Nataša Skoko

Nataša Skoko graduated from University of Belgrade, Faculty of Biology with BSc (1999), Msc (2002) and PhD (2006) in Biochemistry and Molecular Biology. She is appointed as a Head of Biotech Development Unit, ICGEB, Trieste, Italy.

Dr Skoko's research focuses on the development of technologies for the production of biopharmaceuticals such as Erythropoietin, Interferon alpha, Interferon beta, GCSF, Insulin, Growth Hormone using three main expression systems bacteria, yeast and mammalian cells. Activities cover the most comprenhensive breadth of activities in bioprocessing such as upstream, downstream operations and quality control analysis following European Pharmacopoeia monographs. Further interest has been focused at improving biopharmaceutical properties of protein therapeutics by polymer-protein conjugation in order to develop long-lasting counterparts such as PEGylated Erythropoietin, PEGylated Interferons, PEGylated GCSF and long-lasting Insulins.

Current research is on the development of soluble TNF receptor fusion protein, Etanercept and antibody fragment Certolizumab pegol. Another line of research interest includes screening of miRNAs able to enhance production of recombinant proteins of pharmaceutical interest in CHO cells.

Dr. Skoko works in close collaboration with the industrial sector by coordinating the transfer of know-how for the production of biopharmaceuticals to industry with aim to increase local pharmaceutical industries capacities in emerging markets. Activity is mainly funded through technology transfer agreements with private companies and public institutions worldwide.