Apolonija Bedina Zavec

Dr. Apolonija Bedina Zavec

Department of Molecular Biology and Nanobiotechnology, National Institute of Chemistry, Ljubljana, Slovenia

Research Focus & Metrics

Academic Career Length

19Years (2008-Present)

(Calculated once Scilit publication data is synced: current year − year of first publication + 1)

Representative Publications

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KTKaja Troha
Kaja Troha
Domen VozelDomen Vozel
Domen Vozel
MAMatevž Arko
Matevž Arko
AZApolonija Bedina Zavec
Apolonija Bedina Zavec
DDDrago Dolinar
Drago Dolinar
Veronika Kralj-IglicVeronika Kralj-Iglic
Veronika Kralj-Iglic
The preparation of autologous platelet and extracellular vesicle-rich plasma (PVRP) has been explored in many medical fields with the aim to benefit from its healing potential. In parallel, efforts are being invested to understand the function and dynamics of PVRP that is complex in its composition and interactions. Some clinical evidence reveals beneficial effects of PVRP, while some report that there were no effects. To optimize the preparation methods, functions and mechanisms of PVRP, its constituents should be better understood. With the intention to promote further studies of autologous therapeutic PVRP, we performed a review on some topics regarding PVRP composition, harvesting, assessment and preservation, and also on clinical experience following PVRP application in humans and animals. Besides the acknowledged actions of platelets, leukocytes and different molecules, we focus on extracellular vesicles that were found abundant in PVRP.

1 January 2012 in Microbial Cell Factories
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MLMirjana Liovic
Mirjana Liovic
MOMateja Ozir
Mateja Ozir
AZApolonija Bedina Zavec
Apolonija Bedina Zavec
ŠPŠpela Peternel
Špela Peternel
RKRadovan Komel
Radovan Komel
TZTina Zupancic
Tina Zupancic
We present the potential of inclusion bodies (IBs) as a protein delivery method for polymeric filamentous proteins. We used as cell factory a strain of E. coli, a conventional host organism, and keratin 14 (K14) as an example of a complex protein. Keratins build the intermediate filament cytoskeleton of all epithelial cells. In order to build filaments, monomeric K14 needs first to dimerize with its binding partner (keratin 5, K5), which is then followed by heterodimer assembly into filaments.

1 February 2017 in European Journal of Pharmaceutical Sciences
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RŠRoman Štukelj
Roman Štukelj
KSKarin Schara
Karin Schara
AZApolonija Bedina Zavec
Apolonija Bedina Zavec
VŠVid Šuštar
Vid Šuštar
MPManca Pajnič
Manca Pajnič
RJRado Janša
Rado Janša

26 July 2021 in Nanomaterials
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RMRamila Mammadova
Ramila Mammadova
IFImmacolata Fiume
Immacolata Fiume
RBRamesh Bokka
Ramesh Bokka
Veronika Kralj-IglicVeronika Kralj-Iglic
Veronika Kralj-Iglic
DBDarja Bozic
Darja Bozic
Gabriella PocsfalviGabriella Pocsfalvi
Gabriella Pocsfalvi
Plant-derived nanovesicles (NVs) have attracted interest due to their anti-inflammatory, anticancer and antioxidative properties and their efficient uptake by human intestinal epithelial cells. Previously we showed that tomato (Solanum lycopersicum L.) fruit is one of the interesting plant resources from which NVs can be obtained at a high yield. In the course of the isolation of NVs from different batches of tomatoes, using the established differential ultracentrifugation or size-exclusion chromatography methods, we occasionally observed the co-isolation of viral particles. Density gradient ultracentrifugation (gUC), using sucrose or iodixanol gradient materials, turned out to be efficient in the separation of NVs from the viral particles. We applied cryogenic transmission electron microscopy (cryo-TEM), scanning electron microscopy (SEM) for the morphological assessment and LC–MS/MS-based proteomics for the protein identification of the gradient fractions. Cryo-TEM showed that a low-density gUC fraction was enriched in membrane-enclosed NVs, while the high-density fractions were rich in rod-shaped objects. Mass spectrometry–based proteomic analysis identified capsid proteins of tomato brown rugose fruit virus, tomato mosaic virus and tomato mottle mosaic virus. In another batch of tomatoes, we isolated tomato spotted wilt virus, potato virus Y and southern tomato virus in the vesicle sample. Our results show the frequent co-isolation of plant viruses with NVs and the utility of the combination of cryo-TEM, SEM and proteomics in the detection of possible viral contamination.

6 May 2014
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ONOmar Naneh
Omar Naneh
TATadej Avčin
Tadej Avčin
AZApolonija Bedina Zavec
Apolonija Bedina Zavec

Verified
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DBDarja Božič
Darja Božič
MHMatej Hočevar
Matej Hočevar
MKMatic Kisovec
Matic Kisovec
MPManca Pajnič
Manca Pajnič
LPLjubiša Pađen
Ljubiša Pađen
Veronika Kralj-IglicVeronika Kralj-Iglic
Veronika Kralj-Iglic
Extracellular vesicles (EVs) are gaining increasing amounts of attention due to their potential use in diagnostics and therapy, but the poor reproducibility of the studies that have been conducted on these structures hinders their breakthrough into routine practice. We believe that a better understanding of EVs stability and methods to control their integrity are the key to resolving this issue. In this work, erythrocyte EVs (hbEVs) were isolated by centrifugation from suspensions of human erythrocytes that had been aged in vitro. The isolate was characterised by scanning (SEM) and cryo-transmission electron microscopy (cryo-TEM), flow cytometry (FCM), dynamic/static light scattering (LS), protein electrophoresis, and UV-V spectrometry. The hbEVs were exposed to various conditions (pH (4–10), osmolarity (50–1000 mOsm/L), temperature (15–60 °C), and surfactant Triton X-100 (10–500 μM)). Their stability was evaluated by LS by considering the hydrodynamic radius (Rh), intensity of scattered light (I), and the shape parameter (ρ). The morphology of the hbEVs that had been stored in phosphate-buffered saline with citrate (PBS–citrate) at 4 °C remained consistent for more than 6 months. A change in the media properties (50–1000 mOsm/L, pH 4–10) had no significant effect on the Rh (=100–130 nm). At pH values below 6 and above 8, at temperatures above 45 °C, and in the presence of Triton X-100, hbEVs degradation was indicated by a decrease in I of more than 20%. Due to the simple preparation, homogeneous morphology, and stability of hbEVs under a wide range of conditions, they are considered to be a suitable option for EV reference material.