• 1997: BSc in Medical Biochemistry, Faculty of Pharmacy and Biochemistry, University of Zagreb, Croatia
• 2000: MSc in Molecular and Cellular Biology, Faculty of Sciences, University of Zagreb, Croatia
• 2005: PhD in Biology, Faculty of Sciences, University of Zagreb, Croatia
• 2006-2008: postdoctoral fellow, Medical University of Graz, Graz, Austria

• 2018-2022: Influence of maternal metabolic state on placental and neonatal serotonin system: from DNA methylation to protein function (Croatian Science Foundation)
• 2017-2018: Association between maternal emotional state in pregnancy and placental DNA methylation of serotonin-related genes (Catholic University of Croatia, Zagreb)
• 2016: Serotonin transporter gene regulation in the human placenta and establishment of a biobank for further research (Catholic University of Croatia, Zagreb)
• 2013-2014: Epigenetics of serotonin signaling: DNA methylation analyses of serotonin transporter, monoamine oxidase B and serotonin receptor 2A genes (Croatian-German mobility grant; MZOS, RH and DAAD, Germany; co-PIs: J. Stefulj, P. Zill)
• 2012-2013: Transport of maternal serotonin across human placenta: studies on primary endothelial cells of human placental barrier (Croatian-Austrian mobility grant; MZOS, RH and OeAD, Austria; co-PIs: J. Stefulj, U. Panzenboeck)
• 2010-2013: Serotonergic neurotransmission: genes, proteins and behaviour (MZOS, RH)

• 2015-2019: Serotonergic modulation of obesity: cross-talk between regulatory molecules and pathways (Croatian Science Foundation)
• 2012-2013: Identification of gene pathways involved in serotonergic modulation of body weight (TANITA Healthy Weight Community Trust, Japan)
• 2010-2011: The mechanism of cholesterol action in the pathogenesis of Alzheimer's disease (MZOS, RH)
• 2007-2010: Serotonergic neurotransmission: genes, proteins and behaviour (MZOS, RH)
• 2006-2008: Nuclear receptors as lipid sensors at the blood-brain barrier (FWF, Austria)
• 2002-2006: Molecular patophysiology of serotonergic transmission (MZOS, RH)
• 1997-2001: Neurochemistry of synaptic transmission (MZOS, RH)

• 2010/2011: Visiting Scientists Program (BankAustria, Austria)
• 1998/1999: Austrian Goverment Fellowship (Republic of Austria)
• 1995: Rector's Award (University of Zagreb, Croatia)

• Synapse: from genes to proteins (postgraduate course, University of Zagreb School of Medicine)
• Biological psychology I (undergraduate course, Catholic University of Croatia)
• Epigenetics in psychology (undergraduate course, Catholic University of Croatia)

• Biological psychology II (undergraduate course, Catholic University of Croatia)

(* corresopnding author/s)

• Bakovic P, Kesic M, Peric M, Beceheli I, Horvaticek M, George M, Cicin-Sain L, Desoye G, Wadsack C, Panzenboeck U, Stefulj J* (2021) Differential serotonin uptake mechanisms at the human maternal-fetal interface. Int J Mol Sci 22, 7807. doi: 10.3390/ijms22157807.
• Kesic M, Bakovic P, Stojkovic R, Stefulj J*, Cicin-Sain L* (2021) Metabolic disturbances in rat sublines with constitutionally altered serotonin homeostasis. Int J Mol Sci 22, 5400. doi: 10.3390/ijms22105400.
• Kesic M, Bakovic P, Horvaticek M, Proust BLJ, Stefulj J, Cicin-Sain L (2020) Constitutionally high serotonin tone favors obesity: study on rat sublines with altered serotonin homeostasis. Front Neurosci 14, 219. doi: 10.3389/fnins.2020.00219.
• Blazevic S, Horvaticek M, Kesic M, Zill P, Hranilovic D, Ivanisevic M, Desoye G, Stefulj J* (2017) Epigenetic adaptation of the placental serotonin transporter gene (SLC6A4) to gestational diabetes mellitus. PLoS One 12, e0179934.
• Hranilovic D, Blazevic S, Stefulj J*, Zill P (2016) DNA methylation analysis of HTR2A regulatory region in leukocytes of autistic subjects. Autism Res 9, 204-209.
• Chirackal Manavalan AP, Kober A, Metso J, Lang I, Becker T, Hasslitzer K, Zandl M, Fanaee-Danesh E, Pippal JB, Sachdev V, Kratky D, Stefulj J, Jauhiainen M, Panzenboeck U (2014)  Phospholipid transfer protein is expressed in cerebrovascular endothelial cells and involved in high density lipoprotein biogenesis and remodeling at the blood-brain barrier. J Biol Chem 289, 4683-4698.
• Stefulj J*, Mokrovic G, Hranilovic D, Bordukalo-Niksic T, Bakula M, Kubat M, Jernej B (2011) Functional promoter polymorphism of the neuronal isoform of tryptophan hydroxylase (TPH2) in suicide. Psychiat Res 186, 446-447.
• Stefulj J, Panzenboeck U, Becker T, Hirschmugl B, Schweinzer C, Lang I, Marsche G, Sadjak A, Lang U, Desoye G, Wadsack C (2009) Human endothelial cells of the placental barrier efficiently deliver cholesterol to the fetal circulation via ABCA1 and ABCG1. Circ Res 104, 600-608.
• Stefulj J, Kubat M, Balija M, Jernej B (2006) TPH gene polymorphism and ageing: indication of combined effect on the predisposition to violent suicide. Am J Med Genet B 141, 139-141.
• Stefulj J, Büttner A, Kubat M, Zill P, Balija M, Eisenmenger W, Bondy B, Jernej B (2004) 5HT-2C receptor polymorphism in suicide victims: association studies in German and Slavic populations. Eur Arch Psychiatry Clin Neurosci 254, 224-227.
• Hranilovic D, Stefulj J, Schwab S, Borrmann-Hassenbach M, Albus M, Jernej B, Wildenauer D (2004) Serotonin transporter promoter and intron 2 polymorphisms: relationship between allelic variants and gene expression. Biol Psychiat 55, 1090-1094.
• Stefulj J, Hoertner M, Meenakshi G, Schauenstein K, Rinner I, Woelfler A, Semmler J, Liebmann PM (2001) Gene expression of the key enzymes of melatonin synthesis in extrapineal tissues of the rat. J Pineal Res 30, 243-247.
• Stefulj J, Cicin-Sain L, Schauenstein K, Jernej B (2001) Serotonin and immune response: effect of the amine on in vitro proliferation of rat lymphocytes. Neuroimmunomodulation 9, 103-108.
• Stefulj J, Jernej B, Cicin-Sain L, Rinner I, Schauenstein K (2000) mRNA expression of serotonin receptors in cells of the immune tissues of the rat. Brain Behav Immun 14, 219-224.

Journal articles

Scientific and review papers

• Konjevod, M., Rešetar, M., Matošić, A., Čičin-Šain, L. & Štefulj, J. (2023) Association of Functional Polymorphism in TPH2 Gene with Alcohol Dependence and Personality Traits: Study in Cloninger’s Type I and Type II Alcohol-Dependent Inpatients. Genes, 14 (2), 413, 11 doi:10.3390/genes14020413.

  doiwww.mdpi.com

• Baković, P., Kesić, M., Kolarić, D., Štefulj, J. & Čičin-Šain, L. (2023) Metabolic and Molecular Response to High-Fat Diet Differs between Rats with Constitutionally High and Low Serotonin Tone. International journal of molecular sciences, 24 (3), 2169, 23 doi:10.3390/ijms24032169.

  doiwww.mdpi.com

• Perić, M., Bečeheli, I., Čičin-Šain, L., Desoye, G. & Štefulj, J. (2022) Serotonin System in the Human Placenta – the Knowns and Unknowns. Frontiers in endocrinology (Lausanne), 13, 1061317, 19 doi:10.3389/fendo.2022.1061317.

  doiwww.frontiersin.orgfulir.irb.hr

• Horvatiček, M., Perić, M., Bečeheli, I., Klasić, M., Žutić, M., Kesić, M., Desoye, G., Nakić Radoš, S., Ivanišević, M., Hranilovic, D. & Štefulj, J. (2022) Maternal Metabolic State and Fetal Sex and Genotype Modulate Methylation of the Serotonin Receptor Type 2A Gene (HTR2A) in the Human Placenta. Biomedicines, 10 (2), 467, 19 doi:10.3390/biomedicines10020467.

  doiwww.mdpi.comdoi.orgfulir.irb.hr

• Kesić, M., Mokrović, G., Tvrdeić, A., Miše, B., Štefulj, J. & Čičin-Šain, L. (2021) Constitutive serotonin tone modulates molecular and behavioral response to chronic fluoxetine treatment: a study on genetic rat model. Frontiers in psychiatry, 12, 741222, 12 doi:10.3389/fpsyt.2021.741222.

  doidoi.orgfulir.irb.hr

• Baković, P., Kesić, M., Perić, M., Bečeheli, I., Horvatiček, M., George, M., Čičin-Šain, L., Desoye, G., Wadsack, C., Panzenboeck, U. & Štefulj, J. (2021) Differential Serotonin Uptake Mechanisms at the Human Maternal–Fetal Interface. International journal of molecular sciences, 22 (15), 7807, 17 doi:10.3390/ijms22157807.

  doiwww.mdpi.comdoi.orgfulir.irb.hr

• Kesić, M., Baković, P., Stojković, R., Štefulj, J. & Čičin-Šain, L. (2021) Metabolic disturbances in rat sublines with constitutionally altered serotonin homeostasis. International journal of molecular sciences, 22 (10), 5400, 20 doi:10.3390/ijms22105400.

  doiwww.mdpi.comdoi.orgfulir.irb.hr

• Kesić, M., Baković, P., Horvatiček, M., Proust, B., Štefulj, J. & Čičin-Šain, L. (2020) Constitutionally High Serotonin Tone Favors Obesity: Study on Rat Sublines With Altered Serotonin Homeostasis. Frontiers in neuroscience, 14, 219, 14 doi:10.3389/fnins.2020.00219.

  doiwww.frontiersin.orgfulir.irb.hr

• Zandl-Lang, M., Fanaee-Danesh, E., Sun, Y., Cancar, I., Gali, C., Kober, A., Albrecher, N., Tam-Amersdorfer, C., Stracke, A., Storck, S., Saeed, A., Štefulj, J., Pietrzik, C., Wilson, M., Bjoerkhem, I. & Panzenboeck, U. (2017) Regulatory effects of simvastatin and apoJ on APP processing and amyloid-β clearance in blood-brain barrier endothelial cells. Biochimica and biophysica acta. Molecular and cell biology of lipids, 1863 (1), 40-60 doi:10.1016/j.bbalip.2017.09.008.

  doi

• Blažević, S., Horvatiček, M., Kesić, M., Zill, P., Hranilović, D., Ivanišević, M., Desoye, G. & Štefulj, J. (2017) Epigenetic adaptation of the placental serotonin transporter gene (SLC6A4) to gestational diabetes mellitus. PLoS One, 12 (6), e0179934-e0179934 doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0179934.

  doifulir.irb.hr

• Hranilović, D., Blažević, S., Štefulj, J. & Zill, P. (2016) DNA methylation analysis of HTR2A regulatory region in leukocytes of autistic subjects. Autism research, 9 (2), 204-209 doi:10.1002/aur.1519.

  doi

• Rak, S., De Zan, T., Štefulj, J., Kosović, M., Gamulin, O. & Osmak, M. (2014) FTIR spectroscopy reveals lipid droplets in drug resistant laryngeal carcinoma cells through detection of increased ester vibrational bands intensity. Analyst, 139 (13), 3407-3415 doi:10.1039/c4an00412d.

  doi

• Chirackal Manavalan, A., Kober, A., Metso, J., Lang, I., Becker, T., Hasslitzer, K., Zandl, M., Fanaee-Danesh, E., Briesh Pippal, J., Sachdev, V., Kratky, D., Štefulj, J., Jauhiainen, M. & Panzenboeck, U. (2014) Phospholipid transfer protein is expressed in cerebrovascular endothelial cells and involved in HDL biogenesis and remodeling at the blood- brain barrier. The Journal of biological chemistry, 289 (8), 4683-4698 doi:10.1074/jbc.M113.499129.

  doi

• Čupić, B., Štefulj, J., Zapletal, E., Matošić, A., Bordukalo-Nikšić, T., Čičin-Šain, L. & Gabrilovac, J. (2013) Opioid system genes in alcoholism: A case–control study in Croatian population. Neuropeptides, 47 (5), 315-319 doi:10.1016/j.npep.2013.08.002.

  doi

• Štefulj, J., Panzenboeck, U., Hof, P. & Šimić, G. (2013) Pathogenesis, modulation, and therapy of Alzheimer’s disease: A perspective on roles of liver-X receptors. Translational Neuroscience, 4 (3), 349-356 doi:10.2478/s13380-013-0136-z.

  doiwww.degruyter.comfulir.irb.hr

• Štefulj, J., Perić, M., Malnar, M., Košiček, M., Schweinzer, C., Živković, J., Scholler, M., Panzenboeck, U. & Hećimović, S. (2013) Pharmacological activation of LXRs decreases amyloid-β levels in Niemann-Pick type C model cells. Current pharmaceutical biotechnology, 14 (6), 582-593.

• Bordukalo-Nikšić, T., Štefulj, J., Matošić, A., Mokrović, G. & Čičin-Šain, L. (2012) Combination of polymorphic variants in serotonin transporter and monoamine oxidase-A genes may influence the risk for early-onset alcoholism. Psychiatry research, 200 (2/3), 1041-1043 doi:10.1016/j.psychres.2012.04.031.

  doi

• Jokić, M., Brčić-Kostić, K., Štefulj, J., Catela Ivković, T., Lončar, B., Gamulin, M. & Kapitanović, S. (2011) Association of MTHFR, MTR, MTRR, RFC1 and DHFR Gene Polymorphisms With Susceptibility to Sporadic Colon Cancer. DNA and cell biology, 30 (10), 771-776 doi:10.1089/dna.2010.1189.

  doi

• Štefulj, J., Mokrović, G., Hranilović, D., Bordukalo-Nikšić, T., Bakula, M., Kubat, M. & Jernej, B. (2011) Functional promoter polymorphism of the neuronal isoform of tryptophan hydroxylase (Tph2) in suicide. Psychiatry research, 186 (2/3), 446-447 doi:10.1016/j.psychres.2010.08.034.

  doi

• Štefulj, J. & Bordukalo-Nikšić, T. (2010) Neuronal tryptophan hydroxylase (TPH2) in suicidal behaviour. Translational Neuroscience, 1 (3), 207-213 doi:10.2478/v10134-010-0031-x.

  doi

• Hećimović, H., Štefulj, J., Čičin-Šain, L., Demarin, V. & Jernej, B. (2010) Association of serotonin transporter promoter (5-HTTLPR) and intron 2 (VNTR-2) polymorphisms with treatment response in temporal lobe epilepsy. Epilepsy research, 91 (1), 35-38 doi:10.1016/jeplepsyres.2010.06.008.

  doi

• Bordukalo-Nikšić, T., Mokrović, G., Štefulj, J., Živin, M., Jernej, B. & Čičin-Šain, L. (2010) 5HT-1A receptors and anxiety-like behaviours: studies in rats with constitutionally upregulated / downregulated serotonin transporter. Behavioural brain research, 213 (2), 238-245 doi:10.1016/j.bbr.2010.05.002.

  doi

• Štefulj, J., Bordukalo-Nikšić, T., Hećimović, H., Demarin, V. & Jernej, B. (2010) Epilepsy and serotonin (5HT) : variations of 5HT related genes in temporal lobe epilepsy. Neuroscience letters, 478 (1), 29-31 doi:10.1016/j.neulet.2010.04.060.

  doi

• Štefulj, J., Panzenboeck, U., Becker, T., Hirschmugl, B., Schweinzer, C., Lang, I., Marsche, G., Sadjak, A., Lang, U., Desoye, G. & Wadsack, C. (2009) Human endothelial cells of the placental barrier efficiently deliver cholesterol to the fetal circulation via ABCA1 and ABCG1. Circulation research, 104 (5), 600-608 doi:10.1161/circresaha.108.185066.

  doi

• Calayir, E., Becker, T., Kratzer, A., Ebner, B., Panzenboeck, U., Štefulj, J. & Kostner, G. (2008) LXR-agonists regulate ApoM expression differentially in liver and intestine. Current pharmaceutical biotechnology, 9 (6), 516-521 doi:10.2174/138920108786786376.

  doi

• Štefulj, J., Kubat, M., Balija, M. & Jernej, B. (2006) TPH gene polymorphism and ageing: indication of combined effect on the predisposition to violent suicide. American journal of medical genetics. Part B, Neuropsychiatric genetics, 141B (2), 139-141.

• Štefulj, J., Kubat, M., Balija, M., Škavić, J. & Jernej, B. (2005) Variability of the tryptophan hydroxylase gene : study in victims of violent suicide. Psychiatry research, 134, 67-73.

• Filić, V., Vladić, A., Štefulj, J., Čičin-Šain, L., Balija, M., Sučić, Z. & Jernej, B. (2005) Monoamine Oxidases A and B Gene Polymorphisms in Migraine Patients. Journal of the neurological sciences, 228 (2), 149-153 doi:10.1016/j.jns.2004.11.045.

  doi

• Hranilović, D., Štefulj, J., Schwab, S., Borrmann-Hassenbach, M., Albus, M., Jernej, B. & Wildenauer, D. (2004) Serotonin transporter promoter and intron 2 polymorphisms: relationship between allelic variants and gene expression. Biological Psychiatry, 55 (11), 1090-1094.

• Štefulj, J., Büttner, A., Kubat, M., Zill, P., Balija, M., Eisenmenger, W., Bondy, B. & Jernej, B. (2004) 5HT-2C receptor polymorphism in suicide victims : association studies in German and Slavic populations. European Archives of Psychiatry and Clinical Neuroscience, 254 (4), 224-227 doi:10.1007/s00406-004-0482-5.

  doi

• Jernej, B., Štefulj, J., Hranilović, D., Balija, M., Škavić, J. & Kubat, M. (2004) Intronic polymorphism of tryptophan hydroxylase and serotonin transporter: indication for combined effect in predisposition to suicide. Journal of Neural Transmission, 111 (6), 733-738.

• Štefulj, J., Büttner, A., Škavić, J., Zill, P., Balija, M., Eisenmenger, W., Bondy, B. & Jernej, B. (2004) Serotonin 1B (5HT-1B) receptor polymorphism (G861C) in suicide victims: association studies in German and Slavic population. American Journal of Medical Genetics B, 127B (1), 48-50.

• Hranilović, D., Štefulj, J., Furač, I., Kubat, M., Balija, M. & Jernej, B. (2003) Serotonin transporter gene promoter (5-HTTLPR) and intron 2 (VNTR) polymorphisms in suicide victims of Croatian origin. Biological Psychiatry, 54 (9), 884-889.

• Štefulj, J., Jakopec, S., Osmak, M. & Jernej, B. (2002) Serotonin and apoptosis: studies on rat lymphocytes. Neuroimmunomodulation, 10 (3), 132-133.

• Štefulj, J., Hoertner, M., Meenakshi, G., Schauenstein, K., Rinner, I., Woelfler, A., Semmler, J. & Liebmann, P. (2001) Gene expression of the key enzymes of melatonin synthesis in extrapineal tissues of the rat. Journal of pineal research, 30 (4), 243-247.

• Štefulj, J., Čičin-Šain, L., Schauenstein, K. & Jernej, B. (2001) Serotonin and immune response : effect of the amine on in vitro proliferation of rat lymphocytes. Neuroimmunomodulation, 9, 103-108.

• Štefulj, J., Jernej, B., Čičin-Šain, L., Rinner, I. & Schauenstein, K. (2000) mRNA expression of serotonin receptors in cells of the immune tissues of the rat. Brain, behavior and immunity, 14 (3), 219-224.

Theses

Doctoral dissertation

• Štefulj, J. (2005) 'Tryptofan Hydroxylase : Polymorphism and Expression of the Gene in Altered Serotonergic Homeostasis', doktorska disertacija, Prirodoslovno-matematički fakultet, Zagreb.

Master thesis

• Štefulj, J. (2000) 'Serotonin and immune system: messenger RNA (mRNA) of serotonin receptors in rat immune cells', magistarski rad, Prirodoslovno-matematički fakultet, Zagreb.

• Croatian Society of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology
• Croatian Genetic Society
• Croatian Society for Neuroscience