Research interest
My current research interests are directed towards the development and application of novel high fidelity molecular markers (detection of DNA damage, differential gene expression and regulation) and methods (Microarray, real time PCR, flow cytometry) for ecotoxicological risk assessment in the marine environment. Elucidation of the role of biomolecules (modulation of P53, cell cycle check points and apoptosis mechanisms in marine invertebrates) in responses to toxic agents at cellular and subcellular levels and their mechanisms of genotoxicity and mutagenesis in aquatic species are the primary parts of my research. In addition, molecular toxicology of marine organisms and the application of molecular DNA PCR and electrophoresis techniques in molecular ecology and study of population genetics in marine species are also among my interests.
My former research interests were oriented towards the characterisation of detoxification enzyme systems (mixed function oxygenase), including modulation and induction of P-450 in marine organisms (invertebrates and fish). Other main research themes involved the development of molecular biomarkers of genotoxic stress in the marine environment, the monitoring of DNA damage in the mussel Mytilus galloprovincialis exposed to model and environmental genotoxic contamination and particular DNA integrity determination by Fast Micromethod®. Previous work in the Food Safety lab of the government Institute for Public Health has been focused on the application of GC and HPLC techniques in the determination of aflatoxines, pesticides, PAH, fatty acids, alcohols, and preservatives in food and biotech products and raw materials for the biotech and pharmaceutical industries. At Ljubljana University, as a guest expert I have participated in pharmacogenomic research of lymphoma therapy (TPMT activity and polymorphism) by the application of HPLC and real-time PCR techniques.
