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INSTITUTE OF MOLECULAR GENETICS
AND GENETIC ENGINEERING
University of Belgrade

Human Molecular Genetics

  • The Group for Human Molecular Genetics is dedicated to in vitro disease modeling. The main research topics of the Group are:

    Modeling brain diseases - Within this topic, we study the molecular mechanisms underlying neurodevelopmental disorders, neurodegenerative diseases, traumatic brain injuries, cerebral ischemia, and brain tumors. To study the molecular mechanisms, we mastered the reprogramming of somatic cells into pluripotent stem cells, the formation of brain organoids, the modulation of selected genes and miRNAs expression in human cells, and the sequencing of RNA, whole genomes, and exomes.

    Modeling of malignant diseases - To study the malignant phenotype of different types of tumors and the role of the tumor microenvironment, we develop 3D mono- and co-culture models. We apply OMICS analysis to identify the molecular mechanisms underlying the pathophysiology of cancer, their complexity, and heterogeneity, as well as for the detailed characterization of complex model systems used in in vitro studies. Also, we study the anti-tumor potential of natural and synthetic compounds and elucidate their mechanisms of action. In our research, we apply in vitro assays on many permanent cell lines originating from different types of tumors or normal tissues and in vivo assays using zebrafish as a model.

    The Group for Human Molecular Genetics offers:

    Analysis of the DNA fragmentation level of spermatozoa as an addition to existing protocols in the treatments of male sterility.

  • Danijela Drakulić

    Full Research Professor

    Group for Human Molecular Genetics
    Department of Human Molecular Genetics and Genomics

    Danijela Drakulić, PhD, is a Full Research Professor and Head of the Group for Human Molecular Genetics, where she has been employed since 2001. As of 2023, she also serves as the Deputy Chair of the Institute’s Scientific Council.

    Throughout her career, she has been dedicated to research in the field of human molecular genetics. Her current research focus lies in modeling brain diseases in vitro, particularly in exploring the molecular mechanisms underlying neurodevelopmental disorders and glioblastoma, a highly aggressive form of brain tumor. As part of this research, she served as the Coordinator Contact of the Horizon Europe Twinning project STREAMLINE, through which she introduced work on reprogramming of somatic cells into induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs), differentiation of iPSCs into neural cell types and transcriptome analysis. Additionally, she has acquired expertise in the modulation of gene expression, RNA sequencing, and whole-genome sequencing. Insights gained from her work aim to contribute to the development of novel therapeutic strategies. A complementary line of her research involves evaluating the anti-tumor potential of bioactive compounds. Currently, she is the principal investigator of a bilateral researcher mobility project between the Republic of Serbia and the People’s Republic of China. This project focuses on establishing a platform for the study of genetic polymorphisms in populations inhabiting the Balkan Peninsula.

    She has been actively involved in numerous national and international research projects. She has mentored two doctoral dissertations, three master’s theses, and one undergraduate thesis. At present, she is supervising one PhD candidate and one master's student.

  • mpIMGGE work program for 2025 - Ministry of Science, Technological Development and Innovation of the Republic of Serbia, 451-03-136/2025-03/200042, 2025 

    Strengthening regional stem cells based research for advancement of multi modal innovative strategy for modelling neurodevelopmental disorders (STREAMLINE) (2022-2025)

    sanuStudying the roles of SOX proteins in promoting malignant cell phenotypes (SOPROMAL) (2020-2024)

    sanuBiomimetic tumor engineering to enhance drug discovery (BioengineeredTumor) (2024-2026)

    mpEstablishment of a platform for genetic polymorphism research in the Balkan population (2024-2027)

  • FULL RESEARCH PROFESSOR

    ASSOCIATE RESEARCH PROFESSOR

    ASSISTANT RESEARCH PROFESSOR

    RESEARCH ASSISTANT

    JUNIOR RESEARCHERS

  • Key publications

    1. Bojic L, Peric M, Karanovic J, Milosevic E, Kovacevic Grujicic N, Milivojevic M. Exploratory Analysis of Molecular Subtypes in Early-Stage Osteosarcoma: Identifying Resistance and Optimizing Therapy. Cancers (Basel). 2025;17(10):1677. doi: 10.3390/cancers17101677
    2. Balint V, Peric M, Dacic S, Stanisavljevic Ninkovic D, Marjanovic J, Popovic J, Stevanovic M, Lazic A. The Role of SOX2 and SOX9 Transcription Factors in the Reactivation-Related Functional Properties of NT2/D1-Derived Astrocytes. Biomedicines. 2024;12(4):796. doi: 10.3390/biomedicines12040796
    3. Drakulic D, Schwirtlich M, Petrovic I, Mojsin M, Milivojevic M, Kovacevic-Grujicic N, Stevanovic M. Current Opportunities for Targeting Dysregulated Neurodevelopmental Signaling Pathways in Glioblastoma. Cells. 2022;11(16):2530. doi: 10.3390/cells11162530
    4. Krstic A, Pavic A, Avdovic E, Markovic Z, Stevanovic M, Petrovic I. Coumarin-Palladium(II) Complex Acts as a Potent and Non-Toxic Anticancer Agent against Pancreatic Carcinoma Cells. Molecules. 2022 Mar 25;27(7):2115. doi: 10.3390/molecules27072115
    5. 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. Copy number variants (CNVs): a powerful tool for iPSC-based modelling of ASD. Mol Autism. 2020;11(1):42. doi: 10.1186/s13229-020-00343-4

    mp All publications

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