Dr. Nataša Todorović

Education
• 2009, PhD in Multidisciplinary Sciences - Neuroscience, University of Belgrade.
• 2001-2003, Researcher at the Department of Cellular and Molecular Physiology, Yale University, Connecticut, USA.
• 2000-2001, Research Fellow in the Pain Laboratory, Department of Gastroenterology, UTMB, Texas, USA.
• 1996 University of Belgrade, Faculty of Biology, B.Sc. Molecular biologist and physiologist, majoring in Biophysics.

Research interests
Application of electrophysiological techniques in order to elucidate the mechanisms of regulation of ion transport through the cell membrane.
Part of the work in our laboratory is aimed at investigating the physiological role and modulation mechanisms of ion channels. Ion channels in the cell membrane act as molecular transducers - in response to various stimuli (chemical, mechanical or electrical) the channel pore opens, allowing ions to pass through the membrane. The activity of ion channels is pivotal for many physiological processes, including the transmission of nerve impulses and transport across epithelia. They are key elements of cell membrane physiology in all cell types, regardless of the organism or kingdom of life. Recently, I have focused on studying the activity of ion channels in the membranes of filamentous fungi, which are poorly characterized compared to ion channels in other groups of organisms. Using the patch clamp, it is possible to carry out such investigations only on the specific experimental models. To open up this field, we are developing, in collaboration with colleagues from other institutions, a new experimental approach to study the activity of ion channels in filamentous fungi that enables the reliable high-resolution recording of ion currents in filamentous fungi.

Projects
• Work package coordinator for the project "Advanced BioPhysical Methods for Soil Targeted Fungi-Based Biocontrol agents" (BioPhysFUN) within the Green Program, Science Fund of the Republic of Serbia.