The Lab

At the University of Rijeka’s Department of Histology and Embryology, our lab investigates how the immune system can be shaped — not just by pathogens and molecules, but by experience itself.

We focus on the emerging concept that behavioral conditioning can modulate immune responses. By exploring how learned associations influence immune function, we aim to uncover novel mechanisms of immune regulation that could transform our understanding of inflammation, infection, and recovery.

Beyond conditioning, our research spans the intricate crosstalk between the nervous and immune systems in both health and disease. We study how neuroimmune interactions contribute to metabolic disorders, viral infections, and systemic inflammation — with a particular interest in how these systems co-adapt and co-regulate under stress, learning, and environmental change.

Our approach is interdisciplinary, combining:

· Neuroimmunology and behavioral science

· Advanced imaging

· Molecular and cellular immunology

· Animal models of disease and conditioning

We are driven by the belief that the immune system is not merely reactive — it is adaptive, trainable, and deeply integrated with the brain. Our goal is to map this integration and harness it for therapeutic insight.