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FP6 PROJECT “NEUROIMAGE” SEE Regional Database CLIENT FORMS Dissemination Workshop NEUROIMAGE School of Biology, University of Belgrade 22.-24. 09. 2007. Belgrade FP6 PROJECT “NEUROIMAGE” SEE Regional Database CONTENTS: 1. LNMCP – Laboratory of Neuroendocrinology/Molecular Cell Physiology, Institute of Pathophysiology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Ljubljana (Ljubljana, Slovenia) 2. INCNR – Institute of Neuroscience CNR - (Pisa, Italy) 3. LMN – Laboratory for Molecular Neuroscience, Center for Molecular Biology and Neuroscience, University of Oslo (Oslo, Norway) 4. CRLM – “Rita Levi-Montalcini” Centre for Brain Repair (Turin, Italy) 5. CIBR – Croatian Institute for Brain Research (Zagreb, Croatia) 6. BIP – Cytology Department, Bogomoletz Institute of Physiology, National Academy of Sciences of Ukraine (Kiev, Ukraine) 7. IBR – Institute for Biological Research, University of Belgrade (Belgrade, Serbia) 8. INEP – Institute for Application of Nuclear Energy, University of Belgrade (Belgrade, Serbia) FP6 PROJECT “NEUROIMAGE” SEE Regional Datbase 1. LNMCP Research Team • Research Team Name: Center LNMCP - Medical Faculty, University of Ljubljana, Institute of PathophysiologyLaboratory of Neuroendocrinology - Molecular Cell Physiology • Research Team Leader Name: Prof. Dr. Robert Zorec Research Team Members 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. 8. 9. 10. 11. Robert Zorec Marko Kreft Helena Chowdhury Matjaž Stenovec Nina Vardjan Sonja Grilc Maja Potokar Mateja Gabrijel Jernej Jorgačevski Mateja Prebil Brina Kovačič Research Team Projects • • • • • • • Project Name: Cell Physiology Project Leader: Robert Zorec Project Funding Agency: Slovenian research agency Project Budget (optional): 300 000/year Project Start Date: 1.1.2004 Project End Date: 31.12.2008 Project Partners: Celica d.o.o. • Project Summary: Chemical messengers and hormones are stored in cells in membrane bound vesicles. The contents of vesicles is released into the extracellular medium upon the fusion of the vesicle membrane with the plasma membrane, a process termed exocytosis. In many cells a stimulus is required to trigger exocytosis (regulated exocytosis), while in others exocytosis proceeds in a continuous fashion (constitutive exocytosis). Practically all cells in human body perform a form of exocytosis. In some cells, such as neurons and endocrine cells, this process is particularly specialized. However, it is also present in adipocytes, cardiomiocytes, immune cells, photoreceptors, glial cells, plant cells and other cell types. Although exocytosis is an ubiquitous process of all eukaryotic cells, the molecular mechanisms regulating it are still unclear. In the last decade many proteins have been discovered to play a role in exocytosis, but the exact order and nature of their interactions underlying regulated exocytosis is unclear. On one side it has been hypothesized that a common molecular mechanism is essential for regulated exocytosis, but the interaction of other molecules with the essential set of molecules contribute to specific functional requirements. On the other side it has been proposed that regulated exocytosis is explained by a sequential molecular model, which states that all vesicles in a cell must undergo a sequence of events in order to fuse with plasma membrane. To test these hypotheses, we study secretory activity in a number of model cell types, especially in pituitary cells from the anterior and intermediate lobes, which secrete prolactin, beta-endorphin and alpha-melanocyte stimulating hormone. These hormones are involved in the bodily response to stress, regulate the immune system, body temperature, body weight and other functions. In adition to this we also study the physiology of mitochondria, secretory activity of single astrocytes, adipocytes, skeletal muscle fibres and other cells. Membrane fusion is an important process also in cell maturation, such as in the formation of skeletal muscle fibres. It also represents a key step in the production of hybrid cells used in the production of monoclonal antibodies and for the preparation of hybrid cells in immunotherapy of cancer. In these applications membranes of two adjacent cells fuse to form one cell-hybrid. In case of immunotherapy the fusion of dendritic cells with tumor cells enables the hybrid to retain properties of antigen presenting cells, but is presenting tumour antigens to other immune cells at the same time. The aim of the "Cell Physiology" programme is therefore on one side to understand the fundamental properties of membrane fusion under physiological and pathological conditions, and on the other side to utilize this knowledge in developing hybrid cells and cell therapy related products. • Project Website: http://www2.mf.uni-lj.si/~neuroendo/ Contact Person • • • • • • Name: Robert Zorec Email: [email protected] Function: PI, professor Phone: + 386 1 546 7020 Fax: + 386 1 546 7020 Website: http://www2.mf.uni-lj.si/~neuroendo/ Research Team Objectives and Resources (list all relevant, but special emphasize should be made to those related/complementary to NEUROIMAGE) • Main Fields: Electrophysiological techniques of patch-clamping (membrane capacitance), fluorescence (photometric and imaging) methods to measure changes in cytosolic calcium, caged calcium photolysis, confocal microscopy to evaluate processes in bioengineering, tracking of particles, measuring fluorescence of pH reporters. • Partners/Interests: The Laboratory of Neuroendocrinology - Molecular Cell Physiology (LN-MCP) is part of the Institute of Pathophysiology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Ljubljana, Slovenia. The program of the LN-MCP, is to study molecular mechanisms of regulated exocytotic hormone secretion. The function of a single cell is studied by electrophysiological techniques of patch-clamping, where the secretory activity is monitored by changes in membrane capacitance. Since cytosolic calcium activity is the trigger of exocytosis in excitable cells, fluorescence (photometric and imaging) methods are used to measure changes in cytosolic calcium. Caged calcium photolysis is used to produce a step change in cytosolic calcium. A method was developed to quantify the interaction between a single secretory granule and plasmalemma, detected as discrete steps in membrane capacitance (femtofarad steps). Confocal microscopy is used to study molecular mechanisms of regulated exocytosis in endocrine cells, astrocytes, muscle cells and photoreceptors and to track intracellular compartments. We also use confocal microscopy to evaluate processes in bioengineering. • Main resources - instrumentation: Fully equipped laboratories for biochemistry, molecular biology, immunofluorescence, clean rooms for cell culture, electrophysiology (patch-clamp, amperometry) and fluorimetry (monochromators, sensitive cameras for particle tracking, FRET and Ca2+imaging); two confocal microscopes including spectral detector, image analysis. Institution/University • Name of Institution/University: University of Ljubljana • Number of Employees: 5789 • Number of Researchers: 3013 • Profit / Non-profit • Country: Slovenia • Postal Address: Kongresni trg 12, 1000 Ljubljana ________________________ FP6 PROJECT “NEUROIMAGE” SEE Regional Datbase CLIENT FORM 2. INCNR Research Team • Research Team Name: • Research Team Leader Name: Gian Michele Ratto Research Team Members 1. Mario Costa 2. Matilde Marchi 3. Riccardo Parra 4. Marco Basso 5. Elisa Brilli … Research Team Projects • • • • Project Name: Live cell imaging of the molecular dynamics of the ERK pathway Project Leader: G. M. Ratto Project Funding Agency: CNR, SNS, International Foundation for Paraplegia Project Budget (optional): • Project Start Date: 2005 • Project End Date: 2009 • Project Partners: • • • • • • • Project Name: Live cell imaging of molecular models of Rett’s syndrome Project Leader: M. Costa Project Funding Agency: CNR Project Budget (optional): Project Start Date: 2007 Project End Date: 2010 Project Partners: • • • • • • • • • Project Name: Two photon imaging of the epileptic brain Project Leader: G. M. Ratto Project Funding Agency: CNR, SNS, Telethon. Project Budget (optional): Project Start Date: 2007 Project End Date: 2010 Project Partners: Project Summary: Project Website: Contact Person • • • • • • Name: Gian Michele Ratto Email: [email protected] Function: Senior researcher Phone: +39 050 315 3168 Fax: +39 050 315 3220 Website: Research Team Objectives and Resources (list all relevant, but special emphasize should be made to those related/complementary to NEUROIMAGE) • Main Fields: Molecular, cellular and structural mechanisms of plasticity. Two photon in vivo imaging. Imaging of molecular dynamics. • Partners/Interests: • Main resources - instrumentation: 3 visible light confocal microscopes. Two photon confocal microscope. Set ups for patch clamp and field recording. Institution/University • Name of Institution/University: NEST, Istituto Nazionale di Fisica della materia/CNR and Scuola Normale Superiore. • Number of Employees: >1000 • Number of Researchers: >1000 • Non-profit • Country: Italy • Postal Address: Piazza dei Cavalieri, 7- I-56126 Pisa (Italy) ________________________ FP6 PROJECT “NEUROIMAGE” SEE Regional Datbase 3. LMN Research Team • Research Team Name: Lab for Molecular Neuroscience • Research Team Leader Name: Ole Petter Ottersen Research Team Members 1. Ole Petter Ottersen 2. M Amiry-Moghaddam 3. E. A. Nagelhus 4. Gabriele Nase 5. plus several others … Research Team Projects • • • • • • Project Name: Mechanisms for ischemic cell death and edema in the CNS Project Leader: Ole Petter Ottersen Project Funding Agency: EU, Nordic Council, Norwegian Research Council etc Project Budget (optional): Project Start Date: running Project End Date: • Project Partners: Several laboratories in Europe, Japan, and USA • Project Summary: see www.cmbn.no • Project Website: www.cmbn.no Contact Person • • • • • • Name: Ole Petter Ottersen Email: [email protected] Function: Director, professor Phone: + 47 22 85 12 70 Fax:+ 47 22 85 14 88 Website: www.cmbn.no Research Team Objectives and Resources (list all relevant, but special emphasize should be made to those related/complementary to NEUROIMAGE) • Main Fields: synaptic transmission, excitotoxicity, stroke, water transport and brain edema • Partners/Interests: • Main resources - instrumentation: Electron microscopes, in vivo optical imaging by multiphoton laser scanning microscopy Institution/University • Name of Institution/University: Centre for Molecular Biology and Neuroscience (CMBN), University of Oslo • Number of Employees: 108 employees in CMBN • Number of Researchers: 80 in CMBN • Profit / Non-profit: Non profit • Country: Norway • Postal Address: PO Box 1105, 0317 Oslo ________________________ FP6 PROJECT “NEUROIMAGE” SEE Regional Datbase 4. CRLM Research Team • Research Team Name: Laboratory of Neurobiology • Research Team Leader Name: Ferdinando Rossi Research Team Members Annalisa Buffo Daniela Carulli Assistant Professor Assistant Professor Sara Gianola Postdoc Ian Martin Williams Ketty Leto Alice Bartolini Annarita De Luca PhD student PhD student PhD student PhD student Luisella Milano Francesco Bertolo Technician Technicia (Veterinary) Research Team Projects • • • • • • • Project Name: Project Leader: Project Funding Agency: Project Budget (optional): Project Start Date: Project End Date: Project Partners: • Project Summary: • Project Website: <Repeat for additional projects> Contact Person • • • • • • Name: Ferdinando Rossi Email: [email protected] Function: PI Phone: +39 011 670 8165 Fax: +39 011 670 7708 Website: http://www.personalweb.unito.it/ferdinando.rossi/ Research Team Objectives and Resources (list all relevant, but special emphasize should be made to those related/complementary to NEUROIMAGE) • Main Fields: • Role of oligodendrocyte- and myelin-associated molecules in the regulation of Purkinje axon regeneration and plasticity during development and in the adult • Interaction between neuronal growth-associated genes and environmental inhibitory factors during axon regeneration and plasticity in the mammalian CNS • Neuronal response to axotomy: interplay between the growth gene expression, neuronal survival and axon regeneration • Mechanisms of specification of stem and progenitor cells during neural development and repair • Differentiation and integration of transplanted cells into the adult CNS • Intrinsic neurogenic potential and repair in the adult cerebellum • Partners/Interests: • Prof. Martin E. Schwab, Brain Research Institute, University of Zurich (Switzerland) • • • • • • • • • • Dr. Joost Verhaagen, Brain Research Institute, Amsterdam (The Netherlands) Dr. Richard Hawkes, University of Calgary, Alberta (Canada) Dr Marion Wassef, Ecole Normale Superieure, Paris (France) Prof. Karl Schilling,University of Bonn (Germany) Prof. Elena Cattaneo, University of Milan (Italy) Dr Lorenzo Magrassi, University of Pavia (Italy) Prof Gianfranco Gennarini, University of Bari (Italy) Dr Giacomo Consalez, DiBit HSR, Milan (Italy) Associate Member of the NeuroNE, European Consortium for Research on Neurodegenerative Diseases • Main resources - instrumentation: • • • • • Animal house for breeding and housing, facility for rodent surgery (surgical microscope, WPI PV800 pneumatic picopump, Midgard CS4 iontophoretic device) Hystology and molecular biology laboratory (cryostat, vibratome, chemical hoods, incubation ovens, RT-PCR, real time PCR, centrifuges, etc.) Cell culture laboratory (horizontal and vertical laminar flow hoods, incubators, centrifuges, deep freezers, microscope, etc.) Light microscopy facility (Zeiss Axiophot light micorscope, bright field, nomarski optics, fluorescence, with digital camera Nikon Coolpix 950; Nikon E800 light microscope, bright field, fluorescence, with CCD camera and Neurolucida image-morphometric analysis system) Fluoview FV300 confocal microscope equipped with Coherent lasers for dual photon microscopy Institution/University • Name of Institution/University: University of Turin, Department of Neuroscience • Number of Employees: 150 • Number of Researchers: 120 • Profit / Non-profit Academia • Country: Italy • Postal Address: Corso Raffaello 30 I-10125 Turin ITALY ________________________ FP6 PROJECT “NEUROIMAGE” SEE Regional Database 5. CIBR Research Team • Research Team Name: Section for Neurogenetics, Cytogenetics and Developmental Genetics • Individual Researcher: Prof. dr. Srećko Gajović • Research Team Leader Name: Prof. dr. Srećko Gajović Research Team Members 1. dr. Dinko Mitrečić 2. ing. Sandra Mavrić Research Team Projects • • • • • • • Project Name: Gene function in differentiation and plasticity o mouse central nervous system Project Leader: Prof. dr. Srećko Gajović Project Funding Agency: Ministry for Science, Sport and Education Project Budget: 12000 EUR/year Project Start Date: January 2007 Project End Date: December 2011 Project Partners: School of Medicine, University of Osijek; ULB, Belgium; ICGEB, Italy; University of Hannover, Germany • Project Summary: Insight in mammalian gene function in vivo will be obtained through phenotype analysis of genetically modified mice. Molecular basis of differentiation and plasticity of the central nervous system will be investigated on 6 mouse mutants. Pax3 (Paired box gene 3) function will be assesed in splotch mice, which exhibit neural tube defects and spina bifida. Noto (Notochord homologue) function will be asessed in truncate (spontaneous mutation) and NotoGFP mice (knockout), which exhibit partial lack of notochord and disturbed differentiation of the neural tube. Stam2 (signal transducing adaptor molecule 2), Nol1 (nucleolar protein 1) and Klf8 (Krueppel like transcription factor 8) function will be assessed on mice obtained by gene trap method. This method involves random insertion of DNA vector, which monitors the expression of the mutated gene with lacZ as a marker, and in addition disturbes the production of the corresponding protein. Stam2 is involved in cell signaling through endocytic pathway, Nol1 is involved in ribosome biogenesis in nucleolus, and Klf8 is a transcription factor with unknown function related to mental retardation. In order to elucidate gene function in differentiation and plasticity of the central nervous system, Pax3 and Noto activity will be revealed in neuroectoderm differentiation through neurulation, during the closure of the posterior neuropore and in the pathogenesis of spina bifida. Stam2 function will be investigated in the neurons in relation to cell signaling connected with endosomal transport of cargo and membranes during differentiation and plasticity in the brain. Molecular characterization of the mouse mutants and expression pattern determination of the involved genes will serve as a prerequiste for the phenotype analysis. The central nervous system phenotype of developing and adult mutant mice will give insight in gene function in vivo. This approach will be complemented with experiments in vitro, which should disclose the molecular and cellular basis of the observed changes. This will reveal not only the consequences of genetic change on the system level, but as well on the cellular level. Therefore the implications of the proposed reasearch cover genetic basis of human brain diseases, but as well basic understanding of the gene activity and regulation during differentiation and plasticity in the central nervous system. • Project Website: http://neurogenetika.hiim.hr Contact Person • • • • • • Name: Prof. dr. Srećko Gajović Email: [email protected] Function: Head of Section Phone: +385 1 4596829 Fax: +385 1 4596942 Website: http://neurogenetika.hiim.hr Research Team Objectives and Resources • Main Fields: neurogenetics, mouse molecular genetics, mouse embryology • Partners/Interests: confocal microscopy, electron microscopy • Main resources - instrumentation: Zeiss LSM 510 Meta, Transmission electron microscope Zeiss 902A Institution/University • Name of Institution/University: School of Medicine University of Zagreb • Number of Employees: 600 • Number of Researchers: 400 • Country: Croatia • Postal Address: Šalata 3, HR-10000 Zagreb ________________________ FP6 PROJECT “NEUROIMAGE” SEE Regional Datbase CLIENT FORM 6. BIP Research Team • Research Team Name: Cytology Department, Bogomoletz Institute of Physiology, NAS of Ukraine • Research Team Leader Name: prof. Skibo G.G. Research Team Members 1. prof. Skibo Galina (DrSci, PhD, M.D.) 2. Orlovsky Maxim (PhD, MD) 3. Kovalenko Tatyana (Phd) 4. Osadchenko Irina (Phd) 5. Tsupikov Oleg (PhD fellow) 6. Lebed Yury (PhD fellow, MD) … Research Team Projects • Project Name: Neuronal and astroglial hippocampal changes in the early stages of type I diabetes mellitus in rats • Project Leader: Skibo G.G. • • • • • Project Funding Agency: National Academy of Sciences of Ukraine Project Budget (optional): Project Start Date: 13.06.06 Project End Date: 25.05.08 Project Partners: Department of General Physiology of Nervous System (head P.G.Kostyuk), Voitenko research group (Nana V. Voitenko, DrSci, PhD); Department of Experimental Cardiology (head A.A.Moibenko), Viktor Dosenko (DrSci, PhD, M.D.). • Project Summary: Cognitive impairments is a well-known complication of type 1 diabetes mellitus (DM) which is related to hippocampus injury. Present investigation was undertaken to study hippocampal changes in early stages of diabetes development. DM was induced by single streptozotocin injection in male rats. Rats were decapitated on day 3, 7 and 14 and perfused with 4% paraformaldehyde. Vibratome sections (70 µm) were used for further simultaineous detection of NeuN (specific neuronal protein), GFAP (intermediate filament protein, that is synthesized inside astrocytes only) and Hoechst 33324 binding (DNA fluorochrome). We employed fluorescence-labeled goat anti-mouse (Alexa Fluor 488) and goat anti-rabbit (Alexa Fluor 568) IgG to detect neuronal and astroglial markers. Confocal imaging system "Olympus FV1000" equipted with multi-line argon laser (457/477, 488/ 515 nm, 40 mW), green helium neon laser (543 nm, 1 mW), and UV-argon laser (351/356nm 50 mW) was used for specimen visualization and analysis. This approach gave possibility to assess spatial interrelations between neurons and astrocites, nuclear and cellular morphology as well as quantify neuronal and glial cells. Found changes suggested intensive neuronal loss and astrogliosis already during early stages of diabetes development. • Project Website: <Repeat for additional projects> Contact Person • • • • • • Name: Yury Email: [email protected] Function: PhD fellow Phone: +380 44 256-24-43 Fax: +380 44 256-24-58 Website: http://www.biph.kiev.ua/departments/cytol/index.html Research Team Objectives and Resources (list all relevant, but special emphasize should be made to those related/complementary to NEUROIMAGE) • Main Fields: Studying of brain disorders during type I diabetes mellitus development in rats; investigations of ischemic brain injury in vitro and in vivo. • Partners/Interests: Department of General Physiology of Nervous System (head P.G.Kostyuk), Voitenko research group (Nana V. Voitenko, DrSci, PhD); Department of Experimental Cardiology (head A.A.Moibenko), Viktor Dosenko (DrSci, PhD, M.D.). • Main resources - instrumentation: 1. Confocal microscope FV1000-BX61WI (Olympus, Japan) a)Lasers: • Multi-line Argon laser (457/ (477), 488/ 515 nm (40 mW)) • Green Helium Neon laser (543 nm (1 mW)) • UV-Argon laser (351/356nm (50 mW)) • UV 405 nm laser diode system • Laser diode system 440 nm b)Software: • FluoView • IMARIS (full package) c)Optics: • Up-right frame • DIC optics • Objectives: • UPLFL10x/0.30 • UPLFL 20x/0.50 • UPLAPO40x/0.85 • PLAPO60x0.3/1.4 Institution/University • Name of Institution/University: Bogomoletz Institute of Physiology • Number of Employees: 14 • Number of Researchers: 9 • Profit / Non-profit – Non-profit • Country: Ukraine • Postal Address: 01024 Kiev, Bogomoletz street, 4. ________________________ FP6 PROJECT “NEUROIMAGE” SEE Regional Datbase CLIENT FORM 7. IBR Research Team • Research Team Name: Brain plasticity team • Research Team Leader Name: Dr Selma Kanazir Research Team Members 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. Milka Perovic Aleksandra Mladenovic Desanka Milanovic Vesna Pesic Kosara Smiljanic Natasa Loncarevic Jelena Popic Research Team Projects • Project Name: MOLECULAR AND BEHAVIORAL STUDY OF BRAIN PLASTICITY • Project Leader: Dr Selma Kanazir • Project Funding Agency: Ministry for Science, Republic of Serbia • • • • Project Budget (optional): ca. 20 000 EUR Project Start Date: 2006 Project End Date: 2010 Project Partners: none • Project Summary: Brain plasticity is specific quality of the nervous system to react and adjust to the internal and external environmental changes, both in physiological and pathological conditions. Brain plasticity is greatly compromised during aging and stress, but some environmental factors, like dietary manipulations could attenuate or prevent some age- and stress-related changes. In this project we have proposed to study the effects of long-term food restriction (FR) on various aspects of rat brain plasticity in normal-physiological aging and in response to stress. We are examining the expression pattern of genes related to a) synaptic plasticity (synaptophysin, GAP-43, and N-cadherin), and b) neurodegenerative changes (alfa-synuclein, amyloid precursor protein (APP) and proteins involved in APP metabolism and cholesterol metabolism), in the cortex, hippocampus and cerebellum. We are determining the effects of aging, stress and food restriction on the expression profile of these genes are as well as the correlation between changes in proteins related to neurodegeneration and synaptic plasticity. Finally, we are following whether food restriction protects against the negative impact of stress on synaptic plasticity during aging by evaluating combined effects of stress and food restriction. Another part of the project is focused on plasticity-related changes in another experimental paradigm, i.e. in response to general anesthetics in order to elucidate the mechanism(s) by which they cause the activation of apoptotic and/or survival pathways in the developing rat brain. Gene expression is followed at the RNA and protein levels by Real Time RT-PCR and Western blotting combined with immunocytochemistry, respectively. • Project Website: Contact Person • • • • • • Name: Email: Function: Phone: Fax: Website: Selma Kanazir [email protected] Project leader +381 11 2078 344 +381 11 2761 433 www.ibiss.bg.ac.yu Research Team Objectives and Resources (list all relevant, but special emphasize should be made to those related/complementary to NEUROIMAGE) The objective of our team relevant to NEUROIMAGE is to develop and optimize the methods to use confocal microscopy to map the proteins involved in neurodegeneration that colocalize with synaptic plasticity related proteins in various experimental contexts where plasticity is greatly compromised. For that purpose, resources of CLM, reinforced through NEUROIMAGE project, will be fully exploited. • Main Fields: brain plasticity • Partners/Interests: • Main resources - instrumentation: Ministry for Science, Republic of Serbia Institution/University • Name of Institution/University: INSTITUTE FOR BIOLOGICAL RESEARCH “S.STANKOVIC” UNIVERSITY OF BELGRADE • Number of Employees: ca.250 • Number of Researchers: ca.200 • Profit / Non-profit: non-profit • Country: SERBIA • Postal Address: Molecular Neurobiology Lab. Neurobiology Dept. Institute for Biological Research University of Belgrade Bul. D. Stefana 142 11060 Belgrade SERBIA ________________________ FP6 PROJECT “NEUROIMAGE” SEE Regional Datbase 8. INEP Research Team • Research Team Name: Cell Biology of Embryo Implantation • Individual Researcher: • Research Team Leader Name: Ljiljana Vićovac Research Team Members 1. Nikola Kolundžić, B.S. 2. Milica Jovanović, MS (equivalent), PhD student 3. Žanka Bojić, PhD student 4. Ivana Stefanoska, PhD student 5. Research Team Projects • Project Name: CELLULAR INTERACTIONS AND MOLECULAR MECHANISMS IN DIFFERENTIATION OF CELLS AT THE FETOMATERNAL INTERFACE • Project Leader: Ljiljana Vićovac Panić • Project Funding Agency: Ministry of Science, Serbia • Project Budget: NA • Project Start Date: 01.01.2006. • Project End Date: 31.12.2010. • Project Partners: • Project Summary: Many aspects of the process of embryo implantation are still insufficiently understood. Physiological invasion of uterine tissues by human placental trophoblast is crucial for embryonic development but molecular processes involved remain largely obscure. Both shallow invasion, which is linked to the pathogenesis of the maternal hypertensive disorder pre-eclampsia and to fetal growth retardation, as well as the excessive proliferation and invasion cause serious and life threatening conditions. Recently, much progress has been made regarding the trophoblast intrinsic regulatory factors and multitude of cytokines present locally at the time of implantation. There is, however, still need for further elucidation of the role of some uterine and other locally present factors on invasive trophoblast differentiation. It is proposed here to utilize different trophoblast cell models to study the effects of the selected cytokines, chemokines, hormones or autoantibodies, on trophoblast differentiation, apoptosis, cell migration and invasiveness. Regulatory factors and signaling pathways will be studied in vitro at the protein and mRNA level, based on cellular markers, and functional tests. The project will provide insights into the role of some decidual products on the differentiation of invasive trophoblast and their relevance for normal implantation and pregnancy. • Project Website: www.inep.co.yu Contact Person • • • • • • Name: Ljiljana Vićovac Panić Email: [email protected] Function: team leader Phone: +381-11-619-255 Fax: +381-11-618-724 Website: www.inep.co.yu Research Team Objectives and Resources • Main Fields: Biology of Reproduction; Cell Biology of Embryo Implantation; ProteinProtein Interaction • Partners/Interests: Cell invasiveness, • Main resources - instrumentation: Cell culture, protein biochemistry, protein characterization, cell based functional tests Institution/University • Name of Institution/University: Institute for Application of Nuclear Energy INEP, University of Belgrade • Number of Employees: 85 • Number of Researchers: 40 • Country: Serbia • Postal Address: INEP, Banatska 31b, 11080 Belgrade-Zemun, Serbia ________________________