Dr. Melita Vidaković

Melita Vidaković is head of Molecular Biology Department. Her group is currently focused on elucidation of basic mechanisms in epigenetic control of gene expression in health and disease (diabetes and cancer). This multilevel study includes: the basic mechanisms of DNA methylation/demethylation and identification of new regulatory proteins that orchestrate coordinated gene expression, the pathways through which nutrients affect the development of diabetes by altering cell homeostasis, and development of an innovative approaches in the treatment of diabetes and cancer, with gene methylation as the central target responsible for cell reprogramming (the formation of insulin-producing cells) and cancer initiation. This work includes several state of the art techniques, such as a novel synthetic epigenetic tool based on CRISPR/dCas9 technology. One of their scientific achievements is initiation of epigenetic studies, as a new research branch at the IBISS.

Her group developed intensive research of medicinal significance in the field of diabetes and epigenetic research, with broad international cooperation. Dr. Vidaković scientific knowledge has been sharpened in many laboratories in Europe (Department of Biological Chemistry, University of Federico II, Naples, Italy; Epigenetic regulation Department, Helmholtz Center for Infections Research, Braunschweig, Germany; Unit of Cellular Physiology and Nutrition, University of Miguel Hernández, Elche, Spain; Institute of Biochemistry, Stuttgart University, Germany; Research Center for Advanced Science and Technology, University of Tokyo, Japan) but the main research capacity Dr. Vidaković is still realizing in Serbia as a group leader.

Dr. Vidaković is member of the European Association for the Study of Diabetes (EASD), member of Science & Society Committee at FEBS, Serbian Society for Molecular Biology (president of the Governing Board), Serbian Biochemical Society (member of the Governing board), Humboldt Club Serbia (President since 2023). She has participated in 7 COST Actions (currently MC in CA2113). She is lecturer at Epigenetics module, Faculty of Biology.