imagine (Institute of molecular genetics and genetic engineering)
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Seasonal and sexual variations in zinc and cadmium bioaccumulation in Glomeris hexasticha Brandt, 1833 (Glomerida, Diplopoda, Myriapoda) in Belgrade urban forest ecosystems
No full textSoil arthropods are common bioindicators of environmental pollution by heavy metals. Zinc (Zn)
is required for various physiological functions, while cadmium (Cd) is a prevalent environmental
pollutant. We detected concentrations of both metals in the tissues of millipede Glomeris
hexasticha Brandt, 1833 across three urban forest localities in Belgrade (Banjica, Makiš and Hyde
Park) during spring and autumn of 2023. After collection, we separated adults by sex and kept
them in laboratory for a month on the soil and leaf litter from their original site. The concentrations
of metals in whole body, leaf litter and soil were determined by atomic absorption
spectrophotometry. Analyzed parameters were: bioaccumulation factor (BAF; tissue metal/leaf
litter metal), tissue vs. soil and soil vs. leaf litter contribution. We observed elevated BAF values
in spring samples across most localities, indicating increased Cd bioaccumulation. We didn`t
observe significant intersexual differences in Zn accumulation, while males accumulated more Cd.
In all localities, we observed tissue accumulation of Cd from soil in spring, and reduced uptake in
autumn for Cd and only in Makiš for Zn. In spring, leaf litter was the dominant Cd reservoir, while
soil was a significant Zn source. In autumn, dominant source for both metals was soil. The balance
in processes of assimilation, excretion and reduced uptake is the determinant of differences in
heavy metals concentrations. The results suggested that the millipedes may provide useful
information for environmental pollution studies. The pattern of bioaccumulation depends on the
metal, season and sex of the millipede.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
Linking fitness traits to miRNA-target gene expression under chronic heavy metal stress in Drosophila melanogaster
No full textEnvironmental pollution, particularly heavy metal contamination, poses a serious threat to
ecosystems and living organisms. Cadmium, a toxic heavy metal frequently found in polluted
environments, can induce a wide range of physiological and molecular stress responses in exposed
organisms. This study examines the evolutionary and molecular responses of Drosophila
melanogaster populations originating from cadmium-polluted and non-polluted environments.
Flies from each locality were reared under laboratory conditions on cadmium-containing and
cadmium-free media. In the first generation, miRNA sequencing and differential expression
analyses were conducted to identify early molecular responses to cadmium exposure. After 45
generations of laboratory selection under these conditions, populations were evaluated for key
fitness traits, including development time (from egg to pupa and from pupa to adult) and survival
rates. Correlation analyses were performed between these fitness traits and the expression of
selected predicted target genes - MTF-1, CG10505 and Ric – which are associated with
differentially expressed miRNAs identified in the first generation. The study provides insight into
the adaptive potential and regulatory mechanisms involved in long-term cadmium exposure,
highlighting the role of miRNA-mediated gene regulation in environmental stress adaptation.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
Human pluripotent NT2/D1 cells immobilized in alginate microfibers: A 3D system for testing the effects of bioactive compounds
No full textExtensive consumption of energy drinks (ED) and alcohol mixed with energy drinks (AmED) has become a prevalent practice among young people. Marked as enhancers of physical and mental performance due to their high levels of stimulant ingredients, such as caffeine and taurine, ED and AmED consumption can potentially cause adverse effects on the central nervous system (CNS) and cardiovascular system. Despite the role of stem cells in development and tissue renewal, studies examining the potential effects of consumption on these cells are lacking. In this study, we established a 3D system based on alginate microfibers to test the effects of bioactive compounds on human NT2/D1 embryonal carcinoma cells, a widely used malignant counterpart of human stem cells. We also assessed the effects of simulated acute ED and AmED consumption on the viability of pluripotent cells and evaluated the efficiency of mass transport to the cells using mathematical modeling. The obtained results show that the 3D system enables undisturbed growth and proliferation of NT2/D1 cells and uniform distribution of the tested compounds to all cells within the microfiber. Simulated acute ED and AmED consumption in the 3D culture did not affect the viability of NT2/D1 cells, compared to a 2D culture, where caffeine induced a significant, yet small, decrease in cell viability
Microbial Spore-Based Biocatalysts: Properties, Applications and New Trends
No full textMicrobial spores are increasingly recognized as multifunctional platforms for enzyme immobilization, combining natural resilience with biotechnological versatility. Their inherent structural complexity enables high enzyme load, thermal and chemical stability, and robustness to be repeatedly used under industrially relevant conditions, largely widening their application scope. This review explores the growing role of spore-based systems in biocatalysis, from naturally active spores to engineered microbial hosts capable of producing immobilized enzymes in situ. Compared to conventional immobilization techniques, spore-based strategies offer simplified workflows, reduced environmental impact, and greater sustainability. Recent innovations also extend beyond traditional applications, introducing artificial spores and incorporating spores into biocomposite materials and biosensors. These developments reflect a shift from basic enzyme stabilization research toward scalable solutions in waste remediation, polymer degradation, green chemistry, and synthetic biology. Overall, spore-enabled biocatalysis represents a modular and robust toolset for advancing industrial biotechnology and sustainable manufacturing, instrumental in achieving a circular and bioeconomy
TUNING MATERIAL PROPERTIES BY BLENDING BACTERIAL BIOPOLYMERS POLYHYDROXYALKANOATES AND NANOCELLULOSE
No full textBacterial biopolymers offer several advantages over
conventional petroleum-based plastics, especially from
environmental, biomedical, and sustainability standpoints.
They are biodegradable, biocompatible, produced from
renewable resources, with low carbon footprint, and offering
number of end-of life options. Bacterial biopolymers such as
polyhydroxyalkanoates (PHAs) and bacterial nanocellulose
(BNC) have unique properties allowing them to be used on
their own for variety of applications. However, they can also
be used for blending with other materials to tune their
properties. By blending bacterial biopolymers, mechanical
strength (e.g., tensile strength, elasticity), thermal stability,
barrier properties (water vapor, gas permeability),
biodegradability and biocompatibility, as well as
processability (e.g., film-forming, molding) can be
remarkably improved [1]. PHAs are biodegradable and
thermoplastic, hydrophobic biopolymer while BNC is strong,
flexible and hydrophilic. Combining these two biopolymers
outcomes the material with improved tensile strength and
flexibility, enhanced moisture resistance and wettability with
the potential application in both biomedicine and packaging
industry. However, they can also be blended with variety of
other bio-based polymers, including poly(lactic acid) (PLA),
poly(caprolactone) (PCL) or even some natural
lignocellulosic materials such as straw or corn stover. From
the proccesability point of view, PHAs physical properties
limit its suitability for electrospinning—the most commonly
used method for fabricating fibrous scaffolds. To overcome
this limitation, poly(hydroxyoctanoic acid), PHO, was blended with poly(lactic acid), PLA, enabling the production
of fiber biomaterials using electrospinning. The resulting
blended PLA/PHO fibers had smaller diameters, increased
hydrophilicity, and enhanced mechanical properties
compared to native PLA fibers. Moreover, incorporating
~20% of PHA into corn stover-based materials significantly
improved their flexural strength and water resistance, while
maintaining full biodegradability and enabling
thermoplastic processing. Using PHAs as an additive in corn
stover-based materials is a novel and sustainable strategy to
enhance the mechanical, thermal, and processing
characteristics of lignocellulosic biomass demonstrating a
pathway for high-value upcycling of agricultural waste.Book of abstract: MikroBioKosmos Society & The Central and East Europe Symposium of Microbial Ecology (#mbkceesme2025), in Thessaloniki, Greece, between 22 and 24 September 2025
Polysaccharides Rich in Rare Sugars Secreted by Newly Isolated Bacterial Strains
No full textPolysaccharides are essential natural metabolites found in all living things, including
microorganisms, animals, and plants, with diverse biochemical structures and
biological functions [1]. Due to their biodegradability, biocompatibility and general nontoxicity
[2], polysaccharides are widely used in high value applications such as
pharmaceuticals, food and cosmetics [3]. In this study, two bacterial strains were
isolated from plant roots and river sediments. The strains were identified as Lelliota
sp. strain RD5 and Bacillus sp. strain SC4, and synthesized extracellular
polysaccharides (EPS) rich in fucose (FPol) and glucosamine (GlcNPol), respectively.
Culture experiments with each bacterium were carried out in 2-liter bioreactors using
glycerol as the only source of carbon. The EPS produced in each assay were
recovered from the culture medium by centrifugation and ultrafiltration of the cell-free
supernatant. The resulting samples were lyophilized and characterized in terms of
composition, molecular mass distribution and functional properties, including their
viscoelastic properties, formation capacity and emulsion stabilization, capacity of
gelification and as potential reducing agents and/or stabilizers in the synthesis of
nanoparticles (NPs). Both the FPol and GlcNPol produced aqueous solutions with
shear thinning behaviour, however the aqueous solutions of GlcNPol were
considerably less viscous than those of FPol. Emulsion assays were performed using
various oil/water ratios (3:2 and 2:3, v/v) and aqueous solutions containing 1% (w/v)
of EPS. Both biopolymers formed good emulsions that remained stable in both
proportions tested for several days, at room temperature. Regarding gelification, FPol
formed homogeneous spontaneous gels in the presence of Fe(III), while GlcNPol
gelified in the presence of Cu(II). FPol also showed good reducing and/or stabilizing
capacity in the synthesis of gold, silver and selenium NPs. Given these
characteristics, these polysaccharides are promising candidates for use as
suspending agents or bioemulsifiers in various applications, or for the development of
hydrogels. Their high content in rare sugars confer them additional value, given their
known biological activity.12th ESBP will be held from October 1st to 3rd, 2025, in Lisbon, Portuga
Diagnostic potential of SMAD7 and SMAD4 expression and their ratio in locally advanced rectal cancer and colorectal liver metastasis
No full textBackground: Given the important role of SMAD signaling in mediating the TGF-β pathway activity in cancer, and the
critical functions of both the inhibitory SMAD7 and the common mediator SMAD4 in this process, this study investigated
the diagnostic relevance of the mRNA expression levels of these two genes and their ratio in locally advanced rectal
cancer (LARC) and colorectal liver metastases (CLM).
Patients and Methods: Relative expression levels of SMAD7 and SMAD4 were measured in tumor and corresponding
non-tumor tissues from 19 LARC and 16 CLM patients using quantitative real-time PCR (qPCR) and normalized to
the housekeeping gene GAPDH. To evaluate the potential of the investigated gene expression levels and their ratio
in distinguishing tumor from matched non-tumor tissues in LARC and CLM, Receiver Operating Characteristic (ROC)
analysis was performed, and their translational value as diagnostic biomarkers was assessed based on the area under
the curve (AUC), 95% confidence intervals (CI), and p-values. AUC values below 0.6 were considered poor, between 0.6
and 0.7 fair, 0.7 to 0.8 good, 0.8 to 0.9 very good, and above 0.9 excellent for the discriminatory power of the biomarker.
Optimal cut-off values for differentiating tumor from non-tumor tissue were determined for each expression pattern
using the maximum value of Youden's index (Youden's index = sensitivity + specificity – 1). Expression patterns were
considered useful biomarkers if AUC>0.600 and p<0.05.
Results: In LARC patients, SMAD4 gene expression and the SMAD7/SMAD4 ratio demonstrated good diagnostic
potential for distinguishing tumor from matched non-tumor tissue (AUC=0.731, p=0.015 and AUC=0.745, p=0.010,
respectively), whereas SMAD7 expression alone did not perform well as a diagnostic biomarker (AUC=0.593, p=0.328).
In CLM patients, SMAD7 and SMAD4 expression showed good to excellent diagnostic performance in distinguishing
metastatic from matched non-tumor liver tissue (AUC=0.719, p=0.035 and AUC=0.973, p<0.0001, respectively), while
the SMAD7/SMAD4 ratio did not prove to be a reliable diagnostic biomarker (AUC=0.629, p=0.214).
Conclusions: SMAD4 expression and the SMAD7/SMAD4 ratio showed promising diagnostic potential in LARC, while
both SMAD7 and SMAD4 expression demonstrated strong discriminatory power in CLM, underscoring the need for
validation in larger, independent patient cohorts
Exploring the therapeutic potential of Geum urbanum in glioblastoma: in vitro evaluation on U87 and LN229 cells
No full textBackground: Glioblastoma represents 49% of malignant brain tumors and is the most common and aggressive type
of brain cancer. Current therapy for this malignant brain is surgery, followed by radiotherapy and chemotherapy, and
even though its aggressive, prognoses for survival of patients with glioblastoma are poor with high mortality rates.
One of the unwanted and limiting features of glioblastoma is resistance to therapy. Finding drugs or molecules that can
overcome this restrain is crucial for developing more effective glioblastoma treatments. Natural compounds derived
from plants have potential as drugs for the treatment of glioblastoma and are considered as potential anticancer drugs.
Geum urbanum belongs to the genus Geum, which is characterized by the presence of bioactive compounds with
known anticancer potential. Our aim was to analyze the effect of G. urbanum extracts on glioblastoma cells.
Material and Methods: Four extracts were isolated from G. urbanum and were used for treatment of human
glioblastoma cell lines U87 and LN229. 24h after treatment, cytotoxicity of these extracts was studied using MTT
assay and microscopy. In addition, we tested the effect of these extracts on U87 sphere viability using Calcein-AM and
propidium iodide staining.
Results: Obtained results show that G. urbanum extracts show significant cytotoxic effect on LN229 cell line, while no
cytotoxicity was observed on U87 cell line. Microscopic visualization of cells treated with G. urbanum extracts revealed
induction of sphere formation in U87 cells, but no morphological changes in LN229 cells. Measurement of sphere
viability indicated that G. urbanum extracts had no effect on sphere viability in U87 cells.
Conclusions: Our results indicate that G. urbanum extracts exhibit selective cytotoxic effects on glioblastoma cells,
significantly impacting LN229 cells, while demonstrating no cytotoxicity on U87 cells. Interestingly, the extracts
promoted sphere formation in U87 cells without affecting their viability, suggesting a possible role in modulating cell
behavior rather than inducing cell death in this line. These findings highlight the potential of G. urbanum as a source
of bioactive compounds with differential effects on glioblastoma subtypes and support further investigation into its
mechanisms of action and therapeutic relevance in glioblastoma treatment
Adaptive strategies of two wheat genotypes: biochemical and molecular insights into waterlogging and recovery
No full textExtreme precipitation and prolonged flooding are increasingly threatening ecosystems worldwide, with waterlogging emerging as a major constraint for wheat plants, disrupting metabolic processes, particularly during reoxygenation. This study investigates the physiological and molecular responses of two newly developed wheat genotypes, Nova Bosanka (B) and Julija (J), to waterlogging for up to eight days, followed by a six-day reoxygenation period. Under waterlogging conditions, genotype J showed an efficient early antioxidant response characterised by the upregulation of Cu/Zn superoxide dismutase (SOD) and catalase (CAT) genes. Although genotype B showed a stronger induction of the peroxidase (POX) gene, accompanied by an increase in hydroxycinnamic acid levels, transient oxidative stress occurred, as indicated by decreased glutathione levels and increased lipid peroxidation. However, during reoxygenation, both genotypes activated ROS-detoxifying genes (POX, Cu/ZnSOD, MnSOD and CAT), emphasising the importance of H2O2 regulation in the post-hypoxia phase. In addition, lactate dehydrogenase (LDH1) gene expression was strongly induced after reoxygenation in both genotypes, indicating its potential role in post-hypoxic metabolic recovery. On the other hand, temporal and genotype-specific differences in ethylene-responsive transcription factors (ERF) gene expression (early ERF RAP2.3 in J, ERF1 in B) were observed during waterlogging. Our study reveals a genotype-specific and complex interplay between antioxidant defence and ethylene signalling during waterlogging and subsequent reoxygenation in wheat, ultimately aiming to improve crop flooding tolerance
PROBIOTIC-DERIVED EXOPOLYSACCHARIDES PROMOTE LONGEVITY AND STRESS TOLERANCE IN C. ELEGANS VIA NHR-49- MEDIATED INDUCTION OF FMO-2
No full textObjective: Probiotic lactobacilli contribute to the regulation
of host physiological processes and are associated with
improved healthspan and longevity through the production of
different microbial-derived molecules. Among these, bacterial
exopolysaccharides (EPS)—polysaccharides loosely associated
with the bacterial cell wall—have emerged as key regulators
of host well-being. Here, we investigated the potential of
EPS-producing probiotic lactobacilli, as well as purified EPS, to
activate longevity signalling pathways in Caenorhabditis elegans.
Methods: Caenorhabditis elegans was used as an aging model.
The lifespan and health-related parameters of the worms were
evaluated following treatment with EPS-producing lactobacilli.
RNA-seq analysis was done to identify EPS-induced gene
signature with in-depth analysis performed on various GFP
reporter and mutant C. elegans strains.
Results: The results showed significant lifespan extension
in worms fed with EPS-producing bacteria, accompanied by
improved pharyngeal pumping rates and reduced lipofuscin
accumulation. Transcriptomic profiling identified upregulation
of the host detoxification and immune defence pathways,
highlighting the flavin-containing monooxygenase gene fmo-2,
as one of the major mediators of longevity and stress resistance
induced by EPS-producing lactobacilli. The effect was confirmed
using fmo-2p::GFP reporter animals and was abolished in fmo-
2, hlh-30, and nhr-49 mutant backgrounds. Finally, we showed
that EPS acts via a conserved pathway that relies mainly on the
activation of nhr-49/PPAR-alpha, with purified EPS sufficient to
activate fmo-2 expression.
Conclusions: Our findings reveal a mechanism by which bacteria
with EPS engage host xenobiotic response pathways to modulate
aging, highlighting EPS as a promising candidate for microbiotabased
interventions to enhance host longevity and promote
healthy aging