The use of mesenchymal stem cells (MSC) in regenerative medicine is limited with their transition into non-proliferating dormant state i.e. senescence. With the aim to evaluate the quality of MSC via their intrinsic tendency to senesce, we optimized the assay for senescence induction with trichostatin A and mitoxantron. We demonstrated the correlation between the level of native senescence and induced senescence, which speaks in favor of the usefulness of our assay in clinic. With the induced senescence assay we also managed to prove the differences among the adipose tissue derived MSCs, surgically removed from different body regions.
D.09 Tutoring for postgraduate students
COBISS.SI-ID: 3640143In 2015 Prof. Tamara Lah Turnšek concluded the three years long-lasting (2013-2016) bilateral project, entitled »The Relevance of Kinin and Related Purinergic Signalling Pathways in Gliobastoma Cells upon Co-culturing with Human Mesenchymal Stem Cells Research” financed by CNPq Projec Linha 2 - Bolsa Pesquisador Visitante Especial Edital Nº 61/2011. The host P.I. was Prof. Henning Ulrich from the Institute of Chemistry, University of Sao Paolo, Brasil. (see below #11.) In this project we investigated interactions between human mesenchymal stem cells from bone marrow (MSC), as a part of natural tumour microenvironment, with the cells of most malignant brain tumour, the glioblastoma (GBM U87 and U373). We proved the hypothesis on immunomodulatory activity of MSC, as we predicted using transcriptomic analyses. The mechanism included among others, the kinin activation induced bradykinin receptors B1 and B2. These signaling pathways also include the proteases, where we have proven the involvement of metallo, serine and cysteine proteases, such as Calpain 1 and Cathepsin B, but not the Kallikrein 6, supposingly producing kinins. Besides research on the project, Tamara Lah also held a course on “Biology of Cancer” in 2013 and 2014, including the lectures and exams.
B.05 Guest lecturer at an institute/university
COBISS.SI-ID: 3517775At the 55th years of its anniversary National Institute of Biology (NIB) has already 6th times awards, named after Prof. Dr. Miroslav Zei, as one of its founders. At the Ceremony, held on November 11th 2015, the Minister of Education, Science nad Sports, Prof. r. Maja Makovec Brenčič and the Director Tamara Lah Turnšek gave the introductory speeches. The Awards were given to Assistant Prof. Matjaž Kuntner, Assoc. Prof. Bojan Sedmak and Prof. Dr. Radovan Komel. For the first time, this year also the exceptional achievements in innovation in the field of environmental technologies of the highest TRL, were awarded to Dr. Bojan Sedmak from the Department of Genetic Toxicology and Cancer Biology. The innovation was the patent application at European Patent Office for the method and systems for simultaneous and non-invasive detection of composition, differentiation, structure and morphology of mycobacterial communities, using pules induced lightening. The patent is the result of team work and the abilities of Dr. Sedmak to coordinate the project between the academic (NIB, BF) and business – technical sections (ARHEL, d.o.o,, Envir d.o.o.)
E.01 National awards
COBISS.SI-ID: 3712847In 2015, Asist. prof., PhD, Tina Eleršek presented the topic of toxic blooming cyanobacteria in inland waters to a broader non-scientific audience at a lecture in the House of Experiments in Ljubljana. These are very popular lecture where speakers through interactive devices integrate visitors into the lecture itself and in this way closer present harder understandable scientific area. Lecture by appealing title "This is not a jumble, these are algae!" was also supported by many visual material.
F.18 Transfer of new know-how to direct users (seminars, fora, conferences)
COBISS.SI-ID: 3331919Fate and effects of cytostatic pharmaceuticals in the environment and the identification of biomarkers for and improved risk assessment on environmental exposure Metka Filipič was the coordinator of EUFP7 CytoThreat. The project emphasized on the development of analytical methods for detection of residues of cytostatics and their degradation products in theenvironment, and on generation of ecotoxicity data needed for risk assessment. Nine partners from six countries were collaborating in this project. The total value of the project was 3.3 MIO EUR of which the EC contributed 2.7 MIO EUR. More: https://www.arrs.gov.si/eObrazci/Default.aspx
D.06 Final report on a foreign/international project
COBISS.SI-ID: 3647055