STREAMLINE Symposium „ New horizons for research and therapy of 22q11.2 Deletion Syndrome “

On Saturday, April 12th, we hosted the fourth Symposium entitled “New horizons for research and therapy of 22q11.2 Deletion Syndrome” as part of the STREAMLINE project. The event brought together researchers, clinicians, families, and children with 22q11.2 deletion and duplication syndromes.

It was a great pleasure—and a truly valuable opportunity, especially for parents—to attend presentations from world-renowned experts in the field of 22q11.2 Deletion and Duplication Syndromes. Among the keynote speakers were Prof. Donna McDonald-McGinn, MS, LCGC, Director of the 22q and You Center, Associate Director of the Clinical Genetics Center at the Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia, and Clinical Professor of Pediatrics at the Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, as well as Prof. Ann Swillen, Professor at the Department of Human Genetics at KU Leuven and Head of the Lab for Behavior and Neurodevelopment.

Prof. McDonald-McGinn provided a comprehensive overview of the connection between chromosome 22q11.2 copy number variants and the associated medical, cognitive, and behavioral health challenges. Prof. Swillen shared her extensive expertise in the clinical follow-up and research of neurodevelopmental disorders, emphasizing the critical role of Copy Number Variants (CNVs) in increasing the risk for these conditions.

Additional insights into ongoing international research on 22q11.2 Deletion Syndrome were provided by Prof. David Linden, Scientific Director of the Mental Health and Neuroscience Research Institute at Maastricht University, Netherlands, and Prof. Adrian Harwood from Cardiff University, UK.

Dr. Danijela Drakulić from IMGGE, Dr. Goran Čuturilo from University Children’s Hospital Tiršova, Vesna Vujičić from the organization “22q ex YU,” and Ana Knežević, President of the inclusive center “Here’s a Hand” (Evo ruka), discussed the current state of research and diagnostics related to 22q11.2 Deletion and Duplication Syndromes in the region, and outlined opportunities for future development.

The STREAMLINE team spent this Saturday alongside parents and children affected by 22q11.2 deletion and duplication syndromes, engaging in open conversations and meaningful discussions. It was a valuable opportunity to gain a deeper understanding of the everyday experiences and challenges faced by individuals and families living with these syndromes. Perhaps most importantly, the symposium created a warm and supportive environment for parents to connect with one another—sharing experiences, broadening their perspectives, and engaging directly with some of the world’s leading experts in the field.

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Overview of the STREAMLINE International Spring School “Emerging technologies and new horizons for research and therapy of human Neurodevelopmental Disorders (NDDs)”

The third STREAMLINE Spring School took place from April 9–11, 2025, at the Institute of Molecular Genetics and Genetic Engineering (IMGGE), University of Belgrade, Serbia, and was dedicated to state-of-the-art research in neurodevelopmental disorders (NDDs). This Spring School was co-organized by IMGGE, Serbia and Cardiff University, UK and gathered 34 PhD students from Serbia and Bosnia and Herzegovina. Participants had the opportunity to deepen their knowledge and skills through expert-led lectures and hands-on training. Topics covered included the use of patient-specific induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs), brain organoids, and multi-OMICS technologies in modeling NDDs. Sessions also highlighted advanced imaging techniques for investigating cellular architecture, dynamics, and function, as well as the crucial connection between cellular mechanisms and clinical insights into NDDs.

Students had a unique opportunity to learn from the experts from Serbia, UK, Netherlands, Switzerland and Greece. The Spring School provided an inspiring environment for scientific exchange, fostering lively discussions and new professional connections. We hope this experience will contribute meaningfully to the participants’ academic development and future scientific breakthroughs.

We extend our sincere gratitude to all participants and speakers for their invaluable contributions.

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Overview of Open session of the International Spring School “Emerging technologies and new horizons for research and therapy of human Neurodevelopmental Disorders (NDDs)”

The Open session of the International Spring School took place on April 9, 2025 at the Institute of Molecular Genetics and Genetic Engineering, University of Belgrade. We were delighted to welcome PhD students, researchers and clinicians from across Serbia who had a great opportunity to hear about the latest breakthroughs in research and therapy for human neurodevelopmental disorders, presented by leading experts from Europe and the USA. Academician Milena Stevanovic, PI of the STREAMLINE project, opened the session with overview of the STREAMLINE project. Prof. Donna McDonald-McGinn, MS, LCGC, Director of the 22 and You Center, Associate Director of the Clinical Genetics Center at the Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia and Clinical Professor of Pediatrics at the Perelman School of Medicine at the University of Pennsylvania, gave overview of the relationship between chromosome 22q11.2 copy number variants and associated medical, cognitive and behavioral health challenges. Another outstanding presentation came from Ann Swillen, Professor at the Department of Human Genetics at KU Leuven and Head of the Lab for Behavior and Neurodevelopment. With over 30 years of experience, Prof. Swillen shared her extensive expertise in the clinical follow-up and research of neurodevelopmental disorders, emphasizing the role of Copy Number Variants (CNVs) in increasing the risk for such conditions. Prof. David Linden, Scientific Director of the Mental Health and Neuroscience Research Institute at Maastricht University, Netherlands, presented results from neuroimaging and phenotyping studies in genetic neurodevelopmental disorders, while Dr. Janet Harwood, from Cardiff University, UK, introduced MINDDS-connect – an innovative data and resource sharing platform aimed at accelerating research and collaboration in the field of neurodevelopmental disorders.

It was an honor and a pleasure to host such esteemed experts from both Europe and the USA, and we look forward to continued collaboration and knowledge exchange in the future.

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Brain awareness week

Have you heard of brain organoids? These microscopic, yet complex 3D brain models represent one of the most exciting advancements in modern neurobiology, as they allow for the study of human brain development in laboratory conditions in a way that was unimaginable until recently. These organoids are not real brains, but they mimic many of its characteristics. They develop in the laboratory under specific conditions that allow the cells to grow and form complex, three-dimensional structures. As part of the STREAMLINE project, Dr. Mina Perić has successfully developed brain organoids from induced pluripotent stem cells derived from individuals with 22q11.2 deletion syndrome. These brain organoids will enable us to test new drugs and therapies for neurodevelopmental disorders that still lack effective treatments.

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STREAMLINE “Industry Open Day No. 2”

Sa velikim zadovoljstvom Vas pozivamo da 24. aprila 2025. godine prisustvujete “Industry Open Day No. 2”, koji organizujemo u Evropskoj kući, Zmaj Jovina 8, Beograd. Manifestacija se organizuje u okviru Horizon Europe Twinning projekta STREAMLINE (https://streamlineproject.rs/), čiji je osnovni cilj da Institut za molekularnu genetiku i genetičko inženjerstvo Univerziteta u Beogradu postane regionalni centar za proučavanje i modelovanje neurorazvojnih poremećaja zasnovano na primeni indukovanih pluripotentnih matičnih ćelija (iPSCs) i -omics analiza.

Na manifestaciji “Industry Open Day No. 2” želimo da doprinesemo daljem povezivanju i partnerstvu kompanija, startupova i istraživača, kao i da prodiskutujemo globalne trendove i trenutna dostignuća u biomedicini zasnovanoj na primeni matičnih ćelija.

Pored matičnih ćelija, razgovaraćemo i o celokupnom razvoju biomedicine u Srbiji i regionu Zapadnog Balkana, potencijalima za dalji razvoj i, što je najvažnije, saradnji sa industrijom – uključujući CRO kompanije, investitore i mnoge druge ključne aktere ekosistema.

Link za registraciju:

Prijave su otvorene do 02. aprila 2025. godine.

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Radujemo se druženju u aprilu!

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STREAMLINE Simpozijum “New horizons for research and therapy of 22q11.2 Deletion Syndrome“

U ime članova tima Horizon Europe projekta STREAMLINE i Organizacionog odbora Simpozijuma “New horizons for research and therapy of 22q11.2 Deletion Syndrome” sa zadovoljstvom vas pozivamo da prisustvujete Simpozijumu koji će se održati 12. aprila 2025. godine sa pocetkom u 11h i 30min u Institutu za molekularnu genetiku i genetičko inženjerstvo, Univerzitet u Beogradu. Cilj Simpozijuma je da se na jednom mestu okupe roditelji i deca sa sindromom delecije i duplikacije 22q11.2 i eksperti iz ove oblasti i diskutuju o najnovijim saznanjima o ovim sindromima. Sa velikim zadovoljstvom vas obavestavamo da će učesnici Simpozijuma, po prvi put kod nas, biti i svetski priznati eksperti iz ove oblasti iz USA, Belgije, Holandije i Ujedinjenog kraljevstva.

Obezbeđen je simultani prevod sa engleskog jezika, a učešće je besplatno uz obaveznu prijavu zbog ograničenog broja mesta, putem sledećeg linka: link.

Prijave su otvorene do 15. marta 2025.
Potvrda o prisustvu će Vam biti poslata do 01. aprila 2025. godine.

Radujemo se viđenju u aprilu u Beogradu!
STREAMLINE tim

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Open session of the International Spring School “Emerging technologies and new horizons for research and therapy of human Neurodevelopmental Disorders (NDDs)”

We are delighted to invite you to the open session of the International Spring School “Emerging technologies and new horizons for research and therapy of human Neurodevelopmental Disorders (NDDs)” which will be held on April 9, 2025 at the Institute of Molecular Genetics and Genetic Engineering, University of Belgrade from 10 a.m. To register click here: link

Registration is open until March 15th 2025.

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STREAMLINE TRAINING IN JANUARY

The training dedicated to improving the research management capabilities and administrative skills of IMGGE staff was held online on January 13, 2025. This year, the training program was elevated to a higher level by integrating the topics covered in the previous six trainings into one comprehensive program. IMGGE staff who had submitted project proposals that did not receive funding in the recent period or, who are currently preparing or planning to prepare EU or other international proposals, were offered personalized advice. Dr. Marija Schwirtlich and Dr. Danijela Drakulic presented their project proposals, which had been evaluated over the past two years. Following their presentations, a discussion occurred with Prof. David Linden, Prof. Adrian Harwood, Dr. Spyros Petrakis, and Marco Berndes (Funding and Policy Advisor). They provided Marija and Danijela with feedback and main suggestions to improve the quality of their proposed studies.

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An International Spring School: “Emerging technologies and new horizons for research and therapy of human Neurodevelopmental Disorders (NDDs)”

It is our great pleasure to announce our third Spring school: “Emerging technologies and new horizons for research and therapy of human Neurodevelopmental Disorders (NDDs)” as part of the project STREAMLINE funded by the European Union. The School will be held at the Institute of Molecular Genetics and Genetic Engineering, University of Belgrade (IMGGE), Belgrade, Serbia from April 9th to April 11th 2025 and will be co-organized by IMGGE and Cardiff University, UK.

Why STREAMLINE International School: The School will offer a comprehensive guide to current state-of-the-art research of NDDs based on the application of patient-specific induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs), brain organoids and OMICS analysis. By face-to-face lectures, discussion sessions and practical demonstrations, the International School will guide you from the understanding of the clinical perspective of NDDs, human cell functional genomics, modelling NDDs using iPSCs and brain organoids, emerging imaging technologies to study cell architecture, dynamics and function to the translation from cell mechanism to patient biology. It will provide knowledge and understanding of current approaches and technologies to support future research and international collaboration.

Who should attend this International Streamline School: PhD students from the Western Balkan region with interest in research and therapy of NDDs.

Costs: travel (train/bus tickets), accommodation and subsistence costs will be covered by the project STREAMLINE.

Language: English

How to apply: Please apply via the Google form at the link or scan QR code below

Applications are now open

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Selection procedure: To enable comfortable interactions between the instructors and attendees, the numbers of participants will be limited to a maximum of 25. The selection will be based on qualification, current work, and motivation letter regarding the ongoing or future research within the field of NDDs.

Decisions on acceptance will be announced by email on February 7th.

If you have any additional questions please do not hesitate to contact us on streamline.hub.imgge@gmail.com <mailto:streamline.hub.imgge@gmail.com>

Looking forward to seeing you in Belgrade.

STREAMLINE team

Twinning STREAMLINE project
Twinning STREAMLINE project