1991  B.Sc. in Molecular Biology, Faculty of Science, University of Zagreb, Croatia

1994  M.Sc. in Molecular and Cellular Biology, Faculty of Science, University of Zagreb, Croatia

1999  Ph.D. in Biology, Faculty of Science, University of Zagreb, Croatia

2002 Postdoctoral training in Bacterial Genetics, Jacques Monod Institute, University Paris 6-7, Paris, France (Richard D'Ari group)

2014-2018 "DNA recombination, repair and maintenance of genome integrity: new pathways" (HRZZ-IP-11-2013-2978), Croatian Science Foundation - Principal Investigator

2007-2013 "Molecular mechanisms of DNA recombination and repair", Croatian Ministry of Science, Education and Sports - Principal Investigator 

2002-2006 "Regulation of recombination and recombinational DNA repair", Croatian Ministry of Science, Education and Sports - Associate  

1998-2000 "Role of DNA recombination in the regulation of cell division in Escherichia coli", Young Scientist Grant, Croatian Ministry of Science and Technology - Principal Investigator

1996-2002 "Regulation of DNA recombination and repair", Croatian Ministry of Science and Technology - Associate

1994-1997 "Genes and enzymes involved in inhibition of recombination" (CRP/CRO93-01), UNIDO/ICGEB - Associate

2002  NATO Science Program Fellowship  

1990  University of Zagreb Rector's Prize

Course "Genetic recombination and DNA repair", PhD Studies in Biology, Faculty of Science, University of Zagreb

Course "Mechanisms of DNA damage and repair", PhD Studies in Molecular Biosciences, University of Osijek, University of Dubrovnik and Ruđer Bošković Institute, Zagreb 

Zahradka, K., Repar, J., Đermić, D, Zahradka, D. (2023) Chromosome Segregation and Cell Division Defects in Escherichia coli Recombination Mutants Exposed to Different DNA-Damaging Treatments. Microorganisms 11(3):701. doi: 10.3390/microorganisms11030701

Repar, J., Zahradka, D., Sović, I., Zahradka, K. (2021) Characterization of gross genome rearrangements in Deinococcus radiodurans recA mutants. Scientific Reports 11:10939. doi: 10.1038/s41598-021-89173-9

Buljubašić, M., Hlevnjak, A., Repar, J., Đermić, D., Filić, V., Weber, I., Zahradka, K., Zahradka, D. (2019) RecBCD- RecFOR-independent pathway of homologous recombination in Escherichia coli. DNA Repair 83: 102670. doi: 10.1016/j.dnarep.2019.102670 

Repar, J., Supek, F., Klanjscek, T., Warnecke, T., Zahradka, K., Zahradka, D. (2017) Elevated rate of genome rearrangements in radiation-resistant bacteria. Genetics 205: 1677-1689.

Repar, J., Briški, N., Buljubašić, M., Zahradka, K., Zahradka, D. (2013) Exonuclease VII is involved in “reckless” DNA degradation in UV-irradiated Escherichia coli. Mutation Research/Genetic Toxicology and Environmental Mutagenesis 750:96-104.

Buljubašić, M., Repar, J., Zahradka, K., Đermić, D., Zahradka, D. (2012) RecF recombination pathway in Escherichia coli cells lacking RecQ, UvrD and HelD helicases. DNA Repair 11: 419-430.

Repar, J., Cvjetan, S., Slade, D., Radman, M., Zahradka, D., Zahradka, K. (2010) RecA protein assures fidelity of DNA repair and genome stability in Deinococcus radiodurans. DNA Repair 9: 1151-1161.

Zahradka, K., Buljubašić, M., Petranović, M., Zahradka, D. (2009) Roles of ExoI and SbcCD nucleases in "reckless" DNA degradation in recA mutants of Escherichia coli. Journal of Bacteriology 191: 1677-1687.

Zahradka, K., Šimić, S., Buljubašić, M., Petranović, M., Đermić, D., Zahradka, D. (2006) sbcB15 and delsbcB mutations activate two types of RecF recombination pathway in Escherichia coli. Journal of Bacteriology 188: 7562-7571.

Viguera, E., Petranović, M., Zahradka, D., Germain, K., Ehrlich, D. S., Michel, B. (2003) Lethality of bypass polymerases in Escherichia coli cells with a defective clamp loader complex of DNA polymerase III. Molecular Microbiology 50: 193-204.

Zahradka, D., Zahradka, K., Petranović, M., Đermić, D., Brčić-Kostić, K. (2002) The RuvABC resolvase is indispensable for recombinational repair in sbcB15 mutants of Escherichia coli. Journal of Bacteriology 184: 4141-4147.

Books and book chapters

Book chapters

• Zahradka, K. & Zahradka, D. (2013) Reckless DNA Degradation. U: Maloy, S. & Hughes, K. (ur.) Brenner's Encyclopedia of Genetics (2nd ed.). San Diego (CA), Academic Press, str. 72-74 doi:10.1016/B978-0-12-374984-0.01272-9.

  doi

• Zahradka, D. & Zahradka, K. (2007) Gene transfer by P1 transduction. U: Ambriović Ristov, A., Brozović, A., Bruvo Mađarić, B., Ćetković, H., Herak Bosnar, M., Hranilović, D., Katušić Hećimović, S., Meštrović Radan, N., Mihaljević, S., Slade, N. & Vujaklija, D. (ur.) Metode u molekularnoj biologiji. Zagreb, Institut Ruđer Bošković, str. 919-922.

• Zahradka, D. (2007) Bacteriophage lambda. U: Ambriović Ristov, A., Brozović, A., Bruvo Mađarić, B., Ćetković, H., Herak Bosnar, M., Hranilović, D., Katušić Hećimović, S., Meštrović Radan, N., Mihaljević, S., Slade, N. & Vujaklija, D. (ur.) Metode u molekularnoj biologiji. Zagreb, Institut Ruđer Bošković, str. 14-18.

• Zahradka, D. (2007) Escherichia coli. U: Ambriović Ristov, A., Brozović, A., Bruvo Mađarić, B., Ćetković, H., Herak Bosnar, M., Hranilović, D., Katušić Hećimović, S., Meštrović Radan, N., Mihaljević, S., Slade, N. & Vujaklija, D. (ur.) Metode u molekularnoj biologiji. Zagreb, Institut Ruđer Bošković, str. 3-10.

Journal articles

Scientific and review papers

• Zahradka, K., Repar, J., Đermić, D. & Zahradka, D. (2023) Chromosome Segregation and Cell Division Defects in Escherichia coli Recombination Mutants Exposed to Different DNA-Damaging Treatments. Microorganisms, 11 (3), 11030701, 30 doi:10.3390/microorganisms11030701.

  doiwww.mdpi.comfulir.irb.hr

• Zahradka, K., Repar, J., Đermić, D. & Zahradka, D. (2022) Genetic analysis of transductional recombination in Escherichia coli reveals differences in the postsynaptic stages of RecBCD and RecFOR pathways. Periodicum biologorum, 124 (3-4), 97-106 doi:10.18054/pb.v124i3-4.23604.

  doihrcak.srce.hrhrcak.srce.hrdoi.orgfulir.irb.hr

• Feliciello, I., Đermić, E., Malović, H., Ivanković, S., Zahradka, D., Ljubić, S., Procino, A. & Đermić, D. (2022) Regulation of ssb Gene Expression in Escherichia coli. International journal of molecular sciences, 23 (18), 10917, 14 doi:10.3390/ijms231810917.

  doiwww.mdpi.comfulir.irb.hr

• Repar, J., Zahradka, D., Sović, I. & Zahradka, K. (2021) Characterization of gross genome rearrangements in Deinococcus radiodurans recA mutants. Scientific reports, 11 (1), 10939, 11 doi:10.1038/s41598-021-89173-9.

  doiwww.nature.comdoi.orgfulir.irb.hr

• Buljubašić, M., Hlevnjak, A., Repar, J., Đermić, D., Filić, V., Weber, I., Zahradka, K. & Zahradka, D. (2019) RecBCD- RecFOR-independent pathway of homologous recombination in Escherichia coli. DNA repair, 83, 102670, 16 doi:10.1016/j.dnarep.2019.102670.

  doi

• Feliciello, I., Zahradka, D., Zahradka, K., Ivanković, S., Puc, N. & Đermić, D. (2018) RecF, UvrD, RecX and RecN proteins suppress DNA degradation at DNA double-strand breaks in Escherichia coli. Biochimie, 148, 116-126 doi:10.1016/j.biochi.2018.03.005.

  doi

• Đermić, E., Zahradka, D., Vujaklija, D., Ivanković, S. & Đermić, D. (2017) 3'-terminated Overhangs Regulate DNA Double-Strand Break Processing in Escherichia coli. G3-Genes Genomes Genetics, 7 (9), 3091-3102 doi:10.1534/g3.117.043521.

  doi

• Repar, J., Supek, F., Klanjšček, T., Warnecke, T., Zahradka, K. & Zahradka, D. (2017) Elevated rate of genome rearrangements in radiation-resistant bacteria. Genetics, 205 (4), 1677-1689 doi:10.1534/genetics.116.196154.

  doi

• Repar, J., Šućurović, S., Zahradka, K., Zahradka, D. & Ćurković-Perica, M. (2013) Stress resistance of Escherichia coli and Bacillus subtilis is modulated by auxins. Canadian journal of microbiology, 59 (11), 766-770 doi:10.1139/cjm-2013-0266.

  doi

• Buljubašić, M., Zahradka, D. & Zahradka, K. (2013) RecQ helicase acts before RuvABC, RecG and XerC proteins during recombination in recBCD sbcBC mutants of Escherichia coli. Research in microbiology, 164 (10), 987-997 doi:10.1016/j.resmic.2013.08.008.

  doi

• Repar, J., Zahradka, D. & Zahradka, K. (2013) Accuracy of genome reassembly in gamma-irradiated Escherichia coli. Food technology and biotechnology, 51 (3), 327-337.

  fulir.irb.hr

• Repar, J., Briški, N., Buljubašić, M., Zahradka, K. & Zahradka, D. (2013) Exonuclease VII is involved in "reckless" DNA degradation in UV-irradiated Escherichia coli. Mutation research. Genetic toxicology and environmental mutagenesis, 750 (1/2), 96-104 doi:10.1016/j.mrgentox.2012.10.005.

  doi

• Buljubašić, M., Repar, J., Zahradka, K., Đermić, D. & Zahradka, D. (2012) RecF recombination pathway in Escherichia coli cells lacking RecQ, UvrD and HelD helicases. DNA repair, 11 (4), 419-430 doi:10.1016/j.dnarep.2012.01.011.

  doi

• Supek, F., Šumanovac Ramljak, T., Marjanović, M., Buljubašić, M., Kragol, G., Ilić, N., Šmuc, T., Zahradka, D., Mlinarić-Majerski, K. & Kralj, M. (2011) Could LogP be a principal determinant of biological activity in 18-crown-6 ethers? Synthesis of biologically active adamantane-substituted diaza-crowns. European Journal of Medicinal Chemistry, 46 (8), 3444-3454 doi:10.1016/j.ejmech.2011.05.009.

  doi

• Repar, J., Cvjetan, S., Slade, D., Radman, M., Zahradka, D. & Zahradka, K. (2010) RecA protein assures fidelity of DNA repair and genome stability in Deinococcus radiodurans. DNA repair, 9 (11), 1151-1161 doi:10.1016/j.dnarep.2010.08.003.

  doi

• Zahradka, K., Buljubašić, M., Petranović, M. & Zahradka, D. (2009) Roles of ExoI and SbcCD nucleases in "reckless" DNA degradation in recA mutants of Escherichia coli. Journal of bacteriology, 191 (5), 1677-1687 doi:10.1128/JB.01877-07.

  doijb.asm.org

• Đermić, D., Zahradka, D. & Petranović, M. (2006) Exonuclease requirements for recombination of lambda phage in recD mutants of Escherichia coli. Genetics, 173 (4), 2399-2402.

• Zahradka, K., Šimić, S., Buljubašić, M., Petranović, M., Đermić, D. & Zahradka, D. (2006) sbcB15 and delsbcB mutations activate two types of RecF recombination pathway in Escherichia coli. Journal of bacteriology, 188 (21), 7562-7571 doi:10.1128/JB.00613-06.

  doi

• Đermić, D., Đermić, E., Zahradka, D., Petranović, M. & Lerš, N. (2006) Gamma-irradiated RecD overproducers become permanent recB-/C- phenocopies for extrachromosomal DNA processing due to prolonged titration of RecBCD enzyme on damaged Escherichia coli chromosome. Biochimie, 88 (3-4), 379-386. (https://www.bib.irb.hr/229862).

• Đermić, D., Halupecki, E., Zahradka, D. & Petranović, M. (2005) RecBCD enzyme overproduction impairs DNA repair and homologous recombination in Escherichia coli. Research in microbiology, 156 (3), 304-311.

• Viguera, E., Petranović, M., Zahradka, D., Germain, K., Erlich, D. & Michel, B. (2003) Lethality of bypass DNA polymerases in Escherichia coli cells with a defective clamp loader complex of DNA polymerase III. Molecular microbiology, 50 (1), 193-204.

• Zahradka, K., Zahradka, D., Đermić, D., Džidić, S. & Petranović, M. (2002) The inactivation of free phages in UV-irradiated Escherichia coli. Periodicum Biologorum, 104 (4), 399-403.

• Zahradka, D., Zahradka, K., Džidić, S., Đermić, D. & Petranović, M. (2002) The rus-1 mutation suppresses cytological defects in recBC sbcBC ruv mutants of Escherichia coli. Periodicum Biologorum, 104 (4), 389-397.

• Ivančić-Baće, I., Škrobot, N., Zahradka, D., Salaj-Šmic, E. & Brčić-Kostić, K. (2002) Genetic requirements for conjugational recombination in the presence of lambda Gam protein in Escherichia coli. Food Technology and Biotechnology, 40 (4), 261-265.

  fulir.irb.hr

• Zahradka, D., Zahradka, K., Petranović, M., Đermić, D. & Brčić-Kostić, K. (2002) The RuvABC resolvase is indispensable for recombinational repair in sbcB15 mutants of Escherichia coli. Journal of bacteriology, 184 (15), 4141-4147 doi:10.1128/JB.184.15.4141-4147.2002.

  doi

• Petranović, M., Zahradka, K., Zahradka, D., Petranović, D., Nagy, B., Salaj-Šmic, E. & Petranović, D. (2001) Genetic evidence that the elevated levels of Escherichia coli helicase II antagonize recombinational DNA repair. Biochimie, 83 (11-12), 1041-1047 doi:10.1016/S0300-9084(01)01346-3.

  doi

• Zahradka, K., Zahradka, D. & Petranović, M. (2001) Loss of lambda prophage recombinogenicity in UV-irradiated Escherichia coli : the role of host genes ruvA, ruvB, ruvC and recG. Research in microbiology, 152 (10), 873-881 doi:10.1016/S0923-2508(01)01270-0.

  doi

• Vlahović, K., Petranović, M., Zahradka, D. & Petranović, D. (2000) Progressive loss of lambda prophage recombinogenicity in UV-irradiated Escherichia coli : the role of RecBCD enzyme. Research in microbiology, 151 (9), 727-738 doi:10.1016/S0923-2508(00)01138-4.

  doi

• Petranović, M., Vlahović, K., Zahradka, D., Džidić, S. & Radman, M. (2000) Mismatch repair in Xenopus egg extracts is not strand-directed by DNA methylation. Neoplasma, 47 (6), 375-381.

• Zahradka, D., Vlahović, K., Petranović, M. & Petranović, D. (1999) Chromosome segregation and cell division defects in recBC sbcBC ruvC mutants of Escherichia coli. Journal of bacteriology, 181 (19), 6179-6183 doi:10.1128/JB.181.19.6179-6183.1999.

  doi

• Vlahović, K., Petranović, M., Zahradka, D. & Petranović, D. (1998) Effects of ruv and recG mutations on lambda prophage thermoinducibility in UV-irradiated Escherichia coli. Periodicum biologorum, 100 (3), 383-388.

Theses

Doctoral dissertation

• Zahradka, D. (1999) 'The role of genetic recombination in regulation of cell division in Escherichia coli', doktorska disertacija, Prirodoslovno-matematički fakultet, Zagreb.

Croatian Microbiological Society (affiliated to FEMS), President of the Bacteriology section (since 2020)

Croatian Genetic Society (affiliated to EEMGS)

Croatian Society for Biochemistry and Molecular Biology (affiliated to FEBS)