Archives: Projekti

Head: Nenad Raos

The Ministry of Science, Education and Sports of the Republic of Croatia (2002-2006)

Principal Investigator: Ivan Sabolić

Project funded since: July 1, 2002
Duration: 3 years

SUMMARY
Aiming to understand in more details the mechanisms of toxicity of some heavy metals (Cd, Hg, Pb, cis-Pt) in the mammalian renal and reproductive tract epithelium, we perform studies in experimental animals (rats) in which we use various preparative, functional, immunocytochemical, and molecular biology methods to investigate the time-dependent effects of heavy metals upon cell cytoskeleton and specific mRNA’s as well as the activity and distribution of various transporters in cells along the nephron and male and female reproductive tract.

We expect to see an early (within hours following heavy metal application) damage of cytoskeleton, an abnormal distribution of the cell membrane transporters, and impaired cell functions, however with no change in the specific mRNA’s abundance.

The Ministry of Science, Education and Sports of the Republic of Croatia (2002-2006)

Principal investigator: Dubravka Hršak, “Ruđer Bošković” Institute
Responsible investigator at IMI: Vlasta Drevenkar

SUMMARY
The growth kinetic experiments of the selected microbial cultures as well as kinetic experiments of atrazine transformation are performed with the aim to obtain data necessary for designing the plant for treatment of wastewater from atrazine production. The treatment plant is indispensable to reduce atrazine concentration in technological wastewater down to the limits set by the regulations in force.

The investigations include the isolation of microbial cultures from various environments (soil treated with atrazine, sediment and waste water from atrazine production) and checking of their activity in atrazine transformation under optimum conditions. Modern methods of batch and continuous cultures under controlled conditions are employed as well as modern analytical techniques for quantitative atrazine determination and identification of formed intermediates (GC, GC-MS, HPLC, TOC). The results of model kinetic investigations will be used both for designing the treatment plant and for optimising the biotechnological procedure.

Head: Berislav Momčilović

Principal Investigator: Verica Garaj Vrhovac
[The Ministry of Science, Education and Sports of the Republic of Croatia (2002-2006)]

SUMMARY
Primary DNA damage and spontaneous mutations that occur in the cell genome as a consequence of mutagen and carcinogen action, are considered to be biomarkers of genotoxic stress. They represent an additional genetic burden, increase a risk and are one of the stages in neoplastic disease development.

Genetic susceptibility for neoplastic disease development always includes certain genome instability. Structural chromosomal rearrangements are considered to be one of the crucial moments in the cancer development. In order to evaluate the risk, cytogenetic assays on surrogate cells and tissues are used as biomarkers of genetic damage.

The aims of the project proposed will focus on the application and improvement of sensitive molecular-biological technics for the detection of genome damage caused by mutagens and carcinogens in vitro and in vivo. New technics in the early neoplastic-disease-biomarkers detection will be developed. On animal and human models, mechanisms of biomarker induction and their reliability as genotoxic stress indicator will be studied.

Biomarker research will point out internal mutagen doses which make the detection of interindividual differences in DNA repair mechanism possible, and are involved in increased susceptibility and cancer development risk. Highly susceptible subjects in the population will be studied. Potential genetic markers and new technology for rapid evaluation of cell response onchemo– and radio therapy will be studied. The value of biomarkers that could be used in preclinic and clinic researches will be estimated. Sinergistic effects of mutagens and antimutagens that have impact on biomarkers will be compared.