Ongoing projects

Down syndrome (DS) is the most common congenital cause of intellectual disability and the most common genetic cause of early-onset Alzheimer’s disease (AD). This project is based on strong preliminary observations of cell-intrinsic changes caused by trisomy of chromosome 21 (T21) in human induced pluripotent stem cell (iPSCs)-derived neurons and T21 foetal tissues. These changes affect neurite development, synaptogenesis, and plasticity, contributing to electrophysiological abnormalities. Our hypothesis is that two copies of the DYRK1A gene are both necessary and sufficient for normal neuronal morphology and the formation of neuromuscular junctions (NMJs). Using iPSCs models with isogenic and partial T21, as well as CRISPR-edited clones, we will analyse the role of DYRK1A in the formation and function of NMJs in both 2D (neurons-Schwann cells-myotubes) and 3D (cortico-motor assembloids) models. Our data will be validated using histological and molecular methods. In the fourth and fifth years of the project, electrophysiological analyses will be performed. The in vitro data will be compared with a large collection of tissues from a human brain bank. Finally, the results will be further validated using Dp1Tyb mice, which carry three copies of all 148 genes found on human chromosome 21. The findings from this project will clarify the role of DYRK1A in DS and its impact on neuronal development and function.

Decontamination of pork with lactic acid is considered the last control measure to reduce the microbiological risks for consumers. Yersinia enterocolitica 4/O:3 is a priority hazard in pork production, but the effect of decontamination or the survivability of the bacteria is poorly understood. This is especially true for the phenomenon that bacterial cells enter the VBNC (Viable but Non-Culturable) state under unfavourable conditions. The aims of this project are therefore: I) to determine the factors and their interdependence in the induction and persistence of the VBNC state of Y. enterocolitica 4/O:3 strains using lactic acid in vitro; II) to determine markers (indicators) for the VBNC state of Y. enterocolitica 4/O:3 at the proteomic level; III) to investigate the presence of Y. enterocolitica 4/O:3 in the VBNC state after decontamination of meat with lactic acid and IV) to investigate the persistence of the VBNC state of Y. enterocolitica 4/O:3 under altered storage conditions of pork. In acidified broth and meat, the proportion of non-viable and live and non-culturable cells of Y. enterocolitica 4/O:3 will be determined by molecular means (PMA-qPCR) as well as the differences in the proteome of these populations. A particular contribution of the research is also expected from the identification of the trigger for the return of dormant cells to a physiological, pathogenic state under conditions of improper storage and handling of meat. The results of this project can make an important contribution to scientific knowledge in the field of food technology, meat hygiene and epidemiology and provide guidelines for hidden risks (VBNC) management in apparently safe meat.

Raptors, as well as other wild fauna, are highly susceptible to a range of infectious diseases. Avian influenza, West Nile virus, and numerous other pathogens can significantly influence population dynamics, and in certain regions may precipitate pronounced declines in specific populations. Moreover, some infectious agents can exert more severe impacts on captive raptor populations, primarily due to restricted genetic diversity.

Given that infectious diseases represent a tangible threat to free-ranging individuals, investigating the interactions between pathogens and raptors is of critical importance for the development of evidence-based management and disease prevention strategies. Systematic monitoring and comprehensive understanding of the potential impacts of infectious diseases on these species should constitute an integral component of broader regional conservation initiatives.

Accordingly, the principal aim of this project is to enhance the resilience and adaptive capacity of raptor populations in the Danube region in the context of climate change, through the implementation of coordinated and harmonized measures for the prevention of infectious diseases within wild avian populations, thereby mitigating adverse effects on regional biodiversity.

Throughout the project, targeted surveillance of infectious diseases in raptors will be conducted, with a particular emphasis on flaviviruses. Additionally, pilot vaccination programs will be implemented for captive raptors against West Nile virus, coupled with entomological monitoring to assess flavivirus prevalence in mosquito vectors.

Traumatic injuries to the osteochondral tissues of the diarthrodial joints like the knee result in pain, functional impairment and increased risk of developing post traumatic osteoarthritis (PTOA) and its comorbidities. Current treatments based on cell-free grafts or cell-based therapies are expensive and often with limited availability ultimately leading to total arthroplasty to relieve the pain and restore function. However, the risk of revision of these implants is unacceptably high in young active patients, predicting a looming epidemic of revision surgeries as these implants start to fail. LUMINATE proposes a personalized, one stage regenerative approach to target large osteochondral lesions, thus preventing PTOA and avoiding costly and invasive arthroplasty surgeries.

LUMINATE will develop an next level in situ bio printing unit called EndoFlight which combines three tool heads: micro-extrusion, filamented light, jetting to print photo resins laden with patient derived cells directly at the site of injury. EndoFlight uses filamented light to bioprint highly architected scaffolds with excellent cell  guidance properties in seconds. Together with micro extrusion and the jetting tool heads in an arthroscopic setup we can deposit multiple biomaterials, biomolecules and cell types together with light assisted cross linking complex structures directly in vivo in a minimally invasive manner. The whole procedure will be extensively validated in a human relevant in vivo large animal model, paving the way for clinical translation after the end of the project. The exploitation of the results will be insured through market analysis, the foundation of a spin-off that will commercialize the project results, and analysis of regulatory aspects of all components of the bioprinting suite. Overall, LUMINATE will ensure widespread health benefits to the patients suffering from these lesions and will pave the way for enormous socio-economic advantages for our aging society.

The scientific field of conservation medicine studies the effects of wildlife population ecology on the maintenance and transmission of pathogens and ultimately examines the direct link between the conservation of biodiversity and endangered species with human health. Conservation medicine integrates veterinary medicine, toxicology, epidemiology, public health, ecology, and conservation biology; however, this approach has not yet been applied within the Croatian scientific community. Charismatic apex predators such as the grey wolf (Canis lupus) and the Eurasian lynx (Lynx lynx) are reliable indicators of ecosystem health and at the same time they strongly attract the attention of both the scientific community and the general public. Therefore, large predators represent an ideal model for the development of conservation medicine in Croatia, for acquiring knowledge on the interactions between pollutants, pathogens, and the ecology of endangered species, and for applying this knowledge to the conservation of ecosystem health shared by humans and animals.

Accordingly, the aim of research project COMPASS (Conservation Medicine – Predators As Sentinel Species), financed by the Croatian Science Foundation (IP-2025-02-1750), is to bring together a multidisciplinary team of experienced experts and early-career scientists and to apply the principles of conservation medicine to the endangered apex predators, the wolf and the lynx. Using innovative research methods, the presence of pollutants and pathogens will be analysed in wolves and lynx tissue samples. Finally, hierarchical modelling of species communities (HMSC) will be applied to investigate the correlation of ecological and health parameters of mammals in the study area. We will design and publish a publicly available database, to facilitate the timely publication of information on the presence of pathogens in wild animals in Croatia, as well as archiving and cartographic visualization of data on collected samples, analyses performed, and their results

Objectives: The overall objective of this project is to enroll foreign students and produce high-quality professionals (Doctor of Veterinary Medicine) from the English program in non-English speaking Veterinary Medicine Faculties. This will be achieved by enhancing the curriculum, English language proficiency, and communication skills of teachers and administrative staff at the Faculty of Veterinary Medicine in Skopje in partnership with Atlas Language School and the Faculty of Veterinary Medicine- Zagreb.

Implementation: The key activities of this project include a tailor-made curriculum for the English course and Communication Skills. Subsequently, training will be provided for the teaching and administrative staff at FVMS. The project continues with sharing experiences with Faculty with a similar program. This process will end with translation, adaptation, and digital transformation of teaching and administrative materials incorporated into the curriculum of the English Study Program at FVMS.

Results: The project results are a new, tailor-made curriculum for learning the English language for teachers and administrative staff working and enrolled in the English program at Veterinary Medicine Faculties; Trained teaching and administrative staff in topics-specific vocabulary in the English language; Improved curriculum of the English study program at the Faculties of Veterinary Medicine; and digital access to all administrative and learning materials in the English language for students at FVMS.

SAMESEA aims to enhance both the transnational harmonization of the application of maritime monitoring and coordination practices among the different regions bordering the region, but also to improve the limited dialogue that takes place between economic activities and marine biodiversity conservation. As a matter of fact, the latter suffers from water pollution, marine traffic and direct and indirect habitat deterioration. These challenges affect both national and regional authorities that have different approaches toward the implementation of the regulations and agreements but also economic stakeholders and the general public because if there is no sustainable management of interactions, marine biodiversity will decline and can no longer be used for activities such as tourism and fishing.

SAMESEA is based on the belief that if the basin is not managed sustainably, human activities will not be able to continue over the years, and marine species will decrease more and more. Cooperation is central both at the macro-regional territorial level but also among the different interests involved to create a functional and sustainable co-existence and thus management. This is why working together with national and regional authorities, research centers, NGOs and sectoral agencies is essential to launch a new level of confrontation, capitalization and collaboration. The consortium will create a strategy for monitoring sentinel species, pilot actions to test them, solutions for the dissemination of co-existence practices, and an action plan to improve the sustainable management of the basin. The consortium will be able to apply monitoring methodologies, learn about good co-existence practices, and network with each other. SAMESEA will improve the sustainable management of interactions between sentinel species and human activities by capitalizing, sharing, and networking stakeholders who care about the well-being of the macro region’s ecosystem.

Project website: https://samesea.interreg-ipa-adrion.eu/ 

Project partners

The main goal of the project is to improve (or maintain Favourable) Conservation Status of wolf populations that persist/are expanding into human-dominated landscapes of Europe. The objective of the LIFE WILD WOLF project is to improve conditions for land sharing between wolves and people in urban and peri-urban areas, without losing the ecological roles and cultural identity of wild wolves and local communities. This will be achieved through adequate management of critical situations where wolves show high tolerance for humans, triggering reactions of fear and negative attitude that will hamper its long term conservation and coexistence with humans at EU level. Wolf presence close to settlements increases the possibility of interaction with dogs. This could result in predation on dogs or crossbreeding, both of them representing a threat to long term conservation of wolves, as the former increases hostility of local communities towards wolf presence, and the latter represents a threat to the conservation of the evolution-based resulting genetic pool of wild wolves. The LIFE WILD WOLF specific objectives are: 1. Increased capacity to manage wolves and human behaviour in critically perceived situations in peri-urban areas. 2. Decreased wolf habituation to anthropogenic sources of food and loss of its ecological role, through decreased presence of attractants for wolves in peri-urban areas, including accessible livestock. 3. Increased understanding of wolf behaviour by local people and participatory data collection. 4. Improved understanding of the link between hybridisation and habituation/boldness. 5. Improved estimates of illegal killing and mitigation of root causes. The project will be implemented in eight European countries where wolves are expanding or persist in rural urban and peri-urban areas, touching seven wolf populations. The project will establish 5 new Wolf Emergency intervention Teams and improve capacity of existing teams for wolves or bears.

Since ancient times, honey has been a popular functional food due to its healthy properties based its bioactive compounds composition with antioxidant, antimicrobial, anti-inflammatory, and anticancer properties. Furthermore, the European honeybee, Apis mellifera, is the most important pollinator, crucial for food and plant production in general. However, bees are in decline, being threatened to extinction in Europe due to anthropogenic activities, including agriculture intensification and pesticide application. This have led to reduction of honey production with 40% of EU consumption being imported. Traying help and ameliorate honeybee colonies, the present groundbreaking network will deliver cooperation between international wide range beekeeping stakeholders and the innovative results will be related to the following topics:
1.     Honey and by-products nutritional and medicinal properties.
2.     Abiotic stressors and anthropogenic contaminants in the environment using hive products as indicators.
3.     Prevalent diseases and biotic stressors threatening honeybee colonies.
4.     Honeybees as pollinators in agriculture and consequences of lost colonies in agrarian ecosystems.
5.     Policy research and market analysis related with beekeeping activities.
BeSafeBeehoney, with a multi-actor approach, will bring together distinct expertise – chemistry, biology, ecology, veterinary, beekeeping, agrarian engineering, nutrition, economy, and policy to deliver breakthrough scientific developments. The importance of beekeeping is in line with SDG2, 12 and 15, aiming the promotion of sustainable agriculture, quality production, and sustainable use of terrestrial ecosystems. The SDG5 seeking to achieve gender equality while still a constant challenge, in this team more than half of the members are women, young researchers and belonging to inclusiveness target countries.

B-THENET is the first platform for European beekeepers. Our goal is to collect good beekeeping practices and innovations and discuss them among beekeepers, advisors, and other stakeholders in 15 languages through our digital platforms. At national (13 National B-THENET centres) and international (3 International B-THENET centres) levels, we will foster discussion and harmonisation of Best Beekeeping Practices in Europe.