Senior Research Associate
Laboratory for Molecular Microbiology (LMM)

Institute of molecular genetics and genetic engineering (IMGGE),
University of Belgrade

V. Stepe 444a, P.Fah 23, 11010 Belgrade, Serbia
Mobile:  +381 64 804 40 89
Phone:  +381 11 397 59 60
Fax:      +381 11 397 58 08
E-mail: katarinav@imgge.bg.ac.rs

EDUCATION

2011 - PhD in Molecular Genetics and Genetic Engineering, Faculty of Biology, UB
(THESIS: Antimicrobial activity of enterococci isolated from fermented products and cloning genes for synthesis and immunity of chosen enterocin)
2006 - M.Sci. in Molecular Genetics and Genetic Engineering, FB, UB
2002 - B.Sci. in Biology, Faculty of Sciences, University of Kragujevac

RESEARCH EXPERIENCE

2017 - Senior Research Associate, IMGGI, UB
2012 - 2017 - Research Associate, LMM, IMGGE
2007 - 2012 - Research Assistant, LMM, IMGGE
2004 - 2007 - Research Trainee, LMM, IMGGE

CAREER HISTORY

2004 - Member of Serbian Society of Microbiologists

RESEARCH INTEREST

• Isolation, phenotypic and genotypic characterization of enterococci, isolated from different ecological niches
• Examination of probiotic characteristics of enterococci and other lactic acid bacteria strains in order to design new probiotic and prebiotic preparations, as well as the characterization of molecular mechanisms in the basis of probiotic activities of natural isolates of lactic acid bacteria
• Evaluation of negative impacts of antibiotics through analysis of genes for antibiotic resistance and other virulent factors present in enterococci isolated from different ecological niches
• Production of inovative probiotic fermented drink for domestic animals
• Microbiological control of probiotic lyophilized supplements (lozenges and capsules)

SELECTED PUBLICATIONS

Veljovic, K., Dinic, M., Lukic, J., Mihajlovic, S., Tolinacku, M., Živkovic, M., Begovic, J., Mrvaljevic, I., Golic, N., Terzić-Vidojević, A. (2017) Promotion of early gut colonization by probiotic intervention on microbiota diversity in pregnant sows. Front. Microbiol. 8:2028. doi: 10.3389/fmicb.2017.02028.https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/?term=Promotion+of+early+gut+colonization+by+probiotic+intervention+on+microbiota+diversity+in+pregnant+sows

Veljovic, K., Popovic, N., Miljković, M., Tolinacki, M., Terzić-Vidojević, A., Kojic, M. (2017) Novel aggregation promoting factor AggE contributes to the probiotic properties of Enterococcus faecium BGGO9-28. Front. Microbiol. 8:1843. doi: 10.3389/fmicb.2017.01843 https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/?term=Novel+aggregation+promoting+factor+AggE+contributes+to+the+probiotic+properties+of+Enterococcus+faecium+BGGO9-28.

Golić, N., Veljović, K., Popović, N., Djokić, J., Strahinić, I., Mrvaljević, I., Terzić-Vidojević, A. (2017) In vitro and in vivo antagonistic activity of new probiotic culture against Clostridium difficile and Clostridium perfringens. BMC Microbiology 17: 108, DOI 10.1186/s12866-017-1015-5. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/?term=In+vitro+and+in+vivo+antagonistic+activity+of+new+probiotic+culture+against+Clostridium+difficile+and+Clostridium+perfringens.

Zivković, M., Miljković, M., Ruas-Madiedo, P., Markelić, M B., Veljović, K., Tolinački, M., Soković, S., Korać, A., and Golić N. (2016). EPS-SJ exopolisaccharide produced by the strain Lactobacillus paracasei subsp. paracasei BGSJ2-8 is involved in adhesion to epithelial intestinal cells and decrease on E. coli association to Caco-2 cells.  Front. Microbiol. Manuscript ID: 171457 https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/?term=EPSSJ+exopolisaccharide+produced+by+the+strain+Lactobacillus+paracasei+subsp.+paracasei+BGSJ28+is+involved+in+adhesion+to+epithelial+intestinal+cells+and+decrease+on+E.+coli+association+to+Caco-2+cells.

Terzić-Vidojević, A., Veljović, K., Begović, J., Filipić, B., Popović, D., Tolinački, M., Miljković, M., Kojić, M. and Golić N. (2015). Diversity and antibiotic susceptibility of autochthonous dairy enterococci isolates: are they safe candidates for autochthonous starter cultures? Front. Microbiol. 9; 6: 954. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/?term=Diversity+and+antibiotic+susceptibility+of+autochthonous+dairy+enterococci+isolates%3A+are+they+safe+candidates+for+autochthonous+starter+cultures%3F

Veljović, K., Popović, N., Terzić Vidojević, A., Tolinački, M., Mihajlović, S., Jovčić, B., Kojić, M. (2015). Environmental waters as a source of antibiotic resistant Enterococcus species in Belgrade, Serbia. Environ. Monit. Assess. 187: 599. DOI 10.1007/s10661-015-4814-x https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/?term=Environmental+waters+as+a+source+of+antibiotic+resistant+Enterococcus+species+in+Belgrade%2C+Serbia

Novovic, K., Filipic, B., Veljovic, K., Begovic, J., Mirkovic, N., Jovcic, B. Environmental waters and bla_NDM-1 in Belgrade, Serbia: endemicity questioned. Science of the Total Environment, 511C (2015): 393-398 http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.scitotenv.2014.12.072https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/?term=Environmental+waters+and+blaNDM1+in+Belgrade%2C+Serbia%3A+endemicity+questioned

Terzić-Vidojević, A., Tonković, K., Leboš Pavunc, A., Beganović, J., Strahinić, I., Kojić, M., Veljović, K., Golić, N., Kos, K., Čadež, N., Gregurek, Lj., Šušković, J., Raspor, P., Topisirović, L. Evaluation of autochthonous lactic acid bacteria as starter cultures for production of white pickled and fresh soft cheeses. (2015) LWT - Food Sci. Tech. doi:10.1016/j.lwt.2015.03.050 https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/?term=Evaluation+of+autochthonous+lactic+acid+bacteria+as+starter+cultures+for+production+of+white+pickled+and+fresh+soft+cheeses.

Veljović, K., Terzić-Vidojević, A., Tolinački, M., Mihajlović, S., Vukotić, G., Golić, N., Kojić, M.: Molecular characterization of natural dairy isolates of Enterococcus faecalis and evaluation of their antimicrobial potential. In Enterococcus faecalis: Molecular Characteristics, Role in Nosocomial Infections and Antibacterial Effects, pp 123-136, ISBN: 978-1-63321-049-3, Nova Publisher. https://www.novapublishers.com/catalog/product_info.php?products_id=49992

Terzic-Vidojevic, A., Tolinacki, M., Nikolic, M., Veljovic, K., Jovanovic, S., Macej, O., Topisirovic, L.: Artisanal Vlasina raw goat's milk cheese: evaluation and selection of autochthonous lactic acid bacteria as starter cultures. Food Tech. Biotech. 51(4)(2014): 554-563. http://www.ftb.com.hr/index.php/current-issue/136-volume-51-issue-no-4/1172artisanal-vlasina-raw-goats-milk-cheese-evaluation-and-selection-of-autochthonous-lactic-acid-bacteria-as-starter-cultures

Terzic-Vidojevic, A., Mihajlovic, S., Uzelac, G., Veljovic, K., Tolinacki, M., Nikolic, M., Topisirovic, L., Kojic, M.: Characterization of lactic acid bacteria isolated from artisanal Travnik young cheeses, sweet creams and sweet kajmaks over four seasons. Food Microbiol. 39 (2014): 27-38. http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/?term=Characterization+of+lactic+acid+bacteria+isolated+from+artisanal+Travnik+young+cheeses%2C+sweet+creams+and+sweet+kajmaks+over+four+seasons

Veljović, K., Terzić-Vidojević, A., Tolinački, M., Kojić, M., Topisirović, L. Molecular analysis of enterolysin A and entl gene cluster from natural isolate Enterococcus faecalis BGPT1-10P. Genetika 45 (2013): 479-492. http://www.doiserbia.nb.rs/Article.aspx?id=053400121302479V&AspxAutoDetectCookieSupport=1#.VE5BPyLF-Nc

Begovic, J., Jovcic, B., Papic-Obradovic, M., Veljovic, K., Lukic, J., Kojic, M., Topisirovic, L.: Genotypic diversity and virulent factors of Staphylococcus epidermidis isolated from human breast milk. 168 (2013) (2) 77-83.http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/?term=Genotypic+diversity+and+virulent+factors+of+Staphylococcus+epidermidis+isolated+from+human+breast+milk

Kojic, M., Jovcic, B., Strahinic, I., Begovic, J., Lozo, J., Veljovic, K., Topisirovic, L.: Cloning and expression of novel lactococcal aggregation factor from Lactococcus lactis subsp. lactis BGKP1. BMC Microbiol. 11 (2011) 265. doi:10.1186/1471-2180-11-265. http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/22182285

Begovic, J., Brandsma, J. B., Jovcic, B., Tolinacki, M., Veljovic, K., Meijer, W. C., Topisirovic, L.: Analysis of dominant lactic acid bacteria from artisanal raw milk cheeses on the mountain Stara planina, Serbia. 63 (1) (2011) 11-20. http://www.doiserbia.nb.rs/img/doi/0354-4664/2011/0354-46641101011B.pdf

Danilović, B., Joković, N., Petrović, L., Veljović, K., Tolinački, M., Savić, D.: The characterisation of lactic acid bacteria during the fermentation of an artisan Serbian sausage (Petrovská Klobása). Meat Science, 88 (2011) 668-674. http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/?term=The+characterisation+of+lactic+acid+bacteria+during+the+fermentation+of+an+artisan+Serbian+sausage+(Petrovsk%C3%A1+Klob%C3%A1sa)

Veljovic, K., Fira, D., Terzic-Vidojevic, A., Abriouel, H., Galvez, A., Topisirovic, L.: Evaluation of antimicrobial and proteolytic activity of enterococci isolated from fermented products. 230 (2009) 63-70. http://link.springer.com/article/10.1007%2Fs00217-009-1137-6#page-1

Terzic-Vidojevic, A., Veljovic, K., Tolinacki, M., Nikolic, M., Ostojic, M., Topisirovic, L.: Characterization of lactic acid bacteria isolated from artisanal Zlatar cheeses produced at two different geographical locations. Genetika 41 (2009) 117-136. http://www.doiserbia.nb.rs/Article.aspx?id=0534-00120901117T#.VE5DUSLF-Nc

Valenzuela, A. S., ben Omar, N., Abriouel, H., López, R. L., Veljovic, K., Caňamero, M. M., Kojic, M., Topisirovic, L., Gálvez, A.: Virulence factors, antibiotic resistance, and bacteriocins in enterococci from artisan foods of animal origin. Food Control, 20 (2009) 381-385. http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0956713508001710

Topisirovic, L., Veljovic, K.,Terzic Vidojevic, A., Strahinic, I., Kojic, M.: Comparative analysis of antimicrobial and proteolytic activity of lactic acid bacteria isolated from Zlatar cheese. Genetika 39 (2007) 125-138. http://www.doiserbia.nb.rs/img/doi/0534-0012/2007/0534-00120702125T.pdf

Veljovic, K., Terzic-Vidojevic, A., Vukasinovic, M., Strahinic, I., Begovic, J., Lozo, J., Ostojic, M., Topisirovic, L.: Preliminary characterization of lactic acid bacteria isolated from Zlatar cheese. J. Appl. Microbiol. 103 (2007) 2142-2152. http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/?term=Preliminary+characterization+of+lactic+acid+bacteria+isolated+from+Zlatar+cheese.

Terzic-Vidojevic, A., Vukasinovic, M., Veljovic, K., Ostojic, M., Topisirovic, L.: Characterization of Microflora in Homemade Semi-hard White Zlatar Cheese. Int. J. Food Microbiol.114 (2007) 36-42.  http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/?term=Characterization+of+Microflora+in+Homemade+Semi-hard+White+Zlatar+Cheese

PATENTS

Golic N, Terzic-Vidojevic A, Veljovic K, Mrvaljevic I. "New probiotic starter cultures for human and animal use". National and PCT Patent application submitted before Intellectual Property Office Republic of Serbia. Published 22.06.2017.