Young researchers from Serbia are being trained to use nanomaterials to diagnose and monitor cancer treatment.
The European Commission has chosen Novi Sad’s Biosens Research Centre for this project, and Teodora Knežić, who is working on the project, says the Nanofacts project allows our scientists to participate in state-of-the-art research in this field, bringing world-level science to Novi Sad.
“We recently returned from a two-month course in Vienna, where we learned to prepare three-dimensional models of cancer cells, primarily brain tumours. These 3D models mimic the development of cancerous tissue in the body. It has been proven that this 3D test is much more reliable, and we plan to develop them further in Serbia, examining the effectiveness of many nanotherapies. We would develop them at the Biosens Institute, under the leadership of project leader Dr. Nikola Knežević”, says Knežić.
Biosens Institute scientist Mila Đisalov says that although science has advanced in cancer therapy, there are still many limitations and challenges that must be overcome.
“We are currently facing an unorganised distribution of anti-tumour drugs and their use in inappropriate concentrations, which can lead to side effects or drug resistance. The problem we want to solve is that they affect not only malignant but also healthy cells”, says Đisalov.
In the last week of July, a free training school will be organized in Novi Sad, and information about it can be followed on the Biosens website or on the Nanofacts project website.
At this training school, researchers, students and all other interested parties will be able to learn about research methods and results in the field from recognized foreign and local scientists.