University projects

Scientific area: STEM

Total value: 213.270,00 EUR

Project summary:

Metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease (MASLD) and colorectal cancer (CRC) represent two contemporary gastroenterological conditions, whose public health significance stems from their high prevalence, progressive course, and substantial treatment costs. Despite the availability of screening methods, both diseases are still frequently diagnosed at advanced stages, partly due to limitations of traditional diagnostics and high interindividual variability in clinical practice. The study encompasses two complementary diagnostic components. For patients at increased risk of MASLD, liver stiffness and steatosis will be assessed using elastography (HISKY MEDICAL iLivTouch Mini 800), alongside parallel analysis of biochemical and molecular biomarkers related to lipogenesis, inflammation, and fibrotic changes. In the population at risk for CRC, artificial intelligence-assisted colonoscopy will be employed to standardize and enhance polyp detection. The project involves a significant number of young researchers and clinicians, and its results have the potential to reduce mortality associated with MASLD and CRC through an integrated diagnostic protocol. This initiative advances scientific and digital excellence in the field of clinical gastroenterology.

Associates:

Prof. dr. sc. Aleksandar Včev

Prof. dr. sc. Branko Dmitrović

Prof. dr. sc. Ivan Miloloža

Izv. prof. dr. sc. Dario Galić

Izv. prof. dr. sc. Kristina Bojanić

Doc. dr. sc. Ivana Barać

Doc. dr. sc. Dubravka Holik

Doc. dr. sc. Vjekoslav Jeleč

Doc. dr. sc. Nikola Raguž-Lučić

Dr. sc. Maja Čebohin

Dr. sc. Nikola Volarić

Dr. sc. Jasenka Vujanić

Dr. sc. Ivana Ilić

Dr. sc. Marinko Žulj

Lidija Tomas, mag. med. Techn

Silvana Piškorjanac, mag. med. Techn

Suzana Blažanović, mag. biol. Exp

Scientific area: STEM

Total value: 175.175,00 EUR

Project summary:

Metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease (MASLD) is a leading cause of chronic liver disease, associated with obesity, diabetes and cardiovascular diseases. Despite its high prevalence and high health burden, the molecular mechanisms of disease progression are not fully understood and effective therapeutic options for the early stages of the disease have not been developed. The aim of this project is to establish and validate an in vitro model of MASLD using monocultures and co-cultures of hepatocytes and hepatic stellate cells. The models will be used to evaluate the effect of natural compounds and dietary supplements with potential hepatoprotective effects. The project methodology includes the assessment of cell viability, lipid accumulation, oxidative stress and expression of key markers of lipogenesis, inflammation and fibrogenesis. The results will enable a better characterization of the pathophysiological processes of MASLD and the assessment of the therapeutic potential of selected compounds. The project involves an interdisciplinary team and the active participation of young researchers, thereby contributing to scientific excellence, the development of methodological models and increasing the competitiveness of the institution in the field of biomedical research.

Associates:

Prof. dr. sc. Dragan Primorac

Prof. dr. sc. Blaženka Miškić

Izv. prof. dr. sc. Vesna Ćosić

Izv. prof. dr. sc. Damir Erceg

Izv. prof. dr. sc. Željka Perić Kačarević

Doc. dr. sc. Tanja Kovač Lukić

Doc. dr. sc. Jasminka Talapko

Dr. sc. Lucija Kuna Roguljić

Dr. sc. Robert Mujkić

Dr. sc. Tea Omanović Kolarić

Dr. sc. Jadranka Plužarić

Dragica Pavlović, predavač

Marija Hefer, mag. Chem,

Ana Petrović, dr. med.

Karla Rožac, mag. Physioth,

Vice Tomičić, univ.mag.ing.proc.

Scientific area: STEM

Total value: 133.965,50 EUR

Project summary:

In recent decades, the largest contribution to the irradiation of the population as a result of exposure to artificial sources of ionizing radiation comes from medical radiation. Therefore, it is important to pay special attention to the justification of the implementation of the radiological procedure and its optimization, which ensures adequate diagnostic information with the least possible irradiation of the patient. Previous research has shown significant shortcomings in the selection of the necessary dental radiology procedure as well as in the optimization of these procedures, especially in working with pediatric patients. During this project, the method of referring patients and the way of optimizing these procedures in dental radiology will be examined, and ways to improve will be proposed. Data on how dental radiology procedures are selected and optimised will be collected by reviewing national legislation and guidelines. Their implementation in the institutions that refer to and implement these procedures will be examined. The influence of procedure parameters on the irradiation of adult and pediatric patients and fetuses will be investigated by Monte Carlo (MC) simulations on computer and measurements in physical anthropomorphic phantoms that will be made using a 3D printer. From the collected data, the necessary measures will be proposed to improve the system of referral of patients to dental radiology procedures and diagnostic reference levels for the most common dental radiology procedures. MC simulations and measurements in anthropomorphic phantoms will propose a way to convert dose indices into the organ dose needed to assess the risk of irradiation.

Associates:

Vlatka Debeljak, redoviti profesor

Svjetlana Marić; redoviti profesor

Stjepan Špalj, redoviti profesor u trajnom izboru

Hrvoje Brkić, izvanredni profesor

Matej Tomas, docent

Andrea Milostić-Srb, izvanredni profesor

Marinka Baranović Baričević, docent

Martina Čalušić Šarac, viši asistent

Marija Čandrlić, docent

Slavko Čandrlić, docent

Tamer Salha, docent

Miroslav Sikora, docent

Ivana Škrlec, izvanredni profesor

Bruno Vidaković, docent

Hrvoje Pezo, viši predavač

Davor Jurlina, viši asistent

Martina Juzbašić, asistent

Renata Sikora, viši asistent

Scientific area: STEM

Total value: 211.320,00 EUR

Project summary:

The project Vitamin C as a Modulator of Oxidative Stress, Inflammatory Processes, and Biomechanical Status in Obesity – A Translational Approach (C-ROSITY) focuses on investigating the effects of vitamin C on oxidative stress, inflammatory processes, and biomechanical changes associated with obesity through an integrated translational approach. The research comprises two complementary components: (1) an in vitro model of adipogenesis in a human cell line, aimed at examining the molecular effects of vitamin C, and (2) a clinical trial in young individuals with different body mass index (BMI) categories, designed to assess the effects of 12-week oral vitamin C supplementation on oxidative and inflammatory status, body composition, gait biomechanics, cardiorespiratory functions, and quality of life. The project is carried out in collaboration with experts from various fields, ensuring a comprehensive approach to the research problem and enabling the integration of biological and functional data. The project’s innovativeness lies in linking molecular and clinical findings to gain a deeper understanding of the role of vitamin C as a potential preventive strategy in obesity. The expected results will contribute to the development of personalized approaches, prevention of obesity at an early age, and the strengthening of scientific excellence and competitiveness of the research team.

Associates:

Izv. prof. dr. sc. Robert Lovrić

Prof. dr. sc. Damir Bosnar

Prof. dr. sc. Goran Krstačić

Dr. sc. Tamara Alebić, viši predavač

Josip Jakab, viši predavač

Martina Govorko, predavač

Dr. sc. Jelena Jakab

Dr. sc. Vjera Mihaljević

Dunja Igrec, asistent

Izv. prof. dr. sc. Barbara Ebling

Izv. prof. dr. sc. Vladimir Grošić

Izv. prof. dr. sc. Dragan Schwarz

Ivan Veber, asistent

Meri Reili, asistent

Dorothea Bendeković, asistent

Sena Bogdanović, asistent

Marin Buljan, asistent

Ana Vukelić, asistent