In Subotica and Palić, among dear people, young Andrija Sente grew up. He grew up with dreams that would take him far. Today, at only 31 years old, he is an inspiration to both young and old scientists, a scientist whose research results, to which he is dedicated daily in the Laboratory of Molecular Biology in Cambridge, are changing the course of world science.
Recently, in Stockholm, during the prestigious Nobel Prize Week, Dr. Andrija Sente received an award from the journal “Science” and the “Science Life Lab” institute, given to a young scientist for exceptional scientific discoveries and innovations in the field of biological sciences that benefit society. This is one of the most significant recognitions for young researchers. This award is not only a recognition of his talent but also a confirmation of his revolutionary contribution to the research of GABA-A receptors, key brain molecules responsible for our thoughts, feelings, and neurological health. He “reads” the secrets of human behavior with a microscope.
“The biggest challenge was to show the structure of the GABA-A receptor in record resolution. Processing these images is still a complex process, as they are taken with a low dose of electrons to preserve the molecular structure of the protein. Due to the low dose of electrons, the signal in the images is weak, so reconstructing the protein structure often requires collecting several million different images,” Andrija modestly says while explaining how his three scientific papers, published in leading scientific journals, have pushed the boundaries of understanding this molecule.
Andrija graduated from the “Miroslav Antić” Elementary School in Palić and the “Svetozar Marković” Gymnasium in Subotica, and then the Medical Faculty in Cambridge. He holds a PhD in natural sciences, and his specialization is neuroscience and structural biology. Even as a first-year student, he joined research and even then published a scientific paper as the main author, which is rare in the scientific world. His doctoral dissertation on GABA-A receptors, declared the best by the British Society for Neuroscience, laid the foundation for his further research.
“Science is not just a profession for me, but a way of life. I wake up and fall asleep with ideas, and the biggest challenge is to ask the right question and be my own harshest critic,” says Andrija.
One of those papers from 2020 was named one of the ten greatest scientific discoveries of the year by the journal “Nature.” In the next one, two years later, he discovered new variants of GABA-A receptors.
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“Each of the newly discovered receptors has some specific properties. For example, they differ in how sensitive they are to drugs or in which part of the cell they are located,” explains Dr. Sente.
The third paper, currently under review, shows the receptor in the process of formation for the first time, providing insight into the mechanisms that explain the diversity in the structure and function of GABA-A receptors.
His research not only reveals the structural diversity of receptors but also provides insight into their specific roles in the brain. These molecules shape our daily lives – from deciding which signals will be weakened in the brain to responding to drugs for anxiety, insomnia, or depression.
“By understanding these mechanisms, we can develop better therapies with fewer side effects,” adds Andrija with unwavering enthusiasm.
His research work today involves the use of state-of-the-art technology in the Laboratory of Molecular Biology in Cambridge, where he uses cryo-electron microscopy to freeze molecules at the moment of “life” and create their three-dimensional models. Currently, in London, he is working on developing new methods that enable the observation of proteins in the brain without biochemical isolation, with the help of artificial intelligence.
“Artificial intelligence has turned science upside down, and biology is no exception,” says Andrija as he describes how a team of scientists is developing innovative techniques that will enable even more precise discoveries.
His work symbolizes passion, perseverance, and dedication – qualities that have taken him from a small community in Subotica to the world stage. Dr. Andrija Sente reminds us that there are no limits when dreams are combined with passion and effort. His achievements are not only steps forward for science but also a beacon of hope for all young people who dream of making the world a better place.
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Source: Novosti.rs, Photo: Privatna arhiva