Integrin Signalling Professors and Supervisors in Croatia

Mirela SedićView profile

Researcher

Institute for Anthropological ResearchCroatia

Mirela Sedić, Ph.D. is a senior scientific associate at the Institute for Anthropological Research in Croatia, with extensive research experience in cancer biology and therapy. She has authored over 50 scientific publications in high-impact journals such as BBA Molecular Basis of Disease, Molecular Cancer, The Journal of Pathology, and others, with her work cited 1286 times (h-index 17; i10-index 30). Dr. Sedić serves as a reviewer for numerous international scientific journals and holds editorial board positions with Global Journal of Cancer Therapy, American Journal of Pharmacology & Therapeutics, Current Cancer Therapy Reviews, Clinical Cancer Drugs, and BMC Cancer. Dr. Sedić's research spans multiple critical areas in oncology, with particular focus on gastrointestinal cancers including colon, liver, and pancreatic cancer. Her work investigates cancer cell signaling pathways, mechanisms of chemoresistance, and novel therapeutic approaches including drug repurposing and combination treatments. She employs advanced techniques such as mass spectrometry-based proteomics and lipidomics, combined with bioinformatics analysis, to dissect complex cancer biology phenomena. Analysis of Dr. Sedić's recent publication record reveals a strong emphasis on understanding therapy resistance in BRAF-mutant colon cancer, with particular attention to sphingolipid metabolism pathways. Her research has increasingly incorporated multi-omics approaches to identify potential therapeutic targets and develop strategies to overcome resistance to targeted therapies like vemurafenib. Dr. Sedić has received significant recognition through multiple scientific honors: International patent WO/2010/052510 Appointment as expert evaluator for EU Framework Programs (FP7, HORIZON 2020, Horizon Europe) since 2012 Editorial Board membership with five prominent cancer research journals As a principal investigator, Dr. Sedić has secured competitive funding for multiple significant research projects, including a Croatian Science Foundation project (2019-2023), University of Rijeka research grants, and international collaborations with institutions like the Functional Genomics Center Zurich. Her consistent success in obtaining research funding demonstrates the significance and impact of her work in advancing our understanding of cancer biology and therapy.

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Ana TadijanView profile

Researcher

Ruđer Bošković InstituteCroatia

Dr. Ana Tadijan is a research associate at the Ruđer Bošković Institute (Division of Molecular Biology, Laboratory for Molecular and Cellular Biology) in Zagreb, Croatia, where she investigates the molecular mechanisms governing cancer progression, drug resistance, and cell adhesion. Education & Academic Standing: PhD-level researcher (Research Associate) continuously active at RBI since at least 2012. Supervises graduate theses and mentors MSc/PhD students (e.g., Doris Stepić, Kristina Čuljak, Christine Supina, Ana Dekanić). Research Interests: Her work integrates cancer cell biology , integrin-mediated adhesion , mitochondrial metabolism , p53-family signalling , and targeted therapy resistance in melanoma and breast cancer models. Additional focus lies on neuroprotective signalling of cannabinoids and nanoparticle toxicology. Publication Profile: Since 2012 she has co-authored >40 peer-reviewed papers and conference abstracts. Recent output (2021-2024) centres on: Mechanisms of vemurafenib and BRAF-inhibitor resistance in melanoma. Role of mitochondrial NME6 and Sirt3 in tumour metabolism. Integrin α6β4 and αV-containing adhesomes driving adhesion and drug sensitivity. p53-family splice isoforms as modulators of melanoma aggressiveness. Scientific Awards & Funding: While no specific prizes are mentioned, she is a recurring presenter at the International p53 Workshop, FEBS, EACR, and national Croatian cancer-research meetings, indicating sustained competitive funding and recognition. Laboratory & Collaborations: She conducts research within the RBI Laboratory for Molecular and Cellular Biology, collaborating extensively with groups led by Maja Herak Bosnar, Neda Slade, Andreja Ambriović-Ristov, Martin Humphries (UK), and international partners on adhesome proteomics and melanoma resistance projects.

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Mladen ParadžikView profile

Researcher

Ruđer Bošković InstituteCroatia

Mladen Paradžik is a Researcher at the Ruđer Bošković Institute , affiliated with the Division of Molecular Medicine and Laboratory of Experimental Therapy in Zagreb, Croatia. His work focuses on cancer biology, molecular signaling, and cell adhesion mechanisms. PhD in Biology, University of Zagreb (2015) BSc in Biology, University of Zagreb (2008) Research interests span integrin signaling, miRNA-guided metabolic reprogramming, and Sirtuin 3 (Sirt3) tumor-suppressive mechanisms. He investigates how cytoskeletal components like KANK2 and integrin αVβ5 regulate cancer cell migration and chemotherapeutic sensitivity. Recent publications highlight trends in integrin adhesomes (2023-2018), miRNA-tumor progression (2022-2021), and Sirt3-p53-estrogen pathways (2020-2018) in breast cancer and melanoma models. Professional memberships include the Croatian Association for Cancer Research (2010–present), Croatian Immunological Society (2009–present), and Croatian Society of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology (2018–present). He has contributed to understanding integrin crosstalk in cancer cell fate unpredictability (2020), Golgi apparatus disruption in EMT (2023), and αVβ5 focal adhesion-microtubule coupling (2020). Collaborations span institutions like University of Manchester (UK) and MedILS (Croatia).

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Nikolina StojanovićView profile

Researcher

Ruđer Bošković InstituteCroatia

Dr. Nikolina Stojanović is a Research Associate at the Ruđer Bošković Institute , affiliated with the Division of Molecular Biology . Her work focuses on integrin-mediated drug resistance, cell adhesion, and cytoskeletal dynamics in melanoma, breast cancer, and prostate cancer.

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Dragomira MajhenView profile

Academic

Ruđer Bošković InstituteCroatia

Dragomira Majhen is a senior scientist at the Ruđer Bošković Institute in Zagreb, Croatia, affiliated with the Division of Molecular Biology and the Laboratory for Cell Biology and Signalling . She is a leading researcher in virology, gene therapy, and cancer biology, with a focus on adenovirus biology, integrin-mediated drug resistance, and nanoparticle-based therapeutic strategies. Education: PhD in Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University of Zagreb, Faculty of Science (2008) Master of Science in Biology, University of Zagreb, Faculty of Science (2005) Bachelor of Science in Molecular Biology, University of Zagreb, Faculty of Science (2001) Research Interests: Her research spans adenovirus vector development , integrin-mediated cancer resistance , oncolytic virotherapy , and nanoparticle-based drug delivery . She investigates viral entry pathways, innate immune responses, and retargeting strategies to enhance therapeutic efficacy. Her work integrates molecular virology with translational applications in cancer and infectious diseases. Scientific Awards & Fellowships: FP7 Marie Curie ITN ADVance Experienced Researcher Fellowship (2013–2014) Croatian Science Foundation Postdoctoral Fellowship (2010–2012) Unity Through Knowledge Fund Postdoctoral Fellowship (2010–2012) Boehringer Ingelheim Travel Grant (2009) Croatian Ministry of Science Fellowship (2007) Supervision & Mentorship: She has supervised numerous PhD and Master's students, including Davor Nestić, Ana Runtić, Maša Lač, Klara Kašnar, Petra Lindić, Lea Vrbančić, Danijel Švec, Jolien Van den Bosch, Ivana Radić, and Marijana Slijepčević. Laboratory & Collaborations: She leads the Laboratory for Cell Biology and Signalling at the Ruđer Bošković Institute, collaborating with international institutions such as CNRS (France), University of Ghent, and multiple European research consortia.

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Igor WeberView profile

Professor

Ruđer Bošković InstituteCroatia

Igor Weber is a Professor and Head of the Laboratory of Cell Dynamics at the Ruđer Bošković Institute's Division of Molecular Biology in Zagreb, Croatia. With a PhD in Biophysics from Technische Universität München (1995), an MSc in Biophysics from Zagreb University (1992), and a BSc in Physics from Zagreb University's Faculty of Natural Sciences and Mathematics (1988), Dr. Weber has established himself as a leading researcher in cell biology and biophysics. Dr. Weber's primary research focuses on cell motility, cytoskeleton dynamics, biophotonics and bioimaging, small GTPases, and cell signaling, using Dictyostelium discoideum as a model organism. His work has significantly advanced our understanding of how the actin cytoskeleton is regulated during cell migration and endocytosis. He has pioneered techniques for visualizing and quantifying GTPase activity in living cells, particularly focusing on Rac1 dynamics and its role in establishing cell polarity. Dr. Weber's laboratory has made groundbreaking contributions to understanding IQGAP-related proteins and their dual roles in regulating actin dynamics through both effector and sequestrator mechanisms with small GTPases. Analysis of Dr. Weber's recent publications reveals a strong focus on the molecular mechanisms of cell motility and endocytosis, with particular emphasis on the regulation of small GTPases like Rac1 and Ras. His work bridges biophysics, cell biology, and computational modeling, as evidenced by his studies on oscillatory dynamics of Rac1 activity and mathematical modeling of cell migration. The research spans from fundamental molecular mechanisms to potential biomedical applications, including studies on DNA damage response, cancer cell migration, and development of novel imaging probes. Dr. Weber has successfully secured multiple research grants including the current Croatian Science Foundation project (IP-2024-05) on dissecting Rac1 isoform redundancy in Dictyostelium , and the Croatian-Swiss Research Program (CSRP 2017-2023) on phagocytosis and macropinocytosis. As an educator, he teaches courses on Cytoskeleton and Cell Motility at the University of Zagreb, Cell Biophysics at the University of Split, and Advanced Light Microscopy at the University of Zagreb. Professional Leadership: President of Croatian Microscopy Society (2012-2016) Member of Executive Board, European Microscopy Society (2016-2025) President of Croatian Society for Theoretical and Mathematical Biology (2005-2006) Dr. Weber's laboratory serves as a hub for advanced microscopy techniques and cell dynamics research in Croatia. He has organized multiple international microscopy conferences including the Multinational Congress on Microscopy and European Light Microscopy Initiative meetings. His collaborative network spans internationally, with significant collaborations with Pierre Cosson at the University of Geneva and other European research groups.

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Maja Herak BosnarView profile

Associate Professor

Ruđer Bošković InstituteCroatia

Maja Herak Bosnar is a distinguished Associate Professor and scientific advisor at the Ruđer Bošković Institute, where she serves as a Member of the Board of Governors and works within the Division of Molecular Medicine, Laboratory for protein dynamics. She holds academic appointments at University Josip Juraj Strossmayer Osijek and University in Dubrovnik, where she teaches doctoral courses in Molecular Basis of Metastasis Formation and Cancer Genetics and Tumor Cell Biology. Her educational background includes B.Sc. (1993), M.Sc. (1996), and Ph.D. (2002) in molecular biology from the Faculty of Sciences and Mathematics, University of Zagreb. Her research spans molecular biology, cancer research, and metastasis suppression, with a particular focus on NME/Nm23/NDPK proteins and their role in cancer progression. Her publication record demonstrates a consistent research trajectory examining the evolutionary conservation of cancer-related genes, with particular emphasis on mitochondrial NME6 protein function. Her recent work (2022-2024) shows increasing focus on mitochondrial dynamics in tumor cells, resistance mechanisms in melanoma, and the evolutionary conservation of metastasis suppressors across diverse organisms from sponges to humans. Her research integrates molecular biology, evolutionary perspectives, and clinical oncology to understand fundamental cancer mechanisms. Annual reward of the Ruđer Bošković Institute for scientific publication (2020) Annual reward of the Ruđer Bošković Institute for scientific publication (2018) Annual reward 'Josip Juraj Strossmayer' for the best scientific publication (2007) Dr. Herak Bosnar has supervised numerous doctoral and master's theses, mentoring researchers who have investigated topics ranging from nm23-H1 gene function in cell adhesion to resistance mechanisms in melanoma. She has led multiple significant research projects including the Croatian Scientific Foundation project 'Structure, function and evolution of Nme6/Nm23-H6 gene/protein' and French-Croatian bilateral projects on mitochondrial NME proteins. She serves on the Oversight Committee of the Croatian Association for Cancer Research and the Executive Committee of the Croatian Society of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology. She leads research in the Laboratory for protein dynamics at the Ruđer Bošković Institute, where her team investigates protein localization, mitochondrial dynamics, and evolutionary conservation of cancer-related pathways using diverse model systems from human cell lines to sponge models.

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Christine Supina PavićView profile

Senior Lecturer

Ruđer Bošković InstituteCroatia

Christine Supina Pavić is a Senior Lecturer at the Ruđer Bošković Institute, specifically within the Division of Molecular Medicine and the Laboratory for Protein Dynamics. Her research focuses on DNA-protein crosslink repair mechanisms and their implications in cancer biology and developmental genetics. Research Interests: Molecular Biology, Genetics, DNA Repair, Zebrafish Models, Cancer Therapy Education: Completed her diploma thesis at the Faculty of Science, University of Zagreb (2018). Collaborations: Active in international workshops (EMBO) and collaborative studies with teams in Croatia, Germany, and Singapore. Her recent publications highlight work on proteases like GCNA/ACRC and segregase enzymes in DNA repair, with applications in oncology and developmental biology. She has advised students such as Marin Kutnjak on DNA-protein crosslink repair projects. The DNA repair studies in her laboratory utilize zebrafish as a model organism to explore cellular responses to DNA damage and protease roles in maintaining genomic stability. Her work intersects pharmacology and cancer biology, particularly in combination therapies targeting integrin pathways. Current efforts in the Laboratory for Protein Dynamics focus on elucidating protease functions in DNA-protein crosslink repair, with potential implications for therapeutic strategies in triple-negative breast cancer and melanoma.

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Andreja Ambriović RistovView profile

Professor

Ruđer Bošković InstituteCroatia

Andreja Ambriović Ristov is a senior scientist and Head of the Laboratory for Cell Biology and Signal Transduction at the Department of Molecular Biology, Ruđer Bošković Institute in Zagreb, Croatia. She holds a Ph.D. and serves as a Scientific Advisor in Permanent Position, indicating a high-ranking research role equivalent to full professor in academic institutions. Her work is centered on molecular mechanisms of cancer progression and therapy resistance. Research Interests: Her primary research focuses on integrin-mediated signaling in cancer cells, particularly the roles of αvβ3 and αvβ5 integrins in drug resistance, cell adhesion, migration, and survival. She investigates how these integrins modulate responses to chemotherapy and radiation, with a strong emphasis on adenoviral vectors for gene therapy and the regulation of focal and reticular adhesions. Her work also extends to oxidative stress, apoptosis, and the tumor microenvironment. Publication Trends: Analysis of her recent publications (2020–2024) reveals a consistent focus on integrin crosstalk, extracellular matrix interactions, and cytoskeletal dynamics in cancers such as melanoma, prostate, and breast cancer. She frequently explores how adhesion complexes influence sensitivity to microtubule poisons and radiotherapy, often in collaboration with international teams. Her studies combine molecular biology, cell imaging, and functional assays to dissect signaling networks. Academic Mentoring and Supervision: She has actively mentored numerous graduate and doctoral students, as evidenced by the list of theses where she is listed as mentor. These students have worked on topics such as integrin silencing, adenoviral transduction, and chemoresistance mechanisms, reflecting the breadth and depth of her research group’s activities. Laboratory and Collaborations: She leads a dynamic research team within the Laboratory for Cell Biology and Signal Transduction, collaborating with researchers across Europe. Her lab utilizes advanced techniques in molecular and cellular biology to study cancer cell behavior and therapeutic responses.

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Marija LončarićView profile

Assistant Professor

Ruđer Bošković InstituteCroatia

Marija Lončarić is a faculty member at the Ruđer Bošković Institute, affiliated with the Laboratory for Cell Biology and Signalling under the Division of Molecular Biology. Her academic rank is Assistant Professor , and she actively contributes to research in molecular and cell biology. Her research focuses on integrin-mediated cell adhesion , Rho GTPase signaling , and the study of cancer-related proteins such as RRAS2 and DRG1. She investigates their roles in metastasis suppression and oncogenic potential, comparing mechanisms in sponges and humans. Recent publications highlight her work on integrin α6β4-containing hemidesmosomes in drug sensitivity, DRG1 conservation across species, and oncogenic properties of ancestral R-RAS proteins. Her studies bridge molecular biology, cancer research, and evolutionary biology. She is involved in the CSF project Integrin αVβ5-associated Focal and Reticular Adhesions in Melanoma (AdMeFoRe) , addressing adhesion dynamics in cancer progression.

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