Matea Nikolac Perković

Matea Nikolac Perković is a Senior Research Associate and Assistant Professor at the Ruđer Bošković Institute in Zagreb, Croatia, where she works in the Division of Molecular Medicine, specifically in the Laboratory of Molecular Neuropsychiatry. With a PhD in Molecular Biosciences from the University of Osijek (2010-2015) and a Master's degree in Molecular Biology from the University of Zagreb (2002-2008), she has established herself as a prominent researcher in neuropsychiatric disorders and neurodegenerative diseases.

• PhD in Molecular Biosciences, University of Osijek (2010-2015)
• MSc in Molecular Biology, University of Zagreb (2002-2008)
• High School Graduate, '2. Opća gimnazija' high school, Zagreb (1998-2002)

Dr. Nikolac Perković's primary research interests focus on molecular mechanisms underlying psychiatric and neurodegenerative disorders. Her work extensively examines biomarkers in depression, schizophrenia, PTSD, and Alzheimer's disease, with particular emphasis on brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF), genetic polymorphisms, and neuroinflammatory processes. She has made significant contributions to understanding the role of catechol-O-methyltransferase (COMT) polymorphisms in various psychiatric conditions and the relationship between lipid peroxidation products and neurodegenerative processes. Her research bridges molecular biology, genetics, and clinical psychiatry to identify potential diagnostic tools and therapeutic targets.

Analysis of Dr. Nikolac Perković's recent publications (2022-2025) reveals a strong focus on Alzheimer's disease biomarkers, particularly cerebrospinal fluid markers and metabolomic profiles. There is also continued emphasis on BDNF as a biomarker across multiple disorders including depression, schizophrenia, and cognitive impairment. Her work increasingly incorporates multi-omics approaches, combining genetic, metabolomic, and glycomic data to understand complex neuropsychiatric disorders. A notable trend is the expansion into neuroprotective strategies, particularly examining the therapeutic potential of neurosteroids like DHEA(S) and BDNF in neurodegenerative models.

• National Science Award of the Republic of Croatia-Annual Award for Junior Researchers for 2013 in the field of Biomedicine
• The annual award of the society of university teachers, scholars and other scientists – Zagreb for young scientists and artists for 2013

As a senior researcher at the Ruđer Bošković Institute, Dr. Nikolac Perković has been involved in numerous research projects investigating the molecular basis of psychiatric and neurodegenerative disorders. Her work has been supported by various Croatian and international funding bodies, enabling her to build a productive research program with extensive collaborations across Europe. While specific grant details aren't provided in the available information, her prolific publication record across high-impact journals suggests sustained research funding. She has contributed to several book chapters and authored a handbook on depression, demonstrating her commitment to knowledge dissemination in her field.

Dr. Nikolac Perković works within the Laboratory of Molecular Neuropsychiatry at the Ruđer Bošković Institute, which appears to be part of a larger collaborative network studying biomarkers in psychiatric disorders. Her publication record shows extensive collaboration with researchers across Croatia, particularly with colleagues like Nela Pivac, Dubravka Švob Štrac, and Gordana Nedić Erjavec. The laboratory seems to have capabilities in molecular genetics, biomarker analysis, and clinical-psychiatric research, with particular expertise in BDNF, COMT polymorphisms, and neuroinflammatory markers.