International Projects

INTERREG VI-A IPA Program Hrvatska–Srbija 2021.-2027.

PROJECT : Targeted delivery of antitumor drugs employing biodegradable carriers

ACRONIM : ABIDERS

Summary : The modern approach to the treatment of malignant diseases tends to focus on the individual patient, their general state of health and the targeted administration of drugs to the site of malignancy with as few side effects as possible associated with chemotherapy. The targeted administration of drugs requires that the protective envelope around the drug itself must be biodegradable but at the same time resistant to various external influences for the drug to reach the malignant cells. The envelope should be inert to changes in the pH value of the environment and sufficiently lipophilic to pass through the cell membrane of the malignant cells.

The aim of the project is to produce carriers made of biodegradable materials such as inulin and dextran, into which chemotherapeutic agents used in clinical practice are to be incorporated. Inulin and dextran are natural polymers used in the food industry and have no harmful effects on the body, which is the main reason for their selection as biodegradable carriers.

Lead partner: Faculty of medicine Osijek, University of Josip Juraj Strossmayera in Osijek, Croatia

Project manager : Asistent professor Katarina Mišković Špoljarić, PhD

Project staff: prof. dr.sc. Ljubica Glavaš-Obrovac, PhD; assistant professor Marijana Leventić, PhD; assistant professor Teuta Opačak-Bernardi, PhD; assistant professor Barbara Viljetić, PhD; Ivan Ćorić, assistant; Ivana Jelavić, bacc. med.lab.diag.

Project Partner : Institute of Food Technology in Novi Sad, , University of Novi Sad, Serbia

Project duration : 01.07.2024. – 31.12.2025.

INTERREG VI-A IPA Program Hrvatska–Srbija 2021.-2027.

BloodRheoApp project HR-RS00150
PROJECT: Advanced digital application based on bloodrheological characeristics for reduction of cardiovascular risk
Summary: Approximately 17.5 million deaths per year are caused by ischemic heart disease, stroke, and other cardiovascular diseases (CVD), as most important representatives of mass non-communicable diseases. Affected survivors are highly limited in performing their everyday activities, working capacity and represent significant cost for healthcare system. The current epidemiological data for programme area show epidemic proportion in increase of incidence of diabetes, obesity, hypertension, hyperlipoproteinemia, as well as sedentary lifestyle, which all represent strong, but modifiable, risk factors for development of CVD. These factors show combined effect on endothelial function of blood vessels and coagulability of blood, where the viscosity of blood has not been considered as potential risk factor – until now. Viscosity of the blood, as one of the three acknowledged parts of pathophysiological mechanism of thrombosis risk, has been greatly underestimated in up-to-date research to combat CVDs consequences. Therefore, the aim of the BloodRheoApp project is to utilize the research on blood rheological properties with joint effort of two expert teams to develop an efficient digital tool capable to give additional value to the prevention of noncommunicable cardiovascular diseases. The developed digital application will be compatible with "smart" devices working on iOS and Android platforms enabling scientifically based and personalized guidelines for organism hydrations in a form of user-friendly tool. The developed application will have the power to influence the risk of potentially upcoming CVDs, as well as to improve the length and quality of life in existing CVD patients. It could be recommended by clinicians, easily adopted by patients regarding user-friendly interface and lead to reduction of health facility load and healthcare costs.
Lead partner: Faculty of Medicine Novi Sad of the University of Novi Sad
Project Partner: Faculty of Medicine Osijek, University of Josip Juraj Strossmayer in Osijek, Croatia
Project manager: associate professor Stana Tokić, PhD
Project staff: associate professor Marina Samardžija, MD, PhD; associate professor Ana Stupin, MD, PhD; associate professor Ivana Jukić, MD, PhD; assistant professor Vlatka Periša, MD, PhD; associate professor Krešimir Šolić, PhD, professor Jasenka Wagner Kostadinović, PhD
Project duration: 15.7.2024. - 14.1.2026.

HORIZON 2020 EU4HEALTH PROGRAMME 2021-2027

“TRANSiTION” project 101101261 (H2020)
Project summary: Digital health presents great potential across the whole spectrum of the cancer patient trajectory. However, there are many challenges to its full deployment. A crucial challenge is to provide continuous professional development and training for the cancer healthcare workforce and the non-clinical professionals, which poses an essential barrier to the uptake, safe, and effective use of digital health solutions across the cancer continuum.
The TRANSiTION proposal contributes to creating a new state-of-the-art education and training programme for healthcare professionals and nonclinical professionals that will enable the acquisition of digital skills and competencies for current and future needs that the integration of digital solutions generates. This will be achieved through a rigorous mapping of the current status of digital skills training and education across Europe and complemented by eliciting healthcare professionals, nonclinical professionals, patients, and carers’ needs analysis and transforming those into meaningful user requirements.

The TRANSiTION proposal introduces a co-creation approach bringing together professional associations, universities, educational centers, hospitals, and clinical centers. TRANSiTION introduces an innovative approach to practicing digital skills through the learning activities (Solving problems, working in teams, communicating, etc.) using ICT as an enhancer. TRANSiTION is expected to foster up-skilling and re-skilling in the context of digital health solutions for the health workforce and non-clinical professionals’ workforce. It will also support a swift transition to more effective and patient-centered health models. TRANSiTION brings together an interdisciplinary consortium of 27 partners from 15-member states with extensive expertise in the development, assessment, and successful implementation of continuous professional development and training programmes in health.
Project holder: Technologiko Panepistimio Kyprou (Cyprus University of Technology Cut)
Partner: Josip Juraj Strossmayer University of Osijek, Faculty of Medicine Osijek
Project leader: Prof. Ljiljana Majnarić Trtica, MD, PhD
Duration of the project: 01.01.2023. – 01.01.2025.

INTERREG V-A Hungary-Croatia Co-operation Program 2014-2020 "ImproveMEd" – Improved Medical Education in Basic Sciences for Better Medical Practicing
Specific goal of the project: The goal of the project is to develop online interactive courses for the future joint postgraduate specialist program in fundamentals medical sciences and provide practical skills training in a pilot course at both partner institutions.

Key activities: formation of joint scientific teams, procurement of equipment and training in a laboratory environment, preparation of materials for courses

Project holder: Josip Juraj Strossmayer University of Osijek, Faculty of Medicine Osijek (in-house contract),
Project leader: Prof. Ines Drenjančević, MD, PhD
Partner: University of Pecs, Department of Immunology and Biotechnology
Duration of the project: 12.6.2017 - 11.10.2018.

PROJECTS OF THE DEPARTMENT OF BIOPHYSICS AND RADIOLOGY
http://katedre.mefos.hr/bmsmi/
Completed projects: IAEA CRO 6010, Biotechedu, IAEA RER 9093, IAEA CRO 6008, IAEA CRO 6012
Ongoing: ESF Neutron Dose Equivalent Modeling and Measurement, IAEA RER 6028, IAEA CRA, IAEA CRO 6015

BIMDANUBE: Network of excellence on biomedical information management in the Danube Region
Project holder: University of Hamburg, Department of Computational Science, Linguistics Group
Partners: Medical University of Graz, Austria, Institute for Information and Communication of Technology, Sofia (Bulgaria), Josip Juraj Strossmayer University of Osijek, Faculty of Medicine Osijek
Project leader: Prof. Ljiljana Trtica Majnarić, MD, PhD
Project start: 2017.

RECOOP-HST Association "Bohdan Malaniak CSMC - RECOOP Young Scientists Research Grants 2016":

1.   "The role of oxidative stress in development of impaired vascular response in obese pre-diabetic elderly rats of both sexes treated with metformin or liraglutide" - the project leader is Anita Ćosić, Ph.D. (senior researcher is Prof. Ines Drenjančević, MD, PhD), and the partner is a group of researchers from the University of Szeged;
2.   "The role of insulin resistance and altered structure of lipid rafts in neurodegenerative disorders" - the partner in the project is Vedrana Ivić (senior researcher is Prof. Marija Heffer, MD, PhD.), and the project leader is the Semmelweis University Faculty of Medicine in Budapest;
3.   "Correlation between placental vascularization indices and sFlt-1/PlGF ratio in preeclampsia screening" – the partner in the project is Martina Vulin (senior researcher is Andrijana Muller, MD, PhD) and the project is carried out by a group from the University of Szeged.

BILATERAL COOPERATION

Bilateral cooperation with Hungary: project leader Prof. Ines Drenjančević, MD, PhD (partner Prof. Akos Koller, University of Pécs) 2009-2013 "Common pathways of microcirculation dysfunction in diabetes and hypertension";

Bilateral cooperation with Slovenia: project leader Prof. Marina Dabić, Ph.D. (collaborator on the project of Ines Drenjančević, Ph.D.) 2009-2011 "Managerial tools in Croatia and the EU";

Bilateral cooperation with Germany: leader Assist.prof. Mirela Baus Lončar, Ph.D. "The role of TTF protein in the immune response" 2009-2013

EU project (EFRR) OrtoFLEX – Croatian concept of a flexible system for the manufacture of individual spinal orthoses - "Flexible manufacturing of customized spinal orthoses" - project partner, 2013-2015, http://ortoflex.sfsb.hr/

Cross-border cooperation program Hungary - Croatia 2007 - 2013:

CABCOS - Crossborder Applied Biotech Cooperation for sustainable Regional Health Industry - Hungary-Croatia IPA Cross-border Cooperation Programme, Specific goal of the project: Cross-border cooperation in applied biotechnology Key activities: formation of joint scientific teams, procurement of equipment and services
Project holder: University of Pecs, Hungary, Partner: Josip Juraj Strossmayer University of Osijek, Faculty of Medicine Osijek , Prof. Ines Drenjančević, MD, PhD http://cabcos.aok.pte.hu/en
Duration of the project: 01.04.2010. – 31.05.2012.

WHP - Work and Health - Hungary-Croatia IPA Cross-border Cooperation Programme,
Specific goal of the project: joint development of methodology for occupational medicine and ergonomics, as well as possibilities for workforce retraining Key activities: survey of employers and employees, analysis of obtained data, creation of joint programs for experts in occupational medicine and ergonomics
Project holder: University of Pecs, Hungary, Partner: Josip Juraj Strossmayer University of Osijek, Faculty of Medicine Osijek, Prof. Ines Drenjančević, MD, PhD
Duration of the project: 01.05.2010. – 31.07.2011.

RINGBOOKS - Bilingual dissemination of Research and Healthcare –Hungary-Croatia IPA Cross-border Cooperation Programme,
Specific goal of the project: Bilingual exchange of research results with a special emphasis on innovations in healthcare Key activities: data collection, design and production of multilingual promo materials, translation
Project holder: University of Pecs, Hungary, Partner: Josip Juraj Strossmayer University of Osijek, Faculty of Medicine Osijek , Sandra Bilonić
Duration of the project: 01.05.2010. – 01.05.2011.

BIOTECHEDU - Harmonization of Biotechnology BSc out-put with the Medical Biotechnology MSc in-put requirements at Osijek and Pecs Universities - Hungary-Croatia IPA Cross-border Cooperation Programme,
Specific goal of the project: harmonization of the undergraduate study of biotechnology with the graduate study of medicine at the universities of Pech and Osijek
Key activities: analysis of educational modules with the aim of compatibility for both universities; cooperation and exchange of experience and practice with universities in other countries (Turku, Finland; Krakow, Poland); creation of educational modules and materials; development of the curriculum;
Project holder: University of Pecs, Hungary, Partner: Josip Juraj Strossmayer University of Osijek, Faculty of Medicine Osijek , Prof. Ljubica Glavaš Obrovac, Ph.D.
Duration of the project: 01.09.2011 - 31.08.2012.

HEALTH MANAGEMENT - Design-Accreditation-Delivery of Joint Training and Development Courses assisting Sustainable Management of Regional Healthcare Services " (including joint training and exchange of experts) - Hungary-Croatia IPA Cross-border Cooperation Programme,
Specific goal of the project: definition and application of regular and distance learning modules for undergraduate and postgraduate students;
joint program accreditation; promotion of results at the regional level
Key activities: definition of educational modules; preparation of the infrastructure for the implementation of the distance learning methodology; establishment of a joint inter-university body for accreditation and monitoring; preparation of materials
Project holder: University of Pecs, Hungary, Partner: Josip Juraj Strossmayer University of Osijek, Faculty of Medicine Osijek, Prof. Aleksandar Včev, MD, PhD .
Duration of the project: 01.09.2011. – 31.12.2012.

HEALTH IMPULSE - Health IMproving poPULation initiative reSEarch - Improving the health of the border population: a joint initiative in immunological research - Hungary-Croatia IPA Cross-border Cooperation Programme,
Specific goal of the project: improving the health status of the population in the cross-border area; launching a joint initiative in immunological research; establishing a regional research center; collection and processing of data on autoimmune diseases in the cross-border area Key activities: establishment of research teams in partner organizations; knowledge transfer in the field of immunodiagnostics; new research in the field of autoimmune diseases; Purchase of equipment; defining standard protocols and procedures in AID immunodiagnosis; establishment of research centers in partner institutions; making a study of the state of the population related to AID
Project holder: University of Pecs, Hungary, Partner: Josip Juraj Strossmayer University of Osijek, Faculty of Medicine Osijek, Prof. Ines Drenjančević, MD, PhD http://healthimpulse.mefos.hr/
Duration of the project: 01.09.2011. – 31.08.2012.

TEMPUS (Trans-European Mobility Programme for University Studies):

1. TEMPUS STEAMED - Standardization in Teaching of Medicine (CA003A06-2006) grant coordinator – Prof. Ines Drenjančević, MD, PhD
partner institutions: University of Pécs (Hungary), J.J. Strossmayer University of Osijek (Croatia), Austrian Society for Didactics and Higher Education
in Vienna (Austria), Medical University of Vienna (Austria), University of Mostar (Slovenia), University of Split (Croatia), University of Zagreb (Croatia)

2. TEMPUS FoSentHE - Fostering Entrepreneurship in Higher Education – (partner institution – Prof. Ines Drenjančević, MD, PhD - expert)