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Prof. Dr. Mina Popović at the National Institute for Cancer Research
Assoc. Prof. Mina Popović, PhD, delivered an invited lecture at the National Institute for Cancer Research, First Faculty of Medicine, Charles University in Prague, Czech Republic. The lecture, titled “Two new strains isolated from Cyprinus carpio, from the Hafnia genus as potential probiotics in the biodegradation of microplastics”, focused on the discovery and characterization of new bacterial strains—particularly probiotic types—and the identification of new genes with various functions essential for achieving beneficial effects on human health. Ongoing environmental pollution and the accumulation of microplastics in aquatic ecosystems create conditions favorable for the growth of bacteria capable of degrading such materials. The presented study evaluated two rarely isolated strains from the gastrointestinal tract (GIT) of Cyprinus carpio—Hafnia alvei UUNT_MP41 and Hafnia paralvei UUNT_MP29—based on their probiotic activity, antibacterial properties, and ability to biodegrade microplastics.
She also established and signed a cooperation agreement between the laboratories: Laboratory of Cancer Cell Architecture, Institute of Biochemistry and Experimental Oncology, First Faculty of Medicine, Charles University, Prague, Czech Republic, led by Mgr. Martin Sztacho, PhD, and Laboratory for Biological Treatment of Water, Faculty of Ecology and Environmental Protection, Union – Nikola Tesla University, Belgrade, Republic of Serbia, led by Assoc. Prof. Mina Popović, PhD.
