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New Paper Published in RNA Biology (Taylor & Francis)

In collaboration with researchers from the Faculty of Medicine, University of Ljubljana, our team members Dr. Maša Ždralević, Dr. Janja Rašović, and Andrijana Radović prepared a joint original scientific paper in the field of translational bioinformatics and immuno-oncology, titled “Conserved miRNA regulators of PD-1/PD-L1 in glioblastoma and colorectal cancer.” The paper was published on August 19, 2026, in the international journal RNA Biology (Taylor & Francis).

The study is based on an integrative analysis of publicly available transcriptomic and clinical datasets from several international databases (TCGA, CGGA, CPTAC, and GEO). It identifies five conserved microRNAs dysregulated in both glioblastoma and colorectal cancer, showing inverse correlations with the expression of PD-1/PD-L1/PD-L2 immune checkpoint molecules and pointing to their role in tumor immune evasion. The findings highlight these microRNAs as potential biomarkers of immunotherapy response and possible therapeutic targets.

Link to the paper: https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC13568575/

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BIOCAN Researchers Presented Their Work at ICIMTH 2026 in Athens

Our team members from the University of Donja Gorica (UDG), Prof. Dr. Ramo Šendelj and Prof. Dr. Ivana Ognjanović, represented the project at the International Conference on Informatics, Management and Technology in Healthcare (ICIMTH 2026), held in Athens, Greece, on July 3–4, 2026.

At the conference, the team presented the paper “Understanding Biomedical Researchers’ Expectations of Biobanks: Experience in Montenegro,” exploring researchers’ expectations and needs regarding the organization and functioning of biobanks, based on experiences and challenges within Montenegro’s national research context. The topic is directly linked to the project’s work on establishing standardized procedures for the collection, processing, storage, and management of biological samples and data.

The presentation strengthened the international visibility of the BIOCAN project and enabled valuable exchange with the broader community of researchers in biomedical informatics, biobanking, and translational research.

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Montenegro Becomes an Observer in the European Biobanking Infrastructure BBMRI-ERIC

As part of the BIOCAN project’s efforts to establish the first cancer biobank in Montenegro, an initiative was launched by Dr. Maša Ždralević for the country’s accession to BBMRI-ERIC (Biobanking and BioMolecular Resources Research Infrastructure – European Research Infrastructure Consortium), the leading European research infrastructure in the field of biobanking. The initiative was supported by the Faculty of Medicine, University of Montenegro, the Council for Scientific Research Activity, and the Ministry of Education, Science and Innovation, before being formally submitted for evaluation by the Government of Montenegro. Following this process, Montenegro was granted observer status within BBMRI-ERIC at the organization’s General Assembly in June 2026.

Within this new framework, the Faculty of Medicine, University of Montenegro has been designated as the national contact institution, while the BIOCAN biobank represents the country’s central operational biobanking structure. Dr. Maša Ždralević was appointed head of the national BBMRI-ERIC center. With this step, Montenegro joins the European research infrastructure network alongside its existing membership in ELI-ERIC and ESS-ERIC.

This milestone represents a significant strategic step for the development of biomedical research in Montenegro, enabling the integration of national biobanking capacities into the European research space, access to international standards, expertise, and collaborative networks, as well as future participation in international translational and multicenter studies. It also contributes to the long-term sustainability of the biobank established within the BIOCAN project.

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Dr Maša Ždralević Awarded Fulbright Visiting Scholar Grant

We are pleased to announce that Dr Maša Ždralević has been awarded the prestigious Fulbright Visiting Scholar grant for a six-month research stay at the University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, USA, supported by the U.S. Embassy in Podgorica. The Fulbright Visiting Scholar program is intended for established researchers with clearly defined, internationally relevant research plans, and is awarded according to strict criteria of scientific excellence.

Her research project, “Harnessing Tumor and Circulating-Free DNA Methylation for Prognosis and Treatment Stratification in Adenoid Cystic Carcinoma,” will analyze epigenetic DNA methylation patterns in tumor tissue and circulating free DNA to identify prognostic biomarkers for this rare and heterogeneous malignancy.

The results are expected to advance the molecular understanding of the disease and lay the groundwork for future translational research, international collaborations, and potential clinical applications.

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Our Researchers Lecture at CANU Symposium

As part of its ongoing efforts to promote translational research in oncology, our active researchers contributed to the symposium “Malignant Tumors of the Head and Neck – Current Developments,” organized by the Montenegrin Academy of Sciences and Arts (CANU) on December 15, 2025. Prof. Dr. Ljiljana Vučković delivered a lecture titled “Molecular Pathology in the Diagnosis of Head and Neck Tumors,” while Dr. Maša Ždralević presented “Liquid Biopsies and Epigenetics – Opportunities and Challenges in the Diagnosis of Rare Tumors.”

The lectures addressed contemporary concepts in molecular pathology, liquid biopsies, and epigenetic approaches to tumor diagnostics, directly relevant to the scientific framework of the BIOCAN project.

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Guest Appearance on TV E

Our active researchers Dr Maša Ždralević and Dr Janja Rašović spoke about the project’s achievements and upcoming activities during their guest appearance on TV E’s programme E uživo.

The interview highlighted key results from the first year of the project, including the development of the Biobank Information Management System (BIMS), the establishment of the foundations for Montenegro’s first national cancer biobank, as well as scientific achievements and international collaboration through COST TRANSLACORE.

The discussion also focused on the activities planned for the project’s second year, including intensified participant recruitment and research into circulating microRNAs as potential biomarkers for colorectal cancer. The researchers also discussed the importance of multidisciplinary collaboration, the involvement of young researchers, and the development of research infrastructure that will support future molecular oncology research in Montenegro.

Watch the full interview on: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fr1nB9zTX34

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Recognition for Our Research

We are proud to share that our paper, “Advances in microRNAs as Emerging Biomarkers for Colorectal Cancer Early Detection and Diagnosis”, has been selected as one of the Top Viewed Papers of IJMS in 2024. Congratulations to the entire team on this great achievement!

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First Annual Board Meeting

The first annual board meeting of the BIOCAN project was held on May 29th, at the Faculty of Medicine, University of Montenegro.

Over the past year, significant progress has been made across all key areas of the project. Ethical approvals were secured, patient recruitment is ongoing, and laboratory analyses have commenced. The project software has been successfully developed and deployed, and the project website is live.

A scientific review paper has been published in a Q1 journal, and a doctoral candidate involved in the project has successfully defended her dissertation topic.

With active support from the project’s governing bodies, the team remains committed to advancing the research and achieving the project’s goals in the upcoming period.

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Evaluation of the Trial Version of BIMS

The partner organization from the University of Donja Gorica has developed a trial version of the Biobank Information Management System (BIMS) designed for the needs of the project BIOCAN. A meeting dedicated to the evaluation of the trial version was held at the Faculty of Medicine on November 25th, bringing together members of our research team and colleagues from the University of Donja Gorica.

During the meeting, the functionality of the software was jointly analyzed through practical testing to identify potential shortcomings and areas for improvement. Participants provided feedback and highlighted the key strengths of the current version of the software, as well as the challenges that need to be addressed prior to its official implementation.

We extend our gratitude to our partners from the University of Donja Gorica for their wonderful collaboration.

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Exciting News: Our New Paper is Published

We are excited to announce that a new review article entitled: “Advances in microRNAs as Emerging Biomarkers for Colorectal Cancer Early Detection and Diagnosis” by BIOCAN research team has been published in the International Journal of Molecular Sciences (IJMS) as part of the Special Issue: New Insights into Colorectal Cancer.

This comprehensive review summarizes the latest findings on deregulated microRNAs (miRNAs) in both precancerous lesions and CRC, in different types of samples, highlighting their potential as diagnostic tools. We specifically reviewed the roles and diagnostic relevance of four key miRNAs – miR-15b, miR-21, miR-31, and miR-146a – each of which consistently exhibits altered expression in CRC. Challenges and opportunities of integrating miRNA diagnostics into current screening methods are discussed, and the authors are confident that miRNAs have a potential to radically transform CRC diagnosis, leading to improved patient outcomes and new treatment strategies.

Six dedicated members of our BIOCAN team — Maša Ždralević, Andrijana Radović, Janja Raonić, Nataša Popović, Aleksandra Klisić, and Ljiljana Vučković — collaborated on this paper, which you can access through the following link: https://www.mdpi.com/1422-0067/25/20/11060

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