Ana Tadijan

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.