Dr Nikolina Kalčec participated in the 23rd International Symposium on Field- and Flow-based Separations, which was held in Cité des Congrès, Nantes, France, from June 3 to 6, 2024.
This symposium brought together international speakers who presented the latest technical and scientific advances with a focus on flow- and field-based separation techniques and related techniques, which find applications in: human health, environment, polymer science…
The symposium also allowed the presentation of new solutions by the device manufacturers that dominate the field.
As part of the symposium, Nikolina Kalčec held a poster presentation on the topic “Development of an asymmetrical-flow field-flow fractionation methodology for the chracterization of α-Galactosidase a loaded-nanoliposomes” (PHOENIX, NABIHEAL)
Nanobiofaces group leader Prof. Ivana Vinković Vrček as well as group members Lucija Božičević and Nikolina Peranić participated in the The 2nd Vienna Summit on Microplastics and Health on 1st December 2023, at the Hotel Regina in Vienna, Austria.
The summit brought together expert speakers, engaging discussions, and networking opportunities related on the impact of microplastics on human health. In addition to the summit, this event also served as the annual consortium meeting for partners and board members of the CBmed microONE project. This meeting provided a unique opportunity to review the progress made over the past year and plan future initiatives aimed at achieving the project’s goals.
Prof. Ivana Vinković Vrček, as part of the summit, held an oral presentation on the topic “Endocrine disrupting activity of complex mixtures: case study of pharmaceuticals and nanoplastics”.
Nanobiofaces group leader Prof. Ivana Vinković Vrček participated in the International Conference EcoBalt 2023 “Chemicals & Environment” from October 9th to 11th, 2023, which was held at at the conference center of Nordic Hotel Forum in the center of Tallinn, Estonia.
The congress brought together international speakers focusing on six topics related to the environment: Environmental Chemistry, Environmental Toxicology, Ecology, Analytical Chemistry, Green and Sustainable Chemistry and Implications and applications of nanomaterials.
Prof. Ivana Vinković Vrček, as part of the congress, held an oral presentation on the topic “Endocrine Disrupting Activity of Mixtures Composed of Pharmaceuticals and Nanoplastic” as invited speaker. She was also a chair of session “Novel Approaches for Pollution Management” where she presented speakers.
Anamaria Gojanović dr. med. vet. participated in the 10th International Congress ”Veterinary Science & Profession” from October 5th to 7th, 2023, which was held at the Faculty of Veterinary Medicine in Zagreb.
The congress brought together international speakers focusing on six key areas, including veterinary public health, domestic animal care, horses, exotic and wild animals, small animals and free communications.
Anamaria Gojanović dr. med. vet. as part of the congress held a poster presentation on the topic “In vivo Efficacy of Gold Nanoparticles for Parkinson’s disease” (SENDER).
In the period from September 18-20, 2023, the symposium “7th RIJEKA FORUM ON NEURODEGENERATIVE DISEASES” was held, organized by the Croatian Academy of Sciences and Arts – The Department of Biomedical Sciences in Rijeka, The Clinical Hospital Center Rijeka, Faculty of Medicine, University of Rijeka, Croatian Neurological Society and Croatian Medical Association – Rijeka Branch.
The symposium was attended by Dr. Ivana Vinković Vrček, Dr. Nikolina Kalčec and Anamaria Gojanović dr. med. vet., as part of which Dr. Nikolina Kalčec and Anamaria Gojanović dr. med. vet. held their poster presentation entitled “Selenium Nanoparticles as Efficient Drug Delivery System for Parkinson’s disease” (SENDER).
The goal of the symposium was to present the latest achievements and dilemmas in the field of neurodegenerative diseases with this year’s special theme: “Mechanistic therapies – hype or hope” and other news about neurodegenerative diseases, in order to improve our daily practical and scientific work.
The symposium was supported by the Croatian Science Foundation grant no. 7276, “The Epidemiology of Parkinson’s Disease in Croatia and the Influence of Genetic Factors and Microbiota on the Progression and Treatment Outcomes of the Disease”.
On September 14, 2023, at the Faculty of Pharmacy and Biochemistry of the University of Zagreb, the public presentation of the doctoral thesis was held by PhD student Lucija Božičević. The proposed thesis title was “Endocrine disruptive effect of mixtures of plastic nanoparticles and selected drugs in vitro“. Under the mentorship of assoc. prof. dr. sc. Ivana Vinković Vrček and the co-mentorship of prof. dr. sc. Valerije Vrček. The thesis defence was held in front of the commission composed of: prof. dr. sc. Dubravka Vitali Čepo, prof. dr. sc. József Petrik and assoc. prof. dr. sc. Dajana Kučić Grgić.
We are pleased to announce a forthcoming book entitled “Characterisation of Drug Nanocarriers”, edited by Ivana Vinković Vrček, Jesus M. de la Fuente and Evgeny K. Apartsin. The book will be published by the Royal Society of Chemistry.
Nanotechnology has the potential to solve many unmet, urgent healthcare requirements. However, bridging the translational gap between lab and clinic for nanodrugs is still challenging, and there is limited guidance on regulatory-relevant information and approaches.
The main aim of this book is to provide guidance on characterization of drug carrier properties and efficacy required for regulatory acceptance of nanomaterials for their use in medicine.
This book provides a comprehensive overview of drug loading and delivery nanocarriers, including their charactersitics, methodologies and techniques to evaluate the association and interaction of the drug with the different nanocarriers.
Dr. Ivana Vinković Vrček will be one of the main speakers at the upcoming EFSA (European Food and Safety Authority) meeting – ”Network on nanotechnologies in food and feed (NANONETWORK) 13th meeting”, in Parma, Italy. The meeting will be held on September 26, 2023.
Where she will give a lecture about a very important issue regarding „Endocrine disruptive effect of complex mixtures: case study on nanoplastics and pharmaceuticals“.
Attached below you can find the preliminary program of the meeting.
For more information about the NANONETWORK meeting and to stay updated on the latest developments, please visit the official EFSA website.
In the period from June 1 to July 31, at the Institute for Medical Research and Occupational Health we had the opportunity to host a student from Italy, Linda Schiasselloni, from the Department of Veterinary Medicine, Università degli Studi di Milano. As part of the Erasmus + program, Linda participated in professional practice on the scientific project Phoenix, under the guidance of dr. sc. Ivana Vinković Vrček.
During her practice, Linda participated in various project activities aimed at profiling the efficacy and safety of drug nanoformulations in rodent models. She was involved in all phases of experiments dealing with the assessment of biomarkers of oxidative stress in different organs and tissues of animals treated with nanoformulations of drugs.
During her traineeship, Linda also gained basic knowledge about GLP (Good Laboratory Practice) practices in the housing of laboratory animals and preclinical testing in rodent models. Furthermore, she perfected the skills of using laboratory animals in preclinical trials of nanopharmaceuticals. She also gained knowledge about biochemical tests and methods for assessing the toxicity of nanomaterials using in vivo models. Linda also improved her knowledge of the application of nanomaterials in biomedicine.
This professional traineeship enabled Linda to acquire important skills and knowledge in the field of nanomedicine, especially in relation to the application of nanomaterials in biomedicine. Linda actively participated in the research and showed commitment and ability in carrying out the assigned tasks. Her participation has contributed to the progress of the Phoenix project, and the Institute for Medical Research and Occupational Health is pleased with the successful collaboration with Linda and the Università degli Studi di Milano.
The Nabiheal team gathered in Berlin at Charité – Universitätsmedizin, from 04.07. -07.07. 2023 to hold their M6 Meeting. Funded by Horizon Europe (HORIZON) under grant agreement no. 101092269.
The meeting was attended by dr. sc. Ivana Vinković Vrček, leader of work package 5 (WP5).
After six months, The leadership of the Nabiheal project gathered together, to assess their progress, exchange ideas and make important decisions to move forward. All for the sake of the goal that their activities will contribute to the improvement of the wound healing process in patients.
