Eco-biotechnology and drug development

We work on a number of topics at the interphase between biology and chemistry.

We are developing eco-sustainable processes based on microorganisms and microbial enzymes and using microbial bioactive metabolites as starting point for further structural optimizations and activity enhancements. We are interested in understanding how evolution shapes the properties of microbial metabolism (proteins, biopolymers and bioactive secondary metabolites) and in the dynamics of complex microbial communities.

The applications of this research range from the environmental applications such as the use of microorganisms for the upcycling of plastic waste into molecules of added value to development of novel methods to fight antibiotic resistant pathogens.

• Plastics & Environment problems through biocatalysis and synthetic biology
• ‘All things bio’ – biomaterials, biofilms, biosensors, biopigments, biosurfactants, bioremediation, bioeconomy…
• Towards next generation eco-friendly and low cost biopharmaceuticals
• Biotechnologically relevant enzymes and directed evolution

IMGGE work program for 2022
BioECOLogics - Value-added biologics through eco-sustainable routes
Bio Innovation of a Circular Economy for Plastics (BioICEP)
Functionalization of biopolymers
De-novo sequencing of 82 selected strains with biomass-degrading and bioremediation potential
Tiny creatures reign in our kitchen drain
Science on the move - from lab to streets & school (ScienceSCool)
Eco conversion of lower grade PET and mixed recalcitrant PET plastic waste into high performing biopolymers (EcoPlastiC)

Development of a two-step biotechnological process for improved PLA biodegradation in the environment

BIOTON-bio-pigments obtained from waste for use in the paint and varnish industry

HEAD OF THE GROUP

• Jasmina Nikodinovic-Runic - Full research professor

FULL RESEARCH PROFESSOR

• Tatjana Ilić-Tomić
• Sandra Vojnović

ASSOCIATE RESEARCH PROFESSOR

• Sanja Jeremić

ASSISTANT RESEARCH PROFESSOR

• Jelena Milovanović
• Dušan Milivojević
• Milica Ćirić
• Sanja Škaro Bogojević
• Ivana Malagurski
• Vladimir Šaraba
• Vuk Filipović
• Marijana Ponjavić
• Jelena Lazić

RESEARCH ASSISTANT

• Brana Pantelić

JUNIOR RESEARCHER

• Milena Stevanović
• Vukašin Janković
• Marija Nenadović
• Lena Pantelić

OTHERS

• Venkateswara Rao Chebrolu

• Synthesis and characterization of polyethylene terephthalate (PET) precursors and potential degradation products: Toxicity study and application in discovery of novel PETases
  Djapovic M, Milivojevic D, Ilic-Tomic T, Lješević M, Nikolaivits E, Topakas E, Maslak V, Nikodinovic-Runic J
  Chemosphere 2021;275:130005
• Progressing plastics circularity: A review of mechano-biocatalytic approaches for waste plastic (re)valorization
  Nikolaivits E, Pantelic B, Azeem M, Taxeidis G, Babu R, Topakas E, Brennan Fournet M, Nikodinovic-Runic J
  Front Bioeng Biotechnol 2021;9:696040
• Synthesis and laccase-mediated oxidation of new condensed 1,4-dihydropyridine derivatives
  Milovanovic J, Gündüz MG, Zerva A, Petkovic M, Beskoski V, Thomaidis N, Topakas E, Nikodinovic-Runic J
  Catalysts 2021;11:727
• Tailoring copper(II) complexes with pyridine-4,5-dicarboxylate esters to anti-Candida activity
  Andrejevic T, Aleksic I, Pockaj M, Kljun J, Milivojevic D, Stevanovic N, Nikodinovic-Runic J, Turel I, Djuran M, Glisic B 
  Dalton Trans 2021;50:2627-2638
• Photoactivatable surface-functionalized diatom microalgae for colorectal cancer targeted delivery and enhanced cytotoxicity of anticancer complexes
  Delasoie J, Schiel P, Vojnovic S, Nikodinovic-Runic J, Zobi F
  Pharmaceutics 2020,12:480
• Production of bacterial nanocellulose (BNC) and its application as a solid support in transition metal catalysed cross-coupling reactions
  Jeremic S, Djokic L, Ajdačić V, Božinović N, Pavlovic V, Manojlović DD, Babu R, Senthamaraikannan R, Rojas O, Opsenica I, Nikodinovic-Runic J
  Int J Biol Macromol 2019;129:351-360
• Biodegradation of poly(ε-caprolactone) (PCL) and medium chain length polyhydroxyalkanoate (mcl-PHA) using whole cells and cell free protein preparations of Pseudomonas and Streptomyces strains grown on waste cooking oil
  Mandic M, Spasic J, Ponjavic M, Nikolic MS, Cosovic VR, O'Connor KE, Nikodinovic-Runic J, Djokic L, Jeremic S
  Polym Degrad Stab 2019;162:160-168
• Biofilm-forming ability and infection potential of Pseudomonas aeruginosa strains isolated from animals and humans
  Milivojevic D, Šumonja N, Medić S, Pavic A, Moric I, Vasiljevic B, Senerovic L, Nikodinovic-Runic J
  Pathog Dis 2018;76(4):fty041
• Streptomyces spp. in the biocatalysis toolbox
  Spasic J, Mandic M, Djokic L, Nikodinovic-Runic J
  Appl Microbiol Biotechnol 2018;102(8):3513-3536
• Bacterial nanocellulose as green support of platinum nanoparticles for effective methanol oxidation
  Ponjavic M, Stevanovic S, Nikodinovic-Runic J, Jeremic S, Cosovic VR, Maksimovic V.
  Int J Biol Macromol. 2022;223(Pt A):1474-1484

Head Office / Mailing address:
Vojvode Stepe 444a,
11042 Belgrade 152, Serbia

Tel: +381 64 804 40 93
Mob: +381 64 8044093
Faks: +381 11 3975808

ecobiotech_lab@imgge.bg.ac.rs