
namely it will focus on discovery of new treatments for one rare disease glycogen storage
disease type Ib (GSD Ib) and one common disease diabetes mellitus type 2 (DM type 2). We
propose a completely new concept based on the identification of small molecule (SM)
compounds able to directly bind to glucose-6-phospate translocase (G6PT) and thus fine-tune
glucose level. To tackle these challenges, an interdisciplinary international team will screen large
library of SMs combining in silico and in vitro approaches and identify SMs that directly bind to
G6PT. SMs able to stabilize G6PT and increase its function thus correcting hypoglycemia are
potential drugs for GSD Ib. On the other hand, SMs that inhibit G6PT may be used to induce
hypoglycemia in DM type 2 treatment. To obtain highly functional results of testing SMs in vitro,
human hepatocyte models for GSD Ib and DM type 2 as well as controls will be developed
(differentiated from human healthy and GSD Ib iPSC and diabetic adipose stem cells). For the
first time, whole transcriptome of human GSD Ib hepatocytes will be used to delineate molecular
processes disturbed due to G6PT deficiency. As a result, RNA hallmarks of GSD Ib phenotype will
be determined and used for evaluation of SMs’ effect in both models. To be efficient for GSD Ib,
SMs will have to revert GSD Ib phenotype into normal. The key to discover satisfactorily
effective, yet sufficiently mild inhibitor for DM type 2 will be to avoid hallmarks representing
GSD Ib phenotype. Thus, a revolutionary concept of using GSD Ib as a model of hypoglycemia to
better optimize DM type 2 treatment is proposed here. Results will be openly disseminated to
make a wide scientific, educational, social and economic impacts. GlucoAdjust anticipates
innovative results with a potential to be further translated into drugs able to improve lives of
people with GSD Ib and DM type 2 worldwide.",
journal = "Program PRISMA",
title = "New concept for treatment of glycogen storage disease Ib and diabetes mellitus type 2: small molecule compounds able to adjust glucose level through binding glucose-6-phospate translocase (GlucoAdjust)",
url = "https://hdl.handle.net/21.15107/rcub_imagine_2289"
}

(2024). New concept for treatment of glycogen storage disease Ib and diabetes mellitus type 2: small molecule compounds able to adjust glucose level through binding glucose-6-phospate translocase (GlucoAdjust). in Program PRISMA.
https://hdl.handle.net/21.15107/rcub_imagine_2289

New concept for treatment of glycogen storage disease Ib and diabetes mellitus type 2: small molecule compounds able to adjust glucose level through binding glucose-6-phospate translocase (GlucoAdjust). in Program PRISMA. 2024;.
https://hdl.handle.net/21.15107/rcub_imagine_2289 .

"New concept for treatment of glycogen storage disease Ib and diabetes mellitus type 2: small molecule compounds able to adjust glucose level through binding glucose-6-phospate translocase (GlucoAdjust)" in Program PRISMA (2024),
https://hdl.handle.net/21.15107/rcub_imagine_2289 .

TY  - GEN
PY  - 2024
UR  - https://imagine.imgge.bg.ac.rs/handle/123456789/2308
AB  - Echinococcus, tapeworms of the Taeniidae family, can infect humans and animals and cause
serious, even lethal disease. Global population genetics data suggests that disease presentation,
severity, immune response, as well as relative host susceptibility and resistance to infection
depend on the species, genotype and haplotype. The species of significant clinical relevance in
Europe are E. granulosus, the causative agent of cystic echinococcosis (CE) and E. multilocularis,
which causes the most severe disease, alveolar echinococcosis (AE). Analysis of the population
genetics of Echinococcus is an ongoing effort in some parts of Europe, while the Balkans
represent a significant knowledge gap. This project aims to comprehensively survey the entire
transmission cycle consisting of intermediate and definitive animal hosts and the environment
using sample processing and analytical methods which have been standardized, validated and
harmonized at the EU level to obtain high quality population genetics data via mitochondrial gene
(cox1 and nad1) sequencing and characterization of the EmsB microsatellite from single eggs,
worms and protoscolices. As a main novelty, comprehensive Echinococcus population genetics
data, through a survey of underexplored reservoirs with a high transmission capacity to humans,
will be systematized and graphically displayed through an interactive bioinformatics database,
WormProfiler, with a user interface tailored to physicians and veterinarians. The impact of the
project is the translation of population genetics data to physicians and veterinarians, key
stakeholders for transmission prevention to facilitate education of the public and raise awareness
of echinococcosis. The project should provide the insight into the genetic diversity of
Echinococcus and identification of transmission foci, as well as a software supported framework
for systematic surveillance and future development of targeted transmission control actions to
reduce echinococcosis case burden.
T2  - Science Fund of the Republic of Serbia, Program PROMIS
T1  - Worm Profiler: Surveillance and population genetics of Echinococcus in Serbia (WORM_PROFILER)
UR  - https://hdl.handle.net/21.15107/rcub_imagine_2308
ER  - 

@misc{
year = "2024",
abstract = "Echinococcus, tapeworms of the Taeniidae family, can infect humans and animals and cause
serious, even lethal disease. Global population genetics data suggests that disease presentation,
severity, immune response, as well as relative host susceptibility and resistance to infection
depend on the species, genotype and haplotype. The species of significant clinical relevance in
Europe are E. granulosus, the causative agent of cystic echinococcosis (CE) and E. multilocularis,
which causes the most severe disease, alveolar echinococcosis (AE). Analysis of the population
genetics of Echinococcus is an ongoing effort in some parts of Europe, while the Balkans
represent a significant knowledge gap. This project aims to comprehensively survey the entire
transmission cycle consisting of intermediate and definitive animal hosts and the environment
using sample processing and analytical methods which have been standardized, validated and
harmonized at the EU level to obtain high quality population genetics data via mitochondrial gene
(cox1 and nad1) sequencing and characterization of the EmsB microsatellite from single eggs,
worms and protoscolices. As a main novelty, comprehensive Echinococcus population genetics
data, through a survey of underexplored reservoirs with a high transmission capacity to humans,
will be systematized and graphically displayed through an interactive bioinformatics database,
WormProfiler, with a user interface tailored to physicians and veterinarians. The impact of the
project is the translation of population genetics data to physicians and veterinarians, key
stakeholders for transmission prevention to facilitate education of the public and raise awareness
of echinococcosis. The project should provide the insight into the genetic diversity of
Echinococcus and identification of transmission foci, as well as a software supported framework
for systematic surveillance and future development of targeted transmission control actions to
reduce echinococcosis case burden.",
journal = "Science Fund of the Republic of Serbia, Program PROMIS",
title = "Worm Profiler: Surveillance and population genetics of Echinococcus in Serbia (WORM_PROFILER)",
url = "https://hdl.handle.net/21.15107/rcub_imagine_2308"
}

(2024). Worm Profiler: Surveillance and population genetics of Echinococcus in Serbia (WORM_PROFILER). in Science Fund of the Republic of Serbia, Program PROMIS.
https://hdl.handle.net/21.15107/rcub_imagine_2308

Worm Profiler: Surveillance and population genetics of Echinococcus in Serbia (WORM_PROFILER). in Science Fund of the Republic of Serbia, Program PROMIS. 2024;.
https://hdl.handle.net/21.15107/rcub_imagine_2308 .

"Worm Profiler: Surveillance and population genetics of Echinococcus in Serbia (WORM_PROFILER)" in Science Fund of the Republic of Serbia, Program PROMIS (2024),
https://hdl.handle.net/21.15107/rcub_imagine_2308 .

TY  - CONF
AU  - Bisenić, Aleksandar
AU  - Tomić, Sergej
AU  - Bekić, Marina
AU  - Pavlović, Luka
AU  - Dinić, Miroslav
AU  - Terzić- Vidojević, Amarela
AU  - Radojević, Dušan
AU  - Soković Bajić, Svetlana
AU  - Mitrović, Hristina
AU  - Jakovljević, Stefan
AU  - Stevanović, Dušan
AU  - Golić, Nataša
AU  - Đokić, Jelena
PY  - 2024
UR  - https://imagine.imgge.bg.ac.rs/handle/123456789/2374
AB  - Alterations in gut microbiota and deregulation
of the gut immune system are recognized
as important events in autoimmune diseases.
The knowledge about the important role of anaerobic
gut bacteria that produce short-chain
fatty acids (SCFAs), in the regulation of intestinal
barrier and immune response made a way
for the development of microbiota-based interventions.
Our research aimed to isolate the
strains with the potential to produce SCFAs,
from healthy volunteer fecal material, and to
test their effects on IL-8 production in the culture
of intestinal epithelial cells (Caco2) as an in
vitro system imitating initial intestinal inflammation,
the effects on the expression of neuronal
activity-regulated genes of Caenorhabditis
elegans, and the effect on the development
of experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis
(EAE), a mouse model of multiple  sclerosis.
Three isolated butyric acid (BA)-producing
strains, and three acetic acid (AA)-producing
strains diminished the production of IL-8 in Caco-
2 cells treated with IL-1β/TNF-α. Further, all
BA-producing strains stimulated the expression
of important neuro-related genes in C. elegans.
Based on the strongest effects in these
assays an isolate identified as Faecalimonas sp.
NGB245 strain was further tested in EAE model.
The oral treatment of EAE-induced mice with
this strain for 16h per day for 15 days resulted
in alleviated daily clinical scores, maximal
clinical scores, and the duration of the illness
in comparison to the effect of media used for
strain cultivation. These results point to the potential
of NGB245 to modify the gut-brain axis
opening the field for future development of microbiota-
based therapy for the diseases associated
with immune response dysfunctions.
PB  - Serbian Society for Microbiology
C3  - XIII Congress of microbiologists of Serbia: From biotechnology to human and planetary health
T1  - SHORT-CHAIN FATTY ACID-PRODUCING FAECALIMONAS SP. NGB245 STRAIN REGULATES THE EXPRESSION OF NEURONAL ACTIVITY-REGULATED GENES AND ATTENUATES THE SYMPTOMS OF EXPERIMENTAL AUTOIMMUNE ENCEPHALOMYELITIS
EP  - 116
SP  - 116
UR  - https://hdl.handle.net/21.15107/rcub_imagine_2374
ER  - 

@conference{
author = "Bisenić, Aleksandar and Tomić, Sergej and Bekić, Marina and Pavlović, Luka and Dinić, Miroslav and Terzić- Vidojević, Amarela and Radojević, Dušan and Soković Bajić, Svetlana and Mitrović, Hristina and Jakovljević, Stefan and Stevanović, Dušan and Golić, Nataša and Đokić, Jelena",
year = "2024",
abstract = "Alterations in gut microbiota and deregulation
of the gut immune system are recognized
as important events in autoimmune diseases.
The knowledge about the important role of anaerobic
gut bacteria that produce short-chain
fatty acids (SCFAs), in the regulation of intestinal
barrier and immune response made a way
for the development of microbiota-based interventions.
Our research aimed to isolate the
strains with the potential to produce SCFAs,
from healthy volunteer fecal material, and to
test their effects on IL-8 production in the culture
of intestinal epithelial cells (Caco2) as an in
vitro system imitating initial intestinal inflammation,
the effects on the expression of neuronal
activity-regulated genes of Caenorhabditis
elegans, and the effect on the development
of experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis
(EAE), a mouse model of multiple  sclerosis.
Three isolated butyric acid (BA)-producing
strains, and three acetic acid (AA)-producing
strains diminished the production of IL-8 in Caco-
2 cells treated with IL-1β/TNF-α. Further, all
BA-producing strains stimulated the expression
of important neuro-related genes in C. elegans.
Based on the strongest effects in these
assays an isolate identified as Faecalimonas sp.
NGB245 strain was further tested in EAE model.
The oral treatment of EAE-induced mice with
this strain for 16h per day for 15 days resulted
in alleviated daily clinical scores, maximal
clinical scores, and the duration of the illness
in comparison to the effect of media used for
strain cultivation. These results point to the potential
of NGB245 to modify the gut-brain axis
opening the field for future development of microbiota-
based therapy for the diseases associated
with immune response dysfunctions.",
publisher = "Serbian Society for Microbiology",
journal = "XIII Congress of microbiologists of Serbia: From biotechnology to human and planetary health",
title = "SHORT-CHAIN FATTY ACID-PRODUCING FAECALIMONAS SP. NGB245 STRAIN REGULATES THE EXPRESSION OF NEURONAL ACTIVITY-REGULATED GENES AND ATTENUATES THE SYMPTOMS OF EXPERIMENTAL AUTOIMMUNE ENCEPHALOMYELITIS",
pages = "116-116",
url = "https://hdl.handle.net/21.15107/rcub_imagine_2374"
}

Bisenić, A., Tomić, S., Bekić, M., Pavlović, L., Dinić, M., Terzić- Vidojević, A., Radojević, D., Soković Bajić, S., Mitrović, H., Jakovljević, S., Stevanović, D., Golić, N.,& Đokić, J.. (2024). SHORT-CHAIN FATTY ACID-PRODUCING FAECALIMONAS SP. NGB245 STRAIN REGULATES THE EXPRESSION OF NEURONAL ACTIVITY-REGULATED GENES AND ATTENUATES THE SYMPTOMS OF EXPERIMENTAL AUTOIMMUNE ENCEPHALOMYELITIS. in XIII Congress of microbiologists of Serbia: From biotechnology to human and planetary health
Serbian Society for Microbiology., 116-116.
https://hdl.handle.net/21.15107/rcub_imagine_2374

Bisenić A, Tomić S, Bekić M, Pavlović L, Dinić M, Terzić- Vidojević A, Radojević D, Soković Bajić S, Mitrović H, Jakovljević S, Stevanović D, Golić N, Đokić J. SHORT-CHAIN FATTY ACID-PRODUCING FAECALIMONAS SP. NGB245 STRAIN REGULATES THE EXPRESSION OF NEURONAL ACTIVITY-REGULATED GENES AND ATTENUATES THE SYMPTOMS OF EXPERIMENTAL AUTOIMMUNE ENCEPHALOMYELITIS. in XIII Congress of microbiologists of Serbia: From biotechnology to human and planetary health. 2024;:116-116.
https://hdl.handle.net/21.15107/rcub_imagine_2374 .

Bisenić, Aleksandar, Tomić, Sergej, Bekić, Marina, Pavlović, Luka, Dinić, Miroslav, Terzić- Vidojević, Amarela, Radojević, Dušan, Soković Bajić, Svetlana, Mitrović, Hristina, Jakovljević, Stefan, Stevanović, Dušan, Golić, Nataša, Đokić, Jelena, "SHORT-CHAIN FATTY ACID-PRODUCING FAECALIMONAS SP. NGB245 STRAIN REGULATES THE EXPRESSION OF NEURONAL ACTIVITY-REGULATED GENES AND ATTENUATES THE SYMPTOMS OF EXPERIMENTAL AUTOIMMUNE ENCEPHALOMYELITIS" in XIII Congress of microbiologists of Serbia: From biotechnology to human and planetary health (2024):116-116,
https://hdl.handle.net/21.15107/rcub_imagine_2374 .

TY  - CONF
AU  - Kojić, Snežana
AU  - Bošković, Srđan
AU  - Milovanović, Mina
AU  - Stainie, Didier
AU  - Juez, Rubén Marín
AU  - Jasnić, Jovana
AU  - Novković, Mirjana
AU  - Milošević, Emilija
PY  - 2024
UR  - https://www.izfs.org/education/10sczi
UR  - https://imagine.imgge.bg.ac.rs/handle/123456789/2309
AB  - In contrast to humans, zebrafish have a remarkable ability to regenerate their hearts after injury, while both humans and zebrafish efficiently repair the wounded skeletal muscle. Common players in these two processes might represent potential targets for the development of efficient therapies to stimulate human heart to regenerate after injury. We identified ankrd1a expression to be upregulated in both regenerating zebrafish hearts and in repairing skeletal muscle. Its mammalian homolog ANKRD1/CARP encodes a stress responsive cardiac ankyrin repeat protein involved in transcriptional regulation, sarcomere assembly and mechanosensing. Using a TgBAC(ankrd1a:EGFP) line, we showed that activation of ankrd1a in cryoinjured heart is restricted to border zone cardiomyocytes, implicating this gene in dedifferentiation and proliferation of regenerating cardiomyocytes. After stab wound injury of skeletal muscle expression of the fluorescent reporter was observed from 3 dpi, when new EGFP-positive muscle cells emerged inside the injury zone. At later time points, EGFP-positive myofibers were visible in the deeper tissue layers, concomitant with active repair of the injured tissue. In cryoinjured skeletal muscle, strong activation of ankrd1a was also observed in myofibers adjacent to the injury, and in those on uninjured side. Detection of the transgene in both newly formed myofibers that invade the wound and in the apparently uninjured tissue surrounding the injury suggests the role of ankrd1a in skeletal muscle tissue repair and adaptive processes in uninjured myofibers surrounding the injury site. Our results implicate ankrd1a in zebrafish muscle regeneration, repair and remodeling, promoting it as an attractive target for translational studies, as a player in muscle healing and as a sensor of stressed muscle.
PB  - Society for Zebrafish Research
C3  - 10th Strategic Conference of Zebrafish Investigators
T1  - Zebrafish ankrd1a as a common player  in heart regeneration and skeletal muscle repair
UR  - https://hdl.handle.net/21.15107/rcub_imagine_2309
ER  - 

@conference{
author = "Kojić, Snežana and Bošković, Srđan and Milovanović, Mina and Stainie, Didier and Juez, Rubén Marín and Jasnić, Jovana and Novković, Mirjana and Milošević, Emilija",
year = "2024",
abstract = "In contrast to humans, zebrafish have a remarkable ability to regenerate their hearts after injury, while both humans and zebrafish efficiently repair the wounded skeletal muscle. Common players in these two processes might represent potential targets for the development of efficient therapies to stimulate human heart to regenerate after injury. We identified ankrd1a expression to be upregulated in both regenerating zebrafish hearts and in repairing skeletal muscle. Its mammalian homolog ANKRD1/CARP encodes a stress responsive cardiac ankyrin repeat protein involved in transcriptional regulation, sarcomere assembly and mechanosensing. Using a TgBAC(ankrd1a:EGFP) line, we showed that activation of ankrd1a in cryoinjured heart is restricted to border zone cardiomyocytes, implicating this gene in dedifferentiation and proliferation of regenerating cardiomyocytes. After stab wound injury of skeletal muscle expression of the fluorescent reporter was observed from 3 dpi, when new EGFP-positive muscle cells emerged inside the injury zone. At later time points, EGFP-positive myofibers were visible in the deeper tissue layers, concomitant with active repair of the injured tissue. In cryoinjured skeletal muscle, strong activation of ankrd1a was also observed in myofibers adjacent to the injury, and in those on uninjured side. Detection of the transgene in both newly formed myofibers that invade the wound and in the apparently uninjured tissue surrounding the injury suggests the role of ankrd1a in skeletal muscle tissue repair and adaptive processes in uninjured myofibers surrounding the injury site. Our results implicate ankrd1a in zebrafish muscle regeneration, repair and remodeling, promoting it as an attractive target for translational studies, as a player in muscle healing and as a sensor of stressed muscle.",
publisher = "Society for Zebrafish Research",
journal = "10th Strategic Conference of Zebrafish Investigators",
title = "Zebrafish ankrd1a as a common player  in heart regeneration and skeletal muscle repair",
url = "https://hdl.handle.net/21.15107/rcub_imagine_2309"
}

Kojić, S., Bošković, S., Milovanović, M., Stainie, D., Juez, R. M., Jasnić, J., Novković, M.,& Milošević, E.. (2024). Zebrafish ankrd1a as a common player  in heart regeneration and skeletal muscle repair. in 10th Strategic Conference of Zebrafish Investigators
Society for Zebrafish Research..
https://hdl.handle.net/21.15107/rcub_imagine_2309

Kojić S, Bošković S, Milovanović M, Stainie D, Juez RM, Jasnić J, Novković M, Milošević E. Zebrafish ankrd1a as a common player  in heart regeneration and skeletal muscle repair. in 10th Strategic Conference of Zebrafish Investigators. 2024;.
https://hdl.handle.net/21.15107/rcub_imagine_2309 .

Kojić, Snežana, Bošković, Srđan, Milovanović, Mina, Stainie, Didier, Juez, Rubén Marín, Jasnić, Jovana, Novković, Mirjana, Milošević, Emilija, "Zebrafish ankrd1a as a common player  in heart regeneration and skeletal muscle repair" in 10th Strategic Conference of Zebrafish Investigators (2024),
https://hdl.handle.net/21.15107/rcub_imagine_2309 .

TY  - JOUR
AU  - Karagüzel, Ayşe
AU  - Uğur, Sümeyye Buran
AU  - Çetinkaya, Yasin
AU  - Doğan, Şengül Dilem
AU  - Stevanović, Milena
AU  - Nikodinović-Runić, Jasmina
AU  - Gündüz, Miyase Gözde
PY  - 2024
UR  - https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0022286024003107
UR  - https://imagine.imgge.bg.ac.rs/handle/123456789/2317
AB  - Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) alleviate inflammation and pain through the inhibition of cyclooxygenase (COX) enzymes. Besides these widely recognized therapeutic utilizations, NSAIDs have been reported to display moderate antimicrobial activity and enhance antimicrobial efficacy when administered in combination with commercial antimicrobial drugs. In the present study, we designed novel potential antimicrobial agents by linking some NSAIDs (ibuprofen, flurbiprofen, and naproxen) to various azole rings (pyrazole, imidazole, triazole, and benzimidazole) via hydrazone functionality. The hydrazone linker was introduced into the chemical scaffold of the title molecules by the reaction between hydrazides obtained from NSAIDs and in-house synthesized azole-carrying benzaldehydes. The structures of the target compounds were elucidated by a combination of spectral methods. The NOESY spectra and stereochemical analyses performed using DFT method confirmed the presence of the target molecules as a mixture of E(C=N)-E(N-N)-synperiplanar and E(C=N)-E(N-N)-antiperiplanar conformers in DMSO-d6 solution. 1H and 13C NMR chemical shift values in DMSO were calculated using the GIAO method and compared with the experimental NMR data. Finally, some derivatives were demonstrated to inhibit Candida albicans filamentation and/or bacterial communication system known as quorum sensing. For COX inhibitor-azole hybrids with antimicrobial potency, naproxen appeared to be the most appropriate NSAID, while bulky benzimidazole was not found as a preferable azole ring.
PB  - Elsevier
T2  - Journal of Molecular Structure
T2  - Journal of Molecular StructureJournal of Molecular Structure
T1  - Azole rings linked to COX inhibitors via hydrazone bridge: Synthesis, stereochemical analysis, and investigation of antimicrobial activity
SP  - 137787
DO  - 10.1016/j.molstruc.2024.137787
ER  - 

@article{
author = "Karagüzel, Ayşe and Uğur, Sümeyye Buran and Çetinkaya, Yasin and Doğan, Şengül Dilem and Stevanović, Milena and Nikodinović-Runić, Jasmina and Gündüz, Miyase Gözde",
year = "2024",
abstract = "Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) alleviate inflammation and pain through the inhibition of cyclooxygenase (COX) enzymes. Besides these widely recognized therapeutic utilizations, NSAIDs have been reported to display moderate antimicrobial activity and enhance antimicrobial efficacy when administered in combination with commercial antimicrobial drugs. In the present study, we designed novel potential antimicrobial agents by linking some NSAIDs (ibuprofen, flurbiprofen, and naproxen) to various azole rings (pyrazole, imidazole, triazole, and benzimidazole) via hydrazone functionality. The hydrazone linker was introduced into the chemical scaffold of the title molecules by the reaction between hydrazides obtained from NSAIDs and in-house synthesized azole-carrying benzaldehydes. The structures of the target compounds were elucidated by a combination of spectral methods. The NOESY spectra and stereochemical analyses performed using DFT method confirmed the presence of the target molecules as a mixture of E(C=N)-E(N-N)-synperiplanar and E(C=N)-E(N-N)-antiperiplanar conformers in DMSO-d6 solution. 1H and 13C NMR chemical shift values in DMSO were calculated using the GIAO method and compared with the experimental NMR data. Finally, some derivatives were demonstrated to inhibit Candida albicans filamentation and/or bacterial communication system known as quorum sensing. For COX inhibitor-azole hybrids with antimicrobial potency, naproxen appeared to be the most appropriate NSAID, while bulky benzimidazole was not found as a preferable azole ring.",
publisher = "Elsevier",
journal = "Journal of Molecular Structure, Journal of Molecular StructureJournal of Molecular Structure",
title = "Azole rings linked to COX inhibitors via hydrazone bridge: Synthesis, stereochemical analysis, and investigation of antimicrobial activity",
pages = "137787",
doi = "10.1016/j.molstruc.2024.137787"
}

Karagüzel, A., Uğur, S. B., Çetinkaya, Y., Doğan, Ş. D., Stevanović, M., Nikodinović-Runić, J.,& Gündüz, M. G.. (2024). Azole rings linked to COX inhibitors via hydrazone bridge: Synthesis, stereochemical analysis, and investigation of antimicrobial activity. in Journal of Molecular Structure
Elsevier., 137787.
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.molstruc.2024.137787

Karagüzel A, Uğur SB, Çetinkaya Y, Doğan ŞD, Stevanović M, Nikodinović-Runić J, Gündüz MG. Azole rings linked to COX inhibitors via hydrazone bridge: Synthesis, stereochemical analysis, and investigation of antimicrobial activity. in Journal of Molecular Structure. 2024;:137787.
doi:10.1016/j.molstruc.2024.137787 .

Karagüzel, Ayşe, Uğur, Sümeyye Buran, Çetinkaya, Yasin, Doğan, Şengül Dilem, Stevanović, Milena, Nikodinović-Runić, Jasmina, Gündüz, Miyase Gözde, "Azole rings linked to COX inhibitors via hydrazone bridge: Synthesis, stereochemical analysis, and investigation of antimicrobial activity" in Journal of Molecular Structure (2024):137787,
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.molstruc.2024.137787 . .

TY  - JOUR
AU  - Stanković, Mia
AU  - Škaro Bogojević, Sanja
AU  - Kljun, Jakob
AU  - Milanović, Žiko
AU  - Stevanović, Nevena
AU  - Lazić, Jelena
AU  - Vojnović, Sandra
AU  - Turel, Iztok
AU  - Đuran, Miloš
AU  - Glišić, Biljana
PY  - 2024
UR  - https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0162013424000953
UR  - https://imagine.imgge.bg.ac.rs/handle/123456789/2368
AB  - Recognizing that metal ions play an important role in modifying the pharmacological properties of known organic-based drugs, the present manuscript addresses the complexation of the antifungal agent voriconazole (vcz) with the biologically relevant silver(I) ion as a strategy for the development of new antimycotics. The synthesized silver(I) complexes with vcz were characterized by mass spectrometry, IR, UV–Vis and NMR spectroscopy and single-crystal X-ray diffraction analysis. The crystallographic results showed that complexes {[Ag(vcz)(H2O)]CH3SO3}n (1), {[Ag(vcz)2]BF4}n (2) and {[Ag(vcz)2]PF6}n (3) have polymeric structures in the solid state, in which silver(I) ions have a distorted tetrahedral geometry. On the other hand, DFT calculations revealed that the investigated silver(I) complexes 1–3 in DMSO exist as linear [Ag(vcz-N2)(vcz-N19)]+ (1a), [Ag(vcz-N2)(vcz-N4)]+ (2a) and [Ag(vcz-N4)2]+ (3a) species, respectively. The evaluated complexes showed an enhanced anti-Candida activity compared to the parent drug with minimal inhibitory concentration (MIC) values in the range of 0.02–1.05 μM. In comparison with vcz, the corresponding silver(I) complexes showed better activity in prevention hyphae and biofilm formation of C. albicans, indicating that they could be considered as promising agents against Candida that significantly inhibit its virulence. Also, these complexes are much better inhibitors of ergosterol synthesis in the cell membrane of C. albicans at the concentration of 0.5 × MIC. This is also confirmed by a molecular docking, which revealed that complexes 1a – 3a showed better inhibitory activity than vcz against the sterol 14α-demethylase enzyme cytochrome P450 (CYP51B), which plays a crucial role in the formation of ergosterol.
PB  - Elsevier
T2  - Journal of Inorganic Biochemistry
T1  - Silver(I) complexes with voriconazole as promising anti-Candida agents
SP  - 112572
VL  - 256
DO  - 10.1016/j.jinorgbio.2024.112572
ER  - 

@article{
author = "Stanković, Mia and Škaro Bogojević, Sanja and Kljun, Jakob and Milanović, Žiko and Stevanović, Nevena and Lazić, Jelena and Vojnović, Sandra and Turel, Iztok and Đuran, Miloš and Glišić, Biljana",
year = "2024",
abstract = "Recognizing that metal ions play an important role in modifying the pharmacological properties of known organic-based drugs, the present manuscript addresses the complexation of the antifungal agent voriconazole (vcz) with the biologically relevant silver(I) ion as a strategy for the development of new antimycotics. The synthesized silver(I) complexes with vcz were characterized by mass spectrometry, IR, UV–Vis and NMR spectroscopy and single-crystal X-ray diffraction analysis. The crystallographic results showed that complexes {[Ag(vcz)(H2O)]CH3SO3}n (1), {[Ag(vcz)2]BF4}n (2) and {[Ag(vcz)2]PF6}n (3) have polymeric structures in the solid state, in which silver(I) ions have a distorted tetrahedral geometry. On the other hand, DFT calculations revealed that the investigated silver(I) complexes 1–3 in DMSO exist as linear [Ag(vcz-N2)(vcz-N19)]+ (1a), [Ag(vcz-N2)(vcz-N4)]+ (2a) and [Ag(vcz-N4)2]+ (3a) species, respectively. The evaluated complexes showed an enhanced anti-Candida activity compared to the parent drug with minimal inhibitory concentration (MIC) values in the range of 0.02–1.05 μM. In comparison with vcz, the corresponding silver(I) complexes showed better activity in prevention hyphae and biofilm formation of C. albicans, indicating that they could be considered as promising agents against Candida that significantly inhibit its virulence. Also, these complexes are much better inhibitors of ergosterol synthesis in the cell membrane of C. albicans at the concentration of 0.5 × MIC. This is also confirmed by a molecular docking, which revealed that complexes 1a – 3a showed better inhibitory activity than vcz against the sterol 14α-demethylase enzyme cytochrome P450 (CYP51B), which plays a crucial role in the formation of ergosterol.",
publisher = "Elsevier",
journal = "Journal of Inorganic Biochemistry",
title = "Silver(I) complexes with voriconazole as promising anti-Candida agents",
pages = "112572",
volume = "256",
doi = "10.1016/j.jinorgbio.2024.112572"
}

Stanković, M., Škaro Bogojević, S., Kljun, J., Milanović, Ž., Stevanović, N., Lazić, J., Vojnović, S., Turel, I., Đuran, M.,& Glišić, B.. (2024). Silver(I) complexes with voriconazole as promising anti-Candida agents. in Journal of Inorganic Biochemistry
Elsevier., 256, 112572.
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jinorgbio.2024.112572

Stanković M, Škaro Bogojević S, Kljun J, Milanović Ž, Stevanović N, Lazić J, Vojnović S, Turel I, Đuran M, Glišić B. Silver(I) complexes with voriconazole as promising anti-Candida agents. in Journal of Inorganic Biochemistry. 2024;256:112572.
doi:10.1016/j.jinorgbio.2024.112572 .

Stanković, Mia, Škaro Bogojević, Sanja, Kljun, Jakob, Milanović, Žiko, Stevanović, Nevena, Lazić, Jelena, Vojnović, Sandra, Turel, Iztok, Đuran, Miloš, Glišić, Biljana, "Silver(I) complexes with voriconazole as promising anti-Candida agents" in Journal of Inorganic Biochemistry, 256 (2024):112572,
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jinorgbio.2024.112572 . .

TY  - JOUR
AU  - Rakonjac, Marijana
AU  - Cuturilo, Goran
AU  - Kovačević-Grujičić, Nataša
AU  - Simeunović, Ivana
AU  - Kostić, Jovana
AU  - Stevanović, Milena
AU  - Drakulić, Danijela
PY  - 2024
UR  - https://www.mdpi.com/2227-9067/11/4/489
UR  - https://imagine.imgge.bg.ac.rs/handle/123456789/2362
AB  - 22q11.2 deletion syndrome (22q11.2DS), the most frequent microdeletion syndrome in humans, is related to a high risk of developing neurodevelopmental disorders. About 95% of patients with 22q11.2DS have speech and language impairments. Global articulation, story generation, and verbal memory tests were applied to compare articulatory characteristics of speech sounds, spontaneous language abilities, and immediate verbal memory between four groups of Serbian-speaking children: patients with 22q11.2DS, children with clinical presentation of 22q11.2DS that do not have the microdeletion, children with non-syndromic congenital heart defects, and their peers with typical speech–sound development. The obtained results showed that children with this microdeletion have impaired articulation skills and expressive language abilities. However, we did not observe weaker receptive language skills and immediate verbal memory compared to healthy controls. Children with 22q11.2DS should be considered a risk category for the development of speech–sound pathology and expressive language abilities. Since speech intelligibility is an instrument of cognition and adequate peer socialization, and language impairment in school-aged children with 22q11DS might be an indicator of increased risk for later psychotic symptoms, patients with 22q11.2 microdeletion should be included in a program of early stimulation of speech–language development immediately after diagnosis is established.
PB  - MDPI
T2  - Children
T2  - Children
T1  - Speech Sounds Production, Narrative Skills, and Verbal Memory of Children with 22q11.2 Microdeletion
IS  - 4
SP  - 489
VL  - 11
DO  - 10.3390/children11040489
ER  - 

@article{
author = "Rakonjac, Marijana and Cuturilo, Goran and Kovačević-Grujičić, Nataša and Simeunović, Ivana and Kostić, Jovana and Stevanović, Milena and Drakulić, Danijela",
year = "2024",
abstract = "22q11.2 deletion syndrome (22q11.2DS), the most frequent microdeletion syndrome in humans, is related to a high risk of developing neurodevelopmental disorders. About 95% of patients with 22q11.2DS have speech and language impairments. Global articulation, story generation, and verbal memory tests were applied to compare articulatory characteristics of speech sounds, spontaneous language abilities, and immediate verbal memory between four groups of Serbian-speaking children: patients with 22q11.2DS, children with clinical presentation of 22q11.2DS that do not have the microdeletion, children with non-syndromic congenital heart defects, and their peers with typical speech–sound development. The obtained results showed that children with this microdeletion have impaired articulation skills and expressive language abilities. However, we did not observe weaker receptive language skills and immediate verbal memory compared to healthy controls. Children with 22q11.2DS should be considered a risk category for the development of speech–sound pathology and expressive language abilities. Since speech intelligibility is an instrument of cognition and adequate peer socialization, and language impairment in school-aged children with 22q11DS might be an indicator of increased risk for later psychotic symptoms, patients with 22q11.2 microdeletion should be included in a program of early stimulation of speech–language development immediately after diagnosis is established.",
publisher = "MDPI",
journal = "Children, Children",
title = "Speech Sounds Production, Narrative Skills, and Verbal Memory of Children with 22q11.2 Microdeletion",
number = "4",
pages = "489",
volume = "11",
doi = "10.3390/children11040489"
}

Rakonjac, M., Cuturilo, G., Kovačević-Grujičić, N., Simeunović, I., Kostić, J., Stevanović, M.,& Drakulić, D.. (2024). Speech Sounds Production, Narrative Skills, and Verbal Memory of Children with 22q11.2 Microdeletion. in Children
MDPI., 11(4), 489.
https://doi.org/10.3390/children11040489

Rakonjac M, Cuturilo G, Kovačević-Grujičić N, Simeunović I, Kostić J, Stevanović M, Drakulić D. Speech Sounds Production, Narrative Skills, and Verbal Memory of Children with 22q11.2 Microdeletion. in Children. 2024;11(4):489.
doi:10.3390/children11040489 .

Rakonjac, Marijana, Cuturilo, Goran, Kovačević-Grujičić, Nataša, Simeunović, Ivana, Kostić, Jovana, Stevanović, Milena, Drakulić, Danijela, "Speech Sounds Production, Narrative Skills, and Verbal Memory of Children with 22q11.2 Microdeletion" in Children, 11, no. 4 (2024):489,
https://doi.org/10.3390/children11040489 . .

TY  - JOUR
AU  - Filipić, Brankica
AU  - Ušjak, Dušan
AU  - Rambaher, Martina Hrast
AU  - Oljacic, Slavica
AU  - Milenković, Marina
PY  - 2024
UR  - https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fcimb.2024.1370062
UR  - https://imagine.imgge.bg.ac.rs/handle/123456789/2333
AB  - Antimicrobial resistance is a global threat, leading to an alarming increase in the prevalence of bacterial infections that can no longer be treated with available antibiotics. The World Health Organization estimates that by 2050 up to 10 million deaths per year could be associated with antimicrobial resistance, which would equal the annual number of cancer deaths worldwide. To overcome this emerging crisis, novel anti-bacterial compounds are urgently needed. There are two possible approaches in the fight against bacterial infections: a) targeting structures within bacterial cells, similar to existing antibiotics; and/or b) targeting virulence factors rather than bacterial growth. Here, for the first time, we provide a comprehensive overview of the key steps in the evaluation of potential new anti-bacterial and/or anti-virulence compounds. The methods described in this review include: a) in silico methods for the evaluation of novel compounds; b) anti-bacterial assays (MIC, MBC, Time-kill); b) anti-virulence assays (anti-biofilm, anti-quorum sensing, anti-adhesion); and c) evaluation of safety aspects (cytotoxicity assay and Ames test). Overall, we provide a detailed description of the methods that are an essential tool for chemists, computational chemists, microbiologists, and toxicologists in the evaluation of potential novel antimicrobial compounds. These methods are cost-effective and have high predictive value. They are widely used in preclinical studies to identify new molecular candidates, for further investigation in animal and human trials.
PB  - Frontiers
T2  - Frontiers in Cellular and Infection Microbiology
T1  - Evaluation of novel compounds as anti-bacterial or anti-virulence agents
VL  - 14
DO  - 10.3389/fcimb.2024.1370062
ER  - 

@article{
author = "Filipić, Brankica and Ušjak, Dušan and Rambaher, Martina Hrast and Oljacic, Slavica and Milenković, Marina",
year = "2024",
abstract = "Antimicrobial resistance is a global threat, leading to an alarming increase in the prevalence of bacterial infections that can no longer be treated with available antibiotics. The World Health Organization estimates that by 2050 up to 10 million deaths per year could be associated with antimicrobial resistance, which would equal the annual number of cancer deaths worldwide. To overcome this emerging crisis, novel anti-bacterial compounds are urgently needed. There are two possible approaches in the fight against bacterial infections: a) targeting structures within bacterial cells, similar to existing antibiotics; and/or b) targeting virulence factors rather than bacterial growth. Here, for the first time, we provide a comprehensive overview of the key steps in the evaluation of potential new anti-bacterial and/or anti-virulence compounds. The methods described in this review include: a) in silico methods for the evaluation of novel compounds; b) anti-bacterial assays (MIC, MBC, Time-kill); b) anti-virulence assays (anti-biofilm, anti-quorum sensing, anti-adhesion); and c) evaluation of safety aspects (cytotoxicity assay and Ames test). Overall, we provide a detailed description of the methods that are an essential tool for chemists, computational chemists, microbiologists, and toxicologists in the evaluation of potential novel antimicrobial compounds. These methods are cost-effective and have high predictive value. They are widely used in preclinical studies to identify new molecular candidates, for further investigation in animal and human trials.",
publisher = "Frontiers",
journal = "Frontiers in Cellular and Infection Microbiology",
title = "Evaluation of novel compounds as anti-bacterial or anti-virulence agents",
volume = "14",
doi = "10.3389/fcimb.2024.1370062"
}

Filipić, B., Ušjak, D., Rambaher, M. H., Oljacic, S.,& Milenković, M.. (2024). Evaluation of novel compounds as anti-bacterial or anti-virulence agents. in Frontiers in Cellular and Infection Microbiology
Frontiers., 14.
https://doi.org/10.3389/fcimb.2024.1370062

Filipić B, Ušjak D, Rambaher MH, Oljacic S, Milenković M. Evaluation of novel compounds as anti-bacterial or anti-virulence agents. in Frontiers in Cellular and Infection Microbiology. 2024;14.
doi:10.3389/fcimb.2024.1370062 .

Filipić, Brankica, Ušjak, Dušan, Rambaher, Martina Hrast, Oljacic, Slavica, Milenković, Marina, "Evaluation of novel compounds as anti-bacterial or anti-virulence agents" in Frontiers in Cellular and Infection Microbiology, 14 (2024),
https://doi.org/10.3389/fcimb.2024.1370062 . .

TY  - JOUR
AU  - Taxeidis, George
AU  - Đapović, Milica
AU  - Nikolaivits, Efstratios
AU  - Maslak, Veselin
AU  - Nikodinović-Runić, Jasmina
AU  - Topakas, Evangelos
PY  - 2024
UR  - https://doi.org/10.1021/acssuschemeng.4c00143
UR  - https://imagine.imgge.bg.ac.rs/handle/123456789/2339
AB  - The discovery and engineering of novel biocatalysts capable of depolymerizing polyethylene terephthalate (PET) have gained significant attention since the need for green technologies to combat plastic pollution has become increasingly urgent. This study focuses on the development of novel substrates that can indicate enzymes with PET hydrolytic activity, streamlining the process of enzyme evaluation and selection. Four novel substrates, mimicking the structure of PET, were chemically synthesized and labeled with fluorogenic or chromogenic moieties, enabling the direct analysis of candidate enzymes without complex preparatory or analysis steps. The fluorogenic substrates, mUPET1, mUPET2, and mUPET3, not only identify enzymes capable of PET breakdown but also differentiate those with exceptional performance on the polymer, such as the benchmark PETase, LCCICCG. Among the substrates, the chromogenic p-NPhPET3 stands out as a reliable tool for screening both pure and crude enzymes, offering advantages over fluorogenic substrates such as ease of assay using UV–vis spectroscopy and compatibility with crude enzyme samples. However, ferulic acid esterases and mono-(2-hydroxyethyl) terephthalate esterases (MHETases), which exhibit remarkably high affinity for PET oligomers, also show high catalytic activity on these substrates. The substrates introduced in this study hold significant value in the function-based screening and characterization of enzymes that degrade PET, as well as the the potential to be used in screening mutant libraries derived from directed evolution experiments. Following this approach, a rapid and dependable assay method can be carried out using basic laboratory infrastructure, eliminating the necessity for intricate preparatory procedures before analysis.
PB  - American Chemical Society
T2  - ACS Sustainable Chemistry & Engineering
T1  - New Labeled PET Analogues Enable the Functional Screening and Characterization of PET-Degrading Enzymes
DO  - 10.1021/acssuschemeng.4c00143
ER  - 

@article{
author = "Taxeidis, George and Đapović, Milica and Nikolaivits, Efstratios and Maslak, Veselin and Nikodinović-Runić, Jasmina and Topakas, Evangelos",
year = "2024",
abstract = "The discovery and engineering of novel biocatalysts capable of depolymerizing polyethylene terephthalate (PET) have gained significant attention since the need for green technologies to combat plastic pollution has become increasingly urgent. This study focuses on the development of novel substrates that can indicate enzymes with PET hydrolytic activity, streamlining the process of enzyme evaluation and selection. Four novel substrates, mimicking the structure of PET, were chemically synthesized and labeled with fluorogenic or chromogenic moieties, enabling the direct analysis of candidate enzymes without complex preparatory or analysis steps. The fluorogenic substrates, mUPET1, mUPET2, and mUPET3, not only identify enzymes capable of PET breakdown but also differentiate those with exceptional performance on the polymer, such as the benchmark PETase, LCCICCG. Among the substrates, the chromogenic p-NPhPET3 stands out as a reliable tool for screening both pure and crude enzymes, offering advantages over fluorogenic substrates such as ease of assay using UV–vis spectroscopy and compatibility with crude enzyme samples. However, ferulic acid esterases and mono-(2-hydroxyethyl) terephthalate esterases (MHETases), which exhibit remarkably high affinity for PET oligomers, also show high catalytic activity on these substrates. The substrates introduced in this study hold significant value in the function-based screening and characterization of enzymes that degrade PET, as well as the the potential to be used in screening mutant libraries derived from directed evolution experiments. Following this approach, a rapid and dependable assay method can be carried out using basic laboratory infrastructure, eliminating the necessity for intricate preparatory procedures before analysis.",
publisher = "American Chemical Society",
journal = "ACS Sustainable Chemistry & Engineering",
title = "New Labeled PET Analogues Enable the Functional Screening and Characterization of PET-Degrading Enzymes",
doi = "10.1021/acssuschemeng.4c00143"
}

Taxeidis, G., Đapović, M., Nikolaivits, E., Maslak, V., Nikodinović-Runić, J.,& Topakas, E.. (2024). New Labeled PET Analogues Enable the Functional Screening and Characterization of PET-Degrading Enzymes. in ACS Sustainable Chemistry & Engineering
American Chemical Society..
https://doi.org/10.1021/acssuschemeng.4c00143

Taxeidis G, Đapović M, Nikolaivits E, Maslak V, Nikodinović-Runić J, Topakas E. New Labeled PET Analogues Enable the Functional Screening and Characterization of PET-Degrading Enzymes. in ACS Sustainable Chemistry & Engineering. 2024;.
doi:10.1021/acssuschemeng.4c00143 .

Taxeidis, George, Đapović, Milica, Nikolaivits, Efstratios, Maslak, Veselin, Nikodinović-Runić, Jasmina, Topakas, Evangelos, "New Labeled PET Analogues Enable the Functional Screening and Characterization of PET-Degrading Enzymes" in ACS Sustainable Chemistry & Engineering (2024),
https://doi.org/10.1021/acssuschemeng.4c00143 . .

TY  - CONF
AU  - Pavić, Aleksandar
AU  - Đuriš, Jelena
AU  - Vukotić, Goran
AU  - Obradović, Mina
AU  - Plačkić, Nikola
PY  - 2024
UR  - https://imagine.imgge.bg.ac.rs/handle/123456789/2379
AB  - Fungal infections, once considered a rare disease,
have become an everyday problem in modern
societies, posing major challenges to global
health. It is estimated that more than one billion
people are affected by fungal infections and 1.6
million people succumb to these diseases every
year. Of the 600 species of fungi capable of causing
infections in humans, species of the genus
Candida cause more than 85% of infections, especially
C. albicans, which has become a serious
threat to human health in immunocompromised
and immunosuppressed individuals. Unfortunately,
the current arsenal of clinical drugs relies
on only four classes of approved drugs (polyenes,
azoles, echinocandins and allylamines), which
are only partially effective, resulting in incomplete
eradication of the fungal infection. In
addition, the serious side effects, ranging from
systemic or organ-specific toxicity to poor bioavailability
and low activity, significantly hamper
the clinical use of antifungals. These problems
call for new effective and safe antifungal agents,but also for appropriate preclinical models to accurately
study potential adverse effects on the
human population and test their efficacy against
fungal infections. In this sense, zebrafish (Danio
rerio) embryos have become one of the most
powerful preclinical animal models in infection
biology and drug discovery, offering the unique
opportunity to simultaneously monitor the safety
and efficacy of the applied molecule in real
time. With the aim of providing a preclinical platform
for the identification of new safe antifungal
drugs to effectively control C. albicans infection,
we comprehensively tested the toxicity of 13
clinical antifungal drugs in the zebrafish embryo
model. The 21 toxicity endpoints, including
survival, teratogenicity, cardiotoxicity and hepatotoxicity,
were evaluated and compared with
adverse effects described in rats and humans. Of
the clinical drugs, the efficacy of fluconazole and
voriconazole was evaluated in the zebrafish - C.
albicans model of systemic and wound biofilm
infection.
PB  - Serbian Society for Microbiology
C3  - XIII Congress of microbiologists of Serbia: From biotechnology to human and planetary health
T1  - EMPOWERING ANTIFUNGAL DRUGS DISCOVERY THROUGH THE ZEBRAFISH-INFECTIOUS DISEASES MODELLING
EP  - 140
SP  - 140
UR  - https://hdl.handle.net/21.15107/rcub_imagine_2379
ER  - 

@conference{
author = "Pavić, Aleksandar and Đuriš, Jelena and Vukotić, Goran and Obradović, Mina and Plačkić, Nikola",
year = "2024",
abstract = "Fungal infections, once considered a rare disease,
have become an everyday problem in modern
societies, posing major challenges to global
health. It is estimated that more than one billion
people are affected by fungal infections and 1.6
million people succumb to these diseases every
year. Of the 600 species of fungi capable of causing
infections in humans, species of the genus
Candida cause more than 85% of infections, especially
C. albicans, which has become a serious
threat to human health in immunocompromised
and immunosuppressed individuals. Unfortunately,
the current arsenal of clinical drugs relies
on only four classes of approved drugs (polyenes,
azoles, echinocandins and allylamines), which
are only partially effective, resulting in incomplete
eradication of the fungal infection. In
addition, the serious side effects, ranging from
systemic or organ-specific toxicity to poor bioavailability
and low activity, significantly hamper
the clinical use of antifungals. These problems
call for new effective and safe antifungal agents,but also for appropriate preclinical models to accurately
study potential adverse effects on the
human population and test their efficacy against
fungal infections. In this sense, zebrafish (Danio
rerio) embryos have become one of the most
powerful preclinical animal models in infection
biology and drug discovery, offering the unique
opportunity to simultaneously monitor the safety
and efficacy of the applied molecule in real
time. With the aim of providing a preclinical platform
for the identification of new safe antifungal
drugs to effectively control C. albicans infection,
we comprehensively tested the toxicity of 13
clinical antifungal drugs in the zebrafish embryo
model. The 21 toxicity endpoints, including
survival, teratogenicity, cardiotoxicity and hepatotoxicity,
were evaluated and compared with
adverse effects described in rats and humans. Of
the clinical drugs, the efficacy of fluconazole and
voriconazole was evaluated in the zebrafish - C.
albicans model of systemic and wound biofilm
infection.",
publisher = "Serbian Society for Microbiology",
journal = "XIII Congress of microbiologists of Serbia: From biotechnology to human and planetary health",
title = "EMPOWERING ANTIFUNGAL DRUGS DISCOVERY THROUGH THE ZEBRAFISH-INFECTIOUS DISEASES MODELLING",
pages = "140-140",
url = "https://hdl.handle.net/21.15107/rcub_imagine_2379"
}

Pavić, A., Đuriš, J., Vukotić, G., Obradović, M.,& Plačkić, N.. (2024). EMPOWERING ANTIFUNGAL DRUGS DISCOVERY THROUGH THE ZEBRAFISH-INFECTIOUS DISEASES MODELLING. in XIII Congress of microbiologists of Serbia: From biotechnology to human and planetary health
Serbian Society for Microbiology., 140-140.
https://hdl.handle.net/21.15107/rcub_imagine_2379

Pavić A, Đuriš J, Vukotić G, Obradović M, Plačkić N. EMPOWERING ANTIFUNGAL DRUGS DISCOVERY THROUGH THE ZEBRAFISH-INFECTIOUS DISEASES MODELLING. in XIII Congress of microbiologists of Serbia: From biotechnology to human and planetary health. 2024;:140-140.
https://hdl.handle.net/21.15107/rcub_imagine_2379 .

Pavić, Aleksandar, Đuriš, Jelena, Vukotić, Goran, Obradović, Mina, Plačkić, Nikola, "EMPOWERING ANTIFUNGAL DRUGS DISCOVERY THROUGH THE ZEBRAFISH-INFECTIOUS DISEASES MODELLING" in XIII Congress of microbiologists of Serbia: From biotechnology to human and planetary health (2024):140-140,
https://hdl.handle.net/21.15107/rcub_imagine_2379 .

TY  - JOUR
AU  - Spasovski, Vesna
AU  - Romolo, Anna
AU  - Zagorc, Urška
AU  - Arrigler, Vesna
AU  - Kisovec, Matic
AU  - Zavec, Apolonija Bedina
AU  - Arko, Matevž
AU  - Molnár, Adrienn
AU  - Schlosser, Gitta
AU  - Iglič, Aleš
AU  - Kogej, Ksenija
AU  - Kralj-Iglič, Veronika
PY  - 2024
UR  - https://www.dovepress.com/characterization-of-nanohybridosomes-from-lipids-and-spruce-homogenate-peer-reviewed-fulltext-article-IJN
UR  - https://imagine.imgge.bg.ac.rs/handle/123456789/2332
AB  - Introduction: Lipid nanovesicles associated with bioactive phytochemicals from spruce needle homogenate (here called nano-sized
hybridosomes or nanohybridosomes, NSHs) were considered.
Methods: We formed NSHs by mixing appropriate amounts of lecithin, glycerol and supernatant of isolation of extracellular vesicles
from spruce needle homogenate. We visualized NSHs by light microscopy and cryogenic transmission electron microscopy and
assessed them by flow cytometry, dynamic light scattering, ultraviolet–visual spectroscopy, interferometric light microscopy and liquid
chromatography–mass spectrometry.
Results: We found that the particles consisted of a bilayer membrane and a fluid-like interior. Flow cytometry and
interferometric light microscopy measurements showed that the majority of the particles were nano-sized. Dynamic light
scattering and interferometric light microscopy measurements agreed well on the average hydrodynamic radius of the
particles Rh (between 140 and 180 nm), while the concentrations of the particles were in the range between 1013 and
1014/mL indicating that NSHs present a considerable (more than 25%) of the sample which is much more than the yield of
natural extracellular vesicles (EVs) from spruce needle homogenate (estimated less than 1%). Spruce specific lipids and
proteins were found in hybridosomes.
Discussion: Simple and low-cost preparation method, non-demanding saving process and efficient formation procedure suggest that
large-scale production of NSHs from lipids and spruce needle homogenate is feasible.
Plain Language Summary: Cells shed into their exterior nanoparticles (here referred to as extracellular vesicles – EVs) that
are free to move, reach distant cells and are taken up by them. As they carry bioactive constituents, EVs may have important
impact on the recipient cells. The mechanisms of EV formation and mediation can be employed in designing therapeutic,
prophylactic and diagnostic methods for various medical issues. EVs can be harvested from biological samples; however,
their yield is small,12 and there are potential side effects. Artificial vesicles – liposomes – have high yield; however, in vivo,
they can be degraded before reaching the target and their reproducibility is yet insufficient. In order to combine advantages of
both types of nanoparticles, we have composed nanohybridosomes (NSHs) from soya lecithin, water and supernatant of
isolation of EVs from spruce needle homogenate, visualized them by cryogenic electron microscopy and characterized them
with respect to their size, concentration and protein/nucleic acid content. We have applied a recently developed interferometric light microscopy to determine the hydrodynamic radius and the concentration of EVs. We found that the majority of
composed particles are nano-sized and that they enclose more than 25% of the incoming volume of liquid, which is considerably more than about 1% that can be harvested by isolation of EVs from spruce needle homogenate by (ultra)
centrifugation
PB  - Dove Press Ltd
T2  - International Journal of Nanomedicine
T1  - Characterization of Nanohybridosomes from Lipids and Spruce Homogenate Containing Extracellular Vesicles
EP  - 1721
SP  - 1709
VL  - 19
DO  - 10.2147/IJN.S432836
ER  - 

@article{
author = "Spasovski, Vesna and Romolo, Anna and Zagorc, Urška and Arrigler, Vesna and Kisovec, Matic and Zavec, Apolonija Bedina and Arko, Matevž and Molnár, Adrienn and Schlosser, Gitta and Iglič, Aleš and Kogej, Ksenija and Kralj-Iglič, Veronika",
year = "2024",
abstract = "Introduction: Lipid nanovesicles associated with bioactive phytochemicals from spruce needle homogenate (here called nano-sized
hybridosomes or nanohybridosomes, NSHs) were considered.
Methods: We formed NSHs by mixing appropriate amounts of lecithin, glycerol and supernatant of isolation of extracellular vesicles
from spruce needle homogenate. We visualized NSHs by light microscopy and cryogenic transmission electron microscopy and
assessed them by flow cytometry, dynamic light scattering, ultraviolet–visual spectroscopy, interferometric light microscopy and liquid
chromatography–mass spectrometry.
Results: We found that the particles consisted of a bilayer membrane and a fluid-like interior. Flow cytometry and
interferometric light microscopy measurements showed that the majority of the particles were nano-sized. Dynamic light
scattering and interferometric light microscopy measurements agreed well on the average hydrodynamic radius of the
particles Rh (between 140 and 180 nm), while the concentrations of the particles were in the range between 1013 and
1014/mL indicating that NSHs present a considerable (more than 25%) of the sample which is much more than the yield of
natural extracellular vesicles (EVs) from spruce needle homogenate (estimated less than 1%). Spruce specific lipids and
proteins were found in hybridosomes.
Discussion: Simple and low-cost preparation method, non-demanding saving process and efficient formation procedure suggest that
large-scale production of NSHs from lipids and spruce needle homogenate is feasible.
Plain Language Summary: Cells shed into their exterior nanoparticles (here referred to as extracellular vesicles – EVs) that
are free to move, reach distant cells and are taken up by them. As they carry bioactive constituents, EVs may have important
impact on the recipient cells. The mechanisms of EV formation and mediation can be employed in designing therapeutic,
prophylactic and diagnostic methods for various medical issues. EVs can be harvested from biological samples; however,
their yield is small,12 and there are potential side effects. Artificial vesicles – liposomes – have high yield; however, in vivo,
they can be degraded before reaching the target and their reproducibility is yet insufficient. In order to combine advantages of
both types of nanoparticles, we have composed nanohybridosomes (NSHs) from soya lecithin, water and supernatant of
isolation of EVs from spruce needle homogenate, visualized them by cryogenic electron microscopy and characterized them
with respect to their size, concentration and protein/nucleic acid content. We have applied a recently developed interferometric light microscopy to determine the hydrodynamic radius and the concentration of EVs. We found that the majority of
composed particles are nano-sized and that they enclose more than 25% of the incoming volume of liquid, which is considerably more than about 1% that can be harvested by isolation of EVs from spruce needle homogenate by (ultra)
centrifugation",
publisher = "Dove Press Ltd",
journal = "International Journal of Nanomedicine",
title = "Characterization of Nanohybridosomes from Lipids and Spruce Homogenate Containing Extracellular Vesicles",
pages = "1721-1709",
volume = "19",
doi = "10.2147/IJN.S432836"
}

Spasovski, V., Romolo, A., Zagorc, U., Arrigler, V., Kisovec, M., Zavec, A. B., Arko, M., Molnár, A., Schlosser, G., Iglič, A., Kogej, K.,& Kralj-Iglič, V.. (2024). Characterization of Nanohybridosomes from Lipids and Spruce Homogenate Containing Extracellular Vesicles. in International Journal of Nanomedicine
Dove Press Ltd., 19, 1709-1721.
https://doi.org/10.2147/IJN.S432836

Spasovski V, Romolo A, Zagorc U, Arrigler V, Kisovec M, Zavec AB, Arko M, Molnár A, Schlosser G, Iglič A, Kogej K, Kralj-Iglič V. Characterization of Nanohybridosomes from Lipids and Spruce Homogenate Containing Extracellular Vesicles. in International Journal of Nanomedicine. 2024;19:1709-1721.
doi:10.2147/IJN.S432836 .

Spasovski, Vesna, Romolo, Anna, Zagorc, Urška, Arrigler, Vesna, Kisovec, Matic, Zavec, Apolonija Bedina, Arko, Matevž, Molnár, Adrienn, Schlosser, Gitta, Iglič, Aleš, Kogej, Ksenija, Kralj-Iglič, Veronika, "Characterization of Nanohybridosomes from Lipids and Spruce Homogenate Containing Extracellular Vesicles" in International Journal of Nanomedicine, 19 (2024):1709-1721,
https://doi.org/10.2147/IJN.S432836 . .

TY  - CONF
AU  - Šapić, Katarina
AU  - Novović, Katarina
AU  - Radovanović, Milica
AU  - Gajić, Ina
AU  - Vasiljević, Zorica
AU  - Malešević, Milka
AU  - Jovčić, Branko
PY  - 2024
UR  - https://imagine.imgge.bg.ac.rs/handle/123456789/2386
AB  - The increasing prevalence of multidrug-resistant
(MDR) Acinetobacter baumannii limits effective
therapeutic options, and tigecycline has been
considered one of the last resort therapies for
MDR A. baumannii infections. Nevertheless, A.
baumannii isolates resistant to tigecycline are
becoming increasingly reported, mostly due to
overexpression of efflux pumps. The three major
RND efflux systems conferring tigecycline resistance
in A. baumannii are AdeABC, AdeFGH, and
AdeIJK, and their expression is regulated by the
two-component system AdeRS, the LysR-type
regulator AdeL, and the TetR-type regulator AdeN,
respectively. Following the above, we aimed
to determine the role of efflux pumps in tigecycline
resistance of thirty-seven A. baumannii isolates
collected from Western Balkan healthcare
settings (Serbia, Bosnia and Herzegovina and
Montenegro) in 2016 and 2022. The majority of
isolates belonged to the most prevalent international
clonal lineage IC2 (n = 32), four isolates are
members of IC1, while only one isolate is identified
as IC3. All tested isolates demonstrated a
significant decrease in tigecycline MIC in presence
of efflux pump inhibitor CCCP (≥16-fold reduction)
indicating that mechanism responsible
for tigecycline resistance is antibiotic efflux. The
comparison of target efflux pump regulatory
proteins, translated from nucleotide sequences,
to reference strains ATCC19606 and ATCC17978
revealed that most of the isolates have G186V
and N268H alternations in AdeS (n = 32), while
most common changes in AdeR were V120I and
A136V (n = 29) as described in previous studies.
Substitution Q262R was detected exclusively in
AdeL proteins of IC1 isolates, while no mutations
were observed within AdeN regulators. Expression
of the adeB, adeG, and adeJ genes in six selected
isolates was upregulated in four (1,4- to
3-fold), six (1,6- to 2,6-fold), and three isolates
(1,7- to 4-fold), respectively. This study confirmed
that overexpression of efflux pump encoding
genes enables tigecycline resistance in clinical
A. baumannii isolates.
PB  - Serbian Society for Microbiology
C3  - XIII Congress of microbiologists of Serbia: From biotechnology to human and planetary health
T1  - THE ROLE OF EFFLUX PUMPS IN TIGECYCLINE RESISTANCE OF ACINETOBACTER BAUMANNII ISOLATES FROM WESTERN BALKAN HOSPITALS
EP  - 187
SP  - 187
UR  - https://hdl.handle.net/21.15107/rcub_imagine_2386
ER  - 

@conference{
author = "Šapić, Katarina and Novović, Katarina and Radovanović, Milica and Gajić, Ina and Vasiljević, Zorica and Malešević, Milka and Jovčić, Branko",
year = "2024",
abstract = "The increasing prevalence of multidrug-resistant
(MDR) Acinetobacter baumannii limits effective
therapeutic options, and tigecycline has been
considered one of the last resort therapies for
MDR A. baumannii infections. Nevertheless, A.
baumannii isolates resistant to tigecycline are
becoming increasingly reported, mostly due to
overexpression of efflux pumps. The three major
RND efflux systems conferring tigecycline resistance
in A. baumannii are AdeABC, AdeFGH, and
AdeIJK, and their expression is regulated by the
two-component system AdeRS, the LysR-type
regulator AdeL, and the TetR-type regulator AdeN,
respectively. Following the above, we aimed
to determine the role of efflux pumps in tigecycline
resistance of thirty-seven A. baumannii isolates
collected from Western Balkan healthcare
settings (Serbia, Bosnia and Herzegovina and
Montenegro) in 2016 and 2022. The majority of
isolates belonged to the most prevalent international
clonal lineage IC2 (n = 32), four isolates are
members of IC1, while only one isolate is identified
as IC3. All tested isolates demonstrated a
significant decrease in tigecycline MIC in presence
of efflux pump inhibitor CCCP (≥16-fold reduction)
indicating that mechanism responsible
for tigecycline resistance is antibiotic efflux. The
comparison of target efflux pump regulatory
proteins, translated from nucleotide sequences,
to reference strains ATCC19606 and ATCC17978
revealed that most of the isolates have G186V
and N268H alternations in AdeS (n = 32), while
most common changes in AdeR were V120I and
A136V (n = 29) as described in previous studies.
Substitution Q262R was detected exclusively in
AdeL proteins of IC1 isolates, while no mutations
were observed within AdeN regulators. Expression
of the adeB, adeG, and adeJ genes in six selected
isolates was upregulated in four (1,4- to
3-fold), six (1,6- to 2,6-fold), and three isolates
(1,7- to 4-fold), respectively. This study confirmed
that overexpression of efflux pump encoding
genes enables tigecycline resistance in clinical
A. baumannii isolates.",
publisher = "Serbian Society for Microbiology",
journal = "XIII Congress of microbiologists of Serbia: From biotechnology to human and planetary health",
title = "THE ROLE OF EFFLUX PUMPS IN TIGECYCLINE RESISTANCE OF ACINETOBACTER BAUMANNII ISOLATES FROM WESTERN BALKAN HOSPITALS",
pages = "187-187",
url = "https://hdl.handle.net/21.15107/rcub_imagine_2386"
}

Šapić, K., Novović, K., Radovanović, M., Gajić, I., Vasiljević, Z., Malešević, M.,& Jovčić, B.. (2024). THE ROLE OF EFFLUX PUMPS IN TIGECYCLINE RESISTANCE OF ACINETOBACTER BAUMANNII ISOLATES FROM WESTERN BALKAN HOSPITALS. in XIII Congress of microbiologists of Serbia: From biotechnology to human and planetary health
Serbian Society for Microbiology., 187-187.
https://hdl.handle.net/21.15107/rcub_imagine_2386

Šapić K, Novović K, Radovanović M, Gajić I, Vasiljević Z, Malešević M, Jovčić B. THE ROLE OF EFFLUX PUMPS IN TIGECYCLINE RESISTANCE OF ACINETOBACTER BAUMANNII ISOLATES FROM WESTERN BALKAN HOSPITALS. in XIII Congress of microbiologists of Serbia: From biotechnology to human and planetary health. 2024;:187-187.
https://hdl.handle.net/21.15107/rcub_imagine_2386 .

Šapić, Katarina, Novović, Katarina, Radovanović, Milica, Gajić, Ina, Vasiljević, Zorica, Malešević, Milka, Jovčić, Branko, "THE ROLE OF EFFLUX PUMPS IN TIGECYCLINE RESISTANCE OF ACINETOBACTER BAUMANNII ISOLATES FROM WESTERN BALKAN HOSPITALS" in XIII Congress of microbiologists of Serbia: From biotechnology to human and planetary health (2024):187-187,
https://hdl.handle.net/21.15107/rcub_imagine_2386 .

TY  - CONF
AU  - Drakulić, Danijela
AU  - Petrakis, Spyros
AU  - Harwood, Adrian J.
AU  - Linden, David
AU  - Lazić, Andrijana
AU  - Kovačević-Grujičić, Nataša
AU  - Stevanović, Milena
PY  - 2024
UR  - https://www.ache-pub.org.rs/index.php/HemInd/article/view/1325
UR  - https://imagine.imgge.bg.ac.rs/handle/123456789/2361
AB  - Neurodevelopmental disorders (NDDs) are caused by alterations in early brain development. They are a group of geographically dispersed, complex and heterogeneous disorders that give rise to the psychiatric conditions such as autism spectrum disorders, intellectual disability, schizophrenia and bipolar disorder. In order to build global research activity for study of NDDs, the main goals of the Twinning project STREAMLINE are to enhanced strategic networking and reinforce research and innovation potential of the Institute of Molecular Genetics and Genetic Engineering, University of Belgrade (IMGGE) in order to develop IMGGE as a high capacity hub for research of NDDs in the Western Balkans. This will be achieved by twinning IMGGE with three top-class research institutions in Europe (Cardiff University, University of Maastricht and Centre for Research and Technology Hellas) with an exceptional expertise in the stem cells based research of NDDs, -OMICS technologies, bioinformatics data analysis and drug testing and through staff exchanges, training, and organization of summer schools, Industry Open Days, symposia and workshops.
C3  - Hemijska industrija (Chemical Industry)
T1  - STREAMLINE HUB: a high capacity hub for research of neurodevelopmental disorders in the Western Balkan region
EP  - 78
IS  - 1S
SP  - 78
VL  - 78
UR  - https://hdl.handle.net/21.15107/rcub_imagine_2361
ER  - 

@conference{
author = "Drakulić, Danijela and Petrakis, Spyros and Harwood, Adrian J. and Linden, David and Lazić, Andrijana and Kovačević-Grujičić, Nataša and Stevanović, Milena",
year = "2024",
abstract = "Neurodevelopmental disorders (NDDs) are caused by alterations in early brain development. They are a group of geographically dispersed, complex and heterogeneous disorders that give rise to the psychiatric conditions such as autism spectrum disorders, intellectual disability, schizophrenia and bipolar disorder. In order to build global research activity for study of NDDs, the main goals of the Twinning project STREAMLINE are to enhanced strategic networking and reinforce research and innovation potential of the Institute of Molecular Genetics and Genetic Engineering, University of Belgrade (IMGGE) in order to develop IMGGE as a high capacity hub for research of NDDs in the Western Balkans. This will be achieved by twinning IMGGE with three top-class research institutions in Europe (Cardiff University, University of Maastricht and Centre for Research and Technology Hellas) with an exceptional expertise in the stem cells based research of NDDs, -OMICS technologies, bioinformatics data analysis and drug testing and through staff exchanges, training, and organization of summer schools, Industry Open Days, symposia and workshops.",
journal = "Hemijska industrija (Chemical Industry)",
title = "STREAMLINE HUB: a high capacity hub for research of neurodevelopmental disorders in the Western Balkan region",
pages = "78-78",
number = "1S",
volume = "78",
url = "https://hdl.handle.net/21.15107/rcub_imagine_2361"
}

Drakulić, D., Petrakis, S., Harwood, A. J., Linden, D., Lazić, A., Kovačević-Grujičić, N.,& Stevanović, M.. (2024). STREAMLINE HUB: a high capacity hub for research of neurodevelopmental disorders in the Western Balkan region. in Hemijska industrija (Chemical Industry), 78(1S), 78-78.
https://hdl.handle.net/21.15107/rcub_imagine_2361

Drakulić D, Petrakis S, Harwood AJ, Linden D, Lazić A, Kovačević-Grujičić N, Stevanović M. STREAMLINE HUB: a high capacity hub for research of neurodevelopmental disorders in the Western Balkan region. in Hemijska industrija (Chemical Industry). 2024;78(1S):78-78.
https://hdl.handle.net/21.15107/rcub_imagine_2361 .

Drakulić, Danijela, Petrakis, Spyros, Harwood, Adrian J., Linden, David, Lazić, Andrijana, Kovačević-Grujičić, Nataša, Stevanović, Milena, "STREAMLINE HUB: a high capacity hub for research of neurodevelopmental disorders in the Western Balkan region" in Hemijska industrija (Chemical Industry), 78, no. 1S (2024):78-78,
https://hdl.handle.net/21.15107/rcub_imagine_2361 .