This project aims to investigate in detail the interactions between the oncobiome and Hedgehog signaling pathway (HHP) in high-grade serous ovarian carcinoma (HGSOC). In fresh HGSOC and healthy fallopian tube (FT) tissue bacterial composition (bacteriome) will be determined by whole 16S rRNA gene sequencing, human and bacteria transcriptome (determined by dual RNA-seq) will show which bacterial genes are expressed and which human genes may be altered due to infection, while metabolomics will show which bacterial metabolites could cause malignant transformation of FT cells. Stool and vaginal swabs will be also sampled, to confirm the presence of bacteria, which may also enlighten the gut-FT axis and lead to the development of non-invasive diagnostic tests. An independent set of archival HGSOC tissues will be used to further confirm bacterial presence and protein levels of genes affected by these bacteria, what may also lead to the development of prognostic biomarkers. Finally, we will co-culture healthy FT cell lines with bacteria and modulate HHP to elucidate molecular mechanisms and cellular effects. Association between oncobiome, HHP and HGSOC opens new possibilities for prevention, early detection, patients’ stratification and treatment strategies.

The first patient-derived iPSC model of AHCY deficiency-mediated myopathy, telomere-to-telomere long-read genome sequencing, and correction of the pathogenic variant by genome editing. Funded by the Croatian Science Foundation.

Development of an automated system that turns genome data into pharmacogenetic and nutrigenetic recommendations. Co-funded by the European Union through the European Regional Development Fund.

Research and development of a digital identity wallet for secure storage of a personal genome, integrating long-read whole-genome sequencing and automated analysis of monogenic diseases. Co-funded by the European Union through the European Regional Development Fund.

A European project establishing secure capacity for storing and processing genomic data for the 1+ Million Genomes initiative and the future Genome EDIC. Co-funded by the European Union under the Digital Europe Programme.

Colorectal cancer (CRC) is strongly associated with obesity and type 2 diabetes (T2D), yet the mechanistic links between metabolic dysregulation, immune remodeling, and tumor progression remain unclear.