INSTITUTE OF MOLECULAR GENETICS
AND GENETIC ENGINEERING
University of Belgrade

Laboratory for Human Molecular Genetics

Laboratory for Human Molecular Genetics (LHMG) has a long standing expertise in studying the expression and function of human SOX genes and the roles of signaling pathways and epigenetic mechanisms in the regulation of their activities. In addition, we investigate the effects of the modulations of SOX genes expression on neural differentiation and malignant potential of cells. Also, we analyze the role of SOX genes in maintenance of pluripotency and tumorigenic potential of cancer stem cells, as well as in their response on chemoradiotherapy.

Due to increasing interest for alternative therapeutic approaches in the treatment of various pathological conditions (tumors, neurodegenerative diseases), one of our research goals is to evaluate potential antitumour, anti-inflammatory and neuroprotective properties of bioactive and synthetic compounds using in vitro tests for cytotoxicity, viability, intracellular stress, proliferation, apoptosis, adhesion and migration.

LHMG is studying the mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) variability in population of Serbia from population genetics, phylogenetic and phylogeographic aspects in order to get a better insight into the contribution of demographic and other processes in modeling the contemporary mitochondrial gene pool of the Serbian population.

One of our research interests is focused on studying the pathophysiological mechanisms that lead to neurodevelopmental disorders in patients with 22q11.2 microdeletion.

LHMG provides:
- Prenatal and postnatal detection of structural chromosomal abnormalities (microdeletions) using fluorescent in situ hybridization (FISH)
- Analysis of sperm DNA fragmentation which complements the existing protocols for sterility therapy
- Detection of polymorphisms in the gene for the follicle-stimulating hormone receptor (FSHR) which are associated with the ovarian response to FSH in women undergoing assisted reproductive technology
- Determination of polymorphisms in genes which are important for selection of economic trait loci in domestic animals.
LHMG is modern well-equipped laboratory with highly competent researchers in the field of human molecular genetics. Аssociates actively participate in theoretical education and practical training of students at the Faculty of Biology, University of Belgrade.
- IMGGE work program for 2023
  Ministry of Education, Science and Technological Development of the Republic of Serbia, 451-03-47/2023-01/ 200042
  Principal Investigator: Dr Ivana Strahinic, IMGGE
  Participants: all IMGGE researchers
- Strengthening regional stem cells based research for advancement of multi modal innovative strategy for modelling neurodevelopmental disorders (STREAMLINE)
  European Comission, 101060201, 2022-2025
  Principal Investigator: Academician Milena Stevanovic
  Participants from IMGGE: Dr Marija Mojsin, dr Natasa Kovacevic Grujicic, dr Marija Svirtlih, dr Andrijana Lazic, dr Danijela Drakulic, dr Isidora Petrovic, dr Milena Milivojevic, dr Danijela Stanisavljevic Ninkovic, Vanda Balint, Stefan Lazic, Aleksandra Krstic, Jelena Pejic, Ivana Simeunovic, Jovana Kostic
- Enabling the first registry of individuals with Fragile X-associated disorders and better assessment of future testing/screening needs in Serbia
  Asuragen, Austin, Texas, USA, 2020-2024
  Principal Investigator: Dr Dragana Protic, Institute of Pharmacology, Clinical Pharmacology and Toxicology, School of Medicine, University of Belgrade
  Participants: Academician Milena Stevanovic, dr Marija Mojsin, dr Isidora Petrovic, dr Andrijana Lazic
- Studying the effects of microdelection of chromosome 22 (22q11) on the occurrence of neurodevelopmental disorders and neurodegenerative diseases
  Strategic project of Serbian Academy of Arts and Sciences, 2021-2023
  Principal investigator: Academician Milena Stevanović, IMGGE
  Participants: Dr Danijela Drakulic, dr Natasa Kovacevic-Grujicic, dr Marija Svirtlih, dr Marija Mojsin, dr Andrijana Lazic
- Cardiff Neuropsychiatric patient-iPSC International Consortium
  Biotechnology and Biological Sciences Research Council (BBSRC), 2022-2023
  Principal Investigator: Prof. Adrian Harwood, Cardiff University
  Participants: Academician Milena Stevanovic, dr Danijela Drakulic, dr Natasa Kovacevic Grujicic, dr Mina Peric
- MINDDS-connect: an innovative data and resource sharing platform for real time analysis of patient meta-cohorts for the neurodevelopmental and psychiatric disorders
  COST Innovators Grant, IG16210, 2022-2023
  Principal Investigator: Prof. Adrian Harwood, Cardiff University
  Participants: Dr Danijela Drakulic, academician Milena Stevanovic, dr Natasa Kovacevic Grujicic
- Searching for molecular signatures of Mulvihill-Smith syndrome (SCREEN)
  Science Fund's grant for Serbian Science and Diaspora Collaboration Program: Knowledge Exchange Vouchers, 6436164, 2020-2023
  Principal Investigator: Dr Nataša Kovačević Grujičić, IMGGI
  Participants: Dr Danijela Drakuli
- Testing neurogenic potential of induced pluripotent stem cells derived from Alzheimer’s disease patients (NEURAD)
  Science Fund's grant for Serbian Science and Diaspora Collaboration Program: Knowledge Exchange Vouchers, 6436225, 2020-2023
  Principal Investigator: Dr Marija Švirtlih, IMGGI
  Participants: Dr Isidora Petrović
HEAD OF THE LABORATORY
- Academician Milena Stevanović - Full research professor
ASSOCIATE RESEARCH PROFESSOR
ASSISTANT RESEARCH PROFESSOR
RESEARCH ASSISTANT
JUNIOR RESEARCHERS
- Current Opportunities for Targeting Dysregulated Neurodevelopmental Signaling Pathways in Glioblastoma
  Drakulic D, Schwirtlich M, Petrovic I, Mojsin M, Milivojevic M, Kovacevic-Grujicic N, Stevanovic M
  Cells. 2022;11(16):2530
- Interplay of SOX transcription factors and microRNAs in the brain under physiological and pathological conditions
  Stevanovic M, Stanisavljevic Ninkovic D, Drakulic D, Mojin M, Schwirtlih M
  Front Mol Neurosci. 2021 doi 10.3389/fnmol.2021.654031
- SOX transcription factors and glioma stem cells: Choosing between stemness and differentiation
  Stevanovic M, Kovacevic-Grujicic N, Mojsin M, Milivojevic M, Drakulic D
  World J Stem Cells. 2021;13(10):1417-1445
- Inhibition of miR-21 Promotes Cellular Senescence in NT2-Derived Astrocytes
  Balint V, Stanisavljevic Ninkovic D, Anastasov N, Lazic S, Kovacevic Grujicic N, Stevanovic M, Lazic A
  Biochemistry (Moscow). 2021;86(11),1434-1445
- Facile Synthesis of L-Cysteine Functionalized Graphene Quantum Dots as a Bioimaging and Photosensitive Agent
  Milenković M, Mišović A, Jovanović D, Popović Bijelić A, Ciasca G, Romanò S, Bonasera A, Mojsin M, Pejić J, Stevanović M, Jovanović S
  Nanomaterials (Basel). 2021;11(8):1879
- Chemical Profiling and Insights into Its Anti-Glioblastoma and Antimicrobial Mechanism of Actions
  Stojković D, Drakulić D, Schwirtlich M, Rajčević N, Stevanović M, Soković MD, Gašić U. Extract of Herba Anthrisci cerefolii
  Pharmaceuticals (Basel). 2021;14(1):55
- SOX Transcription Factors as Important Regulators of Neuronal and Glial Differentiation During Nervous System Development and Adult Neurogenesis
  Stevanovic M, Drakulic D, Lazic A, Ninkovic DS, Schwirtlich M, Mojsin M
  Front Mol Neurosci. 2021;14:654031
- Copy number variants (CNVs): a powerful tool for iPSC-based modelling of ASD
  Drakulic D, Djurovic S, Syed YA, Trattaro S, Caporale N, Falk A, Ofir R, Heine VM, Chawner SJRA, Rodriguez-Moreno A, van den Bree MBM, Testa G, Petrakis S, Harwood AJ
  Mol Autism. 2020;11(1):42.
- Graphene quantum dots as singlet oxygen producer or radical quencher - The matter of functionalization with urea/thiourea
  Jovanović SP, Syrgiannis Z, Budimir MD, Milivojević DD, Jovanovic DJ, Pavlović VB, Papan JM, Bartenwerfer M, Mojsin MM, Stevanović MJ, Todorović Marković BM
  Mater Sci Eng C Mater Biol Appl. 2020;109:110539
- SOX3 can promote the malignant behavior of glioblastoma cells
  Cell Oncol (Dordr) 2019;42(1):41-54
  Marjanovic Vicentic J, Drakulic D, Garcia I, Vukovic V, Aldaz P, Puskas N, Nikolic I, Tasic G, Raicevic S, Garros-Regulez L, Sampron N, Atkinson MJ, Anastasov N, Matheu A, Stevanovic M
- Neuroprotective Role of Selected Antioxidant Agents in Preventing Cisplatin-Induced Damage of Human Neurons In Vitro
  Popović J, Klajn A, Paunesku T, Ma Q, Chen S, Lai B, Stevanović M, Woloschak G
  Cell Mol Neurobiol 2019;39(5):619-636
Head Office / Mailing address:
Vojvode Stepe 444a,
11042 Belgrade 152, Serbia

Tel: +381 11 3976212
Mob: +381 65 3976212
Faks: +381 11 3975808

hmgbox@imgge.bg.ac.rs

Head office / Mailing address: Vojvode Stepe 444a, 11042 Belgrade 152, Serbia / Web System By Emarket1ng.NET