Endocrine disrupting chemicals (EDCs) affect hormone receptors and signalling in the liver, which is particularly vulnerable during critical periods of development (pregnancy and infancy and childhood), and promotes the development and progression of metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease (MASLD). EDC-MASLD brings together partners with the overall aim to elucidate the impact of EDCs on the initiation and progression of MASLD. The main aim of the widenEDC-MASLD project which adds partner IBISS to EDC-MASLD, is to contribute to the Objective 2 of the EDC-MASLD project (to understand the mechanisms of hepatic injury and resolution due to exposures to EDCs). The overall objective of widenEDC-MASLD is to investigate whether the sexual dimorphism observed in MASLD originates from the effects of perinatal EDC exposure on sex steroids, GCs and AhR signalling pathways. Interaction of these pathways regulates overlapping networks related to physiological control of lipid and glucose metabolism in the liver. In this way, widenEDC-MASLD complements the sex-related dimension of EDC-MASLD and enhances the project objective towards understanding of the perinatal effects of EDCs on the underlying interaction between endocrine axes, hormonal signalling pathways and MASLD. As a Widening Country partner, IBISS contributes its expertise in the endocrinology and metabolic disorders, reflected in 18 national and 21 international projects and 170 SCI list publications (2018-2023), and significantly supports the core objective of EDC-MASLD to engage and inform citizens and policymakers about the health impacts of EDCs and to promote risk-preventing behaviours.

SCIMFONICOM 2014-15 is a two years project organized by the Institute of Molecular Genetics and Genetic Engineering, Institute for Biological Research and Faculty of Physical Chemistry, University of Belgrade. “Science in the Past” (2014) and “Science in the Future” (2015) will be organized in five cities and five rural communities in Serbia. Several cultural/educational institutions (Serbian Academy of Sciences and Arts, Belgrade City Library, Regional Center for Talents, French Institute, The Educational Museum, etc.), non-profit humanitarian NGO Youth Association against AIDS, Regional Team for Science, Education and Art Support in Central Serbia and recycling companies have supported the project. NIGHT activities will include: Science Vans (mobile researchers’ teams in rural areas); Grand Science Adventure (interactive demos in different research fields); Treasure Hunt (win award by solving hands-on experiments); Green Science (hands-on recycling); Scientist in Private Life (visitors accompanying researchers in their hobbies); Travel with Science (scientific trolleybus party ride to NIGHT venues); Peek in the Lab (scientific lab model to peek in); Science in the Living room (scientific background of everyday life); Science (in) Fiction (discussion with researchers on science/scientists illustrated in literature/movies); European Corners (quiz about European scientists and interactive display of EU projects in Serbia). SCIMFONICOM 2014-15 is expected to continue to raise public awareness about researchers and to bring researchers closer to visitors by offering attractive new activities and locations, while obtaining greater support of cultural/educational institutions, NGO and companies towards RN main ideas. Project will take a part in RN network (Serbia, Croatia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Montenegro, Italy, Sweden, UK, Portugal), bringing the greater synergy at the regional and European level, emphasizing European character of Researchers’ Night activity.