Research

The Laboratory of Clinical Biophysics is devoted primarily to theoretical and experimental research of clinically relevant problems by including methods of physics. We stand for life-friendly methods and promote collaboration between different fields of knowledge.

The properties of cell and phospholipid membranes are studied with special emphasis on cellular vesicles and small (anisotropic) structures such as nanotubules and pores. Nanotubules and microexovesicles are considered as transport systems within the body and are important in basic physiological processes in health and disease.

A noninvasive method for determination of the contact hip stress in adult human hip and hip endoprothesis (HIPSTRESS) has been developed and validated in collaboration with orthopedic surgeons and traumatologists.

Other subjects of interest include theory of electric double layer, theory of elastomechanics, theory of self-assembly, theory of thin anisotropic structures (organic and inorganic nanotubes, ribbons, stripes and nonlamelar lipid structures) and experiments with giant phospholipid vesicles, human blood constituents and cell cultures.

Collaborative partners are Laboratory of Physics, Faculty of Electrical Engineering, https://www.fe.uni-lj.si/raziskovanje/katedre_in_laboratoriji/laboratorij/2008081915201404/ , Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, University Medical Centre Ljubljana, https://www.ortopedska-klinika.si/index.php?lang=en and Laboratory for Extracellular Vesicles and Mass Spectrometry, National Research Council of Italy, Naples, Italy https://www.evs-ms.com/index.php/

The head of the Laboratory of Clinical Biophysics Veronika Kralj-Iglic is presently coordinating a project "Optimization of autologous platelet and extracellular vesicles rich plasma for treatment of postoperative wounds in otorhinolaryngology" financed by Slovenian Research Agency (ARRS) by the number J3-3066. The overall objective of the project is to improve the methodology of preparation of autologous blood-derived products. This is being achieved through the collaboration of an international multidisciplinary team addressing the following specific goals within the workpackages (WPs):

(i) To determine the effects of processing on plasma and on EV isolate composition  (WP1)

(ii) To set-up and apply analytical pipeline to a comprehensive characterization of key molecular players in plasma (WP2)

(iii) To implement and validate the preparation in a clinical study (WP3)

(iv) To propose individualized protocol and develop new device for next-generation plasma preparation (WP4)

ELTE, MTA-ELTE Lendület (Momentum) Ion Mobility Mass Spectrometry Research Group (head Gitta Schlosser) This newly formed research group is dedicated to the identification and characterization of posttranslational modifications of proteins using LC-MS techniques combined with ion mobility separation. A cutting-edge cyclic IM-MS instrument (Waters Select Series IMS) was installed in the laboratory in May, 2020. The group consists of 2 Ph.D. researchers, 2 young researchers, and 3 Ph.D. students.

KI,  Department of Molecular Biology and Nanobiotechnology (head Marjetka Podobnik) is devoted to interactions between biological molecules at the molecular level by using biochemical, biophysical and structural approaches, to understand their mechanism of action as well as possibilities for application in (nano)biotechnology. Department has 15 Ph.D. researchers, 10 Ph.D. students and 7 expert fellows.

UL FCCT, Chair for Physical Chemistry (head Ksenija Kogej) Research activities of the group lead by Ksenija Kogej are devoted to studies of solution properties of polyelectrolytes, surface active agents and other more complex colloid systems (associating polymers, mixtures of polymers and surfactants, micelles, vesicles, exosomes, drug delivery systems, etc.). For this purpose, various techniques are used: static and dynamic light scattering, calorimetry, potentiometry, UV-vis and fluorescence spectroscopy, etc.

UL FE, Laboratory of physics (head Aleš Iglič) The scope of the group is theoretical and experimental research of nanostructures and interactions of nanostructures with surfaces. Included are organic and inorganic nanostructures. Methods of classical electrodynamics, elasto mechanics and statistical physics are used. The group consists of 4 Ph.D. Researchers, 1 young researcher, 1 Ph.D. Student and 1 technician.

UL BF, Group for Nanobiology and Nanotoxicology (head Damjana Drobne) Primary goal of the Group for Nanobiology and Nanotoxicology is research of specific interactions of biological systems with nanomaterials on different levels of biological organization. The subject of interest are interactions of nanomaterial with model membranes and model proteins and protective or harmful impacts of nanomaterial on different types of cells and organisms. The group consists of 5 Ph.D. researchers, 7 Ph.D. students and undergraduate students.

IMT, Physics and Chemistry of Materials, Laboratory of Surface engineering and applied surface science (head  Matjaž Godec) Laboratory is devoted to research and characterization of solid surfaces. The main goal is modification and functionalization of metallic surfaces in order to improve their properties (corrosion, biodegradation, surface chemistry, hydrophobicity, biocompatibility), functionality and prolong their life. The group consists of 14 Ph.D. researchers and 2 Ph.D. students.

UMC DORL, University Medical Centre Ljubljana, Department of Otorhinolaryngology and Cervicofacial Surgery is one of the largest ear, nose and throat centres in Europe. The research group led by Saba Battelino consists of 2 Ph.D. researchers and 1 Ph.D. student.

CNR-IBBR, Laboratory of Extracellular Vesicles and Mass Spectrometry (EVs&MS), Naples, Italy

Consiglio Nazionale delle Ricerca (CNR) is the largest public research body in Italy and one of the major on the international stage. There are the 91 CNR’s institutes located throughout Italy that belong to 7 macro-areas of research (departments) characterized by a high degree of multidisciplinarity. The Institute of Biosciences and BioResources (CNR-IBBR), Naples is active in the area of fundamental biology and its application in agriculture, health, industry and environment and carries out interdisciplinary studies in functional food, genomic variability, and their role for human health and disease prevention. The EVs&MS laboratory at CNR-IBBR, Naples is actively involved in mass spectrometry-based EV research. Head of the laboratory Gabriella Pocsfalvi, Ph.D. is highly committed to mass spectrometry-based omics technology and bioinformatics for development of EV protein biomarkers and to understand possible roles of EVs in tissue regeneration and healing.

DOMEL d.o.o. (Director Matjaž Čemažar) is a global solution provider and manufacturer in the field of electric motors. More than 60 years of experience and over 1300 employees (2020 turnover EUR 140 mio) are a guarantee for achieving excellent product performance. With more than 80 specialists (8 Ph.D.) Domel’s core competency is the broad and in-depth knowledge in aerodynamics, acoustics, electromagnetics, electronics, structural mechanics, materials, process engineering and industrialization. Domel’s business unit Laboratory Systems has been building laboratory equipment since 1953, when the first laboratory centrifuge was built.