GENERAL INFORMATION:

Biljana Kukavica, PhD, Full Professor

Office:45

email: biljana.kukavica@pmf.unibl.org

ORCID: 0000-0003-1530-0391

EDUCATION:

  • PhD in Biological Sciences, Faculty of Biology, University of Belgrade
  • Master of Biological Sciences, Faculty of Biology, University of Belgrade
  • B.Sc. in Biochemistry, Faculty of Chemistry, University of Belgrade

ACADEMIC, SCIENTIFIC AND EXPERT DEGREE:

  • 2019- today, Full professor, Faculty of Natural Sciences and Mathematics, University of Banja Luka
  • 2013 -2019, Associate Professor, Faculty of Natural Sciences and Mathematics, University of Banja Luka
  • 2008-2013 Assistant Professor, Faculty of Natural Sciences and Mathematics, University of Banja Luka
  • 2002-2008. Research Associate, Center for Multidisciplinary Studies, University of Belgrade

COURSES:

Undergraduate studies

  • Biochemistry I
  • Biochemistry II
  • Molecular biology

Master studies

  • Experimental biochemistry
  • Selected chapters of molecular biology
  • Biochemistry of free radicals

BOOKS:

  • Biochemistry I- Biljana Kukavica, Biljana Davidović-Plavšić, Danijela Kojić and Jelena Purać, publisher of the Faculty of Natural Sciences and Mathematics Banja Luka (2017).
  • Problems in Biochemistry- Biljana Kukavica, Biljana Davidović-Plavšić, Danijela Kojić and Jelena Purać, publisher Faculty of Natural Sciences and Mathematics Banja Luka (2018)

RESEARCH FIELD:

  • Biochemistry, oxidative stress, reactive oxygen species, antioxidant metabolism, plant secondary metabolites

SELECTED PROJECTS:

  • Modifications of antioxidant metabolism of plants with the aim of increasing tolerance to abiotic stress and identification of new biomarkers with application in remediation and monitoring of degraded (2010-2014) – project leader Institute for Multidisciplinary Studies, University of Belgrade, coordinator Dr. Sonja Veljović-Jovanović. Funded by the Ministry of Education, Science and Technological Development of the Republic of Serbia
  • Antioxidant and antimicrobial capacity of vascular plants as an indicator of air quality in the city of Banja Luka. Project holder Faculty of Natural Sciences and Mathematics (2013), coordinators: Dr Biljana Kukavica and Dr. Ljiljana Topalić Trivunović. Funded by the Ministry of Science and Technology of Republika Srpska.
  • Investigation of the role of zeolites in the reduction of oxidative damage to tomato and bean plants caused by various abiotic factors. Project holder Faculty of Natural Sciences and Mathematics (2016), coordinator Dr. Biljana Kukavica. Funded by the Ministry of Science and Technology of Republika Srpska.
  • Research of biochemical mechanisms of plant response to hypoxia and increased concentration of reactive oxygen species caused by floods and droughts, Project holder Faculty of Natural Sciences and Mathematics, coordinator Dr. Biljana Kukavica (2019) Funded by the Ministry of Scientific and Technological Development, Higher Education and Information Society
  • Biochemical characterization of antioxidant capacity of phenolic compounds from selected medicinal plants from the territory of Republika Srpska Project holder Faculty of Natural Sciences and Mathematics (2020), coordinator Dr. Biljana Kukavica. Funded by the Ministries of Science and Technology Development, Higher Education and the Information Society
  • NETREL 530554-TEMPUS-1-2012-1-SK-JPHES. International project, 2013/14. Coordinator of the project: prof. Dr. Ivan Španik. (Dr. Biljana Kukavica coordinator for the University of Banja Luka).
  • COST Action CA18210 Oxygen sensing a novel mean for biology and technology of fruit quality (2019) MC member
  • COST Action CA19116 Trace metal metabolism (2020) MC member

SELECTED PUBLICATIONS:

  • Lukić, N., Trifković, T., Kojić, D., & Kukavica, B. (2021). Modulations of the antioxidants defence system in two maize hybrids during flooding stress. Journal of Plant Research, 1-12.
  • Tatipamula, V. B., & Kukavica, B. (2020). Protective effects of extracts of lichen Dirinaria consimilis (Stirton) DD Awasthi in bifenthrin-and diazinon-induced oxidative stress in rat erythrocytes in vitro. Drug and Chemical Toxicology, 1-8.
  • Lukić, N., Kukavica, B., Davidović-Plavšić, B., Hasanagić, D., & Walter, J. (2020). Plant stress memory is linked to high levels of anti-oxidative enzymes over several weeks. Environmental and Experimental Botany, 104166.
  • Hasanagić, D., Koleška, I., Kojić, D., Vlaisavljević, S., Janjić, N., & Kukavica, B. (2020). Long term drought effects on tomato leaves: anatomical, gas exchange and antioxidant modifications. Acta Physiologiae Plantarum, 42(7), 1-14.
  • Glušac, J., Isaschar-Ovdat, S., Fishman, A., & Kukavica, B. (2019). Partial characterization of bean and maize root peroxidases and their ability to crosslink potato protein. ARCHIVES OF BIOLOGICAL SCIENCES, 71(2), 2
  • Glusac, J., Davidesko-Vardi, I., Isaschar-Ovdat, S., Kukavica, B., & Fishman, A. (2019). Tyrosinase-crosslinked pea protein emulsions: Impact of zein incorporation. Food Research International, 116, 370-378.93-303.
  • Davidović-Plavšić, B., Lukić, N., Nikolić-Kokić, A., & Kukavica, B. (2019). Effects of hemazin SC 500 (terbuthylazine) on antioxidative enzymes in human erythrocytes in vitro. J. Serb. Chem. Soc., 84(5), 455-465.
  • Glusac, J., Davidesko-Vardi, I., Isaschar-Ovdat, S., Kukavica, B., & Fishman, A. (2018). Gel-like emulsions stabilized by tyrosinase-crosslinked potato and zein proteins. Food Hydrocolloids, 82, 53-63.
  • Jovanović, S. V., Kukavica, B., Vidović, M., Morina, F., & Menckhoff, L. (2018). Class III Peroxidases: Functions, Localization and Redox Regulation of Isoenzymes. In Antioxidants and Antioxidant Enzymes in Higher Plants(pp. 269-300). Springer, Cham.
  • Šuškalo, N., Hasanagić, D., Topalić-Trivunović, L., Kukrić, Z., Samelak, I., Savić, A., & Kukavica, B. (2018). Antioxidative and antifungal response of woody species to environmental conditions in the urban area. Ecotoxicology, 27(8), 1095-1106.
  • Glusac, J., Davidesko-Vardi, I., Isaschar-Ovdat, S., Kukavica, B., & Fishman, A. (2018). Tyrosinase-crosslinked pea protein emulsions: Impact of zein incorporation. Food Research International.
  • Glusac, J., Isaschar-Ovdat, S., Kukavica, B., & Fishman, A. (2017). Oil-in-water emulsions stabilized by tyrosinase-crosslinked potato protein. Food Research International, 100, 407-415.
  • Meisrimler, C. N., Menckhoff, L., Kukavica, B. M., & Lüthje, S. (2015). Pre-fractionation strategies to resolve pea (Pisum sativum) sub-proteomes. Frontiers in plant science, 6, 849
  • Biljana M. Kukavica, Sonja D. Veljović-Jovanovicć, Ljiljana Menckhoff, and Sabine Lüthje Cell wall-bound cationic and anionic class III isoperoxidases of pea root: biochemical characterization and function in root growth, J. Exp. Bot. (2012) 63(12): 4631-4645
  • Kukavica B, Mojović M, Vučinić Ž. Z, Maksimović V, Takahama U,  Veljović-Jovanović S (2009) Generation of hydroxyl radical in isolated pea root cell wall, and the role of cell wall-bound peroxidase, Mn-SOD and phenolics in their production. Plant Cell Physiol 50, 304—317
  • Sonja Veljović-Jovanović, Biljana Kukavica, Flavia Navari-Izzo (2008),
    Characterization of polyphenol oxidase changes induced by desiccation of Ramonda serbica leaves, Physiol Plant. 132: 407-416
  • Biljana Kukavica, Aleksandra Mitrović, Miloš Mojović, Sonja Veljović-Jovanović, (2007) Effect of indole-3-acetic acid on pea root growth, peroxidase profiles and hydroxyl radical formation. Archives of biological sciences, 59 (4): 319-326.
  • Biljana Kukavica, Mike F Quartacci, Sonja Veljović-Jovanović, Flavia Navari-Izzo (2007) Lipid composition of pea (Pisum sativum L.) and maize (Zea mays L.) root plasma membrane and membrane-bound peroxidase and superoxide dismutase Archives of Biological Sciences, 59: 295-302.
  • Sonja Veljovic-Jovanovic, Biljana Kukavica, Branka Stevanovic, and Flavia Navari-Izzo Senescence- and drought-related changes in peroxidase and superoxide dismutase isoforms in leaves of Ramonda serbica,   Exp. Bot. (2006), 57: 1759 – 1768
  • Biljana Kukavica, Sonja Veljović –Jovanović Senescence –related changes in the antioxidant status of ginkgo and birch leaves during autumn yellowing, Physiologia Plantarum, (2004), 122:321-327

OTHER:

  • 1998-2002 – scholarship of the Ministry of Science and Technology of the Republic of Serbia
  • October-November 2004 preparation of a part of the doctoral dissertation in the laboratory for biochemistry of the Faculty of Agriculture in Pisa with Professor Flavia Navari-Izzo.
  • October 2006-March 2007; July-September 2009, 2011, 2012 DFG (Deutsche Forschungs-gemeinschafth) fellows in the laboratory of Dr. Sabine Lüthje, Faculty of Biology, University of Hamburg.
  • Supervisor for 4 doctoral theses.
  • Supervisor for 10 master’s theses.