Period at IMGGE: 2003-2006

Education:

BSc: Faculty of Biology, University of Belgrade
MSc: Faculty of Biology, University of Belgrade
PhD: Karolinska Institute, Dept. of Laboratory Medicine, Stockholm, Sweden

Current position and address:

Postdoc training

University of Basel, Biozentrum
Klingelbergstrasse 50 / 70
CH - 4056 Basel
Switzerland

Research Interest:

Mitochondria are organelles found in eukaryotic cells involved in many vital functions. Consequently, their dysfunction leads to a variety of human disorders. Many studies of the last 50 years showed that mitochondria are involved in regulation of physiological ageing, too. The main focus of my research is to understand the role of mitochondrial (dys)function in the determination of longevity. Of special interest was to elucidate molecular mechanisms by which mitochondria contribute to development and progression of ageing. Recently, I am broadening my scientific focus by studying the mechanisms underlying the molecular transport within the cell, namely endocytosis. The regulation of endocytosis is poorly understood despite its profound importance in human physiology and disease. In particular, I am assessing the molecular mechanisms regulating endosome maturation. I believe that better understanding of endosome maturation will be beneficial to the development of novel therapeutic strategies against infectious diseases. I am addressing these questions in the Caenorhabditis elegans model system, a roundworm I have previously used during my work on mitochondrial ageing mechanisms.

Additional Information:

http://www.uni-koeln.de/inter-fak/cecad/trifunovic/team.html