Institute of Biomedical Sciences

04/05/2026

We attended the TERMIS 2026 Conference!

Our PhD candidate Monika Belak travelled to Mallorca to present her research entitled “Integration of a perfusable 3-layered 3D bioprinted skin construct within a millifluidic chip platform.”

We appreciate the opportunity for our research to be presented at this conference and thank Monika for representing our institute!

03/04/2026

09/03/2026

What is the cosmetic potential of chestnut extracts?
In the latest publication in Cosmethically Active Journal (Vol. 3), Laura Činč explores the science behind horse chestnut seed extract and its main active compound, β-aescin, highlighting the vascular-supporting properties and exciting potential in cosmetic applications.
While clinical research has largely focused on therapeutic uses, her work emphasizes the promising cosmetic benefits of aescin, including:
✔️ Reducing puffiness and swelling
✔️ Alleviating the sensation of tired or heavy legs
✔️ Improving skin tone
✔️ Contributing natural emulsifying properties in formulations
Importantly, the article also calls for further studies to fully validate these effects, reinforcing the importance of evidence-based innovation in cosmetic science.
Read the full article:
https://cosmethicallyactive.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/03/CA-journal-vol3.pdf

Congratulations to Laura on this valuable scientific contribution!

05/03/2026

Naš inštitut sodeluje v programskem jedru »Inovativni pristop k razvoju, napredni analizi in optimizaciji novih funkcionalnih materialov« na Univerza v Mariboru. Verjamemo, da prav takšna interdisciplinarna povezovanja pospešujejo znanstveno odličnost, omogočajo učinkovit prenos znanja v prakso ter krepijo trajnostni tehnološki razvoj. Veseli smo, da znotraj univerze sodelujemo in prispevamo k ustvarjanju inovacij, ki oblikujejo prihodnost.

Več o porgramskem jedru:

Poslanstvo Univerze v Mariboru temelji na iskrenosti, radovednosti, ustvarjalnosti, sodelovanju, izmenjavi spoznanega v znanosti, umetnosti in izobraževanju.

03/02/2026

Can grasslands help heal our wounds?

In our newest article, “P. lanceolata L. and P. major L. extracts in 3D-printed polysaccharide dressings for improved wound healing in vitro,” we explore how traditional plant knowledge meets cutting-edge biomaterials.

By combining Plantago major and Plantago lanceolata extracts with 3D-printed polysaccharide dressings, we show that these natural bioactives can be safely incorporated into advanced wound-care materials. In vitro, the dressings:
✔️ enhance cell viability
✔️ support wound closure
✔️ exhibit anti-inflammatory potential

Our findings highlight Plantago extracts as promising multifunctional, natural components for next-generation wound-healing dressings — where nature and technology truly work together.

Enjoy the read!

03/12/2025

Boštjan Vihar je gostoval na Toti Radio, kjer je predstavil naše raziskovalno delo v okviru projekta FEASTS. V pogovoru je izpostavil prihodnost trajnostnih prehranskih sistemov ter pomen celičnega kmetijstva.
Ponosni smo, da naše raziskave prispevajo k javnemu dialogu in ozaveščanju o inovativnih in trajnostnih prehranskih tehnologijah!
Celoten intervju lahko poslušate na spodnji povezavi: https://totiradio.si/113478/audiospajza


--

Boštjan Vihar recently spoke on our local Toti Radio, where he presented our research work as part of the FEASTS project. In the interview, he highlighted the future of sustainable food systems and the role of cellular agriculture.
We are proud to see our research contributing to public dialogue and raising awareness about innovative and sustainable food technologies!
Listen to the full interview here: https://totiradio.si/113478/audiospajza

Kaj pravi Boštjan Vihar z Inštituta za biomedicinske vede Medicinske fakultete Univerze v Mariboru?

17/11/2025

Ali bomo v laboratoriju ustvarili novo trebušno slinavko?

Naša mlada raziskovalka Ajda Godec je bila gostja oddaje Frekvenca X na Radiu Val 202, kjer je v rubriki Xpertiza povedala več o njenem doktorskem delu iz področja in vitro modela Langerhansovih otočkov trebušne slinavke ter njihovega pomena pri razumevanju sladkorne bolezni.

Vabljeni h poslušanju njenega simpatičnega intervjuja (od 32min dalje).

Deseti november je letos prvič tudi slovenski dan znanosti. Na Valu 202 smo ga zaznamovali v nabito polni kavarni Slovenskega etnografskega muzeja, kjer smo v soorganizaciji z Znanostjo na cesti pripravili pub kviz o znanosti v Sloveniji. Večer sta povezovala Maja Ratej in Jakob Mali, ki sta obči...

05/11/2025

Our PhD candidates Monika Belak and Amadeja Brečko proudly represented the Institute of Biomedical Sciences, Medicinska fakulteta, Univerza v Mariboru at the Nature Conference: Engineered Models of Human Disease!

Monika Belak presented her work on “Development of a Full-Thickness Perfusable 3D Bioprinted Skin Equivalent on a Microfluidic Chip Platform.”

Amadeja Brečko presented her research on “Ionic Crosslinking Strategies for Centrifuge-Based Microsphere Fabrication of Pancreatic Pseudoislets.”

We’re honored to have had the opportunity to share our work, exchange ideas, and build new collaborations!

24/10/2025

Ponosni smo na naše mlajše raziskovalce, ki so med letošnjimi prejemniki 55. Krkinih nagrad za dodiplomska in podiplomska raziskovalna dela!

Jernej Vajda je prejel Krkino nagrado za svoje podiplomsko delo
»Razvoj novih metod izdelave in karakterizacije mikrožilja v in vitro modelih« pod mentorstvom Uroša Mavra in Boštjana Viharja.

Maja Sever in Dominik Škrinjar sta prejela Krkino nagrado s priznanjem za izstopajoče raziskovalno delo »Razvoj in vitro modela kože« pod mentorstvom Tine Maver, Tanje Zidarič in Lidije Gradišnik.

Iskrene čestitke nagrajencem in mentorjem za izjemne dosežke, ki potrjujejo kakovost in inovativnost raziskovalnega dela na našem inštitutu!

Zahvaljujemo se podjetju Krka, d. d., Novo mesto, za stalno podporo mladim raziskovalcem in spodbujanje odličnosti v znanosti.

Vir: Arhiv Krke, d. d., Novo mesto; Fotograf: Andrej Križ

--

We are proud to announce that our younger researchers are among the recipients of the 55th Krka Awards for Undergraduate and Postgraduate Research Work!

Jernej Vajda received a Krka Award for his postgraduate research
“Development of Novel Methods for Fabrication and Characterization of Microvasculature in In Vitro Models”
under the mentorship of Uroš Maver and Boštjan Vihar.

Maja Sever and Dominik Škrinjar received a Krka Award and Recognition for Outstanding Research Work “Development of an In Vitro Skin Model”
under the mentorship of Tina Maver, Tanja Zidarič, and Lidija Gradišnik.

Congratulations to all awardees and mentors for their remarkable achievements, which highlight the excellence and innovation of research at our institute.

We sincerely thank Krka, d. d., Novo mesto, for their continuous support of young researchers and commitment to scientific excellence.

Source: Krka, d. d., Novo mesto Archive; Photographer: Andrej Križ

Medicinska fakulteta Univerza v Mariboru