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Hydrogen cyanide-producing Pseudomonas endophytes enhance disease suppression and defence responses in pepper
No full textEndophytic bacteria play an important role in improving plant health by promoting growth and
activating the host's defences, offering a sustainable alternative to conventional agrochemicals.
Among their diverse metabolic capabilities, the production of hydrogen cyanide (HCN) has
emerged as a key property for biocontrol and modulation of plant immune response. In this study,
we investigated the potential of two HCN-producing Pseudomonas endophytes for biocontrol and
activation of plant defences. From a collection of bacteria isolated from pepper plants (Capsicum
annuum L.), isolates were initially screened for plant growth-promoting (PGP) properties, and two
Pseudomonas strains (P. urmiensis A32 and P. atacamensis A238) with strong HCN production
were selected for further analysis. HCN-deficient mutants were constructed, and wild-type and
mutant strains were assessed in vitro for their antagonistic activity against bacterial and fungal
phytopathogens and plant-parasitic nematodes. The wild-type strains showed a broad-spectrum
biocontrol activity, while the mutants exhibited significantly lower inhibition. To evaluate the
induced resistance, pepper seeds were treated with wild-type and mutant strains and later infected
with Xanthomonas euvesicatoria. Compared to the control and HCN-deficient mutant treatments,
plants inoculated with wild-type endophytes exhibited reduced lesion development and pathogen
load, as well as upregulated defence-related gene expression and altered antioxidant enzyme
activity. These results underline the crucial role of HCN in endophyte-mediated biocontrol and
defence induction and highlight its potential for the development of environmentally friendly plant
protection strategies. Future research will investigate the molecular mechanisms underlying HCNdriven
signalling in plant-bacteria interactions.BeCELS 2025: Belgrade Conference for Early-Career Life Scientists, taking place on Friday, September 5, 2025, at the Institute of Molecular Genetics and Genetic Engineering (IMGGE) in Belgrad
LC-MS/MS insights into phenolic composition and antioxidant activity of Cyclocybe aegerita, Ganoderma lucidum, and Pleurotus ostreatus
No full textMushrooms hold significant pharmaceutical value because they contain a variety of bioactive
medicinal compounds, such as phenolic substances. They are also recognized as functional foods
thanks to their rich nutritional content. The aim of this study was to investigate, via LC-MS/MS,
the mycochemical profiles and in vitro antioxidant potential of hydroethanolic (70% EtOH), hot
water (H₂O), and chloroform (CHCl₃) extracts of Cyclocybe aegerita (V. Brig.) Vizzini,
Ganoderma lucidum (Curtis) P. Karst., and Pleurotus ostreatus (Jacq.) P. Kumm. Phenolic
profiling identified cinnamic acid as especially abundant (>1500 μg/g d.e. (dry extract) in C.
aegerita CHCl₃), alongside notable levels of p-hydroxybenzoic acid (286.20 μg/g d.e., C. aegerita
70% EtOH) and quinic acid (83.25 μg/g d.e., C. aegerita CHCl₃). The highest total phenolic
content occurred in C. aegerita H₂O extract (241.26 mg GAE/g d.w. (dry weight)). In vitro, G.
lucidum H₂O extract showed the strongest DPPH scavenging (IC₅₀ = 37.52 μg/mL), P. ostreatus
70% EtOH extract had the highest ABTS activity (354.10 mg TE/g d.w.), and C. aegerita 70%
EtOH extract was most effective against hydroxyl radicals (IC₅₀ = 21.84 μg/mL). PCA separated
extracts primarily by solvent: 70% EtOH extracts—especially C. aegerita—clustered with
standard compound propyl gallate, PG, driven by strong DPPH and FRAP responses; H₂O extracts
aligned with OH scavenging, while CHCl₃ extracts showed generally weaker activity. These
findings demonstrate species- and solvent-dependent antioxidant profiles, highlighting P.
ostreatus and C. aegerita as particularly promising sources of bioactive phenolics for nutraceutical
and functional food applications.BeCELS 2025: Belgrade Conference for Early-Career Life Scientists, taking place on Friday, September 5, 2025, at the Institute of Molecular Genetics and Genetic Engineering (IMGGE) in Belgrad
FTIR analysis of biopolymer degradation using Streptomyces microflavus DG19 in liquid cultures and compost
No full textThe data and files contained in this dataset are related to the scientific publication "Degradation
of biomaterials by Streptomyces microflavus DG19: depolymerization activity, genome mining,
and soil burial assessment". This study evaluates the capacity of the bacterium Streptomyces
microflavus DG19 to degrade a selection of biopolymers, highlighting its potential as a whole-
cell biocatalyst for enhancing composting and developing sustainable remediation strategies for
bioplastic waste. This dataset provides the raw Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR)
data used to characterize the structural changes on the surface of various biomaterials after
being subjected to degradation by S. microflavus DG19. The analyzed materials include poly(3-
hydroxybutyrate) (PHB), poly(ε-caprolactone) (PCL), and post-consumer items made of poly(3-
hydroxybutyrate-co-3-hydroxyhexanoate) (PHBH) and PHB. The data consists of spectra
collected from control samples and samples treated with the bacterium in two different
experimental conditions: liquid culture and simulated soil burial (compost). The FTIR analysis
confirmed the degradation process by revealing changes in characteristic vibrational bands,
particularly the carbonyl (C=O) and ester (C-O-C) stretching regions, which correspond to the
hydrolysis of the polymer backbone. Overall, these spectral data provide key molecular-level
evidence supporting the paper's findings on the depolymerization activity of S. microflavus
DG19.readme.txt (6.928Kb)***Dataset contents*** DG19_compost_FTIR.png (553.7Kb)
DG19_liquid_cultures_FTIR.png (543.4Kb)
PCL_compost_control.csv (137.0Kb)
PCL_compost_DG19.csv (136.9Kb)
PCL_film_DG19.csv (136.9Kb)
PCL_film_control.csv (136.9Kb)
PCL_film_DG19.csv (136.9Kb)
PHB_compost_control.csv (136.9Kb)
PHB_compost_DG19.csv (136.9Kb)
PHB_cup_compost_control.csv (136.9Kb)
PHB_cup_compost_DG19.csv (136.9Kb)
PHB_film_control.csv (136.9Kb)
PHB_film_DG19.csv (136.9Kb)
PHBH_card_compost_control.csv (136.9Kb)
PHBH_card_compost_DG19.csv (136.9Kb)File readme.txt (6.928KbKb) is under licence public domain CC0Dataset for: Agapov, A., Pantelić, B., Ponjavić, M., Herrera, D. A. G., Nicevic, M.,& Nikodinović-Runić, J.. (2025). Degradation of biomaterials by Streptomyces microflavus DG19: depolymerization activity, genome mining, and soil burial assessment. in Biotechnology for the Environment
Springer Nature., 2(1), 8.
[https://doi.org/10.1186/s44314-025-00024-7
Clinical and Genetic Profile of 35 Patients with Glycogen Storage Disease Type 1b: A Comparative Analysis Before and During SGLT2 Inhibitor Therapy
No full textGlycogen storage disease type 1b (GSD 1b) is an ultra-rare disease worldwide, whereas in Serbia it has an unexpectedly high prevalence. GSD 1b is the result of variants in the SLC37A4 gene and reduced function of the enzyme glucose 6 phosphate translocase (G6PT). In addition to the classic symptoms of GSD 1a, patients with GSD 1b have neutropenia and impaired neutrophil function
Mercury removal from acid mine drainage by natural pyrophyllite schist material
No full textAcid mine drainages (AMD) pose a serious threat, due to their potentially toxic metals content,
which can pollute the environment and affect human, animal and plant health. The potential of natural
pyrophyllite schist (Prl-sch) material from the Parsovići mine in Bosnia and Herzegovina for Hg removal
from acid mine drainage (AMD) was tested. This AMD freely discharges from the abandoned cinnabar (HgS)
mine Šuplja Stena, located on Mount Avala in Serbia. The sorption experiment was conducted in duplicate,
involving the direct contact of 2 g of Prl-sch with 100 mL of native AMD sample for 2 h at room temperature
with agitation of 200 rpm. Prl-sch used in this experiment was mechanochemically modified beforehand to
obtain particles less than 0.45 μm in diameter. Concurrently, a control experiment with deionized water was
run to determine if the Prl-sch itself releases Hg under the same experimental conditions. The Hg
concentrations in native AMD, Prl-sch-treated AMD and control sample were measured by inductively
coupled plasma - optical emission spectroscopy. The initial concentration of Hg in the native AMD sample
was 9.3 μg/L, while in the control and Prl-sch-treated AMD sample Hg content was below the limit of
quantification (<0.4 μg/L). The observed Hg removal efficiency and sorption capacity of Prl-sch from the Prlsch-
treated AMD sample was ˃95.7% and ˃0.4 μg/g, respectively. Mercury sulfides are poorly soluble in
water, which could explain the initial low Hg content in the native AMD sample. In this experiment, Prl-sch
demonstrated the exceptionally high potential for Hg removal, rendering this natural material a promising
treatment for the purification of Hg-contaminated water environments.3rd International Conference on Chemo and BioInformatics, ICCBIKG 2025, September 25-26, 2025, Kragujevac, Serbi
Dynamic modeling of serotonin presynapse in suicide attempts across psychiatric diagnoses
No full textSuicidal behavior is a major public health concern frequently comorbid with
psychiatric conditions such as major depressive disorder (MDD), bipolar disorder
(BD), and schizophrenia (SCH), all of which are associated with elevated suicide
risk. The serotonin (5-HT) system has been implicated in suicide pathophysiology,
with prior studies reporting altered brainstem morphology and changes in levels
of 5-HT metabolite 5-hydroxyindoleacetic acid (5-HIAA). However, many of these
findings are confounded by psychiatric diagnosis, making it unclear whether
serotonergic alterations are specific to suicidal behavior or reflect the underlying
disorder. To address this, we used a previously developed dynamic model of the
5-HT presynapse that integrates individual genotypes in genes TPH2, SLC6A4,
and MAOA to simulate time series data for five 5-HT-related molecular species
reflecting its synthesis, reuptake, and degradation. Our dataset included 392
patients with MDD, BD, or SCH, stratified by suicide attempt (SA) history, and 140
unaffected controls. Model outputs were summarized using statistical descriptors
(mean, median, maximum, standard deviation, skewness, and kurtosis). Statistical
analyses revealed that diagnosis, rather than SA status, significantly influenced 5-
HIAA-related measures (mean, median, maximum, standard deviation; all p < 0.05).
A significant diagnosis-by-SA interaction was observed for 5-HIAA skewness (p =
0.013), indicating diagnosis specific patterns, where the attempters had lower 5-
HIAA levels in BD and SCH, but higher levels in MDD. These findings indicate that
presynaptic 5-HT metabolism is predominantly influenced by diagnosis, with
suicide-related alterations varying by disorder. This highlights the potential of
computational modeling as a personalized tool for investigating mechanisms
underlying suicide vulnerability.Book of abstract: 9 Congress of the Serbian Neuroscience th Society with international participation, October 6-8, 2025. Belgrade, Serbi
Antivirulence Potential of 4-Aminoquinoline-Adamantane Derivatives Against Gram- Negative Pathogens
No full textBiofilms play a central role in the persistence and pathogenesis of bacterial infections as they
form a protective niche that shields the bacteria from host immune responses and antibiotic
therapy. These surface-attached communities contribute significantly to chronic and deviceassociated
infections. In Gram-negative pathogens, biofilm formation and virulence are
regulated by quorum sensing (QS) — a cell density-dependent system that coordinates gene
expression. Targeting QS, rather than bacterial viability, represents a promising antivirulence
strategy that may reduce selective pressure for resistance and preserve commensal microbiota.
In our previous study, long-chain 4-aminoquinoline derivatives showed a strong QS inhibitory
effect in Pseudomonas aeruginosa. Based on this, we synthesised six novel hybrids of
4-aminoquinoline and adamantane (KBK07, KBK56, KBK63, KBK64, KBK66 and KBK80) to
investigate how variations in the substitution of the terminal amino group affect the biological
activity. Their ability to interfere with QS pathways was investigated using P. aeruginosa
and Chromobacterium violaceum CV026 biosensor strains, at concentrations that do not
interfere with bacterial growth. Inhibition of biofilm formation was evaluated in P. aeruginosa,
Acinetobacter baumannii, Escherichia coli and Klebsiella pneumoniae. Toxicity and in vivo
efficacy were investigated using a zebrafish infection model.
KBK80 showed the strongest and broadest activity, inhibiting the PQS and Rhl systems by
70 % and 75 % respectively, with a moderate effect on Las (20 %). It reduced P. aeruginosa
biofilm by ~40% and suppressed pyocyanin production by 26%. KBK80 also inhibited biofilm
formation in A. baumannii, E. coli and K. pneumoniae by 28%, 22% and 48%, respectively.
KBK07 inhibited biofilm formation in all four strains by up to ~40%, while KBK64 with minimal
QS inhibition in P. aeruginosa strongly suppressed violacein production and inhibited biofilm
formation in A. baumannii by 65%.
These results show that 4-aminoquinoline- adamantane derivatives can be developed into
promising broad-spectrum antivirulence agents.Book of abstract: Arturo Falaschi Conference “Cell-cell communication in bacteria: new insights and future trends”, 28-30 October 2025 | Trieste, ITAL
MINDDS-connect: a federated data platform integrating biobanks for meta cohort building and analysis
No full textAccess to large patient cohort data and biobanked resources is a catalyst for progress in genomics and biomedical research, increasing statistical power, and unlocking deeper insights—especially in areas like rare diseases and mental health. Responsible research necessitates maintenance of data privacy, regulatory compliance, and research standardization. It can appear that these guiding principles oppose each other and present barriers to responsible Open science. To address these critical challenges, we developed MINDDS-Connect, a federated data collaboration platform that integrates a web-based interface with decentralized Docker instances via a REST API. This architecture allows registered users to securely query samples across the platform’s network, and offers a tool to facilitate the formation of virtual multi-centric meta-cohorts and research collaboration. MINDDS-Connect allows institutions to retain data control while enabling collaborative research and meta-cohort analysis through standardized metadata fields. Its implementation across five European centers enhanced the accessibility of 900 samples, demonstrating its effectiveness in enabling cohort construction and promoting collaborative research. The platform provides a secure, open-source solution consistent with EU Open Science policies, advancing large-scale mental health research
GENE EXPRESSION PROFILING OF ASTROCYTES DERIVED FROM IPSCS OF PATIENTS WITH 22Q11.2 DELETION SYNDROME
No full text22q11.2 Deletion Syndrome (22q11.2DS), caused by microdeletion 22q11.2, is the most
common microdeletion syndrome in humans. t is closely linked to an increased risk of
neurodevelopmental disorders and provides a valuable model for investigating the molecular
mechanisms underlying these disorders, which are still not fully understood. Here we analyzed
transcriptomic profiling of 22q11.2DS astrocytes derived from iPSCs of mother and child with
22q11.2DS and one healthy control. RNA-seq was carried out on Illumina NovaSeq 6000
sequencer. Bioinformatic processing of raw data was conducted via NVIDIA platform, while
differential gene expression analysis was performed in RStudio using DESeq2 R package. The
obtained list of DEGs was used for pathway enrichment analysis by employing EnrichR and
WikiPathways. 125 DEGs with lower expression and 287 DEGs with higher expression in
22q11.2DS astrocytes compared to the control were obtained. For genes with lower expression
in 22q11.2DS astrocytes, 22q11.2 Copy Number Variation Syndrome and Axon Guidance were
the top enriched pathways, while for genes with higher expression in 22q11.2DS astrocytes we
did not identify biological pathways that are enriched in DEG lists more than would be expected
by chance. We found 178 DEGs with lower expression and 205 DEGs with higher expression in
astrocytes of symptomatic child with 22q11.2DS compared to non-symptomatic mother with
22q11.2DS. Employing EnrichR and WikiPathways we did not identify biological pathways that
are enriched in DEG lists more than would be expected by chance. Our findings offer
preliminary evidence of an altered transcriptomic landscape of 22q11.2DS astrocytes.Abstract book: FENS Regional Meeting 2025 , Oslo, Norway, 16-19 June 202
In silico and in vitro analysis of COMT-211 and AMPD3-206 transcripts in lung cancer
No full textKarcinom pluća (eng. Lung Cancer – LC) je kompleksna i visoko heterogena bolest (1).
Prema podacima GLOBOCAN baze podataka, koja je deo Global Cancer Observatory
platforme, LC predstavlja treći karcinom po uĉestalosti i prvi po mortalitetu na globalnom nivou
(2). Procenjeno je da je LC uzrok smrti 1,8 miliona ljudi, da se svake godine dijagnostikuje 2
miliona novih sluĉajeva, dok je petogodišnja stopa preživljavanja manja od 20% (3). Prema
podacima Institutа zа јаvnо zdrаvljе Srbiје „Dr Milаn Јоvаnоvić Bаtut”, tокоm 2022. gоdinе око
6500 оsоbа оbа pоlа je оbоlеlо od LC, dок је sкоrо 4500 ljudi istе gоdinе prеminulо оd ove
mаlignе bоlеsti. Jedan od najvažnijih faktora koji je povezan sa povećanjem uĉestalosti
obolevanja i mortaliteta od ove bolesti je duvanski dim. Otprilike 80-90% sluĉajeva LC na
globalnom nivou je povezano sa karcinogenim supstancama osloboĊenim prilikom direktnog ili
indirektnog izlaganja duvanskom dimu. Ostali faktori rizika za pojavu bolesti ukljuĉuju
izloženost toksiĉnim materijama kao što su azbest i radon, zagaĊenost vazduha, nasledni oblici
raka i prethodna hroniĉna plućna oboljenja. TakoĊe, sa starenjem se povećava verovatnoća
obolevanja od ove bolesti usled gubitka sposobnosti ćelija da poprave oštećenja DNK (3–5).
Studije o LC kod osoba starosti 20-46 godina otkrivaju da su mlaĊi pacijenti obiĉno žene,
nepušaĉi i imaju napredniji karcinom, što ukazuje na to da je bolest više povezana sa naslednim
mutacijama, a manje sa mutagenima iz životne sredine (6).
Prema Svetskoj Zdravstvenoj Organizaciji, LC se klasifikuje na dva glavna histološka tipa,
nesitnoćelijski (eng. Non-Small Cell Lung Carcinome – NSCLC), 85%, i sitnoćelijski (eng.
Small-Cell Lung Carcinome – SCLC), 15%. NSCLC se može podeliti u tri glavna podtipa:
adenokarcinom pluća (LUAD), 40%, karcinom skvamoznih ćelija pluća (LUSC), 25-30%, i
karcinom velikih ćelija, 5-10% (7,8). LUAD ĉine histološki heterogene periferne mase koje rano
metastaziraju (9). LUSC ĉine obiĉno centralno locirane endobronhijalne mase i za razliku od
2
LUAD, generalno metastaziraju kasno u toku bolesti (10). Karcinom velikih ćelija je slabo
diferenciran i ovaj tumor predstavljaju velike periferne mase asocirane sa ranim metastazama
(9). SCLC je slabo diferencirani, centralno pozicionirani tumor neuroendokrinih ćelija, koga
karakteriše brz rast i metastaziranje u ranoj fazi, pri ĉemu je više od polovine pacijenata
dijagnostikovano u uznapredovaloj fazi (11)