News

The 17th European Researchers’ Night officially opened on 25 September 2026 at the European House in Belgrade, a venue that reflects the shared commitment of Serbia and the European Union to advancing science, research and innovation. The event was opened by Dr Marija Gnjatović, State Secretary at the Ministry of Science, Technological Development and Innovation of the Republic of Serbia. “Events such as the European Researchers’ Night bring science closer to citizens and show that it is not something that happens only in laboratories and research institutions, but is present in all aspects of our lives and represents one of the key drivers of social development. Science helps us approach complex challenges from different perspectives and make informed decisions based on information, knowledge and thoughtful consideration. That is why it is important to create opportunities for dialogue between researchers and citizens, to bring the world of research closer to young people, and to show them that questions, curiosity and the desire to discover are at the heart of both scientific and, of course, personal progress,” said Dr Marija Gnjatović in her opening address.

Richard Masha, Head of the Science Section at the Delegation of the European Union to Serbia, also spoke about the importance of strengthening the connection between science and society. Emerita Solino Peneiro, Project Adviser at the European Research Executive Agency (REA), highlighted the European Union’s support for research and innovation and encouraged young people to engage with scientific programmes. The opening concluded with Dr Diana Lupulović, Principal Research Fellow at INEP, who presented the HEART project and welcomed everyone interested in taking a glimpse into the world of science, even if only for a day, and getting to know the work of researchers up close.

The official opening was also attended by Dr Željko Dželetović, Acting Director of INEP, and Dr Saša Vasilev, Assistant Director for Science, representing the institution coordinating the project, whose flagship event is the EUROPEAN RESEARCHERS’ NIGHT.

A delegation from the Belgrade Science and Technology Park visited our Institute, where a meeting was held with the Institute’s management and researchers, followed by the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding. The opening meeting was attended by INEP Director Dr Željko Dželetović, Director of the Belgrade Science and Technology Park, Assoc. Prof. Dr Marija Milić, and their colleagues. The participants presented their respective institutions, areas of work and topics of common interest.

The ceremonial signing of the Memorandum of Understanding further formalised the cooperation between INEP and the Belgrade Science and Technology Park, which in previous years has been developed through knowledge exchange and the networking of researchers with the innovation ecosystem. During the remainder of the meeting, the programmes and activities of the Belgrade Science and Technology Park were presented, along with mechanisms supporting research, innovation development and technology transfer. Successful programmes and projects were highlighted, as well as ways of involving INEP research teams in future initiatives.

The signing of the Memorandum marks a step towards further developing INEP’s relations with research and innovation institutions both in Serbia and abroad. With its knowledge, experience and research capacities, INEP can contribute to launching new joint research projects and initiatives. Its openness to new partnerships and cooperation with institutions from different environments provides an important basis for developing solutions that can contribute to the advancement of society.

As part od the HEART project, around 100 students and their teachers from “Svilajnac” Secondary School and the Agricultural-Veterinary School gathered at the Natural History Centre in Svilajnac to take part in an interactive programme dedicated to science and the opportunities that a career in research can offer young people. The programme consisted of a series of 15-minute presentations, followed by discussions with the students and a panel discussion. The aim was not only to introduce students to different scientific topics, but also to help them gain a more realistic understanding of what it means to be a researcher and what a career path in science can look like. The discussions also covered education, choosing a university and pursuing further academic training, the challenges researchers face, the importance of international collaboration and mobility, and the ways in which science connects people and institutions across countries.

The students were interested in various aspects of contemporary health risks, including tick-borne diseases and the information about them available in the public domain. These topics provided an opportunity to discuss how to distinguish scientifically established facts from assumptions, popular narratives and conclusions for which there is not yet sufficient scientific evidence. Discussions like these highlight why scientific literacy and critical thinking are an important part of science communication-a process in which questions are raised, hypotheses are tested, evidence is assessed, and conclusions are revised in light of new knowledge.

The students’ openness, enthusiasm and willingness to engage in discussion showed how valuable direct contact between researchers and young people can be. Activities such as this are also among the key objectives of the HEART project, which creates opportunities for science communication with young people and the wider public.

We are pleased to announce that Dr. Aleksandra Jovanović, Senior Research Associate at the Institute for the Application of Nuclear Energy INEP, has been recognized among the MDPI Top 1000 Reviewers for 2025, earning a place among the one thousand most distinguished reviewers in MDPI’s global network of approximately 210,000 expert peer reviewers. This prestigious international recognition is awarded to experts who have demonstrated exceptional dedication, consistency, and excellence in peer review throughout the year. MDPI emphasizes that rigorous peer review is one of the fundamental pillars of scientific progress.

She belongs to a team of researchers engaged in fundamental and applied research in the field of extraction of active principles, encapsulation of active components, production of cosmetic formulations, and their effectiveness and safety in food and cosmetic products. She is also a certified cosmetic safety assessor and actively participates in national and international research projects.

Being recognized among the MDPI Top 1000 Reviewers for 2025 is a testament to Dr. Jovanović’s scientific expertise, research excellence, and professional integrity, as well as to her valuable contribution to the international scientific community.

We warmly congratulate our colleague, Dr. Aleksandra Jovanović, on this outstanding international recognition and wish her continued success in her scientific career and future research achievements!

The HEART project was presented at the MSCA and Citizens Beneficiary Day, held on 1 July 2026 in Brussels and organised by the European Commission (EC) and the European Research Executive Agency (REA).

The project was represented by Dr. Diana Lupulović, HEART Project Coordinator from the Institute for the Application of Nuclear Energy INEP, and Dr. Snežana Tomanović from the Institute for Medical Research (IMI), one of the HEART project partners. During the visit, the HEART team also met with Emerita Soliño Piñeiro, the Project Officer responsible for overseeing the implementation of the HEART project. Participants had the opportunity to learn from successful examples of previous European Researchers’ Night projects and to gain practical guidance on the successful implementation of project activities through the “Do’s & Don’ts” session, public engagement, citizen involvement, and high-quality reporting to the European Commission.

We are particularly proud that HEART is one of 49 projects selected for funding out of 241 proposals submitted under the Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions – MSCA and Citizens 2025 call. The knowledge, experience and new partnerships established in Brussels will provide valuable support for the preparation and implementation of HEART project activities and contribute to the successful organisation of the European Researchers’ Night 2026 in Serbia.

The Institute for the Application of Nuclear Energy INEP has been awarded the international HEART project, which will be implemented with the support of the European Union through the Horizon Europe programme and the Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions (MSCA).

HEART (Humans, Ecology, Animals, Research-Together in the HEARTbeat of Science and Education) brings together scientists, citizens, schools and research institutions with a shared goal: strengthening the bond between science and society through the One Health approach. The project is based on the understanding that human, animal and environmental health are inseparably linked, and that only through joint efforts can we build a healthier future.

Over the next two years, citizens will have the opportunity to participate in a wide range of activities, including workshops, meetings with scientists, laboratory visits, school programmes, public discussions and events designed to bring research closer to everyday life. Topics will range from climate change and tick-borne diseases to food safety, responsible pet ownership and nature conservation.

The “Escape Classroom” project has launched its activities in primary schools, with the aim of bringing science closer to children through engaging, creative and interactive learning. The first workshop was held at “Dragan Lukić” Primary School in Bežanijska Kosa, where fourth-grade students, together with their teacher Ivana, had the opportunity to explore topics related to their Nature and Society school subject through games and hands-on mini experiments. We would like to express our sincere appreciation to the school leadership for recognising the value of connecting education with scientific research and supporting this collaboration. “Escape Classroom” will continue its activities after the summer break, with workshops planned in additional primary schools. Through direct interaction with researchers and engaging scientific challenges, the project aims to encourage children’s curiosity, develop their interest in exploring the world around them, and inspire a lasting interest in science.

INEP will continue to support activities that contribute to the promotion and popularisation of science, with the financial support of the Centre for the Promotion of Science.

The Institute for the Application of Nuclear Energy INEP hosted third- and fourth-year students from the Faculty of Agriculture, University of Belgrade, enrolled in the Environmental Protection in Food Production study programme. The students visited the Institute accompanied by their professor Ilinka Pećinar.

The visit began with a welcome reception in the Institute’s conference hall, where the students were greeted by Acting Director Dr. Željko Dželetović, who presented the Institute’s main activities and research areas. Nikola Milanović, Research Associate, introduced the students to the Institute’s achievements in the reclamation of degraded land through the cultivation of second-generation energy crops, such as Miscanthus and Giant Reed. During their tour of the Agrochemical Laboratory, the students were introduced to modern laboratory equipment and analytical methods used in soil and plant material analyses. In the Radioecological Laboratory, Dr. Jelena Stojnić and Dr. Dragana Robajac presented the fundamentals of radioecological research, highlighting the importance of environmental radioactivity monitoring and the activities carried out by the Institute in this field.

INEP remains committed to fostering cooperation with the Faculty of Agriculture and other higher education institutions, providing students with opportunities to gain first-hand insight into scientific research through direct interaction with researchers and practical laboratory work. Such activities contribute to a better understanding of the role of science, contemporary research, and their application in addressing the challenges of modern society.

WHAT LIES FAR AWAY AMONG THE STARS?

The children from the “Srna” kindergarten tried to find answers to that question, taking their first steps into the world of space and science through a variety of engaging activities. As part of “Escape Classroom”, they explored the mysteries of the universe through play, model-making, and different experiments, discovering how fun, creative, and magical science can be. The children were especially excited about their “shooting stars”, which they took home as a memory of this journey through space. They say that a shooting star never falls by chance. It gathers children’s wishes and carries them into space, where one day, they may come true. We are implementing the “Escape Classroom” project with the support of the Center for the Promotion of Science (CPN).

ESCAPE CLASSROOM IN THE “VEVERICA” KINDERGARTEN

The INEP Institute had the honor of hosting experts in the field of Knowledge and Technology Transfer in Serbia, recognizing their important role in advancing scientific research and enhancing its practical application. During the meeting of this informal association, common challenges were identified, experiences were exchanged, and directions for the further development of this field were outlined. Particular attention was given to discussing concrete steps toward the establishment of a national association for knowledge and technology transfer, taking into account the existing professional capacity and readiness to develop a sustainable long-term system in this sector.

Such meetings highlight the importance of sustained collaboration and mark a significant step toward the systematic development of knowledge and technology transfer in Serbia.

The research project proposal of INEP scientists, entitled “Molecular signature of (glyco)oxidative stress and inflammation accompanying GDM and the associated adverse pregnancy outcomes”, has been selected for joint funding by the Ministry of Science, Technological Development and Innovation of the Republic of Serbia and the Ministry of Education, Science, Research and Sport of the Slovak Republic for the 2026–2027 project cycle. Within this bilateral collaboration, Serbian and Slovak research teams will combine their expertise to investigate different aspects of disrupted metabolic and glycoprofile regulation in serum molecules and peripheral blood mononuclear cells in women with gestational diabetes, driven by inflammation and increased oxidative stress.
This approach is expected to contribute to the identification of novel biomarkers with diagnostic and prognostic potential for GDM.
The project represents a continuation of the long-standing collaboration between the research groups led by Olgica Nedić (Department of Metabolism) and Jaroslav Katrlík (Institute of Chemistry, Slovak Academy of Sciences), which has been ongoing for 14 years. Over the course of this collaboration, the two groups have successfully implemented six joint research projects.

APPLICATION

The “Escape Classroom” project, financed by the Center for the Promotion of Science, accepts teachers’ applications during the period from March to June 2026. We invite you to sign up for participation and enable your students to gain new experiences and knowledge through a combination of games, safe science experiments and teamwork. Activities are implemented in schools, while registration and participation are free!

Previous posts about the “Escape Classroom” are available in the News section on our website.

IN THE KINDERGARTEN

Our team of researchers involved in the “Escape Classroom” project, financed by Center for the Promotion of Science, visited “Zvezdana prašina” kindergarten and helped little “colleagues” to perform mini experiments. Our team was pleased with interest, joy and curiosity of little ones, especially since they asked for another visit at departure. As we later found out from their teachers, the project activities made quite an impression on little researchers, who are now trying to repeat the experiments at home with their parents.

We want to improve the quality of life, which to the greatest extent depends precisely on health. We are here to help you preserve it through fast and reliable laboratory diagnostics, creating a solid basis for effective therapy. We have knowledge and many years of experience with strong support in science.

We provide free consultations and suggest analysis performed based on your health condition and age every weekday in Zemun.

SENIOR DISCOUNTS

We pay special attention to our elderly fellow citizens, trying to make our prices as acceptable as possible so that everyone can check their health, as prevention is the first step.

We grant a 10% senior discount, as follows:

• in the laboratory in Zemun EVERY WEDNESDAY of the month, and
• in the laboratory in Surčin EVERY FRIDAY of the month.

MY ZEMUN CARD

For holders of MY ZEMUN CARD, we grant a 5% discount on all laboratory analyses: https://mojakartica.zemun.rs/inep-laboratorije/

COFUS CARD

With the COFUS CARD, you are entitled to a 10% discount on all laboratory analyses:  https://osiguranpopust.com/popust/inep-laboratorija/

The research team of the Institute INEP has been awarded funding for the project titled “Escape Classroom” under the Public Call for Financial Support to Projects Promoting and Popularizing Science 2025, announced by The Center for the Promotion of Science (CPN). In 2026, our sixteen-member team, led by Dr. Zoran Dobrijević, will implement activities focused on organizing a team-based game for students within school premises or in their schoolyard. The concept includes thematic design of the space, development of tasks, hidden clues and puzzles related to natural sciences, as well as the implementation of mini-experiments.

The project team, consisting of researchers from various fields of natural sciences, aims to present science as an integral and applicable part of everyday life through creative and engaging activities, including simple experiments that can be carried out in school environment. The project also seeks to encourage students’ creative and critical thinking, as well as teamwork in decision-making and problem-solving processes.

Researchers from the Institute for the Application of Nuclear Energy (INEP), Dr. Zorana Dobrijević and Dr. Sanja Goč, participated in the 3rd International Conference on Chemo and BioInformatics-ICCBIKG 2025, held on September 25–26, 2025, in Kragujevac. During the conference, they presented the results of their latest research through three poster presentations, contributing to the exchange of knowledge in the fields of chemo- and bioinformatics:

• Identification of potential microRNA biomarkers for early diagnosis of hepatocellular carcinoma applying bioinformatics approaches
• Bioinformatics analysis of microRNAs derived from HTR-8/SVneo potentially targeting BCL2 in ovarian cancer cell line A2780
• Bioinformatics analysis of prostate cancer-related microRNA panel miR-141-3p, miR-21-5p and miR-375-3p

On the prestigious Stanford list of the world’s top 2% most cited scientists based on scientific impact and contributions within their respective fields appears the name of Dr. Olgica Nedić, Principal Research Fellow at the INEP Institute. This remarkable recognition stands as a testament to her many years of dedicated work, scientific excellence, and significant contribution to the advancement of science both in Serbia and worldwide. It also reflects INEP’s continuous commitment to supporting researchers by fostering an environment where innovative ideas can flourish and bring lasting value to the global scientific community.

We congratulate Dr. Olgica Nedić and her team on this outstanding achievement and well-deserved international recognition!

On September 19, 2025, the Institute for the Application of Nuclear Energy INEP proudly marked its 66th anniversary. The celebration took place in a warm and joyful atmosphere, highlighted by the presentation of jubilee awards to employees. The awards were a sincere recognition of their knowledge, dedication, and hard work-qualities that keep INEP a trusted and respected research institution.

This anniversary honors INEP’s long tradition and inspires us to keep moving forward investing in innovation and creating new opportunities for scientific progress.

The Institute for the Application of Nuclear Energy (INEP) has officially been granted a patent for an innovative procedure enabling the simultaneous isolation and purification of transferrin and immunoglobulin G from serum.

This innovation was developed by our experts-Dr. Ana Penezić, Dr. Goran Miljuš, and PhD candidate Danilo Četić—in collaboration with INEP’s Technology Transfer Office and with the support of the SAIGE Project.

Key advantages of the procedure:

• Simultaneous isolation of proteins with exceptionally high purity

• Faster and more efficient production with reduced costs

• Broad application in immunology, hematology, and diagnostic biochemistry.

The patent has been registered with the Intellectual Property Office of the Republic of Serbia.

On May 9th, the Institute for the Application of Nuclear Energy – INEP hosted a mini innovation fair, Science in Action, part of the Empower Innovation project. The event brought together novel research developed at INEP, alongside contributions from the Institute for Medical Research and the Institute of Chemistry, Technology and Metallurgy.

The showcase was organised in partnership with NALED and Philip Morris, with support from the BIO4 campus. INEP presented seven exhibition units and a focused overview of its scientific service portfolio. The spotlight was on research outcomes shaped by science and commercial relevance, from the biotechnological production of recombinant proteins and rapid diagnostic tests to novel approaches in dermocosmetics.

Following the exhibition, representatives from institutions that support closer ties between science and industry addressed the audience: Academic and Minister of Science, Technological Development and Innovation, Bela Balint, Dr. Marija Gnjatović, State Secretary at the Ministry of Science, Technological Development and Innovation, Jelena Bojović, Programme Director at NALED and BIO4 campus director Smiljana Krivokuća.

As part of the SAIGE project, a study tour in France was organized from March 2 to March 7, 2025. During this visit, Dr. Marija Gnjatović, INEP’s Director, and Dr. Goran Miljuš, Coordinator of the Technology Transfer Office at INEP, along with other representatives of national research institutions, participated in various interactive discussions and workshops. They had the opportunity to learn about the practices of our French colleagues in translating research into market-ready innovations, as well as different models of structuring R&D in priority biotech sectors  that will be the cornerstone of the BIO4 campus.

From October 3rd to 5th, 2024, the International Scientific Conference “Environment and Sustainable Development” was held at the Faculty of Applied Ecology Futura, jointly organized by FPE Futura and the Institute for the Application of Nuclear Energy INEP. At this event, scientific papers were presented by authors from Serbia, Croatia, Macedonia, Montenegro, Slovenia, the United States, and Brazil, covering topics in the areas of technical and technological, economic, and legal (EU standards), educational, health, and cultural aspects of environmental protection, waste management, and ecological safety, among others.

As part of its multidisciplinary activities, INEP is also engaged in environmental research, which is becoming increasingly important for society.

Download THE ABSTRACT BOOK here

We are proud to announce that the poster presentation of our young colleague Jovana Stevanović, a Research Trainee in Department of Metabolism, was awarded at the XIII Conference of Serbian Biochemical Society, held from September 19-20th, 2024, in Kragujevac.

Congratulations to Jovana on this outstanding achievement!

As part of the SAIGE project, representatives of the EUTA team held a presentation regarding the Horizon ERA Talents program. Our researchers have shown quite an interest in this program aiming to boost the careers of scientific staff and improve their mobility through various sectors, while contributing to overall progress by connecting scientific activity with entrepreneurship.

Thanks to the Ministry of Science, Technological Development and Innovation of the Republic of Serbia we were visited by the Chinese delegation from Shandong International Science & Technology Cooperation, Innovation and Entrepreneurship Community-SDHS which is an international platform for science, technology, innovation and entrepreneurship, approved by the Government of Shandong Province and supervised by the Department of Science and Technology of Shandong Province, China. It includes many of Shandong start-ups and shareholders, as well as local leading industrial enterprises, research institutes etc. With the delegation members Yang Weichao, General Manager, Liu Qi and Yan Yan, Deputy directors, the potential cooperation in the sphere of technology transfer, development and placement of a wide range of products and services was discussed. They were welcomed by Marija Gnjatović, PhD, CEO of INEP, Žanka Bojić-Trbojević, PhD, Assistant Director for Science and Research and Goran Miljuš, PhD, coordinator of the Knowledge and Technology Transfer Office. The main goal is to establish a sustainable international platform for exchange between China and Serbia-through cooperation between universities and companies (regular training, engaging in joint R&D initiatives involving Chinese technicians, establishing scientific research teams, and jointly participating in national projects, and supporting the growth of Serbian start-up companies by providing basic resources, such as space, facilities, staff and other relevant services). 

Considering traditionally good and friendly relations with China, there is no doubt that our cooperation will be successful.

INEP’s participation as an exhibitor at the Arab Health Fair in Dubai was extremely important, as it served as a platform for networking and sharing knowledge with people from all over the world. It was an opportunity for its representatives to promote innovative solutions in the field of human and veterinary diagnostics, regenerative medicine and cosmetology, as well as other projects, with the same goal of establishing future partnerships, technology transfer and potential international projects. The scientific work is the foundation for innovative activity in the field of biomedicine, thanks to the existing cooperation with the health system of the Republic of Serbia.

The expertise and skills of our scientists drew the attention of numerous visitors (from India, Iran, Iraq, UAE, USA, Canada, The United Kingdom, Kenya, Egypt etc.) with whom we had the opportunity to exchange experience, knowledge and identify mutual goals in the healthcare industry.

Thanks to the interaction with both exhibitors and visitors, INEP gained insight into the latest research trends in mentioned areas.

A new technology transfer project, MabTHER, has been established to strengthen Serbia’s capacity to develop monoclonal therapeutic antibodies (Mab). The project, supported by the Autonomous Region of Friuli Venezia Giulia, involves the ICGEB Biotechnology Development Unit BDU with more than 25 years’ experience in providing Member States with resources and know-how to expand the availability of, and access to, quality life-saving biotherapies (due to high costs associated with their production, biotherapeutics remain largely inaccessible to citizens). The Agreement was signed at the Regional headquarters in Trieste by ICGEB Director-General Dr. Lawrence Banks, and Councillor Alessia Rosolen, Regional Councillor for Labor, Training, Education, Research, University and Family. Also present for the occasion was Dr. Natasa Skoko, Head of the BDU in Trieste, and Dr. Žanka Bojić-Trbojević, partner from the Institute for the Application of Nuclear Energy INEP.

The MabTHER initiative focuses on knowledge transfer for the development and production of the Mab biosimilar Trastuzumab (a monoclonal antibody used to treat breast and stomach cancer)!

Star Tech project was launched by Philip Morris and NALED companies together with the Government of the Republic of Serbia to support the development of innovations and the digital transformation of small and medium-sized businesses which would invest their money in the development of their products with the aim of their commercialization on domestic and international markets. The value of donations ranges between 15.000-100.000$. Most of the grants are intended for beginners in business with the idea of developing product prototype.

Among the Grant Winners is the Institute INEP with its UNIBORN project.

External quality assessment includes:

• delivery to the participants of an identical panel of three pork samples with a defined number of Trichinella spiralis larvae;
• submission of the analysis results in a given period;
• The NRLT processes the received results and presents them as a result of participation: Your results against the prepared number of larvae;
• After the analysis, the NRLT delivers a certificate of participation in the program to all participants. The certificate can be used in support of accreditation.

Registration e-mail: nrlt@inep.co.rs

This week, we had the opportunity to host Dr. Martin Hinoul from KU Leuven University in Belgium. Dr. Martin Hinoul is an expert in the fields of business, innovation, and technological development. His formal education includes a doctorate in physics and a postdoctoral degree in business administration, while his prolific career has primarily focused on the development of technological centers and hubs, both regionally and internationally.

His visit to Belgrade was organized by our TT office in collaboration with the Serbian SAIGE team, with the aim of providing the Belgrade audience with the opportunity to learn more about successful high-tech ecosystems from a globally renowned expert.

During his presentation at INEP, Dr. Hinoul spoke about the knowledge-driven economy principle and shared his experience in developing the regional technological cluster of Leuven-Eindhoven-Aachen.

Dr. Martin Hinoul honed his research career at prestigious universities such as Stanford and MIT, as well as in other laboratories in the United States, Japan, and Europe. From 1984 to 1998, Dr. Hinoul served on a mission for the Kingdom of Belgium as a technological attaché at the Belgian Embassy in Washington, D.C., and the Belgian Consulate in Los Angeles. During this time, his task was to build a network of acquaintances and business partners, as well as to observe the business development environment of Silicon Valley, the most advanced technological region in the world then. Since 1998, upon the invitation of the dean of the University of Leuven, he returned to Belgium, where he became involved in the establishment and management of the business development sector within the Technology Transfer Office (Leuven Research and Development-LRD), which is now the most successful organization of its kind in Europe. At the age of 84, he continues to work and travel, and he can be described as a person with extensive experience in the fields of business, innovation, and technological progress. His life goal is to create new jobs in the high-tech domain.

Zorana Dobrijević, PhD, Senior Research Associate at the Institute for the Application of Nuclear Energy INEP has been awarded, The Đoka Vlajković Foundation Award, for the best scientific paper of young researchers at the University of Belgrade, with the title: “The association of human leukocyte antigen (HLA) alleles with COVID-19 severity: A systematic review and meta-analysis” (Reviews in Medical Virology).

In accordance with the Law on fire protection and the Employee Training Program at the INEP Institute in the field of fire protection, basic theoretical and practical training was conducted. After completing the basic training, a competence assessment of the employees was also carried out in prescribed deadline.

Nearly 300 small and medium-sized companies, entrepreneurs, and startup teams from all parts of Serbia submitted their applications within the StarTech program for support in digitization of their business activities and launching new products on the market. After careful examination of the applications as well as field visits with direct observation, the Grants Committee selected 44 finalists, where our institute was also included with its project in biotechnology: Diagnostic Test for Bornavirus Infection (IGRA test).

The XII Conference of the Serbian Biochemical Society “Biochemistry in Biotechnology” was held from September 21st to 23rd in Belgrade. Researchers from the Metabolism Department of the INEP Institute participated with four poster presentations, with Jovana Stevanović (a doctoral student at the Faculty of Biology, whose presentation was also selected for oral presentation), Ognjen Radojičić (a doctoral student at the Faculty of Medicine), Danilo Četić (a doctoral student at the Faculty of Chemistry), and Goran Miljuš, PhD, a Senior Research Associate, as presenters.

A Memorandum of Understanding was signed in the Government of the Republic of Serbia between the Ministry of Science, Technological Development, and Innovation of the Republic of Serbia and Swiss Rockets AG  from Switzerland. In addition to the construction of a new innovation centre for nuclear medicine within the BIO4 campus, this company, whose goal is to be a leader in the biotechnology industry through innovation, will provide our country with significant assistance in building a start-up ecosystem in biotechnology, specifically through the already started cooperation with the Institute for the Application of Nuclear Energy INEP and the Institute of Chemistry, Technology, and Metallurgy IHTM.

As part of the project Accelerating Innovation and Encouraging the Growth of Entrepreneurship in the Republic of Serbia (Serbia Accelerating Innovation and Entrepreneurship-SAIGE), our researchers Valentina Ignjatović Jocić and Stefana Stojanović spent two months in the laboratory of dr Antonio de la Vieja at the Instituto de Salud Carlos III in Madrid, Spain. The aim of this visit was to improve the cloning techniques of coding and non-coding genes as well as to strengthen international scientific cooperation.

BIO4_CAMPUS will be an ideal ecosystem for innovation!

BIO4 represents four key areas: biomedicine, bioinformatics, biotechnology, and biodiversity.

“In addition to science and fundamental research in biomedicine, biotechnology, and partly ecology, the INEP Institute is recognized in the region also because of a registered production of diagnostic tests for use in medical diagnostics and partly in veterinary diagnostics and the provision of laboratory services in medicine, veterinary medicine, and ecology. Our goal is to apply scientific knowledge in solving some general problems and market our innovations through cooperation with the private sector within our intellectual property licensing.

We look forward to being one of the members of BIOCAMPUS because BIOCAMPUS will provide good support for entrepreneurs in the field of biotechnology, and young teams engaged in innovation in this field will finally have the opportunity to use primarily infrastructure resources and any other support they need for the development of entrepreneurship.”

Marija Gnjatović, PhD

Course sponsored by the Serbian Biochemical Society named: The study of biochemical and related methods that offer solutions in crises-BIOCHEMISTRY IN THE SERVICE OF HEALTH was held in May at our Institute.
We hosted undergraduate, master’s, and doctoral students, who had the opportunity to become familiar, within the practical part of the course, with the method of simultaneous isolation of DNA, RNA, and protein from the same sample, used in modern molecular-biological and biochemical laboratories. The students really liked the work in our laboratory and the concept of applying scientific knowledge for commercial purposes.

Within the SAIGE project, a biostatistics training was held at INEP from February 27 to March 9, 2023, with Ivan Soldatović, PhD from the Department of Medical Statistics and Informatics of the Faculty of Medicine, University of Belgrade, an expert with more than ten years of experience in the pharmaceutical industry. Find out more

The course “Safety Assessment of Cosmetics according to the European Union Regulation” was held in Brussels, Belgium, from February 6 to February 11, 2023. It was realized in cooperation with the international cosmetics industry, and the teaching took place according to the highest academic standards. The focus was on the safety assessment of cosmetics, including the application of methods without animal testing. A research associate from our Institute, Aleksandra Jovanović, PhD, completed the course. Find out more

SrbEVs aims to improve scientific work in the field of extracellular vesicles in Serbia, expert review of commercial products based on extracellular vesicles, popularize the social importance of extracellular vesicle research and cooperation with related societies and organizations in the country and abroad, etc. The President of SrbEVs is Maja Kosanović, PhD, a senior research associate at the INEP Institute. Find out more

This transformation is part of the science reform process, which includes the INEP Institute for the Application of Nuclear Energy. It was among the first six institutes within the SAIGE Serbia Accelerating Innovation and Growth Entrepreneurship Project willing to strengthen their capacities, improve their work, and more effectively join the international scientific network, with the support of the Government of the Republic of Serbia, the World Bank, and the EU, and the help of international expert assessment and support, training, and various types of development.

Namely, in 2020, the evaluation process of scientific research institutes was carried out, where the institutes themselves assessed their current situation and declared whether they wanted to participate in the transformation, expected to ensure a better quality of scientific research work and strengthen the organization.

Read more about this highly significant project via the following link.

Our institute took part in this extraordinary event as part of the 7th thematic week dedicated to health with the desire to present its work to the world, especially in technological development and innovation in biomedicine.

The delegation from Serbia included around 130 businesspeople from almost 70 companies, more than 20 professors and scientific workers, and 14 higher education institutions and institutes, including the INEP Institute.

The award for the best doctoral dissertation defended during the academic year 2020/2021 presented to Gordana Andrejić, PhD.

The Institute of Botany and Botanical Garden “Jevremovac” with the Faculty of Biology, University of Belgrade, presented the “Nedeljko Košanin” award to Gordana Andrejić, PhD, a scientific associate at INEP for THE BEST DOCTORAL DISSERTATION defended during the academic year 2020/2021, under the title of:

“Assessment of the adaptive and phytoremediation potential of Miscanthus×giganteus (Poaceae) grown in flotation tailings on the Rudnik mountain”.

We wish Gordana Andrejić, PhD all the best in her further work and research!

In the previous period, INEP researchers showed great readiness, competence, and engagement in the fight against the epidemic in Serbia, as recognized by the Government and the Presidency of the Republic of Serbia. A test for the identification of IgM and IgG antibodies against SARS-CoV-2 was developed, the immune status of 45 COVID-19 patients in different stages of the disease was examined, and a large epidemiological study is currently being conducted to assess the prevalence of infection in the population of the Republic of Serbia, and the application of COVID-19 therapy has been initiated in patients with covalescent plasma and intravenous immunoglobulins.