Group for Functional Genomics and Cellular Toxicology

The Group for Functional Genomics and Cellular Toxicology investigates how chemical, pharmaceutical and environmental factors — collectively shaping the human exposome — disrupt molecular and cellular regulatory networks and contribute to the development of chronic respiratory diseases and solid tumors. Our work aims to uncover the molecular mechanisms linking environmental influences with alterations in gene regulation, cellular homeostasis, disease development and response to therapy.

A central experimental platform of our research is the zebrafish model (Danio rerio). In our laboratory, we develop and apply transgenic zebrafish lines as well as tumor xenograft models, enabling disease modeling, in vivo visualization of cellular processes and analysis of therapeutic responses. These models also allow functional validation of genetic variants relevant to human diseases.

We integrate these in vivo systems with in vitro 2D and 3D cell culture models and advanced multi-omics approaches, including transcriptomics, proteomics, single-cell and spatial transcriptomics, to identify molecular signatures and regulatory networks associated with environmental responses across the human exposome.

A major research direction of the group focuses on understanding the health effects of electronic cigarettes, analyzing transcriptomic and proteomic changes induced by aerosol exposure and investigating potential transgenerational effects using zebrafish models.

Our group coordinates the Horizon Europe Twinning project ZeNCure, which aims to strengthen research excellence and international collaboration in zebrafish-based studies of non-communicable diseases. Alongside its research activities, the group is committed to mentoring students and actively promotes science through outreach and public engagement initiatives.

Aleksandra Divac Rankov

Full Research Professor

Functional Genomics and Cellular Toxicology Group
Department of Human Molecular Genetics and Genomics

aleksandra.divac@imgge.bg.ac.rs

Aleksandra Divac Rankov, PhD is a Full Research Professor and the Head of the Group for Functional Genomics and Cellular Toxicology at the IMGGE. Her research focuses on molecular mechanisms linking environmental factors with human disease, with particular emphasis on chronic respiratory diseases and cancer. She investigates how components of the environmental exposome influence gene regulation, cellular signaling and disease development.

Her work integrates approaches from functional genomics and toxicogenomics to study molecular responses to environmental stressors, with emphasis on electronic cigarettes. A major objective of her research is the identification of molecular pathways and biomarkers associated with disease susceptibility and response to therapy.

A central experimental platform of her research is the use of zebrafish (Danio rerio) disease models. Her group develops and applies transgenic and tumor xenograft zebrafish models to investigate gene–environment interactions and mechanisms of disease progression in vivo. These models are integrated with in vitro 2D and 3D cell culture systems and advanced multi-omics approaches, including transcriptomics, proteomics, single-cell and spatial transcriptomics.

Dr Divac Rankov currently coordinates the Horizon Europe Twinning project ZeNCure – Enhancing Non-Communicable Disease Research Excellence through Zebrafish Capacity Building, which aims to strengthen zebrafish-based biomedical research and international collaboration. She is actively involved in mentoring doctoral and graduate students and participates in several international scientific societies and networks in the fields of zebrafish disease modeling, respiratory research and cancer biology. She really enjoys her involvement in science popularization and communication, and was a coordinator of European Researchers Night project, SCIMFONICOM 2018-19.

IMGGE work program (2026)

Enhancing non-communicable disease research excellence through zebrafish capacity building (ZeNCure) (2024-2027)

ASSOCIATE RESEARCH PROFESSOR

RESEARCH ASSISTANT

Bojan Ilić

JUNIOR RESEARCHER

RESEARCHERS

Sara Trifunović

Key Publications

Trifunovic S, Smiljanić K, Sickmann A, Solari FA, Kolarevic S, Divac Rankov A, Ljujic M. Electronic cigarette liquids impair metabolic cooperation and alter proteomic profiles in V79 cells. Respir Res. 2022;23(1):191. doi: 10.1186/s12931-022-02102-w.

Divac Rankov A, Jovanović Stojanov S, Dragoj M, Ljujić M. Alpha-1 antitrypsin expression is upregulated in multidrug-resistant cancer cells. Histochem Cell Biol. 2023;159(5):431-437. doi: 10.1007/s00418-022-02172-3.s

Hammer B, Wagner C, Divac Rankov A, Reuter S, Bartel S, Hylkema MN, Krüger A, Svanes C, Krauss-Etschmann S. In utero exposure to cigarette smoke and effects across generations: A conference of animals on asthma. Clin Exp Allergy. 2018;48(11):1378-1390. doi: 10.1111/cea.13283.

Nešović M, Divac Rankov A, Podolski-Renić A, Nikolić I, Tasić G, Mancini A, Schenone S, Pešić M, Dinić J. Src Inhibitors Pyrazolo[3,4-d]pyrimidines, Si306 and Pro-Si306, Inhibit Focal Adhesion Kinase and Suppress Human Glioblastoma Invasion In Vitro and In Vivo. Cancers (Basel). 2020;12(6):1570. doi: 10.3390/cancers12061570.

Divac Rankov A, Kusic-Tisma J, Ljujic M, Nikolic A, Milosevic K, Vilotijevic Dautovic G, Radojkovic D. Molecular Diagnostics of Cystic Fibrosis in Serbia: Our Approach to Meet the Diagnostic Challenges. Genet Test Mol Biomarkers. 2020;24(4):212-216. doi: 10.1089/gtmb.2019.0171.

Publications