ANNUAL REPORT 2018

1 Introduction

The Agency would like to pay special attention to the circulation of knowledge and the strengthening of research area.

In 2018, efforts to significantly -in highest standards of quality, legal The latter is particularly important a leading agency with Switzerland and strengthening of research area. al cooperation require a reliable crease funding for science in Slove- bases, decision on the establishment as ARRS, through Science Europe, active participation in the Science Eu- In line with expectations, we note platform of motivated individuals. nia took place at different levels. Re- and national strategic documents in joined the national funders of re- rope working group to establish a mul- that the staff of the Agency as the In the last year of my mandate as a searchers, universities and research force, (ii) transparent operation and search activities who, under Coali- tilateral leading agency mechanism. central institution in the fields of director, I would like to thank all my institutes made their voices heard, responsiveness, (iii) optimization tion S, endorsed a joint plan with the evaluation, financing and monitoring colleagues for their effort, but also and the political and implementa- of instruments and development of European Commission called Plan S The organization and realization of of the research activity must have to the vast majority of colleagues for tion level became aware that the pilot instruments, (IV) monitoring of (Plan S – Accelerating the transition the ARRS Day: Supporting Excellence appropriate qualifications. The mini- their responsiveness and openness funding for science is significantly the effects of the implementation of to full and immediate Open Access to under the auspices of the President mum redundancy with regard to per- to changes and improvements that lagging behind the strategic goals activities, (V) integration in interna- scientific publications). ARRS, as well of the Republic publicly and substan- sonnel and implementation is a pre- are a constant element in the opera- set in the National Research and tional environment and comparabil- as most sister agencies, joined the tively captured the activities of the condition for reducing high risks the tion of such an agency. Innovation Strategy of Slovenia in ity, (VI) transition to purely electronic coalition with the goal to obtain im- Agency, and led to public discussions Agency is currently exposed to. The force until 2020. services, and (VII) open communica- plementation support for politically on the evaluation system in cooper- expert and administrative body of 49 Prof. Dr. József Györkös, tion with the public and the promo- clearly articulated decisions of Mem- ation with the Slovenian Academy associates employed by the Agency Director Consequently, in 2018, the work pro- tion of science. ber States regarding open access. of Sciences and Arts and the com- participates in highly-computerized gram and the financial plan of the Slovenia put in place the national petent ministry. The Agency’s expec- processes and also coordinates 90 Slovenian Research Agency (herein- With the increase in the funds for strategy for open access to publica- tations are focused on multiannual members of permanent professional after: Agency) were upgraded with science in the state budget in 2018, tions and research data in 2015, but predictability of funding, recruitment bodies and more than 800 foreign two supplementary budgets, which ARRS was able to increase the scope similar to other countries, its imple- of new employees for operations evaluators each year with one very also meant an increase of funds in of approved research projects, sig- mentation practices are only being that are stable and adhere to the ambitious goal: to provide high qual- comparison to the Agency’s fore- nificantly improve the quality of the established. As regards international highest standards of quality, and ity and reliable funding for research seen budget. The Agency followed program groups, enable research- activities in 2018, we want to highlight the implementation contribution in activities, comparable to internation- the guidelines of the ARRS opera- ers throughout Slovenia to access the signing of the CEUS agreement the event of legal changes in insti- al standards. Increased funding, con- tion and development strategy by the most prestigious journals and in Vienna in October 2018 during the tutional financing. The Agency would tinuous improvement of processes, 2020, namely: (I) implementation gradually implement more visible Austrian presidency of the EU, the in- also like to pay special attention to implementation of pilot instruments of activities in accordance with the activities in the field of open access. tensive preparation for cooperation as the circulation of knowledge and the and the ever stronger internation-

2 3 Moving away from quantitative criteria generates a number of new challenges for the Agency

Mankind’s first modest attempt to we stay alive for”, as we are reminded them, their acceptance must be a ing priorities, and the same goes ing we all strive for scientific excel- great success. The responsibility of understand the world was philoso- by the famous quote from The Dead self-evident characteristic of human for research in the fields in which lence, but the reality is different. For individuals, i.e. excellent scientists, phy. It was the origin of disciplines Poet Society. C. P. Snow (On the Two thinking, creativity and, therefore, Slovenian science successfully in- example, moving away from basing who actively contribute to these (now referred to as sciences), where- Cultures, 1956) already said that sci- scientific activity. It is much easier tegrates into global flows, such as scientific excellence evaluations on processes on the basis of in-depth by the division into so-called empiri- ences and humanities must go hand to adopt rules that support and en- health, infrastructure and artificial quantitative criteria, which now only reflection and their international ex- cal sciences – which are currently on in hand if we are to understand the able scientific excellence, if natural intelligence, to mention only three serve as entry thresholds and refer- perience, is crucial. the rise, self-assured, more creative world (completely). Are humanities scientists, engineers, social scien- that significantly improve the lives ence points in the qualitative eval- I believe that in this mandate, the than critical and often unfoundedly really treated as an equal partner in tists and humanists reach a mutual of individuals and society. The impor- uation of project and program pro- ARRS management board and ZSA portrayed as the saviours of human this endeavour? I will leave this to understanding and common ground. tance of humanities is also highlight- posals, is not as straightforward as have significantly contributed to reason and the driving force of any your judgement. Although we all know how strongly ed by remarkable achievements in it seems, as it generates a number of changes that will, through reliable progress – and humanities deep- My appointment to the Scientific science is determined by language, artificial intelligence, since it is obvi- new challenges for the Agency. In its financing, bring about the indepen- ened, although it is humanities that Council of the Slovenian Research this is often overlooked in our sci- ous that differentia specifica of being current composition, ZSA will not be dence of science, which can only be give us the knowledge to be able Agency (ZSA) to represent the field of entific and research community. It human is not reason. able to solve all the problems of indi- achieved by engaging individuals to give meaning to our existence. humanities has enabled me to work is essential that we develop science In ZSV, I contribute to tackling the vidual disciplines and researchers by whose livelihood does not depend on This includes the motivation -to un closely with the representatives of and art in Slovene and for the Slo- challenges faced by the humanities the end of its mandate.Establishing constantly submitting applications derstand the world we live in, and other sciences in the ZSA, on the one venian environment. If we do that and participate in the harmonization a system demonstrating that the for new projects, and will enable pi- the awareness of the importance hand, and the representatives of all in foreign languages only, this will of proposals put forward by repre- rules that are conducive to scientif- lot calls for applications to finance of science in this regard. It is obvi- humanistic disciplines (as classified inevitably lead to the extinction of sentatives of individual professions. ic excellence at the given moment research providing answers to con- ous this requires the knowledge on by ARRS) in the scientific research Slovene as a language of science and In ZSA, I represent the interests of are important and necessary, and stant challenges faced by the society how the universe works and what it councils (ZSV), on the other. Success- research. Researching the Slovene science and thereby the interests establishing awareness that similar in our demanding and everchanging means to be alive, conscious, human. ful and coordinated functioning of language as a national language and of linguistic, literary, archaeological, to constant changes in society and world. “Medicine, law, business, engineer- the ZSA requires the understanding the language of national identity and ethnological, (art) historical, musical science, evaluations and rules are ing, these are all noble pursuits, and of the specifics of all scientific- dis scientific research in the field of nat- and spiritual heritage. Before I start- part of constant processes employed Prof. Dr. Mihaela Koletnik, necessary to sustain life. But poetry, ciplines – it is not only necessary to ural and cultural heritage should be ed my mandate in the ZSA the task by ARRS to promote excellence in Member of the ZSA for Humanities beauty, romance, love, these are what be aware of the differences between among research and national spend- did not seem too arduous, consider- science, would already constitute a

4 5 Annual report 2018 Content

Published by: Slovenian Research Agency Bleiweisova cesta 30 In the spotlight: Prof. Dr. Roman Jerala, Assist. Prof. Dr. Jaka Tušek 16 1000 Ljubljana Slovenia News and events 26 Edited by: Ana Jakopin Financing structure 30 Contribution and overview: prof. dr. József Györkös, dr. Marko Perdih, Institutional financing 32 dr. Stojan Pečlin, dr. Lidija Tičar Padar, Mojca Boc, Tina Vuga, Polona Novak Research programmes 33 Translation: Iolar d.o.o. Founding obligation and infrastructural programmes 34 Design and graphic preparation: Žak Prinčič, m.a., Ilumina d.o.o. Competitive financing 35 Photography: Peter Irman, Žiga Dornik Print: Collegium Graphicum Research projects 36 Published: Ljubljana, 2019 Young researchers 40 Number of copies in English: 200 Scientific literature 42 Online access: www.arrs.gov.si/en/gradivo/dokum/ International activities 43 ISSN 2350-563X Agency‘s international cooperation – highlights 48 International comparisons 52 About the Agency 58 Excellent in Science 2018 66 Natural sciences 67 Engineering sciences 73 Medical sciences 76 Biotechnical sciences 82 Social sciences 85 Humanities 88 Interdisciplinary research 93

Cover picture Assist. Prof. Dr. Jaka Tušek: Temperature response of elastocaloric material from Ni-Ti alloy during tensile loading recorded with a thermographic camera.

6 7 Management board Prof. Dr. Rado Bohinc President The Management Board directs and monitors the activities of the Agency. It consists of seven members, nominated by the government for a period of University of Ljubljana, five years. In its current position, the Management Board has been operating Faculty of Social Sciences since 2014. The term of current members ends in 2019.

Prof. Dr. Polona Domadenik Mag. Franci Pivec Mag. Simona Jerman Prof. Dr. Karin Stana Kleinschek Prof. Dr. Igor Muševič Assist. Prof. Dr. Tomaž Savšek Vice president Institute of information science, Ministry of finance, University of Maribor, University of Ljubljana, TPV d. d. University of Ljubljana, Maribor (retired) Republic of Slovenia Faculty of mechanical engineering Faculty of Mathematics and physics Faculty of Economics

8 9 Scientific Council

The Scientific Council is the Agency‘s highest professional and advisory body. It consists of six members, covering all the research studies within the Agen- cy‘s classification. The term of current members ends in 2020.

President Prof. Dr. Marko Topič Prof. Dr. Roman Jerala Prof. Dr. Nina Zidar Prof. Dr. Tatjana Avšič Županc Prof. Dr. Mitja Žagar Prof. Dr. Mihaela Koletnik engineering sciences natural sciences medical sciences biotechnical sciences social sciences humanities University of Ljubljana, National Institute of Chemistry University of Ljubljana, University of ljubljana, Institute for Ethnic Studies University of Maribor, Faculty of Electrical Engineering Faculty of Medicine Faculty of Medicine Faculty of Arts

10 11 Doctoral level Post-doctoral level Post-doctoral level Young doctor Established up to doctoral degree up to 3 years after attaining until 5 years after attaining up to 10 years after defending researcher a doctoral degree a doctoral degree the first doctorate

ARRS funding mechanisms Research programme Research programme Public tender and call Public tender and call

Post-doctoral research project Research project Research project Research project (basic or applied) (basic or applied) (basic or applied) (basic or applied) Public call for (co-)financing Public call for (co-)financing Public call for (co-)financing Public call for (co-)financing research projects research projects research projects research projects

Young researchers Public tender MR and MR+ Young mentor Mentor MR and MR+ (calls from Public tender MR Public tender MR research organizations)

The ERC The ERC The ERC The ERC complementary scheme complementary scheme complementary scheme complementary scheme Public tender for (co-)financing Public tender for (co-)financing Public tender for (co-)financing Public tender for (co-)financing adapted research projects adapted research projects adapted research projects adapted research projects

Visits to ERC Grantees Visits to ERC Grantees Visits to ERC Grantees Visits to ERC Grantees Public tender Public tender Public tender Public tender

The lead agency scheme The lead agency scheme Public tenders Public tenders of partner LA agencies of partner LA agencies

MSCA Seal of Excellence MSCA Seal of Excellence MSCA Seal of Excellence MSCA Seal of Excellence MSCA Seal of Excellence Public call Public call Public call Public call Public call

Reimbursement of Reimbursement of Reimbursement of Reimbursement of expenses – H2020 expenses – H2020 expenses – H2020 expenses – H2020 Public tender Public tender Public tender Public tender

JPI Urban Europe JPI Urban Europe International tender International tender

NORFACE International tender

International International International International bilateral projects bilateral projects bilateral projects bilateral projects Public tenders Public tenders Public tenders Public tenders for individual countries for individual countries for individual countries for individual countries

Research programmes Research projects COST actions COST actions COST actions COST actions COST actions Young Researchers Information on other available mechanisms available at: http://www.arrs.gov.si/sl/razpisi/ International cooperation

12 13 IN THE SPOTLIGHT

14 15 Molecular machines based on coiled-coil

Prof. Dr. Roman Jerala National Institute of Chemistry

Prof. Dr Roman Jerala received funds Your opus of successful research The most important element is hard Given all this, it comes as no sur- point was, as I suggested, coiled-coil, our muscles also consist of molec- is remarkable, from the research work. All the successful research- prise that you became the recipi- i.e. structures in which two coils are ular machines. As soon as we enter from the European Research Council for of molecular defence mechanisms ers I know invest a lot of effort into ent of ERC Advanced Grant. This is folded together, one always paired several structures among which we established researchers (ERC Advanced against viral and bacterial infec- their work. For us, this is not an ordi- the first Slovenian ERC project in with the other. The idea was to try can switch, we are dealing with some tions, to the discovery of a new nary nine-to-five job, but a mission, the field of life sciences and chem- to make two-dimensional nets or sort of machines, which carry out a Grant). In the framework of the five- manner of molecular identification a lifestyle and I enjoy it. I also try istry. Could you tell us more about shapes. The then project was not very type of work. The project has been de- year project, the group will develop the of pathogens with the immune to select co-workers and students the project? successful, but I thought that it had signed quite ambitiously and I believe system. What leads you to tackle who are motivated and driven by great potential. My idea was to make that we will succeed. One of major principle of preparing artificial proteins such crucial topics? an internal need and satisfaction. I am greatly satisfied in getting this polyhedrons of some sort, shapes like strengths of the ERC projects is that Knowledge and prior education are project, which was not easy. Today, a tetrahedron or a pyramid. Such a they give researchers a lot of freedom. based on modular coiled-coil (CCPO). Curiosity is the main guiding prin- of course also important. I can say I can perhaps even better appreci- shape consists of just one polypep- ciple. We try to select topics in that researchers, at least those of ate what this means. When I attend tide chain. In the beginning of 2013, I What is the potential of this which we believe we have an ad- us who conduct experiments, are lectures at foreign universities, I see expected that it would not work, but discovery for further work? vantage over others, that is those some sort of artisans at a higher that all the universities like to say I thought I would give it a try. And it in which we think we are original, level. In the end, it turns out that how many ERC projects they have and did work. We published it in Nature These are new types of structures, as our financial means make it dif- the thinking part represents only which lecturers obtained them. This is Chemical Biology and it received a which do not exist in nature. We indi- ficult for us to compete with oth- 10%, and everything else is exper- a particularly welcome source of finan- lot of attention. This is the basis of cated how far we can already get and ers, who are better in this respect. imental work. Years of experience cial support which allows me to devel- the current ERC project and on these such proteins can also be expressed This is why I like to choose topics help you select the direction which op the matter in the desired direction. grounds we can prepare prototypes in mammal cells. Our current work which are not immediately obvi- is worth pursuing. I am so fortunate The project originates in 2009, when of molecular machines, structures, refers to the use of such structures ous. to be able to mostly select research we had the iGEM-project of students which will be able to change the con- for vaccinations. We will present the topics by myself. As usually, I submit from the field of synthetic biology. It firmation with regard to the -exter antigens for some viruses at the sur- What is the sure way to become a them to reviewers and they assess was prepared for the competition at nal circumstances. This means that face of these particles and we hope successful researcher, a successful whether they could be eligible for the Massachusetts Institute of Tech- we have a type of cage, which can that this will trigger a stronger re- scientist? financing. nology. At that time, the starting open, close and assemble. After all, action. Another such use can be the

16 17 use of some sort of cages, into which It binds me to perform good science. is good to have at least some equip- we can pack things. Such cages can I must organize a team, I have the ment at our facilities, whenever possi- reach the final destination, such as means to attract pre-doctoral re- ble, as it is quite a different thing when cancer cells, where the compound searchers, post-doctoral students we are able to conduct experiments from the cage can be released. It and allocate some of the funds to fi- on our own. One of the demanding could also be an enzyme performing nance equipment. After all, our field techniques is structural biology, de- catalysis, for example degrading RNA requires a lot of funds for chemicals termining the spatial structure of the and phospholipids, which are toxic, and reagents. The main character- artificially designed protein cages. but within the cage, the cell is pro- istic of such projects is that they The National Institute of Chemistry tected and able to perform its task. give you freedom and count on the is currently in the process of purchas- There are possibilities for various researchers themselves to be mo- ing a basic cryo-electron microscope, sensors and together with a Belgian tivated to develop something new. which will allow us to enter this field. group we are studying the potential Interim reports need to be submit- We tried to collect the funds wherever of these cages for improving the sen- ted to demonstrate the progress of possible. We will contribute a lot from sors for detection of any agents or the project, but not in the sense to our own funds, as well as from the compounds. state individual goals, as is the case ERC project. I expect that we will have with some other projects, where the instrument by the end of the year What made you decide to apply to one is required to pass the check- and I have already started organizing the call? The reason I am asking lists and have an EU official review a group of co-workers who will try to this question is to encourage other them. Such pioneer researches do make maximum use of the instru- researchers in the future, as so far not always guarantee that a direc- ment. Slovenia has not frequently been tion will prove to be successful. The You educated several successful, ject with which we entered the com- ETH, in Heidelberg or in Cambridge, among the candidates for the ERC main thing is to found the research We agreed at the beginning that young scientists, with whom you petition, developed it and published I see that the second Bologna cycle projects. on a good researcher who is able to the field of life sciences is extreme- first reached excellent results at it in distinguished publications. The is based on project work. Students find an alternative path in the case ly propulsive, with new findings international competitions. This is competitions gave us a lot, but also carry out research and this is what This is a really generous project and of problems and achieve the goal. I evolving rapidly and the expecta- hard work and a responsible task. required a lot of hard work, not just brings them to our group. In the first this was the main motivation. It is must say that I cannot know whether tions being great. Given this point How did you manage? by me but also by students and men- year, there were only microbiologists one of the instruments available in all of the matters which I presented of view, is a five-year period a long tors. In 2006, we did not know what who wanted to enter the laboratory Europe for the financing of funda- in the project will succeed in the way or a short period of time? It was either courage or chance. In synthetic biology was and today, it and carry out research work, but did mental research. All the others are which I envisioned. We have a good 2006 I noticed in Nature a report on represents the main part of research not have the opportunity to do so. aimed at applied research, which is group of researchers and together In a few years, when I look back at the students’ meeting in which they in our laboratory. In Slovenia, the second Bologna cy- neither very risky nor very ambitious. we will achieve the results. everything, I will say that it has stated research projects from syn- cle is still based on lectures. There is This is slightly misguided, as true in- passed quickly. I believe that this is thetic biology and at the time, I did Such manner of development of not enough rotation and experience novation stems from smaller groups Will you conduct all of the experi- quite a generous offer. Most of the not know what it was. “Why not give young scientists in the scientific arising from experiments. Many stu- or individuals with ideas. If they want ments in your laboratories or will projects are shorter, lasting three or it a try,” I said to myself. If I knew then environment is not very frequent. dents, at least those in life sciences, to develop this research, every scien- any part of it require a more so- four years, only programme groups how much trouble and costs it would Do you think that considering the also decide to go abroad, and it is tist must strive to get funding for his phisticated research equipment? have a six-year financing period. Five require, I doubt that I would have future of the scientific work in difficult to persuade them to return. or her research. National projects do Do you have sufficient research years is a period of time in which it undertaken it. When we participat- Slovenia more attention should be They leave because they believe that help, but not to the extent to make equipment? is difficult to predict what will be of ed, the competition consisted of 30, given to the inflow of qualified staff the opportunities abroad are better, this possible. It is important in terms interest, while on the other hand it perhaps 50 groups, while today there renewal? Do you think that this which is true, but I would not like of building reputation as both myself The large majority will be carried out does allow one to undertake longer are over 300 participating. This was would improve the competitiveness them to leave thinking that Slovenia and National Institute of Chemistry at our facilities while some of it will be and riskier research. I am not re- an important turning point in my at the most prestigious calls such does not offer them work opportuni- can proudly claim this project. Every- carried out elsewhere, in cooperation quired to provide results in a year or professional life. Through this field, as the call for ERC projects? ties. I am sure that the Bologna study one in Europe agrees that these pro- with others. I mentioned the group two and if nothing is published, there our group has made a name for itself process should be reformed at least jects are top notch, they are the most in Belgium for the sensors. We will will be no problems. What counts is within synthetic biology and every- I believe so. Education and train- in the disciplines which include ex- desirable projects in Europe. also cooperate with the group from the end results, and this is its advan- body knows us. This helped me mo- ing in Slovenia are good, although perimental work. This would require Great Britain for the circularization tage. One does not have to go apply- tivate and attract exceptional stu- looking at the second Bologna cycle, hard work and would be easier with You received EUR 2.5 million for of shapes, with the group in Germany ing from one project to another and dents, many of whom later continued thorough changes will be required. If the help of research institutes. the period of five years. What does and with the group for immunother- make sure that the results will be their academic careers or entered I observe the training of my students this bind you to? apy for vaccines from Switzerland. It publishable. the industry. I remember each pro- and that at the Caroline Institute, at Ina Petric, www.tromba.si

18 19 Assistant professor Dr Jaka Tušek, a Superelastic Porous Structures for Efficient researcher at the Laboratory for Refrig- eration and District Energy (LAHDE) at Elastocaloric Cooling the Faculty of Mechanical Engineering, received funding from the European Research Council available to researchers who are at the beginning of an indepen- dent research career (ERC Starting grant 2018). He received EUR 1.4 million for the implementation of a project as part of Assist. Prof. Dr. Jaka Tušek University of Ljubljana, Faculty of Mechanical Engineering which he will research the key elements of elastocaloric cooling technology.

Dr Tušek, you are planning to The other part of the problem is the native for the broadest use in cooling. of all the possible alternative forms of decades, these cooling agents were for the future, but it is not without develop an elastocaloric cooling exponent increase in the energy con- In the past decades, several scientists cooling and elastocaloric cooling was withdrawn from use and the ozone problems, as it is based on the use of device, which will significantly sumption. At the current pace, it is observed the great potential of the singled out as the one with the big- layer has recovered nicely. The other rare earths, which is very uneconomi- reduce environmental pollution in estimated that by the end of the cen- caloric technologies with the use of gest potential for the future. problem caused by these systems is cal. Rare earths are very expensive. At comparison with the current de- tury, cooling will become the biggest ferroic solid materials. These include the greenhouse effect. If we do not the end of my PhD I found some sci- vices. Could you explain what this electricity consumer. It is telling that magnetocaloric cooling, electrocalor- You claim that the elastocaloric act, the forecasts show that the cool- entific articles which indicated great research is about? there are currently approximately ic cooling and elastocaloric cooling. technology has a great potential ing systems alone will by the end of temperature changes in the stretch- 1.2 billion air conditioners installed The background of the caloric effect as an alternative to the current the century cause an increase of the ing and shrinking of elastocaloric ma- We intend to develop an alternative around the world, and that their in these solids is the so-called solids technology, which is almost 200 average temperature on Earth by ap- terials. I immediately saw the connec- cooling technology, which could in the number will increase to 4.5 billion phase of transformation in the ma- years old. How much “damage” has proximately a half degree Celsius. We tion with the technology of using the future replace the today’s widely ap- in the next 25 years alone. All this, terial. When these materials are ex- been caused by these technologies are bound by the Paris Agreement to magnetocaloric effect for magnetic plicable vapour-compression cooling combined with the environmental- posed to external stress, for example, during this period and why have limit the warming of the atmosphere cooling and with the possibility to technology, which is almost two hun- ly questionable cooling technology the magnetic field in the case of mag- the scientists not questioned their to 2 degrees in comparison with the use this for the elastocaloric effect. I dred years old. I believe this is the old- means that the future is bleak. This netic cooling, or the electric field in consequences until recently? pre-industrial period. The cooling borrowed the function principle from est electrically powered technology, is why researchers all over the world the case of electrocaloric cooling, the agents alone are responsible for one magnetic cooling and I was the first to which is still in daily use and current- are working intensively to find alter- solids phase of the transformation oc- The scientists have always - ques fourth of the global warming. introduce it to the elastocaloric tech- ly has no serious alternative. Even native cooling technologies. curs and the material heats up. When tioned the consequences, the only nology. though it has been further developed Numerous alternative technologies the field is removed from this mate- question is to what extent they were You are trying to develop an in the more than 200 years since its already exist, such as thermoelectric rial, the reversal phase of the trans- heard by the decision-makers. Focus- elastocaloric technology that you You applied to the European call for inception, is still relatively inefficient. cooling, which is used in higher end formation occurs and the material ing on the vapour-compression tech- find most appropriate. How did you ERC projects with your breakthrough For example, an average vapour-com- cooler bags, and absorption cooling, cools below the temperature of the nology and its impacts on the envi- come across this idea? idea and were already successful with pression system can only operate at which is powered by waste heat and environment. This thermodynamic ronment, we can say that in the 1990s, your first try. However, due to the 20-percent efficiency in comparison can be used in larger systems as district process can be used for cooling. Four when all the systems were based on I have a PhD in magnetic cooling, fierce competition, only 13% of the with its theoretical maximum. It still cooling. None of these technologies years ago, the US department of en- ozone-depleting freons, we witnessed which is one of the alternative tech- project applications were successful. uses polluting cooling agents. have proven to be an adequate alter- ergy carried out an extensive review intensive ozone depletion. In the past nologies and shows great potential Why did you decide to apply?

20 21 The main thanks for the fact that I ture Energy, which currently has an The project lasts for five years. What is the connection with the which will make it easier for us to How would you assess the current even got involved in this story goes impact factor of 46 and is the eighth How will you organize research in economy or industry, how open are cooperate with the industry once technological development and to Jernej Kovač from the research most cited journal in the world. The ar- this period? Will you employ any they to your new ideas and to the we have a prototype in our hands. which of the technologies benefi- department at the Faculty and es- ticle presented the concept of the use additional researchers? If so, will ideas of scientists in general? Our strongest cooperation with the cial to the humankind do you think pecially to Tjaša Nabergoj from the of elastocaloric technology. I presented you employ only researchers from industry is currently in the field of will develop the fastest? University. Both of them, especial- the idea that the technology on which the field of mechanical engineer- European, but also global economies shape-memory materials (which are ly Tjaša – when I presented her the magnetic cooling is based was used ing or also from other technical have shown great interest in our dis- also elastocaloric materials). We often say that in the past 20 problem and the references, she re- in electrocaloric cooling. The very first disciplines? coveries. We have established close years, the world has changed more fused to let go of the idea – strongly prototype, which we presented in the ties with the companies which have Your idea will have to be accept- than ever before. This perception is encouraged me to apply. Tjaša has journal, provided exceptional results. The project will employ six research- an important role in the field cool- ed by the industry, which might mostly associated with the devel- a lot of experience and she thought We also pointed to two challenges for ers and myself as the project leader. ing techniques. As an example, a few change its mindset. Are we ready opment of devices which make our that I could be successful. She be- the future, which need to be solved in Three of them will be doctoral- stu months ago, a director of an influ- for this? I am not referring solely lives easier. I believe that the biggest lieved that I fulfilled all of the ERC re- order for the technology to ever enter dents and three post-doctoral re- ential Italian company in the field of to Slovenia, but to the changes at development occurred in telecom- quirements. She offered me her help the market. The first challenge is the searchers. Each of them will be em- cooling techniques told me that they a global level. Are we talking about munications and in electronics in with the application and without it, I lifespan of these materials, and the ployed for three years and will be were very interested in new cooling world-changing applications? general. Other technologies have not would probably not be successful. second one is the power system. We responsible for one work package. technologies and that they would changed as significantly. The -tech wish to develop a power system that The project is quite interdiscipli- certainly not wish to end up as Kod- You are correct. We use cooling tech- nology used in refrigerators has not Could you describe the procedure will put stress on elastocaloric mate- nary within the field of mechanical ak or Nokia, which were monopolies nologies several times a day without changed for the past two hundred and your experience with the pres- rials as efficiently as possible. The ERC engineering. It will employ process in the fields of photography and mo- even being aware of it. Our standard years. We still burn coal or oil to pro- entation? application revolved around these two engineers, engineers from the field bile telephony, but failed to follow of living has improved tremendously duce electricity. I hope that we will key challenges. I believe that the sec- of mechanics of materials, construc- the trends of digital photography or since we have been able to keep the find efficient and environmentally The application consists of two parts, ond key element in the assessment tors and metallurgists. The combi- smart phones and are now practical- food cool and prolong its shelf life. friendly energy conversion technolo- both of which are submitted togeth- was the fact that after obtaining my nation of various disciplines within ly non-existent. Smart companies In the long term and in accordance gies, as energy is the key to develop- er. The first part encompasses the CV, PhD, I attended a post-doctoral study mechanical engineering will allow follow the development of science. with the optimal scenario, the elas- ment and crucial for the life of every references and the idea of the pro- abroad, at the Technical University of us to address all of the challenges, In our case, they quickly saw that tocaloric technology could replace all individual. I hope that efficient ener- ject, while the second part comprises Denmark. ERC requires the applicants which will result in a functioning elastocaloric cooling was still at a the cooling systems, from household gy conversion technologies will de- further description of the idea, meth- to demonstrate a certain level of in- prototype. very basic level. I am therefore even refrigerators and air conditioners to velop to the extent that they will no odology and the main goals. The pan- dependence, even at the beginning of happier about the ERC project, since heat pumps, etc. The world wants a longer cause environmental damage el members, who are top scientists their research careers. This is not pos- Such research work probably also we are tackling basic research which change, but things do not happen to humankind. from the field, first review the first sible if you remain within the group of requires a lot of experiments. could become applied research in over night; changes can take dec- part and then select the candidates your doctoral mentor. Where will they be carried out? Did a few years. Our goal is to demon- ades. Development will be gradual. Full interviews, conducted by Ina Pet- for the second round. These candi- you establish connections with any strate the applied value of elastoca- Our task is to first prove its useful ric, will be published on the website dates are invited to make a pres- You received EUR 1.4 million. What other partner? loric cooling technology in five years, value. of Tromba Agency: www.tromba.si entation in Brussels. I was given five does this oblige you to do, which minutes for the presentation, which conditions and obligations do you I am fortunate to work at Faculty of is a great challenge for such a com- have to fulfil? Mechanical Engineering, where we plex project. This was followed by 20 are very well equipped with regard minutes of questions regarding the At first, I felt very honoured but now to our project. In addition to the implementation and the probability this also means a lot of work. I prom- Laboratory for Refrigeration and of the execution. Various questions ised to research the key challenges of District Energy, where the project can be asked and the answers should elastocaloric technology, which was will be carried out, we will closely be as credible as possible. already demonstrated. I will combine cooperate with three other facul- this in a functioning prototype and ty laboratories. Some research will What do you think was crucial for thus answer an important question also be carried out at Jožef Stefan the success of your application? of the project, namely, could elas- Institute and at the Institute of tocaloric technology represent the Metals and Technology. A subcon- There were probably several factors, cooling technology of the future, will tractor at the project will be an two of which I believe were essential. it first be useful in some niche appli- Italian company, which is the larg- The first one was the fact that a few cations and later in a broader spectre est producer of these elastocaloric years ago I published an article in Na- of cooling technologies. materials.

22 23 NEWS AND EVENTS

24 25 ARRS Day 2018: Supporting Excellence

In line with the ARRS operation and three values: openness, responsive- The entire afternoon session of the development strategy 2016–2020, ness and providing information of event was dedicated to young people the vision of Agency‘s operation value. Openness is understood as in science, especially to the new 34th and development is based on seven a dialogue and responsiveness as generation of young researchers. strategic guidelines, including Open providing information that is up-to- The Mlada akademija society held a communication with the public and date, whereas providing information workshop on first-hand experience promotion of science. The main goal of value means communicating on in starting out as a young researcher. of the activities in the field of -com current topics and relevant issues It was followed by presentations munication with the public is to present in the media. of the most prominent research improve the schol- Since 2014, the Agency has been in- achievements in all disciplines in the arly aspect of re- creasing its activities in the field of framework of the ARRS science pro- The event took place under porting, as well as science promotion. motion project – Excellent in science the auspices of Borut Pahor, the public debate As the first such event, the Agency 2018. This year’s seventh edition of President of the Republic of Recipients of the Excellent in science 2018 title as chosen by the Scientific councils of the on science and the organized the ARRS Day 2018: Sup- the Excellent in science project took various disciplines, presented their work at the event to inspire the new generation. Presen- Slovenia.. tations of the most prominent research achievements in the framework of the ARRS science operation of the porting Excellence, dedicated to the on a new dimension, as the presenta- promotion project, Excellent in science 2018, are included in the Agency’s annual report. science system in new generation of young researchers tions were meant to inspire the new (Photo: STA, Daniel Novakovič) the Republic of Slovenia. Commu- and current international issues in generation of future researchers. nication with the public is based on supporting science.

290 participants available (co)financing mechanisms The event was concluded with- are took part in the offered by the ARRS on the basis of ception to wish the 34th generation event. 378 viewers progress along the research career of young researchers all the best on tuned in the ARRS path, and to a workshop on targeted their paths towards obtaining doc- Day 2018 lives- use of funds and reporting. toral degrees. Prof. József Györkös, tream broadcast by The plenary section saw a debate on Agency Director, and Gala Pavlin, our media partner a number of national and Europe- member of the Administrative Board STA on the STA sci- an issues in the field of supporting of VTIS, Society of Slovenians that ence portal and STA science between key guests, Marc obtained their education abroad, ad- Facebook profile. Schiltz, President of Science Europe, dressed the assembled guests. Online broadcasts an association of research funding of the plenary and organizations, and the Luxembourg Prof. Jernej Pikalo, Slovenian Minis- welcome reception National Research Fund (Fonds Na- ter of Education, Science and Sport, for the new genera- tional de la Recherche), prof. Jernej was the keynote speaker. (from left to right) Prof. Dr. Marko Topič, tion of young researchers drew about Pikalo, Slovenian Minister of Educa- Prof. Dr. József Györkös, Dr. Marc Schiltz, Prof. Dr. Jernej Pikalo and Prof. Dr. Gregor 3700 viewers, whereby recordings tion, Science and Sport, and panel- Anderluh (Photo: STA, Daniel Novakovič) of the events reached 870 views the ists prof. Marko Topič, President of next day. the Agency‘s Scientific Council, and The introductory section of the event prof. Gregor Anderluh, Director of the Commemorative photo of the 34th generation of young researchers (Photo: STA, Daniel Novaković). was dedicated to a workshop on National Institute of Chemistry.

26 27 FINANCING STRUCTURE

28 29 Financing structure

Agency funds in 2018

In 2018, the budget of the Republic of The Agency‘s budget for scientific In 2016, 1.52 % of the budget of the Research programmes: long term fi- International activities: co-financ- Research infrastructure: co-financ- Slovenia, through the Public Agen- research activities decreased from Republic of Slovenia was dedicated nancing of research, which is expect- ing of projects within the comple- ing of infrastructure programmes, cy for Research Activities provided EUR 175.9 million in 2011 to EUR 164.2 to the Agency for scientific research, ed to be topical and produce usable mentary schemes of the ERC and scientific and popular scientific- pe EUR 164.2 million for the financing of million in 2018, representing a dif- in 2018, the share was 1.73 %. results over a longer time period. the scheme of lead agencies, visits riodicals and scientific monographs, scientific research. Compared to the ference of 6.7 %. The first budget -in to ERC project leaders, launching of founder‘s obligations, COBISS and year before, the budget increased by crease since 2011 took place in 2016, Research projects: co-financing of projects on the basis of the Marie other library-informatics activities EUR 15.9 million or 10.8 %. when the budget was increased by basic, applied and research projects, Skłodowska-Curie seal of excellence, and infrastructures, international pe- 8.6 % compared to the year before. targeted research programmes and co-financing of bilateral cooperation, riodicals and databases and research those of Doctors of science in the pilot promotion of cooperation between equipment. public calls framework „Employment research organizations in the Hori- 1 Agency funds for scientific research activities and their corresponding share of the budget of the Republic of Slovenia support of young Doctors of science“. zon 2020 calls and supporting in- ternational associations, promotion mil. € Young researchers: financing of of Slovenian science abroad and in- 220 — 2,0 % postgraduate studies and training of tegration of scientific achievements. researchers aiming to obtain a doc- — 1,9 % torate degree. 200 — 1,8 %

— 1,7 % 180 Distribution of Agency funds Distribution of Agency funds Distribution of Agency funds — 1,6 % per discipline2 per mechanism per activity sector Private- 160 — 1,5 % nonprofit Interdisciplinary sector research Business sector 0,1% — 1,4 % 3,0% 2,2% 1,4% Foreign countries 140 — 1,3 % Projects Humanities Natural Infra- — 1,2 % sciences structure 20,5% 120 11,9% Social 26,6% 26,9% Higher — 1,1 % sciences education Govern- sector ment 10,1% sector 100 — 1,0 % Inter- 40,1% 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 2016 2017 2018 2019 Biotechnical national 56,2% sciences activity 3,1% Young ARRS funds 9,9% Engineering researchers Programmes Medical sciences Exceptional funding sciences 28,6% 11,1% 38,3% ARRS funds as % of the budget of the Republic of Slovenia (expenditure) 9,9%

A detailed overview of the financing of research activities is available on the following website: http://www.arrs.si/ 2 Funding for founder obligations, infrastruc- sl/finan/letpor/. More data and graphic representations about the scope and structure of financing received by the tural programmes, international promotion of science, the operation of Slovenian associations Agency from the national budget are available on the following website: http://www.arrs.si/sl/analize/obseg01/pr.asp. around the world, promotion of applications to EU projects, OSIC and foreign journal databases cannot be broken down per disciplines and are 1 The funds for 2019 are shown in accordance with the cash flow principle. therefore not taken into account.

30 31 Institutional financing

Research programmes

Research programmes: EUR 62.9 mil. In 2018, the Agency paid EUR 62.9 mil- Founder obligations: EUR 21.9 mil. lion for the co-financing of research Call and tender in 2018 programmes, which represents 38.3 Infrastructure programmes: EUR 13.5 mil. % of the total budget. 297 research 57 programmes whose financing period concluded in 2018 received an programmes were financed in 2018, extension for the next six years in the total amount of EUR 11.2 mil- Research programmes, infrastruc- made use of long term stable fi- of which 61 were in the field of natu- lion on the basis of a public tender and a public call. Financing in the tural programmes and founder‘s ob- nancing to ameliorate the reduction ral sciences, 89 were in engineering amount of EUR 1.4 million was also approved for 10 new research pro- ligations comprise a stable aspect of of funding from 2012, allowing for sciences, 38 in medical sciences, 20 grammes. research financing. Due to austerity an increase in research programme in biotechnical sciences, 44 in social measures, the financing of research funding. The trend of slight growth sciences, and 45 in humanities. programmes in 2012 was reduced by in research programme funding was 10 % in comparison with the previous continued in 2016, 2017 and 2018. year. In 2014 and 2015, the Agency mil. € 20

mil. €

70 15

60

10 50

40 5

30 0 Natural Engineering Medical Biotechnical Social Humanities 20 Total funds Sciences Sciences Sciences Sciences Sciences Funds – managed by 18,117,434 € 19,474,981 € 5,843,776 € 5,587,282 € 6.064.404 € 7,825,198 € female researchers 5,507,920 € 2,906,591 € 1,616,057 € 2,247,002 € 2.612.425 € 1,735,009 € 10 Share of funds – managed by female researchers 30,4 % 14,9 % 27,7 % 40,2 % 43,1 % 22,2 %

0 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 2016 2017 2018 Distribution of funding per activity sector in € Research programmes Founder’s obligations Public sector 34,074,397 Infrastructure programmesi Higher education sector 27,780,230 Business sector 811,156 Private non-profit sector 247,290 Total 62,913,074

The funding of research programmes increased by 8.6 % in comparison with 2017.

32 33 Competitive financing

Founding obligation and infrastructural programmes

Founder‘s obligations comprise the core research or infrastructure ac- Research projects: EUR 33.7 mil. obligations of the founder to public tivity. 21.9 million EUR was paid on Young researchers: EUR 18.2 mil. research and infrastructural insti- founder‘s obligations in 2018, which tutions, whereby the Agency covers represents an increase of 5.82 % in In 2018, the funding of research proj- sequent delays in the start of financ- fixed operation costs related to the comparison with 2017. ects increased by 22.2 % in compari- ing research projects, particularly in son with 2017. A significant decrease 2013, which meant that 2016 saw the in funding was recorded in 2012, financing of more projects than usu- when the Agency did not finance any al in the past years. Founder‘s obligations funding per activity sector in € new research projects due to auster- Since 2010, there has been a con- ity measures. Financing of research tinued trend of reduced funding for Government sector 20,796,303 projects decreased by 7.5 % between young researcher training; in 2017, Higher education sector 1,082,071 2011 and 2018. the funding decreased by 0.9 % in Total 21,878,374 The increase in funding for research comparison with 2016. In 2018, the projects in 2016 was due to austerity funding increased by 6.4 % in com- measures in previous years and con- parison with the previous year. Infrastructural programmes support ment. EUR 13.5 million was paid for research works. The central role of infrastructural programmes in 2018, research infrastructure is to ensure which represents 9.5 % more that in a high quality research environ- 2017. Funding for research projects and young researchers

3 Infrastructure programmes funding per activity sector in € mil. €

Government sector 9,126,934 40 Business enterprise sector 151,206 Higher education sector 3,242,098 Private non-profit sector 1, 029,151 30 Total 13,549,389

20

10

3 Business enterprise sector: for-profit and non-profit companies, public enterprises within the framework of economic public services and private non-profit institutes; state sector: non-finan- 0 cial companies with public oversight, other national authorities, other local authorities and direct 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 2016 2017 2018 budget recipients; private non-profit sector: private non-profit institutions serving private citizens and households; higher education sector: universities and other institutions carrying out tertiary education programmes, research institutes, experimental units and clinics; foreign entities sector: Research projects institutions, international organizations and individuals outside the political borders of the Repu- Young researchers blic of Slovenia. Research projects + ERC projects, Lead agency

34 35 Research projects Basic and applied research projects

In 2018, with finances from the state Discipline Basic and Female Young Of those applied projects researchers leaders female budget, the Agency co-financed 319 in mil. of € researchers basic research projects, with a total value of EUR 23.3 million. In compar- Natural sciences 5,7 38,8 % 27,6 % 28,6 % ison with 2017, the funding increased Engineering sciences 7,5 17,9 % 31,1 % 18,2 % In 2018, the Agency co-financed -re resents 20.5 % of the Agency‘s total by 27.5 %, in comparison with 2015, search projects in the amount of EUR budget and is higher than in 2017 by Medical sciences 3,6 44,3 % 78,5 % 54,3 % the increase amounted to 73.1 %. 33.7 million. Project funding rep- 1.9 percentage points. Biotechnical sciences 3,1 35,5 % 22,1 % 54,0 % Young researchers (up to 10 active years after defending their doctor- Social sciences 2,9 43,9 % 27,4 % 45,9 % Basic research projects: EUR 23.3 mil. ate) conducted 98 basic projects, Humanities 3,8 33,6 % 43,8 % 33,8 % Applied research projects: EUR 6.4 mil. and received 32.5 % of the funding Interdisciplinary research 3,1 30,0 % 23,5 % 10,8 % Postdoctoral research projects: EUR 2.6 mil. allocated for basic research projects. Total 29,7 32,8 % 30,4 % 32,5 % Targeted research programme projects: EUR 1.4 mil. The evaluation methodology The funding for basic and applied research projects with shares of projects led by female Promotion of the employment of young doctors of science: EUR 17,000 researchers and young researchers. Funding share data for projects led by young female for public calls for tender dic- researchers are given in the last column. tates that the share of applied research projects must be at In 2018, with finances from the state least 30 % for engineering The evaluation methodology budget, the Agency co-financed 80 sciences, at least 20 % in the for applications to public calls applied research projects, with a to- field of biotechnical sciences, for tender dictates that at least tal value of EUR 6.4 million, which is Funding for research projects per discipline at least 10 % in the field med- 20 % of chosen projects must 15.5 % more than in 2017. ical sciences and social sci- be led by young researchers Inter- ences, and at least 5 % in the (male/female researchers, not Young researchers conducted 19 ap- disciplinary research Natural field of natural sciences. The more than 10 years after de- plied projects, and received 23.0 % sciences structure of all (co-)financed fending their doctorate). This is of the funding allocated for applied 10,4% 18,6% Humanities research projects strictly fol- how the Agency promotes the research projects. 12,2% lows the implementation of integration of young scientists the specified methodology. into its research activities. Social sciences Engineering 10,4% sciences 24,7% Distribution of Biotechnical Funding for sciences Medical basic research projects applied research project funding 11,4% sciences per discipline per discipline 12,5%

Interdis- Interdisci- Natural ciplinary plinary sciences research Natural research Humanities 9,6% sciences 13,8% 11,6% Humanities 21,1% 4,4% 15,3% Social sciences 6,2%

Social Engineering Biotechnical sciences sciences sciences Engineering 10,6% 19,6% 12,4% sciences Bio- Medical technical sciences 45,4% sciences Medical sciences 6,2% 10,0% 13,9%

36 37 Postdoctoral projects Targeted research programme (TRP) projects

In 2018, with state budget funds, the 2.6 million, which represents an in- In 2018, funds for co-financing TRP projects amounted to EUR 1.4 million or Agency financed 67 postdoctoral crease of 8.7 % compared to 2017. 23.9 % more than in 2017. projects, in the total amount of EUR In 2018, 177 projects received funding about fundamental development in the framework of TRP. tasks, which are imperative for the The evaluation methodology for applications to public calls for tender increase of Slovenian competitive- dictates that at least 10 % of all projects within each discipline must be The financing of TRP projects enables ness, adaptability and innovation. at post-doctoral level. interested ministries and other users Projects are thematically targeted to gain research support for the de- based upon the proposals of minis- sign of strategic targets of Slovenia‘s tries and other parties who are com- Funding for postdoctoral projects with shares of projects led by female development, and with decisions petent to act in the public interest. researchers.

Discipline Funding in € Share - Female leaders In 2018, the Agency published a public call for the selection of research projects Natural sciences 559,578 37.9 % within the framework of TRP entitled “Zagotovimo.si hrano za jutri” (Ensuring food for tomorrow). Engineering sciences 687,401 26.7 % Medical sciences 308,731 53.1 % In June 2018, the Agency, in cooperation with the Ministry of agricul- Biotechnical sciences 217,069 60.0 % ture, forestry and food of the Republic of Slovenia, published a public Social sciences 202,597 85.7 % call on selection of research projects within the framework of the TRP Humanities 221,870 78.3 % entitled “Zagotovimo.si hrano za jutri” (Ensuring food for tomorrow).. Interdisciplinary research 371,417 74.0 % The subject of the public call is based on the priorities as determined Total 2,568,663 51.1 % by the Ministry and encompasses the following four focal points: • Slovenian food security; • competitiveness in food production and renewable natural resources; Public call in 2018 • sustainable management of natural resources; • rural development. The funding of research projects, which were accepted into co-financ- ing on the basis of the 2017 call, began in 2018. The funding of research The call was closed in December 2018 with 25 projects accepted for projects for which the Agency published the co-financing of public co-financing. calls in 2018, will begin in 2019..

38 39 Young researchers

In 2018, the Agency financed the Their salaries, social contributions ideas and approaches. The young In 2018, two young researchers received the award for the early completion training of 899 young researchers, and material and service costs are researcher programme is a source of of training. with a total funding of EUR 18.2 financed by the Agency. The average highly qualified and motivated em- million, which represents 11.1 % of annual cost of financing one young ployees, who represent a significant the Agency‘s total budget, and researcher amounts to approximate- potential for the Slovenian econ- Support for young mentors 0.5 percentage points less than ly EUR 30,000. Training funds are omy and other socially important The Agency‘s regulations stipulate that among the accepted mentors in 2017. The Agency facilitates the allocated for a temporary period, not areas. Within the framework of the of young researchers within the research organization, at least 25 % participation of young research- exceeding four years of a doctoral programme, approximately eight must be young mentors. ers in research work during their study programme. The purpose of thousand young researchers were postgraduate studies on the basis of the programme is to rejuvenate the trained between 1985 and 2016. temporary employment contracts. research staff by promoting new Public call in 2018 n January 2018, the Agency published a call for the allocation of mentor- ship positions within research programmes, leading to 175 mentorship Funding for young researchers positions being allocated among 147 research programmes: 55 in the natural sciences, 55 in engineering sciences, 18 in medical sciences, 16 in biotechnical sciences, 16 in social sciences, and 15 in humanities. mil. €

6.0

MR+ tender 5.0 In January 2018, the Agency published the MR+ pilot public tender for selection of mentors for the selection of mentors to new young re- 4.0 searchers for 2018. The subject of the tender were 50 mentorships for young researchers in the total amount of EUR 1.5 million. The training began in October 2018. 3.0

2.0

1.0

- Natural Engineering Medical Biotechnical Social Humanities sciences sciences sciences sciences sciences Total funds 5.970.457 € 5.501.882 € 1.603.330 € 1.923.992 € 1.690.695 € 1.512.626 € Funds for female 2.981.386 € 1.458.017 € 1.162.332 € 1.334.187 € 887.546 € 847.439 € young researchers

40 41 Scientific literature International activities

Scientific literature: EUR 1.5 mil. The ERC complementary scheme:EUR 0.8 mil. International publications and databases: EUR 5.4 mil. Within the framework of the comple- The Agency co-finances electronic promotion of interest in science and mentary scheme, applicants from Slo- The purpose of the complementary scheme is to co-finance adapted -re access to the latest scientific data- technology among the general pub- venian research organizations who search projects that have exceeded the determined success threshold in bases and the purchase of interna- lic, particularly among young peo- have been positively evaluated on Eu- the process of an international evaluation, to ensure that the applicants tional scientific literature, in order ple. The Agency also co-finances the ropean Research Council (ERC) calls, have the appropriate conditions to further their scientific excellence to ensure the availability and acces- publication of science monographs but were not selected for co-financ- and the initial idea of the research project. At the same time, the aim sibility of international scientific and important for the development of ing, have the possibility of applying for of the public call is to enable the leader of the adapted research project expert information for the purposes Slovenian scientific terminology, for Agency funding with an customised to submit an application for the ERC call after the project in question is of research, educational and devel- presenting scientific achievements project, which, based on its objectives completed. Within the complementary scheme, funding was approved opment activities. The literature is and findings in Slovenia and abroad and scope of work, takes into account for four out of a total of eight recipients of ERC projects in Slovenia. publicly available in all libraries, re- to facilitate the the spread of scien- the time required to customise the search organizations and via the CO- tific culture. The co-financing of the project as well as the amount of avail- BISS system. The Agency also -co-fi scientific literature, including - do able funding. The Agency co-finances (5.3 % of funding). Organizations in The frontier research evaluation sys- nances science and popular science mestic scientific and popular science customised projects in accordance the higher education sector received tem established by the ERC is consid- publications on the basis of a public publications, commanded a sum of with a proposal from the Scientific 53.9 % of funds, while those in the ered to be an exemplary „peer review“ call, with the aim of enabling the EUR 1.1 million in 2018, while EUR 0.4 Council and with respect to the budg- government sector were allocated system, and is recognized by basic re- publication of popular science pub- million was chanelled towards scien- etary options made available for the 46.1 % of funds. search funding agencies worldwide. lications which are important for the tific monographs. co-financing of projects conducted primarily in Slovenia. The calls are aimed at individual pro- The ERC publishes an annual work jects focused in conducting leading programme that acts as the founda- In 2018, the Agency co-financed 13 pioneering research in all scientific tion of three calls for the current year: projects within the complementary fields and rank among some of the schemes framework, of which five most competitive in the world, with • Starting Grant – enabling the were in natural sciences (45.9 % of a success rate of approximately 10 %. start of independent research funding), three were in engineering The calls are open to all researchers, (2–7 years after the award of a sciences (26.4 % of funding), three regardless of their current place of doctoral degree); in the humanities (15.1 % of funding), employment, with the condition that one in biotechnical sciences (7.3 % of the acquired ERC project is conduct- • Consolidator Grant – enabling funding), and one in social sciences ed within Europe. the consolidation of independent researches (7–12 years after the The European Research Council was established in 2007. It currently award of a doctoral degree); operates within the Horizon 2020 programme, accounting for 17 % of the budget. Since its inception, the ERC has financed more than seven • Advanced Grant – for renowned thousand projects, selected from more than 65,000 thousand appli- researchers. cations. Among the recipients of ERC funding are six Nobel Prize win- ners. In 2018, the total budget of the ERC‘s amounted to approximately EUR 1.86 billion. Over 70 % of the projects evaluated by an independent study achieved breakthrough scientific discoveries or significant pro- gress, and about 25 % contributed to significant improvements. Source: https://erc.europa.eu/

42 43 research projects were co-financed Cooperation with CEA in 2018 was ERC funding will be allocated to eight researchers who have or will use these funds to conduct research in Slovenia. in the fields of new energy technol- co-financed in the amount of EUR ogies, nuclear energy, adaptation to 541,000, which represents an in- Leta 2018 In 2018, prof. Roman Jerala from the National Institute of Chemistry received a grant for renowned climate change, fundamental phys- crease of 14.7 % in comparison with researchers (Advanced Grant) in the amount of EUR 2.5 million. His project, MaCChines (Molecular machines ics, life science and global safety. 2017. based on coiled-coil protein origami), is the first Slovenian ERC project in the field of life sciences and chemis- try. In 2018, doc. Jaka Tušek from the Faculty of Mechanical Engineering became the first recipient of the ERC grant for starting independent research (Starting Grant) in Slovenia. He received EUR 1.4 million for a 5-year project entitled “SUPERCOOL – Superelastic porous structures for efficient elastocaloric cooling”. Horizon 2020 public call application incentive: EUR 0.3 mil. In 2019, a grant for renowned researchers (Advanced Grant) was allocated to prof. Jernej Ule from the National Institute of Chemistry. He received EUR 2.4 million for a 5-year project entitled “RNP Dynamics”. The Agency encourages the participation of Slovenian research - organiza Funds by sector activity tions in applications to the Horizon 2020 tenders. This allows for a contin- uous open public call to project applicants under the EU Horizon 2020 Pro- gramme for Research and Innovation. The lead agency scheme:EUR 2.1 mil. Business sector Higher Research organizations (ROs) who 2,000 is the fee to help cover the education 20,6% sector Collaborative projects are currently The Agency promotes internation- additional review process. In 2018, are, on the day of submission of the costs incurred by the preparation 32,2% underway between: al scientific research via the lead the Agency co-financed 47 projects application for a public call, regis- and application of a project that has • The Austrian Fund for Scientific Re- agency scheme. By means of a co- within the lead agency scheme, of tered in the Register of ROs, managed been coordinated and applied to the search − Fonds zur Förderung der operation agreement between the which 26 were in the field of natural by the Agency, and are project coordi- international consortium by a Slo- wissenschaftlichen Forschung, agencies of various political states, sciences (47.5 % of funding), seven in nators or partners eligible for a one- venian organization thatr submits a FWF; researchers are able to apply col- engineering sciences (16.7 % of fund- time financial contribution toward project independently to the inter- Government sector The Research Foundation -Flan lectively, as a joint research project, ing), four in biotechnical sciences the cost of the project‘s application national consortium, asuming the 3,1% • 44,1% Private ders, FWO; under the auspices of one of the (10.2 % of funding), three in medical to the EU Horizon 2020 Programme call was anticipated by the European nonprofit • The Hungarian National Research, agencies (the lead Agency), which sciences (9.0 % of funding), three in for Research and Innovation. EUR commission. sector Development and Innovation is tasked with implementing the re- social sciences (7,9 % of funding), two Fund, NKFIH view process. If the peer review pro- interdisciplinary projects (5.6 %) and cess of the application is successful two in humanities (3.1 % of funding). and the lead agency proposes co-fi- Institutions within the government Support for the promotion of science abroad and membership in international associations: EUR 0.3 mil. nancing of the project, then the an- sector received 50.7 % of the funding, other agency takes on the co-financ- while those in the higher Education The Agency co-finances the -promo • STA science 3.0 – Slovenian sci- show by radiotelevizija Slovenija ing of the researcher from their own sector were allocated 49.3 %. tion of Slovenian science and knowl- entific achievements in media – Exploring Karst and the devel- political state without conducting an edge, thus providing support for ac- across the globe;, opment of Karstology in the Altai tive participation in events organized • SiNAPSA, Slovenian Neuroscience Republic. by recognized international associa- Association – p3Z (pilot: Knowl- tions, international organizations or edge for Health); In 2018, the Agency once again in- International bilateral projects: EUR 1.1 mil. the European Commission. In addi- • Kvarkadabra – Innovative tool for cluded a new element of the public tion, the programme also facilitates promoting science; call, introduced in 2017 – the pro- In 2018, international bilateral scientific cooperation took place by coordinat- cooperation with Slovenian research • Tromba portal – Pitia promotion motion of the establishment and ed efforts by the competent ministry and the Agency. organizations and researchers from activity – synergy of different development of global integration neighbouring states, as well as co- viewpoints for the advancement platforms. Cooperation was conducted with 15 The Agency also cooperates with the operation with Slovenian research- of the modern society; The Agency also co-finances the countries – Argentina, Austria, Mon- French Commissariat for alternative ers working abroad. The public call • Science on the Street, Knowledge memberships of Slovenian scientific tenegro, France, Croatia, Italy, Japan, and atomic energy (CEA). This co- includes innovative activities for the and Ideas on the go; associations in international scien- China, Hungary, Germany, North operation is conducted via a public promotion of Slovene science abroad • META science podcasts: Meta tific associations and the works of Macedonia, Russia, Serbia, Turkey call, the subject of which is the co-fi- with the aim of supporting new, per- PHoDcast and Metamorfoza; Slovenian representatives elected in and the United States of America. nancing of international scientific vasive ideas in the field of promotion • Research Centre of the Slovenian international scientific associations The majority of funds were allocat- research projects lasting for a peri- and communication of science. In Academy of Sciences and Arts in as presidents, vice-presidents, secre- ed to cooperation with the United od of two years. On the basis of four 2018, the Agency (co-)financed the cooperation with the team be- taries-general and members of man- States of America (30.4 %). public calls in 2018, 21 collaborative following innovative activities: hind the Ugriznimo znanost TV agement bodies.

44 45 THE AGENCY'S INTERNATIONAL COOPERATION – HIGHLIGHTS

46 47 One of the highlights of 2018 was the preparation of new scientific cooperation activities to strengthen efforts in this field

Four Central European agencies, including ARRS, signed a letter of intent on establishing a Central ARRS guiding principles for international cooperation: opening up opportunities for closer interna- European Science Partnership – CEUS tional cooperation in the field of science (ARRS operation and development strategy 2016–2020)

Within the framework of events tak- research agencies, reached the preparing joint and compatible ap- First stage: establishing and strengthening international connections ing place due to Austrian presidency agreement to establish a closer part- proaches to financing research is one of the Council of the European Union, nership intended to promote inter- of the main goals of the CEUS part- Incentives: four Central European agencies, in- national cooperation in the field of nership. 1. Bilateral cooperation – mobility incentives, concluded agreements between the Republic of Slovenia and 39 coun- cluding ARRS, signed a letter of in- science and strengthen cooperation The first activity of CEUS is the prepa- tries across the globe tent on establishing a Central Euro- in Central Europe based on existing ration of a multilateral leading agen- 2. COST actions – strengthening international connections pean Science Partnership (CEUS) in mechanisms and development of cy pilot scheme with the aim for 3. Horizon 2020 – contributions towards application costs September 2018. new ones. Strengthening research partner states to conclude the imple- 4. Scholarships for visits to ERC project holders (since 2016) CEUS founding partners, the Aus- cooperation among research com- mentation agreement in 2019. 3- to 6-month visits to ERC project holders trian, Czech, Polish and Slovenian munities in partner states through After the visit, the researcher visiting the ERC project holder, must submit an application to one to three ERC calls (the time period is determined in the call).

Establishment of Science Europe working group to prepare a multilateral leading agency scheme Second stage: incentives for closer international cooperation in the field of science

In 2018, Science Europe, European Czech Republic – GACR, Finland – – ARRS, Sweden – FORMAS, Switzer- Possibilities: public calls and invitations association of agencies, established AKA, Belgium, Flanders – FWEO, Bel- land – SNSF and Great Britain – UKRI. 1. Leading agency scheme – bilateral research projects a working group to review the op- gium, Wallonia – FNRS, France – ANR, The goal of the working group isto Austria (FWF), Hungary (NKFIH), Belgium – Flanders (FWO), Switzerland (SNSF), Croatia (HRZZ) tions to conclude an agreement on Croatia – HRZZ, Ireland – SFI, Luxem- conclude a multilateral agreement 2. ERC complementary scheme (since 2011) a multilateral pan-European leading bourg – FNR, Germany – DFG, Neth- that would allow for the first calls for Possibility for adapted research project that have achieved a grade exceeding a given threshold in ERC calls to be agency. The working group is - com erlands – NWO, Norway – RCN, Po- research projects to be published in accepted for financing as national research projects (duration of up to 3 years, funding up to EUR 200,000) prised of 18 agencies: Austria – FWF, land – NCN, Portugal – FCT, Slovenia 2020. 3. Marie Skłodowska-Curie seal of excellence – MSCA (since 2017) Applicants for individual scholarship calls (MSCA IF) that receive a seal of excellence in the evaluation procedure (grade of 85 % or over), can obtain funding as national research programmes (duration of up to 2 years, funding up Procedures to conclude leading agency agreements with the Swiss SNSF foundation and the Croatian to EUR 77,000) HRZZ foundation 4. ERA projects – international calls of ERA networks JPI Urban Europe (since 2015) In spring 2018, the Agency entered and the Croatian HRZZ foundation, agreements were concluded at the NORFACE (since 2005) into the process of mutual bilateral as well as a thorough review of the beginning of 2019. PRIMA (since 2018) exchange of information on opera- call publication and research proj- More information is available in the tion with the Swiss SNSF foundation ect evaluation. The leading agency Events and News section. Forthcoming incentives and mechanisms: Regional incentive – Central European Science Partnership (CEUS) Preparing a multilateral leading agency pilot scheme between four countries (Austria, Slovenia, Czech Republic, Poland) Multilateral lead agency schemes (MLA) Science Europe working group to review possibilities to conclude an agreement on a multilateral pan-European lead agency (cooperation between 18 European agencies) More information: http://www.arrs.si/en/medn/index.asp

48 49 INTERNATIONAL COMPARISONS

50 51 Citations

According to the number of citations for the 2014–2020 period. In the est in Denmark, followed by Sweden, per million inhabitants, Slovenia same period, the number of citations the Netherlands and Finland. with 65,366 citations is ranked 12th per million inhabitants was the high-

120 % Number of citations per million inhabitants of the EU Member States in the 2014–2018 period

Relative impact factor 160,000 100 % 140,000 Investments in R&D by sector of performance (% of GDP): 80 % 120,000 for the government and the Publications higher education sector per million inhabitants 100,000 60 % 80,000

40 % 60,000

40,000 20 % 20,000 0 % 0 Italy EU28 Malta Spain

Citations Latvia

Number France Greece Cyprus Poland Ireland Croatia Austria Finland Estonia Sweden Bulgaria Slovakia Belgium Hungary Portugal Slovenia Romania Germany per million inhabitants Denmark

of European patent applications Lithuania

per million inhabitants Netherlands Luxembourg

Source: InCites, Clarivate Analytics, February 2019 Czech Republic United Kingdom

10 % of the most cited publications

The established bibliometric indica- cited publications globally in a spe- of publication is taken into consid- tor used for international compari- cific scientific field. This includes the eration. According to the latest data The publications The publications sons is the number of publications publications in journals indexed in from 2015, Slovenia ranks 11th among of the 1% most cited of the 10% most cited of researchers in a particular country The Scopus bibliographic database. the EU Member states. per million inhabitants per million inhabitants who are ranked among 10 % of highly A four year period including the year

Slovenia The number of publications within the 10 % highly cited per million inhabitants in the EU member states in 2015 EU Member State ranking 9th 800 EU Member State ranking 14th 700 600 The diagram shows the majority of standard bibliometric and other quanti- 500 tative indicators that are used for monitoring research activities worldwide 400 and and are also included in the Resolution of the Research and Innovation 300 Strategy of Slovenia 2011–2020. The values for Slovenia are shown in relation 200 to the EU member states ranked ninth (the upper third of member states). 100 Information for the 14th country (the upper half of member states) is shown 0 for comparison. Italy EU28 Malta Spain Latvia France Greece Cyprus Poland Ireland Croatia Austria Finland Estonia Sweden Bulgaria Slovakia Belgium Hungary Portugal Slovenia Romania Germany Denmark Lithuania Netherlands Luxembourg

Source: InCites, Thomson Reuters/Science Metrix/Innovation Union Scoreboard/Eurostat Source: SciVal, February 2019 Czech Republic United Kingdom

52 53 Relative impact factor Innovation index

The relative impact factor is a stand- ticular scientific field. In terms of the The Innovation Union Scoreboard and on the intellectual capital. In ard international bibliometric indica- relative impact factor, Slovenia ranks provides a comparative assessment terms of the level of innovativeness, tor measuring the ratio between the 23rd among EU Member States. De- of the innovation performance of in- the countries are classified into four number of received citations and the spite the above-average growth of dividual countries. It is a composite groups: the leading countries, the number of publications in a partic- the impact factor, the value of this in- indicator building on data for more following countries, the moderate ualr country according to the world- dicator remains below the European than 20 indicators covering the ed- innovators and the poor innovators. wide average impact factor in a par- average. ucational structure, openness and Given the listed indicators, Slovenia excellence of the research system, is among the following countries and financing, support and investment, ranks 12th among EU Member States. cooperation and entrepreneurship

Relative impact factor for EU Member States in the 2014–2018 period Innovation index for the EU Member States in 2017

1.8 0.8

1.6 0.7 1.4 0.6 1.2 0.5 1.0 0,4 0.8 0,3 0.6

0.4 0,2

0.2 0,1

0 0 Italy Italy EU28 EU28 Malta Malta Spain Spain Latvia Latvia France France Greece Greece Cyprus Cyprus Poland Poland Ireland Ireland Croatia Croatia Austria Austria Finland Finland Estonia Estonia Sweden Sweden Bulgaria Bulgaria Slovakia Slovakia Belgium Belgium Hungary Hungary Portugal Portugal Slovenia Slovenia Romania Romania Germany Germany Denmark Denmark Lithuania Lithuania Netherlands Netherlands Luxembourg Luxembourg Czech Republic inovacijsko Czech Republic šibki United Kingdom vodilne države United Kingdom inovacijsko sledeče države zmerni inovatorji inovatorji

According to data from 2019, the value of the relative impact factor is higher than in 2018, which amounted to 1.12. In 2018, Slovenia was just below the European average (1.14). International comparisons and other analyses are published on the following website: https://www.arrs.si/en/analize/index.asp.

Source: InCites, Clarivate Analytics, February 2019 Source: Innovation Union Scoreboard, 2017

54 55 ABOUT THE AGENCY

56 57 Strategic orientations of the Agency‘s operation and development Department of Research Programmes, Young Researchers and Analysis and Monitoring

This department evaluates and- se Joint Programming Initiative Urban • sound implementation of activities according to the legal bases, Decision lects research programmes and Europe. The department also - com Establishing the Slovenian Research Agency, and applicable national carries out the tasks related to the municates with the public and pro- strategic documents. young researchers programmes. It motes science , the aim being more • transparency and responsiveness. analyses and monitors the develop- professional reporting on science • optimization of instruments and setting-up pilot instruments. ment of scientific research activities and on the operation of the science • monitoring the effects of the implementation of the activities. and actively develops the area of system in the Republic of Slovenia. • international integration and comparability. science promotion. Department ac- Head of Department: Dr. Marko Per- • transition to fully electronic services. tivities include international cooper- dih, Assistant Director communication with the public and science promotion based on three ation in the Norface network and the • values: openness, responsiveness, providing information of value

Department of Research Projects Tina Vuga, Director’s Cabinet International Relations Internal organisational units Liaison and Public Relations Representative This department carries out tasks in of this department are the launch- Director‘s office the field of evaluation and selection of ing of the call for proposals to receive research projects. Within its scope of co-funding for research projects and The Director‘s office carries out- spe coordinates the work on joint tasks operation, it organises the procedures the launching of the call for proposals cialised, advisory, coordination and with the Agency‘s internal organisa- for substantive monitoring and con- to receive co-funding for the Targeted administrative-technical tasks, and tional units and other bodies. trol of co-funding, implementation Research Programmes projects. and attainment of the objectives of Head of Department: Simon Ošo, As- research projects. The main activities sistant Director

Department of Research Infrastructure and International Cooperation

This department carries out tasks in mechanism of leading agencies and the field of research equipment and the seal of excellence to activities re- infrastructure programmes, central lated to the fostering of participation specialised information centres, sci- in the calls for proposals for Europe- entific literature and bibliographical an research programmes, the setting databases, international scientific up of complementary scheme in con- research cooperation, promotion of nection with the calls for proposals Prof. Dr. József Györkös, Director Dr. Lidija Tičar Padar, Deputy Director science abroad, and involvement of of the European Research Council researchers in the activities of inter- and the hosting of third country re- national scientific associations. Its searchers. tasks range from activities within the Head of Department: Mojca Boc

58 59 The overview of the funding in 2018 according to the programme sub-items on an accrual basis Realization 2018 (in EUR) Department of Legal and General Affairs FOUNDER’S OBLIGATIONS AND INFRASTRUCTURE PROGRAMMES 35,427,763 The PRI founder’s obligations 16,892,535 The Department of Legal and General and human recources management. Affairs carries out tasks in the fields of It carries out procurement procedures Infrastructure programmes – material costs 9,265,756 law and labour law procedures. It con- related to the acquisition of funds and Reimbursement of work-related costs 4,985,838 ducts administrative procedures re- services, and provides for the mainte- Infrastructure programmes – salaries 4,283,633 garding access to public information nance of the Agency‘s business prem- RESEARCH PROGRAMMES AND PROJECTS 97,591,692 and keeping of private researchers ises and equipment. The department Research projects 29,725,706 register. The departments manages serves as the Agency‘s head office, Research programmes 62,913,074 the Database of Research and Devel- archives documentary materials and ERA projects 284,272 opment Actors. The department also maintains the archive. ESF and ERC projects 3,148,042 carries out tasks related to personel Head of Department: Katarina Hren Targeted research programmes – competitiveness 1,369,721 Open access 150,877 Department of Finance and Accounting TRAINING AND DEVELOPMENT OF SCIENTIFIC STAFF 20,806,024 Young researchers 18,220,261 The department carries out tasks vency. It is also responsible for put- Postdoctoral projects 2,568,664 related to the Agency‘s financial op- ting in place payment, recovery and Promotion of the employment of young doctors 17,100 erations. It is responsible for plan- control mechanisms, implementing ning, implementing, recording and accounting tasks, and coordinating RESEARCH EQUIPMENT 1,423,686 reporting on the financing of scien- the conclusion of joint contarcts with Research equipment 1,423,686 tific research activities programme research activity operators. SCIENTIFIC LITERATURE, MEETINGS AND OSIC 7,227,519 tasks, the functioning of the Agency, Head of Department: Mojca Kastelc Domestic popular scientific periodicals 90,000 and the securing of the Agency‘s sol- Selan Domestic scientific periodicals 1,028,574 Scientific monographs 434,000 Department of Information Technology Foreign periodicals and databases 5,413,316 OSIC – centralized specialised information centres 255,629 The Department of Information formation and communication infra- INTERNATIONAL SCIENTIFIC CO-OPERATION 1,728,460 Technology lays the expert ground- structure. The department manages CEA, cooperation within the EU 541,166 work for the determination and im- projects for the installation, opera- International projects, bilateral cooperation 554,827 plementation of the Agency‘s infor- tion and maintenance of hardware, mation policy, provides information system software and basic user in- Encouraging applications for EU projects 320,000 support for business processes and terface software tools. Visits to ERC project leaders 42,796 coordinates the development of in- Head of Department: Mitja Tomažič Promotion of Slovenian science abroad 183,204 Operation of Slovenian scientific associations worldwide 86,466 Total: 164,205,145

Overview of funding by year is available on the following website: www.arrs.gov.si/sl/finan/

60 61 Public calls and tenders that started in 2018

Domestic tenders and calls Publication date Publication date Public tender for selection of mentors for new young researchers in 2018 – MR+ pilot call 12. 1. 2018 Public tender for co-financing of activities in international scientific associations in 2018 9. 3. 2018 Public call assigning mentor places to research programmes in 2018 17. 1. 2018 Public tender for co-financing scientific research cooperation between the Republic of Slovenia Public tender for co-financing of the purchase of research equipment – package 17 26. 1. 2018 and the Federal Republic of Germany, 2019–2020 1. 6. 2018 Public tender for co-financing the publication of scientific monographs in 2018 26. 1. 2018 Public tender for co-financing scientific research cooperation between the Republic of Slovenia and Japan from April 1, 2019, to March 31, 2021 15. 6. 2018 Public call for applications to increase the funding of research programmes 12. 2. 2018 Public tender for co-financing of scientific research cooperation between the Republic of Slovenia Public call for research programme funding 16. 2. 2018 and the United States of America 29. 6. 2018 Public tender for co-financing of research programmes with concession 16. 2. 2018 Public tender for co-financing of adapted research projects within the complementary scheme for Public call for co-financing the purchase of international scientific literature in 2018 16. 3. 2018 applications to European Research Council (ERC) calls 20. 7. 2018 Public call for applications to increase the funding of research programmes 18. 5. 2018 Public tender for co-financing scientific research cooperation between the Republic of Slovenia and Bosnia and Herzegovina, 2019–2020 7. 9. 2018 Public tender for selecting research projects of the Targeted Research Programme “Zagotovimo.si hrano za jutri” 15. 6. 2018 Public tender for co-financing scientific research cooperation between the Republic of Slovenia Public call for the (co-)financing of research projects in 2019 24. 8. 2018 and the Russian Federation, 2019–2020 14. 9. 2018 Public call for co-financing of publishing of Slovenian science periodicals in 2019 and 2020 21. 9. 2018 Public tender for co-financing scientific research cooperation between the Republic of Slovenia Public call for co-financing of purchase consortia in 2018 21. 9. 2018 and the Republic of Turkey, 2019–2020 26. 10. 2018 Public call for co-financing of publishing of Slovenian popular science periodicals in 2019 and 2020 5. 10. 2018 Public tender for co-financing of scientific and research cooperation between the Republic of Slovenia Public call for reimbursement of costs for scientific publications in golden open access (for 2018) 19. 10. 2018 and the Commission for Alternative and Atomic Energy (CEA) in the period 2019–2021 26. 10. 2018 Public tender for selection of mentors for new young researchers in 2019 – MR+ call 9. 11. 2018 Public call for (co-)financing visits to ERC project leaders in 2019 26. 10. 2018 Public call for co-financing of projects with the Marie Skłodowska-Curie Seal of excellence 26. 10. 2018 International tenders and calls Public tender for postdoctoral research scholarships in Japan for researchers from the Republic of Slovenia in 2019 23. 11. 2018 Public tender for payment of a one-time financial contribution toward the costs of preparation and application Public tender for co-financing of the Slovenian share of joint Hungarian–Slovenian project with NKFIH of projects in the framework of the EU Horizon 2020 Programme for Research and Innovation (2018) 3. 12. 2018 (National Research, Development and Innovation Office) as the leading agency 19. 1. 2.018 Public tender for co-financing of adapted research projects within the complementary scheme Public tender for co-financing of scientific research cooperation between the Republic of Slovenia for applications to European Research Council (ERC) calls 21. 12. 2018 and the French Republic – PROTEUS programme, 2019–2020 26. 1. 2018 Public tender for co-financing of the Slovenian share of joint Flemish–Slovenian projects Public tender for co-financing scientific research cooperation between the Republic of Slovenia where the Research Foundation (Flanders, FWO) acts as the lead agency 21. 12. 2018 and Hungary, 2019–2020 26. 2. 2018 Public tender for co-financing activities related to the promotion of Slovenian science abroad and integration of scientific achievements in 2018 9. 3. 2018

62 63 EXCELLENT IN SCIENCE

64 65 Natural sciences

Prof. Dr. Dušan Repovš Prof. Dr. Saša Prelovšek Komelj Contractible 3-manifolds and the double 3-space property: A Pion-nucleon scattering in the Roper channel from lattice QCD solution of a difficult mathematical problem Topological manifolds are locally nice spaces The authors investigate the first excited state Excellent in Science 2018 and belong to the most interesting objects of of a proton, which has been a puzzle since its modern mathematics. They were introduced discovery in 1964. The measured energy of this at the beginning of the previous century. state is namely significantly smaller than pre- Excellent in Science is a project carried out by the Agency as part Very important are contractible 3-manifolds, dictions by theoretical models based on various of agency’s endeavours to promote science. The project presents notably the Whitehead 3-manifold W3, which approximations. The state is composed of quarks a selection of most prominent achievements from the past year. can be represented also as a union of two R3s and glouns that interact via the strong force. whose cross-section is R3 (therefore, W3 has Experiments reveal two decay modes of the state In 2018, some of the selected of achievements was proposed by the property of the double 3-space LD3-P). via strong interactions. The article presents the achievements were presented at members of Scientific Research In a paper published in one of the most import- theoretical study of this state based directly on the national event titled ARRS Day Councils for each scientific disci- ant mathematical journals, the Transactions the fundamental theory of the strong interac- 2018: Supporting Excellence, held pline, and was confirmed by the of the American Mathematical Society, we tions among its constituents. For the first time, on 23 October 2018. The selection agency’s Scientific Council. solved a difficult problem posed by the famous the authors have taken into account its strong American mathematician David Gabai. We decays. Simulations establish that the energy of constructed uncountably infinite families of the state would be much larger if it decayed only contractible 3-manifolds X3 and Y3 such that via one decay mode. The results indicate that each M3 from X3 has the LD3-P, while no N3 of the smallness of the observed energy is related Y3 has this property. We have created a new to the mutual interplay between the two decay approach, based on our research experience of modes. Theoretical studies of the strong force are the last 40 years that rank our research group challenging due to its large strength, which does among the best in this important field of mod- not allow for an approach using increasingly bet- ern mathematics. ter approximations. The authors employ complex Our result was received with great interest and simulations of the quantum chromodynamics on has been successfully presented at internation- the lattice – the only approach based directly on al conferences. Manifolds will continue to be the fundamental theory of the strong force. a very important field of research, since many fundamental problems remain open. They also Prof. Dr. Saša Prelovšek Komelj, Jožef Stefan Institute [email protected] have the potential for new research, e.g. to find structures that would explain the geometric and analytical aspects of various spaces.

Prof. Dr. Dušan Repovš, Institute of Mathematics, Physcis and Mechanics pion [email protected] u u u u u u d d excited state proton of the proton

Source: Pion-nucleon scattering in the Roper channel from lattice QCD Physical Review D 95 (2017) 014510 C.B. Lang, L. Leskovec, M. Padmanath and S. Prelovsek

Hyperlink: https://journals.aps.org/prd/abstract/10.1103/ PhysRevD.95.014510 Source: Dennis J. Garity, Dušan D. Repovš, David G. Wright, “Contractible 3-manifolds and the double 3-space pro- perty”, Trans. Amer. Math. Soc. 370:3 (2018), 2039-2055.

Hyperlink: http://www.ams.org/journals/tran/2018-370- 03/S0002-9947-2017-07035-5/

Photo on the page 64 - 65 66 Prof. Dr. Roman Jerala: 67 Molecular model of designed trigonal bipyramid composed of two chains. Prof. Dr. Andreja Gomboc Prof. Dr. Matjaž Kuntner Prof. Dr. Janez Košmrlj Assis. Prof. Dr. Matej Butala Detection of gravitational waves and light from a neutron The Nephila clavipes genome highlights the diversity of spi- Redefinition of an important catalytic reaction mechanism Lytic gene expression in the temperate bacteriophage GIL01 is star merger der silk genes and their complex expression activated by a phage-encoded LexA homologue The first direct detection of gravitational waves Spider silks are the toughest known biological Understanding reaction mechanisms is Viruses that infect bacteria (phages) repre- by the LIGO observatory in September 2015 was materials, yet they are lightweight and virtu- a cornerstone in chemical sciences that sent the most abundant biological entities followed by several detections of similar black ally invisible to the human immune system, allows a rational design and optimization on the planet, having an enormous impact hole merger events. On 17 August 2017, however, and they thus have revolutionary potential of chemical processes. Palladium catalysed on microbial communities and bacterial the LIGO/Virgo detected gravitational waves pro- for medicine and industry applications. arylation of terminal acetylenes enables an evolution. For the successful development duced by a merger of two neutron stars. Shortly Spider silks are largely composed of spidroins, efficient synthesis of many important natural of phage progeny, they have evolved diverse after, satellites detected a gamma ray burst a unique family of structural proteins. To products and compounds of pharmaceutical and sophisticated mechanisms to take over coming from the same part of the sky. A few investigate spidroin genes systematical- or agrochemical importance. Despite the essential bacterial processes. To date, such hours later, ground-based telescopes detected ly, we constructed the first genome of an enormous success of this cross-coupling re- host takeover mechanisms have only been visible light coming from this event. Based on orb-weaving spider: the golden orb-weaver action, lasting for nearly half a century, critical thoroughly studied in detail for a handful of these observations it was possible to precisely (Nephila clavipes), a species renowned for its mechanistic questions remained unresolved. phages. determine the origin of gravitational waves for extreme sexual dimorphism (gigantic females We have discovered that this reaction pro- The phage GIL01 infects the insect pathogen the first time – the neutron star merger occurred and tiny males) and building gigantic webs ceeds through the so called bicyclic rather Bacillus thuringiensis. We resolved that a in the galaxy NGC 4993, which is “only” 130 mil- using an extensive repertoire of silks with than the previously incorrectly proposed small GIL01-encoded protein, gp7, modulates lion light-years away. diverse physical properties. We catalogued monocyclic mechanism. Experimentally, host LexA transcription repressor to establish New observations, in which the researchers 28 Nephila spidroins representing all known this has been supported by identification of GIL01 dormant state inside a bacterium. Here of the research program Astroparticle Physics orb-weaver spidroin types and identified reaction intermediates using state of the art we show that the second small phage protein, took part, brought the first direct evidence that 394 repeated coding motif variants and nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy gp6, is the genetic switch, the inducer of the short gamma-ray bursts, which are among the higher-order repetitive cassette structures and mass spectrometry, as well as kinetic GIL01 resurrection leading to page particle most powerful explosions in the universe, are unique to specific spidroins. Characterization studies. formation and initiation of the host cell produced by neutron star mergers and are sites of spidroin expression in distinct silk gland This work will contribute to the knowledge of lysis. Surprisingly, gp6 evolved from the host of heavy element production. types indicates that glands can express mul- metal-catalysed reactions in general, having LexA; thus we provide a rare example of how The event marks the birth of the multi-messen- tiple spidroin types. We favourable economic and environmental two related proteins with opposing func- ger astronomy: it was the first event in which find evidence of an alter- implications in relevant industrial chemical tions control the phage life cycle switch. The both gravitational waves and different types natively spliced spidroin, a processes. The here resolved GIL01 molecular mechanisms of light were detected, and was observed also spidroin expressed only in Editors of Nature inspired us to set forth research to develop by detectors of cosmic rays and neutrinos. The venom glands, evolu- Communications novel antibacterial compounds based on IOP Physics World magazine selected it for the tionary mechanisms for selected this work GIL01 small proteins. Breakthrough of the Year 2017. spidroin diversification, for the Organic LexA and non-spidroin genes Chemistry and Prof. Dr. Andreja Gomboc, Center for Astrophys- with expression patterns Chemical Biology ics and Cosmology, University of Nova Gorica [email protected] that suggest roles in silk Editors’ Highlights. production. The work sets forth the gp6 first complete genome of an orb weaving spider em- phasizing the complexity

of silk genes. 10 nm 2 nm

Prof. Dr. Matjaž Kuntner, National Institute of Biology [email protected] Prof. Dr. Janez Košmrlj, Faculty of Chemistry and Assis. Prof. Dr. Matej Butala, Biotechnical faculty, Chemical Technology, University of Ljubljana University of Ljubljana [email protected] Source: Babb, P.L., Lahens, N.F., Correa-Garhwal, S.M., [email protected] Nicholson, D.N., Kim, E.J, Hogenesch, J.B., Kuntner, M., Source: Fornelos N, Browning DF, Pavlin A, Podlesek Z, Higgins, L., Hayashi, C.Y., Agnarsson, I. & Voight, B.F. 2017. Source: Martin Gazvoda, Miha Virant, Balazs Pinter, Ja- Hodnik V, Salas M, Butala M. 2018. Lytic gene expression The Nephila clavipes genome highlights the diversity of nez Košmrlj: Mechanism of copper-free Sonogashira re- in the temperate bacteriophage GIL01 is activated by a Source: Covino, S., Wiersema, K., Fan, Y. Z., Toma, K., Mel- spider silk genes and their complex expression. Nature action operates through palladium-palladium transme- phage-encoded LexA homologue. Nucleic Acids Res. 46, andri, A., D’avanzo, P., ... Wijers, R. A. M. J. (2017). The un- Genetics 49: 895–903. tallation, Nature Communications, 2018, 9, 4814. 18, 9432-9443. polarized macronova associated with the gravitational wave event GW 170817. Nature Astronomy, 1(11), 791-794. Hyperlink: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/28459 Hyperlink: https://www.nature.com/articles/s41467-018- Hyperlink: https://academic.oup.com/nar/article/46/18/ 453 07081-5 9432/5057082 Hyperlink: https://www.nature.com/articles/s41550-017- 0285-z 68 69 Prof. Dr. Gregor Anderluh Dr. Kristina Ivančič Prof. Dr. Janez Ščančar Prof. Dr. Julijana Kristl Selectivity of NLP cytolysins for eudicot sphingolipids Provenance of the Miocene Sloven Gradec Basin sedimentary The use of nanoscale zero-valent iron particles for the treatment of Nanofibers as drug delivery systems fill, Western Central Paratethys effluent water from a small biological wastewater treatment plant NLP proteins, necrosis- and ethylene-induc- The region of E and NE part of Slovenia Global climate change, leading to more frequent Nanofibers with an incorporated antibiotic ing peptide 1 (Nep1)-like proteins, are widely consists of clastic sedimentary rocks, which droughts, pollution, and increasing consump- represent a promising strategy for local tre- distributed among prokaryotic and eukaryotic were formed in the Pannonian Basin Sys- tion due to population growth, is the main atment of many infectious diseases. However, organisms, like fungi, bacteria and oomy- tem. In the present study, these rocks were cause of water scarcity. In order to ensure ade- their development and transition to therape- cetes. To decipher NLP toxic mechanism, we investigated in the Slovenj Gradec Basin quate quantities of drinking water in the future, utic use are dependent on the availability of identified glycosylinositol phosphorylcer- (SGB), which represents its marginal part. The the development of advanced water purification specific technologies for the production of the amides (GIPCs), an abundant class of plant depositional environment, provenance, and methods is needed so as to enable efficient use delivery system and on the methods used for sphingolipids in eudicot plant cell plasma tectonic setting were based on field work, and of alternative sources, such as waste water. Re- their characterization. Our data for developed membranes, as target molecules for NLP pro- petrographic and geochemical analyses. The searchers from the Slovenian National Building chitosan and polyethylene oxide nanofibers teins. X-ray crystallography structural studies marine and terrestrial environment alternat- and Civil Engineering Institute and the Jožef show that the release profile of an antimicro- complemented with a variety of biochemical ed frequently in the SGB from 17.2 to 14.2 Ma, Stefan Institute have developed an innovative bial drug is highly dependent on the method and biophysical experiments revealed that due to the regression-transgression cycles of method to treat urban waste water from a used for evaluation of the in-vitro drug rele- NLPPya forms complexes with terminal the Central Paratethys. Marine environment small biological treatment plant based on the ase. Therefore, to predict the drug release as hexose moiety of target plant GIPCs. Hexose was determined on the basis of microfossils, use of zerovalent iron nanoparticles (nZVI). accurately as possible, any evaluation method binding adjacent to divalent cation induces determined in thin sections, and transitional These nanoparticles enable effective removal must ensure conditions that are as close as several conformational changes, such as wid- environment was inferred from macrofossils of pathogenic faecal bacteria and potentially possible to the in-vivo environment (e.g., peri- ening of the divalent cation-binding crevice. and sedimentary structures. Sediments in the toxic elements, and the removal of persistent odontal pocket, chronic wounds). The findings The dimension of the newly formed crevice SGB were subjected to two tectonic process- organic pollutants. On the basis of laboratory triggered the development of an innovative corresponds to the size of the GIPC sugar es: the collision of the European and African research and optimization of advanced process, micro flow-through apparatus to study the headgroup, which is predominantly present in tectonic plate, and the extension of the a prototype remediation device was developed release of low molecular weight drugs, biop- the eudicot plants, but not monocot plants. Pannonian Basin System. Clastic sedimen- which, with nanoremediation in combination harmaceuticals, or probiotics from nanofibers Understanding of a peculiar Nep1-like proteins tary rocks originated mostly from the north with other cleaning procedures, enables the in vitro. The efficiency of an antimicrobial drug mechanism of and west (Eastern Alps, treatment of waste water to a degree which released from nanofibers was confirmed aga- action at the mo- Eisenkappel magmatic complies with physical-chemical and microbio- inst selected strains of periodontopathogenic lecular level rep- belt), and subordinately logical standards for its safe reuse. bacteria (doi: 10.1016/j.jps.2018.07.024). resents a crucial from the south (Southern These original and unique data can be applied step in restrain- Alps). There were no signs Prof. Dr. Janez Ščančar, Jožef Stefan Institute directly to the pharmaceutical research labo- [email protected] ing NLP-derived of the provenance form ratories to develop and evaluate the quality diseases as they the east (Pohorje area), and safety of (nano)medicines for administra- govern agronom- which point to the strong tion in environments with very low body fluid ic performance paleogeographic changes volume and flow. and cause during the last 14 Ma. In billion-dollar addition, further research Prof. Dr. Julijana Kristl, Faculty of Pharmacy, Uni- versity of Ljubljana [email protected] damage in many allows us to determine parts of the sequence cycles, paleo- world. geographic reconstruc- tion, and mass movement Prof. Dr. Gregor Anderluh, National Institute of susceptibility model in Chemistry [email protected] the investigated area. Above: Cross-bed- Source: Tea Lenarčič, Isabell Albert, Hannah Böhm, Vesna Dr. Kristina Ivančič, Geological survey of Slovenia ded coarse-grained Hodnik, Katja Pirc, Apolonija B. Zavec, Marjetka Podobnik, [email protected] sandstone, and David Pahovnik, Ema Žagar, Rory Pruitt, Peter Greimel, fine-grained con- Source: OPRČKAL, Primož, MLADENOVIČ, Ana, VIDMAR, Akiko Yamaji-Hasegawa, Toshihide Kobayashi, Agniesz- glomerate. Janja, MAUKO PRANJIĆ, Alenka, MILAČIČ, Radmila, ŠČAN- The principle of electrospinning, the appearance of nanofibers, and the drug ka Zienkiewicz, Jasmin Gömann, Jenny C. Mortimer, Lin Source: IVANČIČ, Kristina, TRAJANOVA, Mirka, ŠMUC, An- Below left: Glau- ČAR, Janez. Critical evaluation of the use of different release curves Fang, Adiilah Mamode-Cassim, Magali Deleu, Laurence drej, SKABERNE, Dragomir. Provenance of the Miocene conite grain and nanoscale zero-valent iron particles for the treatment Lins, Claudia Oecking, Ivo Feussner, Sébastien Mongrand, Slovenj Gradec Basin sedimentary fill, Western Central echinoderm plate, of effluent water from a small biological wastewater tre- Gregor Anderluh, Thorsten Nürnberger. Eudicot plant- Paratethys. Sedimentary geology, 2017, pp. 1–54. indicating marine atment plant. Chemical Engineering Journal, ISSN 1385- Source: Š. Zupančič, T. Potrč, S. Baumgartner, P. Kocbek, J. -specific sphingolipids determine host selectivity of mi- environment, 8947. 2017, vol. 321, pp. 20–30. Kristl, Formulation and evaluation of chitosan/polyethyle- crobial NLP cytolysins. Science 358, 1431-1434 (2017) Hyperlink: https://www.researchgate.net/publication/32 Right: Oyster shells ne oxide nanofibers loaded with metronidazole for local 0902103_Provenance_of_the_Miocene_Slovenj_Gradec_ in the fine-grained Hyperlink: https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/arti- infections Eur J Pharm Sci 95, 2016, 52-160. Hyperlink: http://science.sciencemag.org/content/358/6 Basin_sedimentary_fill_Western_Central_Paratethys conglomerate. cle/pii/S1385894717304680?via%3Dihub 369/1431 Hyperlink: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/27989855 70 71 Engineering sciences

Prof. Dr. Žiga Jakopin Dr. Nina Kostevšek Prof. Dr. Edvard Govekar Development of novel nanomolar NOD2 agonists as potential vaccine adjuvants Hybrid nanoparticles for cancer treatment and diagnostics Annular laser beam based direct metal deposition

Muramyl dipeptide (MDP) possesses good ovalbumin. The results obtained enabled the We have produced an innovative, theranos- In addition to laser selective melting, laser di- adjuvant properties due to its agonistic authors to increase our understanding of the tic material based on FePt/SiO2/Au hybrid rect metal deposition (LDMD) is one of the most action on the nucleotide-binding oligomeri- structural requirements of desmuramylpep- nanoparticles (NPs) for both, photo-thermal promising processes for 3D metal printing. zation domain-containing protein 2 (NOD2), tides for NOD2-activation. This achievement, therapy and magnetic resonance imaging Existing systems for LDMD use axial Gaussian however, it suffers from certain drawbacks, which is a result of interdisciplinary efforts, was (MRI). The cytotoxicity together with the in- laser beam and lateral supply of a metal materi- hampering its use in the clinic. In the search published in the most prestigious high impact ternalization mechanism and the intracellu- al. In the frame of the research of LDMD process for therapeutically useful MDP analogs, the journal from the field of medicinal chemistry. lar fate of hybrid NPs were evaluated on nor- and in collaboration with a Japanese company authors designed, synthesized and character- Adjuvants are an important component of mal and cancerous cell lines. Control samples DMG MORI, an opto-mechanical system (Fig. a) ized a series of novel desmuramylpeptides. modern vaccines, being able to increase the as well as the normal cell line incubated with has been developed, which, based on shaping of The pivotal structural elements for molecular immune response following their adminis- the NPs showed no significant temperature an annular laser beam, enables axial delivery of recognition by NOD2 have been identified, tration, resulting in an increased efficacy of increase during the photo-thermal treatment metal material in the form of a wire or pow- culminating in the discovery of compound 9, the vaccine. There is a pressing need for novel (DT < 0.8 °C) and thus cell viability remained der in the axis of the laser beam (Fig. b), and the most potent desmuramylpeptide NOD2 adjuvants for human use, and harnessing high (~90%). On the contrary, due to high NPs variation of the laser beam intensity distri- agonist to date. The latter proved superior to the innate immune stimulatory properties of uptake by the cancerous cells, significant bution (LBID) on the workpiece surface from MDP in terms of increasing pro-inflammatory NOD-like receptor agonists presents an excit- heating of the sample was observed (DT = 4 a ring and Tophat to Gaussian (Fig. c). Axial cytokine release from human peripheral blood ing new avenue to be explored. The authors °C) and, consequently, cell viability dropped delivery of metal material ensures isotropy and mononuclear cells in synergy with lipopoly- demonstrated that desmuramylpeptides can significantly to ~60%. These results further higher stability of the process as well as powder saccharide. It also exhibited adjuvant effect in induce both innate and adaptive immune confirm that the hybrid NPs developed in the catchment efficiency above 80%. Results also a mouse model of adjuvancy by augmenting responses and thus highlight the potential scope of this work were not only efficient, but show that besides higher process stability, LBID the antibody response to a model antigen – utility of NOD2 agonists as vaccine adjuvants. also highly selective photo-thermal agents. influences also the shape of the deposited layer In order to improve the survival rate of cancer (Fig. c), thus indicating further possibilities of Prof. Dr. Žiga Jakopin, Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Ljubljana [email protected] patients, reduce the treatment time and any LDMD process optimization from the point of possible side effects, radically new approach- view of metallurgical and mechanical proper- es in treatment and diagnostics are needed. ties of the deposited metal layer and 3D printed

OH To realize this, we focused on the develop- metal parts. OMe ment of multifunctional nanoparticles as an LRR O Prof. Dr. Edvard Govekar, Faculty of Mechanical NH innovative “theranostatic” system (theranos- NF-B INNATE IMMUNE RESPONSE Engineering, University of Ljubljana NH O O CARD OEt NACHT CARD and O -proinflammatory cytokines tics = therapy + diagnostics) with its efficacy HN MAPKs chemokines [email protected] OEt NOD2 and selectivity proven in vitro. compound 9 O

= nM EC50 (NOD2) 46 ± 7 Dr. Nina Kostevšek, Jožef Stefan Institute [email protected] ADAPTIVE IMMUNE RESPONSE

Sources: E. Govekar, A. Jeromen, A. Kuznetsov, G.N. Levy, M. Fujishima. Study of an annular laser beam based axially-fed powder cladding process. CIRP annals, 67 (2018) 241-244. E. Govekar, A. Jeromen, A. Kuznetsov, M. Kotar, M. Kondo. Annular laser beam based direct metal deposition (Invi- ted paper), 10th Conference on Photonic Technologies [LANE 2018], 3.-6. September 2018, Fürth, Nemčija. M. Fujishima, E. Govekar, G.N. Levy. Head for additive pro- Source: Kostevsek, N., et al.: Hybrid FePt/Si02/Au nanopar- cessing, processing machine, and processing method. ticles as a theranostic tool: in vitro photothermal treatment US2018-0036948, JPWO2017115406, EP3369518, WO/2017 Source: GOBEC, Martina, TOMAŠIČ, Tihomir, ŠTIMAC, Adela, FRKANEC, Ruža, TRONTELJ, Jurij, ANDERLUH, Marko, MLINA- and MRI imaging. Nanoscale. 10(3), 1308-1321. (2018) /115406 (2017, 2018). RIČ-RAŠČAN, Irena, JAKOPIN, Žiga. Discovery of nanomolar desmuramylpeptide agonists of the innate immune receptor nucleotide-binding oligomerization domain-containing protein 2 (NOD2) possessing immunostimulatory properties. J. Hyperlink: https://www.semanticscholar.org/paper/Hyb Hyperlink: https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article Med. Chem, 2018, 61, 2707-2724; IF = 6.259 rid-FePt%2FSiO2%2FAu-nanoparticles-as-a-thera- /pii/S0007850618301069 nostic-Kostev%C5%A1ek-Abramovic/e524965314ab4e- Hyperlink: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/29543461 2017f0795f62c1a5db2bc94c8f 72 73 Prof. Dr. Miran Gabršček, Dr. Primož Jovanovič, Prof. Dr. Matjaž Mihelj Ddr. Marija Vukomanović Dr. Nejc Hodnik Assist. Prof. Dr. Tomaž Požar Robotic wheelchair The role of surface defects in the mechanism of antimicrobial Stability of iridium based electrocatalysts Listening to light reflections activity of magnesium oxide Electric wheelchairs considerably improve Magnesium oxide (MgO) is approved by the FDA Electrolysers are considered a convenient When light comes into contact with matter, the quality of life in people with motor disa- for various biomedical purposes in the form of solution to store energy obtained from sun or it sets it in motion—we say that light carries bilities. However, beyond normal driving, they additives and lubricants, and as muscle relax- wind in the form of hydrogen. By developing momentum. Despite the fact that such motion do not allow for traversing the most common ant and pH adjustment agent. In addition, it completely new electrochemical methods, we is not observed in daily life, it is responsible obstacles (stairs, curbs). In the Laboratory of has distinct antimicrobial activity based on spe- were able to precisely determine the degrada- for the motion of comet tails as well as for the Robotics at the Faculty of Electrical Engineer- cific contact with bacterial cells, but the mech- tion mechanism of iridium electrocatalysts. operation of optical tweezers, for which half of ing, University of Ljubljana, we developed the anism of action and the nature of the processes The findings offer new guidelines for design- this year’s Nobel Prize in Physics was awarded. concept of a robotic wheelchair: between MgO and bacteria are not yet well ing more efficient electrolysers. The fact that light possesses momentum has • four-wheel drive with independent steer- understood. Researchers at the Jožef Stefan Water electrolysis will inevitably play a key role been theoretically predicted already in 1873 and ing of each wheel (normal and crab steer- Institute have shown that MgO antimicrobial in translation to sustainable energy infra- it was first measured in 1900, but only in terms ing, turning in place); activity is based on a contact mechanism. It has structure. State of the art research on water of how it is transferred to the object as a whole. • tracks system for traversing the obsta- been shown that a smaller number of oxygen electrolysis strongly indicates that in order to A detailed description of this transfer, pub- cles (curbs, stairs); atoms with a lower coordinate number on the provide for sufficient performance of electrol- lished in August 2018 by the researchers of • ergonomically designed seat that can be MgO surface makes it possible to improve the ysers, a profound understanding of oxygen Faculty of Mechanical Engineering, Univer- actively reclined; resistance of the material to hydrolysis, and ac- evolution reaction is of utmost importance. The sity of Ljubljana in collaboration with three • advanced control system to support the celerate its antibacterial action. It has also been bottleneck of this reaction is its sluggish kinet- foreign institutions refers to the measure- use of the wheelchair. established that the ability of the formation of ics, hence more efficient electrocatalyst should ment and explanation of how the momentum At the Cybathlon competition which pro- reactive oxygen species (ROS) is not a property be developed. However, besides increasing the of light is transferred to matter in time and motes the development of assistive tech- of MgO, but is a by-product of hydrolysis re- catalytic activity, one also needs to significantly space, and that during this process elastic nologies, the University of Ljubljana team sulting from the interaction between MgO and improve the catalyst stability. In this respect waves are launched, resembling seismic won a bronze medal. Scientific achievement bacteria. Based on correlations between hydro- iridium-based catalysts have turned out to be waves, but with displacement-amplitude of was published in one of the most pres- lysis, antibacterial kinetics and the generation the most promising candidates to be employed merely a picometer. As part of the experiment, tigious robotic journals, IEEE Robotics & of the ROS species, it has been shown that the as electrolysers. Our research comparatively laser pulse was focused on a small mirror Automation Magazine. Robotic wheelchair basic mechanism of action, which significantly investigated several iridium electrocatalysts. where the light was reflected, hit against the is a research platform enabling the study contributes to the antibacterial activity of MgO, The comparison was based on 6 experimental mirror at the same time, and launched elastic of ergonomics, testing of advanced sensor is the acid-base reaction between the surface of methodologies half of which were developed waves that were detected by a highly-sensi- technologies, and development and valida- MgO and the bacterial wall. specifically for the purpose of this study. tive displacement sensor. tion of new control concepts. The developed Knowledge of basic principles of the interac- Development of novel methodologies provided system is used for educational purposes and tion between MgO and cells, and the nature of for new insights into the operating mechanism Assist. Prof. Dr. Tomaž Požar, Faculty of Mechan- ical Engineering, University of Ljubljana represents a test platform for the develop- processes occurring on their contact surface, of iridium electrocatalysts and revealed that [email protected] ment of a new generation of commercially is essential for improving the efficiency and their stability was directly dependent on their relevant robotic wheelchairs. design of future MgO-based medical devices oxidation state and crystal structure. 1873 1900 2018 and medicines. Prof. Dr. Matjaž Mihelj, Faculty of electrical Engi- Prof. Dr. Miran Gabršček, National Institute of neering, University of Ljubljana Ddr. Marija Vukomanović, Jožef Stefan Institute Chemistry [email protected] [email protected] [email protected] Dr. Primož Jovanovič, National Institute of Chemistry [email protected]

Dr. Nejc Hodnik, National Institute of Chemistry [email protected] Timeline of ground-breaking discoveries about the momentum of light.

Source: POŽAR, Tomaž, LALOŠ, Jernej, BABNIK, Aleš, PET- KOVŠEK, Rok, LUKASIEVICZ, G. V. B., BETHUNE-WADDELL, Max, CHAU, Kenneth J., ASTRATH, N. G. C. Isolated de- tection of elastic waves driven by the momentum of light. Nature communications, ISSN 2041-1723, 2018, vol. 9, f. 1-11 Author: Source: J. Podobnik, J. Rejc, S. Šlajpah, M. Munih and M. Source: N. Aničić, M. Vukomanović, T. Koklič, D. Suvorov, ETH Zürich/ Hyperlink: https://www.nature.com/articles/s41467-018- Mihelj, “All-Terrain Wheelchair: Increasing Personal Mo- Small, 14 (2018). Alessandro 05706-3 Della Bella bility with a Powered Wheel-Track Hybrid Wheelchair,” in IEEE Robotics & Automation Magazine, vol. 24, no. 4, pp. Hyperlink: https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/abs/10.100 26-36, Dec. 2017. 2/smll.201870123 Source: Journal of the American Chemical Society : JACS, ISSN 0002-7863, Sep. 2017, vol. 139, iss. 36, pp. 12837–12846. Hyperlink: https://ieeexplore.ieee.org/document/8100630 74 Hyperlink: https://pubs.acs.org/doi/abs/10.1021/jacs.7b08071 75 Medical sciences

Assist. Prof. Dr. Katja Lakota, Prof. Dr. Snezna Sodin-Semrl Prof. Dr. Mojca Benčina Prof. Dr. Nataša Ihan Hren Drug effects on primary human coronary artery endothelial Short single-stranded DNA degradation products augment Three-dimensional facial changes after skeletal changes in dentofacial deformities cells activated by serum amyloid A the activation of Toll-like receptor A healthy endothelium provides for an antiad- Bacterial and viral infections trigger acti- Dentofacial deformities of skeletal Class III Because of this, we divided face into several hesive/antithrombogenic surface, which can vation of immune response and prime the correct surgically with movements of facial regions. Facial soft changes as a consequence prevent the development of atherosclerosis host protection against infections. Toll-like skeleton in position, which allows good of bone changes were calculated (coefficients and thrombosis. Patients with inflammatory receptors, as pattern recognition receptors, occlusion as demanded for normal orofacial as proportions) separately for different face rheumatic diseases have a higher incidence of are critical for the recognition of prototypical functions, such as biting, chewing, speaking, regions. Regarding bone movements, the cardiovascular diseases compared to the gen- molecules characteristic of microbes, among breathing and normal function of temporo- changes take place in a wide and varied range, eral population. This is partly due to the pres- which Toll-like receptor 9, TLR9, recognizes mandibular joints. Consequently, bone move- and the maximum coefficients are only 50% ence of chronic inflammation, a proven risk DNA fragments of bacteria and viruses. ments cause significant changes in facial of bone sagittal changes. This behaviour factor for the development of atherosclerosis. We discovered that the very short DNA soft tissues and affect facial aesthetics. Our enables a more predictable planning of facial Serum amyloid A (SAA) is an acute phase fragments that are constantly present in study has shown the coefficients of chang- changes following surgical corrections. protein upregulated in sera of patients with the body strengthen the immune response es in facial soft tissues as a result of facial The skeletal Class III dentofacial deformities inflammatory rheumatic diseases, shown to to bacterial DNA. The presence of short DNA bone movements in dentofacial deformities are the most frequently surgically treated or- activate endothelial cells. Our research aim fragments is crucial especially when the ex- of skeletal Class III. By comparing 3-dimen- thognathic disorders in Slovenia. Differing in was to characterize whether medications tent of bacterial infection is limited and the sional scans of facial soft tissue before and 6 prevalence, these deformities are a problem in used by patients with inflammatory rheumat- infection itself does not trigger the immune months after surgery with 3 different surgical many ethnic groups of all races. The standard ic diseases can influence the inflammatory/ response. We have shown that in addition treatments, we described changes of soft diagnostics and follow-up after the treatment procoagulant responses of human coronary to longer DNA fragments, TLR9 receptor tissues in correlation with bone movements are based on bone markers. Nowadays, facial artery endothelial cells activated by SAA. For binds short DNA fragments that significant- of the jaws in the sagittal plane. Facial soft aesthetics significantly influences individual this purpose, we used cultures of primary ly enhance the immune response. tissues follow unequally the facial skeleton, psychosocial functioning in society, which is cells and the following drugs: dexametha- This is important for understanding the and differently in particular facial regions. why the objective knowledge of facial changes sone, methotrexate, certolizumab, captopril, functioning of the immune response against as a consequence of such treatment is very etanercept, etoricoxib, rosiglitazone, meloxi- pathogens and for potential use in immuno- important and already affects our planning of cam, fluvastatin and diclofenac. We found therapy. Discovery can significantly change surgical procedures. The published results are that fluvastatin and methotrexate success- the preparation of modern vaccines. the first in well-known literature to describe fully inhibited inflammatory activation and three dimensional changes of the whole face. may thus also slow down the development of Prof. Dr. Mojca Benčina, National Institute of Our results are part of the objective knowl- Chemistry [email protected] atherosclerosis and cardiovascular diseases. edge that will lead to the inverse planning of On the other hand, the influence of nonste- such procedures in the future. roidal antiinflammatory drugs showed more diverse responses. Encouragingly, none of the Prof. Dr. Nataša Ihan Hren, The Faculty of Medicine, University of Ljubljana drugs significantly lowered the viability of the [email protected] studied cells. Source: VERDENIK, Miha, IHAN HREN, Nataša. Three-di- Assist. Prof. Dr. Katja Lakota, University Medical mensional facial changes correlated with sagittal jaw Center Ljubljana [email protected] movements in patients with class III skeletal deformities. Prof. dr. Snezna Sodin-Semrl, University Medical British journal of oral & maxillofacial surgery, ISSN 0266- Center Ljubljana [email protected] 4356, 2017, vol. 55, iss. 5, pp. 517-523. Hyperlink: https://www.bjoms.com/article/S0266-4356 (17)30059-1/abstract

Source: Pohar J, Lainšček D, Ivičak-Kocjan K, Cajnko MM, Jerala R, Benčina M. Short single-stranded DNA degrada- Source: K. Lakota, D. Hrušovar, M. Ogrič, K. Mrak-Poljšak, tion products augment the activation of Toll-like recep- S. Čučnik, M. Tomšič, B. Božič, P. Žigon, and S. Sodin- tor 9; Nature communications 8: 15363 (2017). -Semrl; Analysis of Drug Effects on Primary Human Coro- nary Artery Endothelial Cells Activated by Serum Amylo- Hyperlink: https://www.nature.com/articles/ncomms15363 76 id A; Mediators of Inflammation, Volume 2018. 77

Hyperlink: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/ PMC5833471/pdf/MI2018-8237209.pdf Prof. Dr. Katarina Trebušak Podkrajšek, Dr. Zala Lužnik Prof. dr. Tadej Batellino Prof. Dr. Bojan Vrtovec Identification and characterization of dendritic cell subtypes in preserved and cultured cadaveric human corneolimbal tissue Association of glycaemic control and cell stress with telomere Effects of repetitive cell therapy in patients with chronic on amniotic attrition in type 1 diabetes heart failure Corneal dendritic cells (DC) and their matu- a role in limbal graft function preservation. Researchers of the Medical Faculty in Ljublja- The prevalence of chronic heart failure is ration play a key role in the development of These findings may significantly contribute na and University Children’s Hospital, UMC steadily increasing and despite the recent cornealimbal allograft rejection. There are to the optimization of preparation of cultured Ljubljana, coordinated by assoc. prof. Katarina advances in heart failure management, a two main subtypes of DC: myeloid (mDC) and limbal alografts, which will have optimal Trebušak Podkrajšek and prof. Tadej Battelino substantial number of patients progress to plasmacytoid (pDC), with different biological immunological properties and a suitable stem had been studying the dynamics of telomere at- the advanced stage of the disease, which is properties. While the major role of mDC is cell content for the treatment of patients with trition in paediatric patients with type 1 diabetes associated with very high mortality rates. initiation of allograft rejection, pDC play an advanced ocular surface diseases. in relation to the success of their blood glucose There is increasing pre-clinical evidence sug- important role in immune tolerance, in other The success of corneal transplantation is very management. The results showed accelerated gesting that cell therapy is associated with words, for host allograft acceptance. The high when the donor corneas are transplant- telomere length (rTL) shortening affected by improved myocardial perfusion and recovery identification of human cornea pDCs has not ed into uninflamed recipient corneal beds. the duration of T1D and poor glycaemic control, of heart function in heart failure. Thus, the yet been reported thus far. Success is greatly reduced when the donor along with increased levels of cell stress. This aim of our project was to investigate the The purpose of our study was to determine corneas are transplanted into inflamed and process begins early after the onset of the clinical effects of repetitive cell therapy in the content and distribution of different sub- highly vascularized recipient eyes. The discov- disease, leading to accelerated cell ageing, patients with chronic heart failure. types of DC in preserved human cornealimbal ery of potentially tolerogenic pDC in human thereby contributing to the development of T1D In all patients, stem cells were mobilized, tissue and to compare the results with limbal corneas is an important contribution to a complications. Once again, this emphasizes the collected from peripheral blood and inject- explant cultures on amniotic membrane. This better understanding of the immunobiology importance of appropriate T1D management ed in the target areas of the heart, guided is the first published study that has identified of the eye, and may enable new treatment op- from the T1D onset, since telomere length by the use of electroanatomical mapping. pDC in cultured and preserved (non-cultured) tions to prevent corneal allograft rejections. cannot be regenerated. For the first time it was Within 1 year after the cell therapy, we ob- human cornealimbal tissue. In addition, we shown at the molecular level that the quality served a significant improvement in the identified corneal stem cells positive for Dr. Zala Lužnik, University Medical Centre Ljubljana of T1D management directly influences the heart function, exercise capacity and labora- [email protected] ABCB5 marker expression that might play integrity of genetic material, which is crucial for tory markers of heart failure. This is the first long-term maintenance of health. randomized study to-date investigating the Electroanatomical effects of repetitive cell therapy. The results map of the heart Prof. Dr. Katarina Trebušak Podkrajšek, of our study suggest that repetitive cell before cell injection Medical Faculty, University of Ljubljana, therapy is feasible and safe, and may repre- (left panel), and 6 University Medical Centre Ljubljana months thereafter [email protected] sent a novel, effective treatment strategy (right panel). There for patients with chronic heart failure. is a significant in- Prof. dr. Tadej Batellino, Medical Faculty, crease in myocardial viability at the sites University of Ljubljana, University Medical Prof. Dr. Bojan Vrtovec, University Medical Centre Centre Ljubljana [email protected] of cell injections Ljubljana [email protected] (blue area).

G ly c e m ic c o n tr o l (P G C v s . G G C )

p = 0 .0 2 4 9

P o o r g ly c e m ic c o n tro l

2 .0 G o o d g ly c e m ic c o n tro l

Eye before and after corneal limbal epithelial stem cell transplantation (surgeon: as. dr. Petra Schollmayer) 1 .5 L T r 1 .0

0 .5

0 .0 0 .0 0 .2 0 .4 0 .6 0 .8 D u ra tio n /A g e Source: VRTOVEC, Bojan, POGLAJEN, Gregor, SEVER, Ma- Source: Tesovnik T, Kovač J, Hovnik T, et al. Association of tjaž, ZEMLJIČ, Gregor, FRLJAK, Sabina, CERAR, Andraž, Glycemic Control and Cell Stress With Telomere Attrition CUKJATI, Marko, JAKLIČ, Martina, ČERNELČ, Peter, HAD- in Type 1 Diabetes. JAMA Pediatr. 2018;172(9):879–881. DAD, François, WU, Joseph C. Effects of repetitive tran- doi:10.1001/jamapediatrics.2018.1175 sendocardial CD34+ cell transplantation in patients with Source: Lužnik Z, Kopitar AN, Lapajne L, Pižem J., Ferrari S, Ihan A, Hawlina M, Schollmayer P. Identification and characteri- non-ischemic dilated cardiomyopathy. Circulation rese- zation of dendritic cell subtypes in preserved and cultured cadaveric human corneolimbal tissue on amniotic membrane. Hyperlink: https://jamanetwork.com/journals/jamape- arch, ISSN 0009-7330, 2018, vol. 123, iss. 3, pp. 389-396. Acta Ophthalmologica. 2018 In Press diatrics/article-abstract/2685287 Hyperlink: https://www.ahajournals.org/doi/abs/10.1161/ Hyperlink: https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/aos.13854 circresaha.112.276519+ 78 79 Prof. Dr. Tamara Lah Turnšek, Dr. Barbara Breznik Prof. Dr. Marko Noč, Assist. Prof. Dr. Tomaž Goslar Mesenchymal stem cells contribute to the progression of brain tumours Coronary artery revascularization strategy in patients with cardiogenic shock after myocardial infarction

Despite the achievements of modern their selective inhibitors. The most surprising Culprit-Shock study was the biggest random- Prof. Dr. Marko Noč, University Medical Centre medicine, the most common brain tumour, is our discovery that cellular communication ized study performed in patients with myo- Ljubljana [email protected] glioblastoma, remains incurable. The char- depends on the type and properties of the cardial infarction complicated by cardiogenic Assist. Prof. Dr. Tomaž Goslar, Medical faculty, acteristics of glioblastoma are rapid growth glioblastoma cells, as the mesenchymal stem shock. In the time period of 4 years (between University of Ljubljana and spread into the surrounding brain tissue cells increase the invasion of one subtype of April 2013 and April 2017), 706 patients from [email protected] as well as resistance to therapy. Today, we in- glioblastoma cells and inhibit the invasion of 11 European countries and 80 hospitals were Sources:Thiele H, Akin I, Sandri M, de Waha-Thiele S, creasingly become acquainted with the impor- cells of other subtypes. The results were also randomized. The study investigated what Meyer-Saraei R, Fuernau G, Eitel I, Nordbeck P, Geisler T, tance of cancer cell interactions with noncan- confirmed in the animal zebrafish model, as is the best revascularization approach in Landmesser U, Skurk C, Fach A, Jobs A, Lapp H, Piek JJ, cerous cells, such as mesenchymal stem cells their brain mimics the microenvironment of patients with myocardial infarction compli- Noc M, Goslar T, Felix SB, Maier LS, Stepinska J, Oldroyd K, Serpytis P, Montalescot G, Barthelemy O, Huber K, Win- that become part of the tumour during tu- brain tumours in humans. Taken together, we cated by cardiogenic shock: revascularization decker S, Hunziker L, Savonitto S, Torremante P, Vrints mour growth and form tumour microenviron- demonstrated the key effects of mesenchymal of culprit only coronary artery or complete C, Schneider S, Zeymer U, Desch S. One-Year Outcomes after PCI Strategies in Cardiogenic Shock. N Engl J Med. ment. Mesenchymal stem cells residue in var- stem cells in the glioblastoma progression revascularization? 2018 Nov 1;379(18):1699-1710. ious tissues for the regeneration of damaged and that mesenchymal stem cells and cellular The results shoved superiority and better sur- Thiele H, Akin I, Sandri M, Fuernau G, de Waha S, Meyer-Sa- raei R, Nordbeck P, Geisler T, Landmesser U, Skurk C, Fach tissues. Similarly, these cells also migrate into interactions in brain tumours can be targets vival also after a year of follow up of patients A, Lapp H, Piek JJ, Noc M, Goslar T, Felix SB, Maier LS, Ste- brain tumours, mostly from the bone marrow for new anti-cancer agents. with culprit only revascularization strategy. pinska J, Oldroyd K, Serpytis P, Montalescot G, Barthelemy O, Huber K, Windecker S, Savonitto S, Torremante P, Vrints through the blood. We have proven that mes- The published one year follow up only con- C, Schneider S, Desch S, Zeymer U. PCI Strategies in Pa- enchymal stem cells are localized together Prof. Dr. Tamara Lah Turnšek, National Institute firmed survival benefit after 30 days that was tients with Acute Myocardial Infarction and Cardiogenic of Biology [email protected] with glioblastoma cells in the peri-vascular re- published last year. Shock. N Engl J Med. 2017 Dec 21;377(25):2419-2432. gions. Cells intensely communicate with each Dr. Barbara Breznik, National Institute of Biology As a result of this study, the European soci- Hyperlink: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/30145971 other through various signalling pathways, [email protected] ety of cardiology guidelines on myocardial https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/29083953 for example via B1 receptor and various types revascularization of patients with myocardial Sources: BONTURI, Camila, MOTALN, Helena, LAH TURN- of cytokines, thereby affecting the growth and ŠEK, Tamara, et al. Could a plant derived protein poten- infarction complicated by cardiogenic shock invasiveness of the cells, as demonstrated tiate the anticancer effects of a stem cell in brain can- has already been changed. cer?. Oncotarget, ISSN 1949-2553, 2018, vol. 9, no. 30, pp. in our publications. These interactions affect 21296-21312, doi: 10.18632/oncotarget.25090. The study was funded by European Union the activity of various pro-invasive proteolytic NEVES OLIVEIRA, Mona das, PILLAT, Micheli M., MOTALN, under the 7TH framework programme. Helena, ULRICH, Henning, LAH TURNŠEK, Tamara. Kinin- enzymes - cathepsins, as demonstrated by -B1 receptor stimulation promotes invasion and is invol- We have lost further research programme ved in cell-cell interaction of co-cultured glioblastoma funding from the Slovenian Research Agency. and mesenchymal stem cells. Scientific reports, ISSN 2045-2322, 2018, vol. 8, pp. 1299-1-1299-16, doi: 10.1038/ s41598-018-19359-1. BREZNIK, Barbara, MOTALN, Helena, VITTORI, Miloš, ROTTER, Ana, LAH TURNŠEK, Tamara. Mesenchymal stem cells differentially affect the invasion of distinct gli- oblastoma cell lines. Oncotarget, ISSN 1949-2553, 2017, vol. 8, no. 15, pp. 25482-25499, doi: 10.18632/oncotarget. MITROVIĆ, Ana, SOSIČ, Izidor, KOS, Špela, LAMPREHT TRATAR, Urša, BREZNIK, Barbara, KRANJC, Simona, MIR- KOVIĆ, Bojana, GOBEC, Stanislav, LAH TURNŠEK, Tamara, ČEMAŽAR, Maja, SERŠA, Gregor, KOS, Janko. Addition of 2-(ethylamino)acetonitrile group to nitroxoline results in significantly improved anti-tumor activity in vitro and in vivo. Oncotarget, ISSN 1949-2553, 2017, vol. 8, no. 35, pp. 59136-59147. BREZNIK, Barbara, MOTALN, Helena, LAH TURNŠEK, Ta- mara. Proteases and cytokines as mediators of interacti- ons between cancer and stromal cells in tumours. Bio- logical chemistry, ISSN 1431-6730, 2017, vol. 398, p. 7, pp. 709-719, doi: 10.1515/hsz-2016-0283.

Hyperlink: http://www.oncotarget.com/index.php?journal =oncotarget&page=article&op=view&path[]=25090&pa th[]=78638 https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/28424417 https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/28938624 https://www.degruyter.com/view/j/bchm.2017.398. issue-7/hsz-2016-0283/hsz-2016-0283.xml

80 81 Biotechnical sciences

Dr. Tine Grebenc Assist. Prof. Dr. Maša Vodovnik Prof. Dr. Domen Leštan Assist. Prof. Dr. Valentina Kubale Dvojmoč Environmental factors and host as large-scale controls of Valorisation of deinking sludge by fungal production of Remediation of toxic metals contaminated soils Seven-transmembrane receptor that increases malignancy of ectomycorrhizal fungi lignocellulolytic enzymes lymphocytes and the onset of cancer Explaining the large-scale diversity of soil or- Disposal of waste sludges produced in large Ubiquitous pollution of the world’s soils with With the University of Copenhagen, Denmark, ganisms that drive biogeochemical processes amounts in the pulp and paper industry toxic metals is recognized as one of the most we have participated in a fundamental study and their responses to environmental change imposes significant environmental and urgent problem of environmental and human of the seven-transmembrane receptor. 7TM- is critical. However, identifying consistent driv- economic problems. One strategy to address health. In Slovenia, the Meza Valley and the Rs are extremely important in cell signalling ers of belowground diversity and abundance these issues involves revalorization of paper district of Celje are the most contaminated and for majority of the functions in the or- for some soil organisms at large spatial scales mill sludges by their application as substrates areas. Soil remediation and safe reuse is a ganism. Nearly half of the drugs we use are remains problematic. Here, we investigate a for microbial production of biotechnological- solution, and feasible technologies were long binding to these receptors. If we know the major guild, the ectomycorrhizal fungi, across ly relevant enzymes. In the following work, sought. New, patented remediation technology receptor that plays a role in the development European forests at a spatial scale and resolu- deinking sludge was assessed as a substrate (ReSoil) as the first in world enables economi- of a particular cancer, we have the opportu- tion that is to our knowledge unprecedented, for low-cost production of lignocellulolytic cal, efficient and environmentally safe removal nity and the ability to find a medicine that to explore key biotic and abiotic predictors of enzymes by 30 selected fungal strains. Based of lead, cadmium and other hazardous metals affects its function and thus the develop- ectomycorrhizal diversity and to identify dom- on the results of growth and activity screen- from contaminated soil. The active reagent and ment of cancer. EBI2 plays an important role inant responses and thresholds for change ings, Pleurotus ostreatus PLAB was chosen process waters are recycled in a closed process in the increase in the number of certain types across complex environmental gradients. as the most promising candidate, and its loop, there are no harmful emissions in the sur- of B1 lymphocytes and the onset of chronic We show the effect of 38 host, environment, secretome was further studied by quantita- roundings, and the cleansed soil is unharmed lymphocytic leukaemia (CLL), which is the climate and geographical variables on ecto- tive enzyme assays and mass spectrometry. and remains fertile. In cooperation with the most common adulthood leukaemia in which mycorrhizal diversity, and define thresholds While endoglucanase and xylanase activities University of Ljubljana and companies Envit mature and dysfunctional B1 lymphocytes of community change for key variables. We detected in P. ostreatus enzyme extracts and Arhel, the ReSoil technology was scaled-up are spread. Many animal models are helpful quantify host specificity and reveal plasticity from cultures grown on deinking sludge were into the demonstrational remediation plant in in understanding the pathogenesis of the in functional traits involved in soil foraging similar to activities of cultures grown on other the city of Prevalje in the Meza Valley. Studies disease. In our model, the EBI2 receptor was across gradients. We conclude that environ- lignocellulosic substrates, average laccase on demonstrational gardens showed that soil overexpressed in mice. The study showed mental and host factors explain most of the activity was significantly higher (46 000 U/kg remediation mitigates human health risk and that EBI2 plays an important role in reducing variation in ectomycorrhizal diversity, that DIS). Mass spectrometry identification of the enables the production of safe food. the immune response of the B cells and up- the environmental thresholds used as major most prominent proteins in the secretome of regulation of cellular oncogenes, initial stag- ecosystem assessment tools need adjustment the target strain confirmed that significant Prof. Dr. Domen Leštan, Biotechnical Faculty, es of cancer and premature deaths. University of Ljubljana [email protected] and that the importance of belowground amounts of the enzymes involved in lignin specificity and plasticity has previously been degradation (laccases, manganese peroxidase Assist. Prof. Dr. Valentina Kubale Dvojmoč, Veterinary Faculty, University of Ljubljana underappreciated. and bilirubin oxidase) were produced with [email protected] this substrate despite its low lignin content Dr. Tine Grebenc, Slovenian Forestry Institute indicating the presence of other inducible [email protected] compounds. The findings of this study sug-

Contribution gest deinking sludge may represent a good shares of variables substrate for low-cost fungal production of in clarifying the aforementioned enzymes with broad biotech- distribution of ectomycorhobic nological applications, including bioremedia- fungi communi- tion, and paper and bioenergy industries. ties (above) and the analysis of indicator values ​​of Assist. Prof. Dr. Maša Vodovnik, Biotechnical Faculty, ectomycorrhagic University of Ljubljana [email protected] fungi genera, and the relation with Source: VODOVNIK et al., Valorisation of deinking sludge environmental as a substrate for lignocellulolytic enzymes production by factors (below). Pleurotus ostreatus. Journal of cleaner production, ISSN Source: Sietse van der Linde, et al., (2018). Environment 0959-6526. [Print ed.], 2018, vol. 197, part. 1, p. 253-263. and host as large-scale controls of ectomycorrhizal fungi. Source: LEŠTAN, Domen, FINŽGAR, Neža, GERL, Mar- Nature 558_ 243-258. Hyperlink: https://www.deepdyve.com/lp/elsevier/valo- ko, GLUHAR, Simon, LAKOVIČ, Gorazd, HAMITI, Branko. risation-of-deinking-sludge-as-a-substrate-for-lignocel- Method for soil and sediment remediation: EP 3153246 Hyperlink: https://www.nature.com/articles/s41586-018 lulolytic-dkUdkKrV86 B1, 2018-05-09. Munchen: EPO, 2018. 23; patent family: -0312-y Int. appl. no.: 16188935.7; GB2543076 (A), 2017-04-12; Source: Niss Arfelt K et al. EBI2 overexpression in mice US2017100755, (A1) 2017-04-13; CN107096789 (A), 2017- leads to B1 B cell expansion and chronic lymphocytic le- 08-29; CA2942367 (A1), 2017-04-07. ukemia - (CLL) - like B cell malignancies. Blood 2017; 129 (7): 866-878. Hyperlink: https://patents.google.com/patent/US101243 78B2/en?assignee=Envit&oq=Envit Hyperlink: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/28003273 82 83 Social sciences

Prof. Dr. Roman Jerala Prof. Dr. David Stopar Prof. Dr. Katja Zajc Kejžar Prof. Dr. Janez Prašnikar Protein-origami cages that self-assemble in living cells Invisible bacterial networking in dilute bacterial suspensions The role of financial constraints for alternative firm exit modes Financial frictions and indebtedness of firms: Balkan countries vs. Mediterranean and Central European countries Proteins are the most complex nanostruc- It is generally accepted that bacteria in their The paper proposes a new multidimension- Using a large database of financial data for tures that perform key processes necessary natural environment either exist as uncou- al instrument for measuring a firm’s latent non-financial corporations in the period for sustaining life. They are built as a linear pled planktonic cells or physically connected financial constraints and tests it in explaining 2006-2010, we study the process of debt chain of amino acids which encodes infor- cells in biofilms. With optical tweezers we their heterogeneous impact on different firm accumulation and its influence on liquidity mation about the spatial structure and their have observed that planktonic cells in dilute exit routes. Applying the proposed measure through the boom-bust-recovery regimes of function. Researchers at the Department of bacterial suspensions interconnect and to Slovenian manufacturing and service the Great Recession. We show that domes- Synthetic Biology and Immunology at the follow the motion of the optically trapped firms over a seven-year period suggests three tic generators and amplifiers of the crisis National Institute of Chemistry have invented bacterium. By measuring viscous and elastic dimensions of firms’ financial constraints, i.e. (through the financial accelerator and collat- a method that enables design of arbitrary properties of the extracellular network, we liquidity, operational efficiency and profitabil- eral pricing) have much larger effects in the protein cages that self-assemble from concat- have refuted the idea that planktonic cells are ity. Whereas the liquidity dimension is im- Balkan countries than in the Mediterranean, enated chain of modules consisting of coiled- independent in dilute suspensions and move portant for court-driven and law-based exits, not to mention the Central Europe. The role coil helixes, which enables the formation of only in response to hydrodynamic forcing. the efficiency dimension is critical for firms’ of both, the capital surge from developed EU the designed shape. The method was named The results suggest long-range mechanical voluntary liquidation, while profitability is for countries at the onset of the crisis and the “coiled-coil protein origami” after the Japa- coupling of neighbouring bacteria (more the relative likelihood of being merged or ac- capital reversal afterwards, should not to be nese art of paper folding. A computer plat- than 100 mm). Early network formation is quired. These effects of financial constraints ignored. Higher crisis costs in the Balkans, form was developed for the design of selected due to extracellular nucleic acid release and on firm exit processes tend to be intensified relative to the benchmark regions, could be protein polyhedra. Researchers have designed is different from the mature biofilm net- during the crisis period. The results also con- attributed to the late integration of these and characterized three types of CC protein work structure. The discovery of mechanical firm that small and medium-sized enterprises economies into international financial and cages: a tetrahedron, a square pyramid and a coupling is significant as it brakes with the (SMEs) differ systematically from larger firms trade flows, weak financial institutions, inex- triangular prism. The latter is by far the larg- long-standing notion of uncoupled planktonic in terms of the sensitivity of the exit decision perienced regulators and also misguided EU est artificially designed protein from a single cells in dilute bacterial suspensions, and pro- to financial constraints for all but merger and convergence doctrine. The paper is published chain and contains more than 700 amino acid vides a new framework for better understand- acquisition (M&A) exit routes. The results in a renowned international economic journal residues. Researchers have shown that the ing of microorganisms, their cooperation, and of the analysis show that an institutional (IF=1.23). cages correctly fold in bacteria, mammalian interactions with the environment. framework for ensuring the efficient channel- cells and animals, without causing inflamma- ling of savings towards firms is indispensable Prof. Dr. Janez Prašnikar, Faculty of Economics, University of Ljubljana tion or other adverse side effects. Using a va- Prof. Dr. David Stopar, Biotehniška fakulteta, Uni- for firm survival in general, but especially for verza v Ljubljani [email protected] [email protected] riety of biophysical and structural techniques SMEs. including SAXS and electron microscopy (EM), Effects of core investments on debt Effects of financial investments on debt the structure of the cages was shown to agree Prof. Dr. Katja Zajc Kejžar, Faculty of Economics, accumulation accumulation University of Ljubljana [email protected] well with the design models. The sides of the cages are approximately 5 nm in size. These protein cages represent a new type of protein folding that does not appear naturally in nature and has many potential applications such as in cargo delivery, enzyme encap- sulation, efficient vaccine design, chemical Notes: the dependent variable is the yearly difference in financial debt per unit of the balance sheet); ***, **, and * denote statistically significant values at 1, 5, and 10 percent catalysis, design of smart nanomaterials and Mechanically on a two-tailed test, respectively. coupled individual Central Europe biosensor construction. cells in dilute bac- Mediterranean terial suspension Balkans Prof. Dr. Roman Jerala, National Institute of of Bacillus subtilis. Chemistry [email protected] Source: Journal of Policy Modelling: a social science forum of world issues. ISSN 0161-8938. - Vol. 40, no. 4 Source: SRETENOVIĆ, Simon, STOJKOVIĆ, Biljana, DOGŠA, (2018), pp. 790-809 Source: Ajasja Ljubetič, Fabio Lapenta, Helena Gradišar, Iztok, KOSTANJŠEK, Rok, POBERAJ, Igor, STOPAR, David. Igor Drobnak, Jana Aupič, Žiga Strmšek, Duško Lainšček, An early mechanical coupling of planktonic bacteria in Source: Ponikvar, N., Zajc Kejžar, K. & Peljhan, D. (2017), Hyperlink: https://econpapers.repec.org/article/eeejpol- Iva Hafner-Bratkovič, Andreja Majerle, Nuša Krivec, Mojca dilute suspensions. Nature communications, ISSN 2041- The role of financial constraints for alternative firm exit mo/v_3a40_3ay_3a2018_3ai_3a4_3ap_3a790-809.htm Benčina, Tomaž Pisanski, Tanja Ćirković Veličković, Adam 1723, Aug. 2017, vol. 8, p. 1-10, IF 12.124 modes. Small Business Economics Round, José María Caraz, Roberto Melero, Roman Jerala. Nature Biotechnology (2017) 35, 1094-1101 Hyperlink: https://www.nature.com/articles/s41467-017- Hyperlink: https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007%2F- 00295-z s11187-017-9918-y Hyperlink: https://www.nature.com/articles/nbt.3994

84 85 Dr. Nataša Rogelja Caf, Prof. Dr. Slavko Splichal Assoc. Prof. Dr. Mojca Urek Prof. Dr. Norbert Jaušovec Prof. Dr. Alenka Janko Spreizer Critical theory and empirical research – Unheard voices: researching participation in social work Increasing Intelligence Fish on the move: fishing between discourses and borders in between exclusiveness and complementarity the Northern Adriatic Disputes over critical theory and administra- The article draws attention to the gap Increasing Intelligence overviews contempo- The book navigates along North Adriatic shores. tive research have marked media research between the policies and ideology of par- rary approaches and techniques designed to This in itself is a complicated endeavour. One community for almost eight decades, but ticipation on the one hand and lived experi- increase general cognitive ability in healthy needs first to understand acrobatic tourist rhet- have shed little light on the issues that ences of participation practices in the care individuals. The book covers behavioural train- oric that allows for constant transformations separate them or potentially bind them proceedings’ systems on the other. The users’ ing and different electrical stimulation meth- of turbulent conflicts into a richly-layered her- together. A network analysis of articles as participation seems to be a trademark of con- ods such as TMS, tDCS, tACS, and tRNS, along itage; one needs to crack the paradox between clusters of interconnected concepts pub- temporary EU social policy or mental health with alternative approaches ranging from the promotional Istrian label – multicultural- lished in eight prominent communication policy, while children’s participation is the neurofeedback to cognitive-enhancing drugs. ism, and a nationalist wish to preserve pure journals during the period of seventy years most emphasised part of child-friendly justice The monograph summarizes the history of cultures framed by clearly defined borders. indicates that coexistence of critical theory discourse, but the question arises whether attempts to raise intelligence. It describes “Fish on the Move” analyses the relation and empirical social inquiry is feasible. While they really are in place. The national and the intelligence construct and the cognitive between different discourses and actors in critical approaches remain peripheral islands European research projects conducted by the mechanisms thought to be at the core of Northern Adriatic through an ethnographic in communication and media research, the author are used to emphasise the most prob- intellectual functioning. approach and with the special emphasis on majority of critical articles published during lematic points, but also innovative social work The sheer weight of the text is the integrated fishermen and fishing, showing not only how the seven decades include empirical research. and advocacy practices. The central focus of presentation of current trends in investigat- fishermen in Slovenia respond to changes in There are critical islands that are specific to the article is the author’s recent EU research ing intelligence that has been absent from international political economy by struggling empirical environment, distinct from those project ‘Access to Justice for Children with the field for a long time. It is a valuable work to survive but also how they themselves are generated in the non-empirical environment, Mental Disabilities’, which has addressed the for students and experts in the field of psy- actors of change. Fishing in the north-eastern to the EU-based journals in contrast to the participation of children with mental disabili- chology, neuroscience and cognitive science. part of the Adriatic Sea is an economic activity US-based journals, and to different historical ties in all stages of the legal processes. In the Increasing Intelligence consists of ambitious anchored in many stories. Regional conflicts, periods, but despite major differences, the case of Slovenia, these are mainly taking place thinking and writing. It is rewarding to see wars, the demise of empires and the rise of study also reveals some significant common- at centres of social work. The findings showed so many issues related to intelligence woven nation states with ensuing maritime border alities across the dominant critical currents. that in spite of the progress towards the par- into these authors’ argument. issues, socialist heritage, transna- ticipation of children in general in social care The finding that working memory training can tional and transformational pro- Prof. Dr. Slavko Splichal, Faculty of Social Scienc- decisions, children with mental disabilities increase fluid intelligence triggered a great cesses in Europe, and the growth es, University of Ljubljana [email protected] remain virtually invisible. number of cognitive training studies, the of capitalist relations between results of which have been fiercely debated production and consumption in Assoc. Prof. Dr. Mojca Urek, Faculty of social work, among experts. The findings also prompted a coastal areas, have all contributed University of Ljubljana [email protected] surge of commercial versions of these work- to the specific discourses that have ing memory training programs. affected this relatively under-re- searched area. How this complex, Prof. Dr. Norbert Jaušovec, Faculty of Arts, Uni- layered and ambiguous negotiation versity of Maribor [email protected] is constituted at different levels and how this situation is lived and experienced by the local fishermen working along the present Slovene coast forms the core of this book.

Dr. Nataša Rogelja Caf, research Centre of the Slovenian Academy of Sciences and Arts [email protected] Source: Slavko Splichal, Boris Mance: Paradigm(s) Lost? Islands of Critical Media Research in Communication Jo- Prof. Dr. Alenka Janko Spreizer, Faculty of Hu- urnals. Journal of Communication, Volume 68, Issue 2, 1 Photo: © UNICEF/ April 2018, Pages 399–414 NYHQ2011-1059/ manities, University of Primorska Holt [email protected] Hyperlink: https://academic.oup.com/joc/article-abstra Source: JAUŠOVEC, Norbert, PAHOR, Anja. Increasing ct/68/2/399/4958958?redirectedFrom=fulltext Source: UREK, Mojca. Unheard voices: researching parti- intelligence. London [etc.]: Academic Press, an imprint Source: ROGELJA, Nataša, JANKO SPREIZER, Alenka. Fish cipation in social work. European journal of social work: of Elsevier, cop. 2017. VII, 333 p., illustr. ISBN 978-0-12- on the move : fishing between discourses and borders in the forum for the social professions, ISSN 1369-1457, 2017, 809407-5. the Northern Adriatic, (MARE publication series, vol. 11). vol. 20, no. 6, p. 823-833. Cham: Springer Nature, 2017. IX, 214 p., illustr. ISBN 978- Hyperlink: http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/book 3-319-51895-4. Hyperlink: https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/pdf/10.108 /9780128094075 0/13691457.2016.1278525?needAccess=true Hyperlink: https://www.springer.com/us/book/9783319518954 86 87 Humanities

Prof. Dr. Bojan Borstner Assist. Prof. Dr. Franci Lazarini, Dr. Miha Preinfalk Prof. Dr. Leon Stefanija Prof. Dr. Roman Kuhar Monograph: Thought experiments between nature and society. Dvorec Betnava (Betnava Manor) Sisyphus-like beauty: a portrait of the composer Uroš Rojko Anti-gender campaigns in Europe: mobilizing against equality A Festschrift for Nenad Miščevič As a prominent figure in analytic philoso- The monograph Dvorec Betnava (Betnava Man- Uroš Rojko (1954) is a distinguished compos- “Anti-gender campaigns in Europe” is the first phy of the 20th and 21st centuries, Nenad or), a joint project of the France Stele Institute er, clarinettist and professor of composition. comparative analysis of neo-conservative Miščević has enriched, enhanced, and expand- of Art History and Milko Kos Historical Institute He has been living and working within and movement in Europe, which places the so- ed many areas of it. This volume, dedicated to ZRC SAZU, is the first scientific presentation between the German and Slovenian cultural called “gender theory” or “gender ideology” at him for his 65th birthday, follows the virtues of this highly important Slovenian manor. The spaces since the 1980s. His story is unfolded the heart of its endeavours. In the introduc- he so much respects – conceptual analysis, book comprises eleven chapters written by through three chapters. Chapter One – Who is tory chapter of the book the editors – Roman rigorous use of logics, and clear definitions experts of different research and professional Rojko? – grew from biographic fragments that Kuhar and David Paternotte – analyse the – and applies them to a very hot topic in backgrounds, who shed light on the history of Rojko completed in a comprehensive display roots of the development of this movement, philosophy – thought experiments. the manor and its surroundings from the time not only of his own life: he portrayed a small its theoretical and other backgrounds that Present throughout the history of philosophy, it was first inhabited to World War II. They com- fresco of the European musical culture. In the served to create the phenomenon of “gen- thought experiments have become indis- prehensively present the owners of the castle, second chapter – What does Rojko do? – two der theory”, and its actors and strategies of pensable for the discipline and for analytic from the Lords of Auersperg to Barons of Her- voices are juxtaposed: his personal musical operation. The closing chapter, which is also philosophy in particular. But what exactly is berstein, Counts of Khisl, Counts of Brandis and, poetics is followed by the perception of his authored by the editors, offers a compara- a thought experiment, what does it consist finally, the Lavantine Diocese and the Maribor music by his most careful listeners, the critics tive analysis of the anti-gender movement of, and, most importantly, is it even useful (Arch)diocese. The studies discuss the highly (how do people understand his work?). The in European perspective. The authors of the for philosophy? Next to these conceptual interesting architectural history of the manor, chapter is an analysis of Rojko’s thoughts and remaining chapters analyse national mani- questions, the collection of texts in this book the protestant tombstones from the Betnava the concepts through which his compositions festations of the movement against “gender tackles thought experiments that have tradi- cemetery, the collection of paintings that once have been perceived, published in an online theory” in Austria, Belgium, France, Germany, tion, some of them very long, like the Ring of adorned the manor, the fate of the Betnava monograph “Akademik Uroš Rojko: skladatelj Italy, Slovenia, Spain, Russia, Ireland, Poland, Gyges, the Social Contract, and Descartes’ Evil Manor after 1945. The book also features a o svojem delu in odzivi nanj”. Chapter Three Croatia and Hungary. They explore how the ac- Demon. Others, like the Twin catalogue of items from Betnava in the Mari- – How does he compose? – is a sketch of ademic concept of gender has become a tool Earth, Brain-in-a-Vat thought bor Regional Museum. The studies introduce Rojko’s compositional workshop. In sum, a for mobilization and the goal of social move- experiments, and Gettier cases, original and novel findings on the history of concise summary of the Rojko’s biography, his ments that have in recent years organized have prompted at least half-a- the manor and thoughts and criticism as well as formal anal- numerous protests, referenda and boycotts century-long trails. One cannot the Betnava ysis of his work comprising around 180 works. – from the biggest street protests

POLITICS AND GENDER PATERNOTTE understand contemporary estate, which The world is shaped by various in recent decades in France by Manif KUHAR AND

‘An essential reading to better understand the widespread reactionary backlash in today’s Europe. Anti-Gender Campaigns in Europe is a much-needed wake-up call. While anti-gay marriage analytic philosophy without will significant- processes of communication Pour Tous to formsmovements have long been regardedof as resistanceanecdotal, the authors show how deep their cultural and religious roots are. This meticulous account is an important step towards reinventing minority rights across European borders’. understanding these trails and ly contribute and understanding. The short such as e-bombing —Bruno Perreau and, Cynthia L. Reed Professor,populist Massachusetts Institute of Technology use EUROPE IN ANTI-GENDER CAMPAIGNS ‘In this well-documented comparative study, the authors offer country by country analyses and ANTI-GENDER evidence of international collaborations in campaigns against gender equality. They provide striking new insight into the way the epithet “gender ideology” has become a powerful instrument on the traditions. towards a 20th century has brought to of social media.European politicalThe scene, wielded bybook coalitions of right-wing is, Catholics, as Protestant evangelicalsnoted and populists to protect “traditional” sex roles and to challenge the institutions of democracy’. —Joan W. Scott, Institute for Advanced Study MOBILIZING ‘“Gender ideology” fracases now erupting in Europe and Latin America constitute key sites in AGAINST EQUALITY Nenad’s closest friends and better under- music an idiosyncratic history. by one of the reviewers,which to examine how the “said return of the religious”, prof. sexual politics andSonia the crisis of democracy are deeply imbricated today. Anti-Gender Campaigns in Europe is a superb cartography of these imbrications in twelve Western and Eastern European countries. It finely charts contextual dif- ferences without losing sight of the significant transnational implications of these politics, colleagues from all over Europe standing of the The book Sisyphusartig schön Correa, “a superbparticularly in whatcartography” concerns the role of the Catholic Church’. of —Sonia Correa, Research Associate at the Brazilian Interdisciplinary Association for AIDS and co-chair of Sexuality Policy Watch, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil CAMPAIGNS share their thoughts on this top- significance of is a portrait of these process- anti-gender movements,After decades of steady progress in terms of gender and focusing sexual rights, several parts of Europe are on facing new waves of resistance to a so-called ‘gender ideology’ or ‘gender theory’. Anti-Gender Campaigns in Europe: Mobilizing against Equality examines how an academic concept of gender, when translated by religious organizations such as the Roman Catholic Church, can become a ic, followed diligently by Nenad’s this outstand- es through the stories of and national specificities,mobilizing tool for, and the target of, social“without movements. How can we explain religious losing discourses about sex difference turning into massive street demonstrations? How do forms of organization EDITED BY ROMAN KUHAR and protest travel across borders? Who are the actors behind these movements? This collection is a AND DAVID PATERNOTTE transnational and comparative attempt to better understand the intersection of religious politics comments on their work. ing monument about Uroš Rojko, a distin- sight of the significantwith rising populism and nationalistic anxieties intransnational contemporary Europe. ROMAN KUHAR is Professor at the University of Ljubljana, Slovenia. of Slovenian guished composer, clarinettist implications ofDAVID thesePATERNOTTE is Associate politics”,Professor at the Université Libre de Bruxelles, espe Belgium. - Prof. Dr. Bojan Borstner, Faculty of Arts, Universi- IN EUROPE castle heritage. and professor of composition: cially in connectionAn affiliate of to the neocon- Rowman & Littlefield ty of Maribor [email protected] www.rowmaninternational.com Cover design by Devin Waston it places him and his work in servative movementsCover image © iStock.com/hakkiarslan and radical

Source: BORSTNER, Bojan (urednik, avtor dodatnega time and space that thoroughly right political associations. besedila), GARTNER, Smiljana (urednik, avtor dodatnega Assist. Prof. Dr. Franci Lazarini, Research Centre questions the ways of commu- of the Slovenian Academy of Sciences and Arts besedila). Thought experiments between nature and so- nication and understanding. Prof. Dr. Roman Kuhar, Faculty of Arts, University ciety : a festschrift for Nenad Miščević. Newcastle upon [email protected] of Ljubljana [email protected] Tyne: Cambridge Scholars, 2017. XXXVI, 437 p., illustr. ISBN 978-1-4438-8643-7. ISBN 1-4438-8643-2. [COBISS. Dr. Miha Preinfalk, Research Centre of the Slove- Prof. Dr. Leon Stefanija, Faculty of Arts, University SI-ID 23209480] nian Academy of Sciences and Arts of Ljubljana [email protected] Source: KUHAR, Roman (urednik), PATERNOTTE, David [email protected] (editor). Anti-gender campaigns in Europe: mobilizing Hyperlink: https://www.cambridgescholars.comthought- Source: Leon Stefanija: SISYPHUSARTIG SCHÖN. POR- against equality. London; New York: Rowman & Littlefi- experiments-between-nature-and-society TRÄT DES KOMPONISTEN UROŠ ROJKO, Vienna: Hollitzer eld International, cop. 2017. X, 292 p., illustr. ISBN 978-1- Source: Lazarini in Preinfalk: Dvorec Betnava, Ljubljana: Verlag, 2018. 78348-999-2. Založba ZRC, 2018. Hyperlink: http://www.hollitzer.at/wissenschaft/programm/ Hyperlink: https://www.rowmaninternational.com/book/ Hyperlink: https://plus.cobiss.si/opac7/bib/294341888 produktdetail/produkt/sisyphusartig-schoen-portraet-des- antigender_campaigns_in_europe/3-156-7734fc12-00e- -komponisten-uros-rojko/backPID/uebersicht-2.html 3-47fc-8478-05897740ac19

88 89 Prof. Dr. Andrej Rahten Prof. Dr. Marijan Dović Prof. Dr. Borut Vrščaj, Dr. Blaž Repe, Dr. Primož Simončič Scientific monograph: Between Kakanien and Wilsonia. Profes- Monograph: National Poets, Cultural Saints: Canonization and The soils of Slovenia sional and Political Trials of Hans Schwegel alias Ivan Švegel Commemorative Cults of Writers in Europe

The biography, presenting the professional and Marijan Dović and Jón Karl Helgason (Univer- The book gives a comprehensive view of soils The publication was published as part of the political career of Ivan Švegel, a leading Slovene sity of Iceland) published a comparative liter- in Slovenia. Apart from the geographical World Soils Book Series (Springer publishing representative at the Paris Peace Conference ary-historical monograph at Brill, dealing with aspect, it provides information about history company). The purpose of the Series is to give and a diplomat in the Kingdom of Yugoslavia, so-called cultural saints, artists who were of soil research, climate, geology, geomorphol- a detailed overview of soils from different illustrates the Slovene contribution towards canonized and celebrated by European na- ogy, main soil types, soil maps, soil properties, countries. The book is very rich with soil the formation of the “Order of Versailles”, sym- tional movements since the mid-nineteenth sol classification, land use and vegetation, information and is profusely illustrated. It bolized by the name of Švegel’s estate near century following the example of the worship soil management, relations between soils includes 9 main chapters, 212 figures (maps, Bled – “Wilsonia”. Drawing a line under the ac- of Christian saints. The authors develop an and humans/economy and opens questions photos and graphs), 32 tables, 242 pages and complishments of Slovene representatives at innovative theory that upgrades the estab- about the future of our soils. The purpose of 286 sources. the Paris Peace Conference, we may conclude lished concept of canonization by studying the book is to provide an overview of the state that they suffered defeat in two crucial border ritual practices and places of memory. Taking of Slovenian soils and a comparison in the Prof. Dr. Borut Vrščaj, Agricultural Institute of Slovenia [email protected] sectors. In Carinthia, primarily for their failure into account the European context of cultural international context. Additionally, it should to prevent the plebiscite. And in the Littoral, for nationalism, they deal with the afterlives of serve as an important summary that can be Dr. Blaž Repe, Faculty of Arts, University of Ljubljana just the opposite reason: Great Powers failing Jónas Hallgrímsson and France Prešeren, used to direct the soil survey, soil research, [email protected] to heed their calls for a referendum. From the national poets of two peripheral literatures, data collection, and data processing towards Slovene vantage point, the “Versailles system” Icelandic and Slovenian. Prešeren’s cult is Dr. Primož Simončič, Slovenian Forestry Institute designing sustainable soil management [email protected] therefore presented a double problem, with a analysed in the European framework with and better soil protection in Slovenia in the considerable part of the Slovene ethnic territo- an innovative approach that links literary future. This book on Slovenian soils is a review ry remaining outside Yugoslavia and minorities studies with cultural history, sociology, and of what kind, where, and how much soil is soon becoming subject to assimilation. Besides anthropology. On the topic of the canoniza- available in Slovenia; what the major threats the detailed description of Švegel’s activities tion of cultural saints, Dović also published a to soils are, what the main research activities at the Paris Peace Conference, the monograph highly acclaimed book Prešeren po Prešernu are, as well as what the status of the available includes also an interesting survey of his study (Prešeren after Prešeren, Ljubljana: LUD Lit- soil information is. It should be borne in mind years at the famous Oriental Academy of Vi- eratura, 2017) that is an important strategic and ethical enna and his career as Consul of “Kakanien” in and edited the question how much and what kind of soil will the Balkans, South Africa, United volume Kul- be left to future generations. States and Canada before the turni svetniki First World War. Švegel’s political in kanonizaci- career in the Yugoslav Kingdom ja (Cultural was not so successful: his parlia- Saints and mentarian and ministerial activi- Canonization, ties were namely only short-term. Ljubljana: Even his diplomatic return as Yu- Založba ZRC, goslav Royal Minister in Buenos 2016), which Aires ended in disappointment. presents The monograph ends with a de- numerous ad- scription of Švegel’s destiny dur- ditional case ing the Nazi occupation and the studies. establishment of the Communist regime in Yugoslavia. Prof. Dr. Marijan Dović, ZRC SAZU, Institute of Slovenian Literature and Literary Studies [email protected] Prof. Dr. Andrej Rahten, Research Centre of the Slovenian Academy of Sciences and Arts, Faculty of Arts, University of Maribor [email protected] Source: Marijan Dović, Jón Karl Helgason. National Poets, Cultural Saints: Canonization and Commemorative Cults of Writers in Europe. Leiden, Boston: Brill, 2017. Source: RAHTEN, Andrej. Med Kakanijo in Wilsonio: poklicne Source: Vrščaj, Borut; Repe, Blaž Simončič, Primož znan- in politične preizkušnje Hansa Schwegla alias Ivana Švegla, Hyperlink: https://brill.com/abstract/title/33613 stvena monografija Dordrecht : Springer, cop. 2017 Engli- (Studia Diplomatica Slovenica, Personae, 5). 1st ed. Klagen- sh ISBN 978-94-017-8584-6 (hard bound); 978-94-017- furt; Ljubljana; Vienna: Mohorjeva založba, 2018. 259 p., il- 8585-3 (e-book) COBISS.SI-ID: 5241192. lustr. ISBN 978-3-7086-0999-7. [COBISS.SI-ID 294764800] Hyperlink: https://www.springer.com/la/book/978940178 Hyperlink: https://plus.cobiss.si/opac7/bib/nuk/294764800 5846 90 91 Interdisciplinary research

Dr. Marija Kozar Mukič, Dr. Monika Kropej Telban Prof. Dr. Nives Kovač Monograph: Narrative Tradition of Slovenes Living in Porabje Rába-vidék Folktales and Legends on Milko Matičetov’s Sound Research of microbial mat and saline mud in the hypersaline environment of the Sečovlje salina and the Recordings possibility of using saline (healing) mud for therapeutic purposes The publication “Narrative Tradition of Slo- The introductory section includes studies In the past, the salt production in the north- [2] and the geochemical and thermophysical venes Living in Porabje / Rába-vidék Folktales addressing the development of the narrative ern Adriatic has had a significant impact on properties [3], which directly influence the and Legends on Milko Matičetov’s Sound Re- culture of Slovenes in Porabje, their language the economy and the life of the surrounding potential use of this sediment as a healing cordings” presents ethnographic and folklor- and brief history, as well as a presentation countries. Nowadays, the active salt produc- mud, was investigated. istic studies of narrative culture of Slovenes of the storytellers. The folktales have been tion takes place only in the Piran salt pans, living in Porabje / Rába-vidék in Hungary. The included in the international database, in where the basic process is natural salt crystal- Prof. Dr. Nives Kovač, Marine Biology Station Piran, National Institute of Biology cultural heritage explored in this publication accordance with the existing scientific inter- lization. Salt is collected on a few millimetres [email protected] has been recorded as far back as 1970 by Milko national typology, and are therefore available thick microbial mat called “petola” that covers Matičetov, and the narratives are of excellent for further comparative research. The main the bottom of the crystallization basins. The Sources: Kovač, N., Glavaš, N., Ramšak, T., Dolenec, M., quality which can no longer be obtained in features of the Porabje dialect are highlight- thermal mud and brine are also important Rogan Šmuc, N. Metal(oid) mobility in a hypersaline salt marsh sediment (Sečovlje Salina, northern Adriatic, the field. ed as well as existing differences between products, usually used in thermal tourism. Slovenia). Science of the total environment (2018), 644: The texts included in the publication have individual local particularities. This section Due to a lack of scientific research, three sci- 350─359. Glavaš, N., Defarge, C., Gautret, P., Joulian, C., Penhoud, P., been transcribed from tapes in a simplified concludes with a glossary of words used in entific works have been published making a Motelica, M., Kovač, N. The structure and role of the ˝pe- dialectal transcript, with the character sets Porabje, which contributes to the preser- significant contribution to the knowledge of: tola˝ microbial mat in sea salt production of the Sečovlje (Slovenia). Science of the total environment (2018), 644: of the usual Slovene alphabet but with the vation and documentation of the language a) petola, its composition and roles in the 1254─1267. preserved vocabulary and its specific prosodic spoken in this area. processes of natural sea salt production [1]. Glavaš, N., Mourelle, L. M., Gómez, C. P., Legido, J. L., Ro- features. All of the texts are also published Special attention was dedicated to the study gan Šmuc, N., Dolenec, M., Kovač, N. The mineralogical, geochemical, and thermophysical characterization of in the standard Slovenian language. Two Dr. Marija Kozar Mukič, Savaria Muzeum, Szom- of microbial mat compositional characteris- healing saline mud for use in pelotherapy. Applied clay bathely / Sombotel [email protected] narratives are also transcribed in the phonetic tics and functional roles in response to sea- science (2017), 135: 119─128. Hyperlink: dialectological transcription to serve as an Dr. Monika Kropej Telban, Research entre of the sonal variation in environmental conditions, https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/ example. Slovenian Academy of Sciences and Arts by using scanning electron microscopy. S0048969718323283?via%3Dihub [email protected] https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/ b) hypersaline sediment from the Sečovlje S0048969718324847?via%3Dihub salt pans. The potential mobility of metals/ https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/ Source: Kozar Mukič, Marija, Mukič, Dušan, Kropej Telban, S0169131716303829?via%3Dihub Monika. Pripovedno izročilo Slovencev v Porabju. Pravlji- metaloides and their biological availability ce in povedke z zvočnih posnetkov Milka Matičetovega. [Zbirka: Slovenski pravljičarji 2]. Ljubljana: ZRC SAZU, Za- ložba ZRC 2017, 392 p., ilustr. ISBN 978-961-05-0056-8, COBISS.SI-ID: 293441792; elektronska objava: ISBN 978- 961-05-0086-5, COBISS.SI-ID: 294853888.

Hyperlink: https://books.google.si/books?id=VFp-DwAAQ BAJ&printsec=frontcover&hl=s l&source=gbs_ge_summ ary_r&cad=0#v=onepage&q&f=false

Labritz Ferenc (Finci Feri) from Gornji Senik (photo: Mirko Ramovš 1970)

92 93 Prof. Dr. Jurij Lah Mechanism of bacterial survival in the presence of antibiotics

Survival of bacterial cells despite the pres- why bacterial cells can stop their growth and ence of antibiotics causes major problems in development. This opens the possibility of the treatment of bacterial infections. Survival planned interventions to control the forma- is enabled by mutations (change in genotype tion of “dormant” bacterial cells. Interdisci- – resistance) or growth arrest (phenotype plinary research is published in three articles change) that leads bacterial cells to a “dor- in reputable international journals with an mant” state with halted metabolism. When impact factor greater than ten. the concentration of antibiotics drops, the bacteria “wake up” and multiply, causing many Prof. Dr. Jurij Lah, Faculty of Chemistry and Chemical Technology, University of Ljubljana recurrent and chronic diseases. It is known [email protected] that bacterial cells can stop their metabolism by using their own genetic systems, called Sources: Angew. Chem. Int. Ed. 2017, 56, 14494. toxin-antitoxin modules. The results of the San Hadži, Abel Garcia-Pino, Sarah Haesaerts, Dukas Jurėnas, Kenn Gerdes, Jurij Lah, Remy Loris; Ribosome- study explain the functioning of the modules, -dependent Vibrio cholerae mRNAse HigB2 is regulated which depends on the regulation of transcrip- by a β-strand sliding mechanism, Nucleic Acids Resear- ch, Volume 45, Issue 8, 5 May 2017, Pages 4972–4983, tion of genes encoding for proteins toxin and https://doi.org/10.1093/nar/gkx138 antitoxin. The regulation is described by high Alexandra Vandervelde, Igor Drobnak, San Hadži, Yann G.-J. Sterckx, Thomas Welte, Henri De Greve, Daniel Char- resolution structures of the various toxin-an- lier, Rouslan Efremov, Remy Loris, Jurij Lah; Molecular titoxin complexes and the relations between mechanism governing ratio-dependent transcription re- them defined in terms of physical theory, gulation in the ccdAB operon, Nucleic Acids Research, Vo- lume 45, Issue 6, 7 April 2017, Pages 2937–2950, https:// thermodynamics. A detailed understanding doi.org/10.1093/nar/gkx108 of interactions at the molecular level enables Hyperlink: https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/full/10.1002 prediction of the regulation of bacterial cell /anie.201707853 growth under stress conditions. https://academic.oup.com/nar/article/45/8/4972/3057341 https://academic.oup.com/nar/article/45/6/2937/2996627 San Hadži, Igor Drobnak, Andrej Mernik, Črtomir Podlipnik and Jurij Lah (UL FKKT), in cooperation with group of prof. Loris (Bel- gium), explained for the first time how and

94 95 Slovenian Research Agency Abbreviated name: ARRS Year of foundation: 2004 Core activity: Performance of professional, development and executive tasks relating to the implementation of the Resolution on Research and Innovation Strategy of Slovenia 2011-2020 and other tasks with statutory duties in public interest in order to ensure permanent, professional and independent decision-mak- ing on the selection of programmes and projects financed from the national budget. Number of employees as of 1 January 2018 in accordance with the staffing plan: 48 Funds received from the national budget for scientific-research activi- ties in the 2018 financial year: EUR 164. 2 million Basic documents: Research and Development Act (Official Gazette of the Republic of Slovenia, nos. 22/06 – official consolidated text, 61/06 – ZDru-1, 112/07, 9/11, 57/12-ZPOP- 1A and 21/18-ZNOrg) Decision establishing the Slovenian Research Agency (Official gazette of the Republic of Slovenia, nos. 123/03 and 105/10) Resolution on Research and Innovation Strategy of Slovenia 2011-2020 (Official gazette of the Republic of Slovenia, no. 43/11) Website: www.arrs.si/en/

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