Branka Zukić

Full Research Professor
Laboratory for Molecular Biomedicine
Group for Molecular Biomedicine

Institute of Molecular Genetics and Genetic Engineering (IMGGE),
University of Belgrade

Vojvode Stepe 444a, 11042 Belgrade 152, Serbia
Mobile: +381 65 397 64 45
Phone: +381 11 397 64 45
Fax: +381 11 397 58 08
E-mail: branka.zukic@imgge.bg.ac.rs

EDUCATION

2010 - PhD in Molecular Genetics and Genetic Engineering, Faculty of Biology (FB), University of Belgrade (UB) (title of the thesis: “Components of human thiopurine S-methyltransferase gene expression regulation system as pharmacogenetic markers”)
2002 - B.Sc. in Molecular Biology and Physiology , FB, UB

RESEARCH EXPERIENCE

2015 - Senior Research Associate, IMGGE, UB
2010 - 2015 - Research Associate, IMGGE, UB
2007 - 2010 - Research Assistant, IMGGE, UB
2005 - 2006 - Research Trainee, IMGGE, UB
2002 - 2005 - Scholarship recipient from Ministry of Education, Science and Technological Development (MESTD), Republic of Serbia, IMGGE, UB

OTHER ACTIVITIES

2014 - member of Ethical Commitee at IMGGE, UB
2010 - member of the IMGGE Scientific Board, UB

RESEARCH INTEREST

Studying the molecular mechanisms involved in the regulation of eukaryotic gene expression, analysis of molecular basis and diagnostic of various rare diseases, analysis of genetic variants important for optimization of drug therapy in the treatment of acute lymphoblastic leukemia. In particular, to assess the pharmacogenetic potential of promoter of human TPMT gene and its clinical relevance, to investigate influence of mercaptopurine drugs on TPMT gene promoter and genetic variantsof variuos drug metabolizing enzyms, in order to improve the widely used mercaptopurine and methotrexate drugs therapeutic protocols.