Dr Vera Ignjatovic

contact details

  Dr Vera Ignjatovic
  Haematology Research
  Murdoch Childrens Research Institute
  Royal Children's Hospital
  Flemington Road
  Parkville Victoria 3052

  E vera.ignjatovic@mcri.edu.au

biography

In 2000, Dr Ignjatovic was awarded a PhD in Biochemistry and Molecular Biology from Monash University and in 2001 she was responsible for setting up the Haematology Research Laboratory at the Murdoch Childrens Research Institute and the Royal Children's Hospital.

In her current position, as the head of laboratory research for the Haematology research team, she plays an integral role in the research activities of this team. Dr Ignjatovic is excited to be working in translational research, with the ability to experience the application and implementation of the study results into clinical practice.

Dr Ignjatovic has worked on a multitude of projects under the guidance and mentorship of Professor Paul Monagle, who has been an invaluable contributor to her independence as a researcher. His clinical expertise combined with the laboratory expertise of Dr Ignjatovic, have resulted in a number of successful projects and publications for the Haematology research team. 

Dr Ignjatovic has gained extensive experience in all aspects of running a research laboratory and her research has benefited significantly through her role as a postgraduate student supervisor (MD, PhD, Masters, Honours and Advanced Medical Science).

achievements

2010    Scientific Visits to Europe Award - Australian Academy of Science
2009    Young Investigator Award - International Society on Thrombosis and Haemostasis.
2007    Clinical Fellowship Award - Sanofi Aventis/International Society on Thrombosis and Haemostasis.
2007    Young Investigator Award - International Society on Thrombosis and Haemostasis.
2003    Travelling Scholarship - Royal Children's Hospital.
2003    Travel Grant - Haematology Society of Australia and New Zealand.
2001    Travelling Fellowship - Paediatric Research Society of Australia and New Zealand.

research focus & interest

The research focus is the concept known as Developmental Haemostasis which describes that the blood clotting (haemostatic) system develops (matures) with age. It is specifically the differences in the haemostatic system between newborns and children as compared to adults that are thought to provide an added level of protection to younger populations from bleeding and clotting events.

In line with the research areas of the Haematology Research team, her focus is on investigating the age-specific structure-function relationships of haemostatic proteins and how these contribute to interaction of haemostatic proteins with clinically relevant medicines such as heparin. The major aims being to improve understanding and treatment of blood clotting disorders in children; to better understand, use and monitor anticoagulation therapy in children, as well as to understand how age-related changes in the haemostatic system affect our growth and development.

Vera has recently added proteomics to her research portfolio, with particular emphasis of investigations of age-specific differences in the plasma and platelet proteomes and how these differences contribute to the process of ageing. She has for the first time described the concept of "Ageing of the plasma proteome".

In addition, the research interests of Dr Ignjatovic are reflected in collaborative research efforts focusing on: creating heparin mimics with improved action (CSIRO/University of Queensland); investigating platelet function in atherogenesis (RMIT); investigating fetal growth restriction and placental anticoagulants (Royal Women's Hospital).

Dr Ignjatovic is a member of the "Developmental Haemostasis" and "Laboratory monitoring of anticoagulants in children" working groups for the International Society on Thrombosis and Haemostasis Paediatric and Perinatal Subcommittee.

publications

Kozul C, Newall F, Monagle P, Mertyn E, Ignjatovic V. A clinical audit of Antithrombin Concentrate use in a Tertiary Paediatric Centre. Journal of Paediatrics and Child Health. Accepted for publication 3rd Oct 2011. (Journal Impact Factor 1.124) \

Newall F, Chan A, Ignjatovic V, Monagle P. Laboratory Monitoring of Anticoagulants in Children -    developing a uniform approach. Journal of Thrombosis and Haemostasis. Accepted for publication Sep 2011. (Journal Impact Factor 6.069)

Chui A, Murthi P, Brennecke SP, Ignjatovic V, Monagle PT, Said JM. The expression of placental proteoglycans in pre-eclampsia. Gynecologic and Obstetric Investigation. Accepted for publication 15th September 2011. (Journal Impact Factor: 1.031)

Ignjatovic V, Mertyn El, Monagle P. The coagulation system in children: developmental and pathophysiological considerations. Seminars in Thrombosis and Haemostasis. Accepted for publication  28th August 2011.

Ignjatovic V, Chandramouli A, Than J, Summerhayes R, Newall F, Horton S, Cochrane A, Monagle P. Plasmin generation and fibrinolysis in pediatric patients undergoing Cardiopulmonary Bypass (CPB) surgery. Pediatric Cardiology. Accepted for publication 22nd August 2011. (Journal Impact Factor: 1.151)

Ignjatovic V, Than J, Summerhayes R, Newall F, Horton S, Cochrane A, Monagle P. The quantitative and qualitative response of platelets in paediatric patients undergoing Cardiopulmonary Bypass (CPB) surgery. Pediatric Cardiology. Accepted for publication 14th June 2011. (Journal Impact Factor: 1.151)

Ignjatovic V, Than J, Summerhayes R, Newall F, Horton S, Cochrane A, Monagle P. Haemostatic response in paediatric patients undergoing Cardiopulmonary Bypass (CPB) Surgery. Pediatric Cardiology. 32(5):621-7 (2011). (Journal Impact Factor: 1.151)

Summerhayes R, Chan M, Ignjatovic V, Prankerd R, Monagle P. Stability and sterility of diluted enoxaparin under three different storage conditions. Journal of Pediatrics and Child Health. 47(5):299-301 (2011). (Journal Impact Factor: 1.138)

Ignjatovic V, Lai C, Summerhayes R, Mathesius U, Tawfilis S, Perugini MA, Monagle P. Age-related differences in plasma proteins: how plasma proteins change from neonates to adults. PLoS ONE. 6(2): e17213 (2011). (Journal Impact Factor: 4.351)

Hiremath M, Newall F, Ignjatovic V, Summerhayes R, Monagle P. The contribution of Tissue Factor Pathway Inhibitor to Thrombin Generation in children receiving Unfractionated Heparin. Thrombosis Research. 127: 275-6 (2011). (Journal Impact Factor: 2.278) 

Ignjatovic V, Ilhan A, Monagle P. Evidence for age-related differences in human fibrinogen. Blood Coagulation and Fibrinolysis. 22(2): 110-7 (2011). (Journal Impact Factor: 1.246) 

Newall, F., Johnston, L., Summerhayes, R., Lane, G., Cranswick, N., Monagle, P., Ignjatovic, V. Novel interactions between UFH and TFPI in children, British Journal of Haematology 151(4) 376-80 (2010). (Journal Impact Factor: 4.597) 

Newall F, Ignjatovic V, Johnston L, Summerhayes R, Lane G, Cranswick N, Monagle P. Clinical use of unfractionated heparin therapy in children: time for change? British Journal of Haematology. 150(6): 674-8 (2010). (Journal Impact Factor: 4.597) 

Murthi P, Faisal F, Rajaraman G, Stevenson J, Ignjatovic V, Monagle P, Brennecke S, Said J. Placental Biglycan Expression is Decreased in Human Idiopathic Fetal Growth Restriction. Placenta. 31(8): 712-7 (2010). (Journal Impact Factor: 2.927) 

Hardikar W, Poddar U, Chamberlain J, Teo S, Bhat R, Jones B, Ignjatovic V, Campbell J, Newall F, Monagle P. Evaluation of a Post-operative Thrombin Inhibitor Replacement Protocol to reduce Haemorrhagic and Thrombotic Complications after Paediatric Liver Transplantation. Thrombosis Research. 126(3): 191-4 (2010). (Journal Impact Factor: 2.278) 

16.    Ignjatovic V, Straka E, Summerhayes R, Monagle P. Age-specific differences in binding   of heparin to plasma proteins. Journal of Thrombosis and Haemostasis. (6):1290-1294 (2010). (Journal Impact Factor: 6.069) 

Ignjatovic V, Najid S, Newall F, Summerhayes R, Monagle P. Dosing and monitoring of Enoxaparin (LMWH) therapy in children. British Journal of Haematology.149(5):734-8 (2010). (Journal Impact Factor: 4.597) 

Swan B, Murthi P, Rajaraman G, Pathirage N.A., Said J.M., Ignjatovic V, Monagle P, Brennecke S.P. Decorin expression is decreased in human idiopathic fetal growth restriction. Reproduction Fertility and Development.22(6):949-55 (2010). (Journal Impact Factor: 4.379) 

Said J.M., Ignjatovic V, Monagle P.T., Walker S.P., Higgins J.R., Brennecke S.P. Altered Reference Ranges for Protein C and Protein S during early pregnancy: implications for the diagnosis of Protein S and Protein C deficiency during pregnancy. Thrombosis and Haemostasis. 103(5): 984-8 (2010). (Journal Impact Factor: 4.451) 

Newall F, Ignjatovic V, Summerhayes R, Johnston L, Lane G, Cranswick N, Monagle P.  Age is a determinant factor for measures of concentration and effect in children requiring unfractionated heparin. Thrombosis and Haemostasis. 31(6), 683-687 (2010). (Journal Impact Factor: 4.451) 

Ignjatovic V, Summerhayes R, Newall F, Monagle P. The in vitro response to low molecular weight heparin (LMWH) is not age-dependent in children. Thrombosis and Haemostasis.103(4), 855-856 (2010). (Journal Impact Factor: 4.451) 

Monagle, Ignjatovic V, Savoia H. Haemostasis in neonates and children: pitfalls and dilemmas. Invited Review. Blood reviews. 24(2), 63-68 (2010). (Journal Impact Factor: 6.468) 

Buschek S, Ignjatovic V, Summerhayes R, Lowe R. The effect of different snake venoms and anti-venoms on thrombin clotting time in human plasma. Thrombosis Research 125(4):e149-52 (2010). (Journal Impact Factor: 2.278)  

Summerhayes R, Newall F, Monagle P, Ignjatovic V. Automated Anti-IIa assay to measure UFH levels in plasma - a method without Exogenous Antithrombin. International Journal of Laboratory Hematology, 32(2), 268 - 270 (2009). (Journal Impact Factor: 1.304) 

Greenway A, Ignjatovic V, Summerhayes R, Newall F, Burgess J, DeRosa L, Monagle P. Point of care monitoring of oral anticoagulation therapy in Children: comparison of the CoaguChek XS system with venous INR and venous INR using an International Reference Thromboplastin preparation (rTF/95). Thrombosis and Haemostasis. 102(1),159-165 (2009). (Journal Impact Factor: 4.451) 

Kern L, Summerhayes R, Ignjatovic V, Winkel K. The differences of platelet response to snake venoms: a comparative study of children and adults. Toxicon. 52(8), 960-3 (2008). (Journal Impact Factor: 2.437) 

Newall F*, Ignjatovic V*, Summerhayes R, Gan A, Butt W, Johnston L, Monagle P. In Vivo Age Dependency of Unfractionated Heparin in Infants and Children. Thrombosis Research. 123, 710-14 (2009).*equal first authors (Journal Impact Factor: 2.278) 

Newall F, Johnston L, Ignjatovic V, Monagle P. Unfractionated Heparin Therapy in Infants and Children. Pediatrics. 123(3), e510-8 (2009). (Journal Impact Factor: 4.687) 

Newall F, Johnston L, Ignjatovic V, Monagle P. Age-related Reference Ranges for two Heparin Binding Proteins - Vitronectin and Platelet Factor 4. International Journal of Laboratory Haematology. 31(6), 683 - 687 (2008). (Journal Impact Factor: 1.304) 

Newall F, Johnston L, Ignjatovic V, Summerhayes R, Monagle P. Refinement and feasibility testing of a manual micro-method for protamine titration. International Journal of Laboratory Haematology. 31(4), 457-461 (2008). (Journal Impact Factor: 1.304) 

Ignjatovic V, Summerhayes R, Yip Y.Y., Monagle P. The in vitro anticoagulant effects of Danaparoid, Fondaparinux and Lepirudin in children compared to adults. Thrombosis Research. 122(5), 709-14 (2008). (Journal Impact Factor: 2.278) 

Ignjatovic V, Newall F, Summerhayes R, Monagle P. Letter to the Editor regarding "Routine coagulation tests in newborn and infants". Journal of thrombosis and thrombolysis 26(2), 161-2 (2008). (Journal Impact Factor: 1.846) 

Greenway A, Ignjatovic V. Letter to the editor in reply to: "Acceptability of CoaguChek S and CoaguChek XS generated international normalized ratios against a laboratory standard in a paediatric setting. Pathology 40(4), 437-8 (2008).

Ignjatovic V, Newall F, Summerhayes R, Monagle P. Letter to the Editor, in reply to: "Routine coagulation tests in newborn and infants". Journal of Thrombosis and Thrombolysis. 24, 153-155 (2007). (Journal Impact Factor: 1.846) 

Steuten J, Winkel K, Carrol T, Williamson N, Ignjatovic V, Fung K, Purcell A, Fry B.

The molecular basis of cross-reactivity in the Australian sVDK (snake venom detection kit). Toxicon 50(8), 1041-1052 (2007). (Journal Impact Factor: 2.437) 

Chan, K.L, Summerhayes R, Ignjatovic V, Horton S, Monagle P. Reference values for kaolin-activated thromboelastography in healthy children. Anesthesia & Analgesia. 105(6), 1610-1613 (2007). (Journal Impact Factor: 3.100) 

Ignjatovic V, Greenway A, Summerhayes R, Monagle P. Thrombin generation: the functional role of alpha-2-macroglobulin and influence of Developmental Haemostasis. British Journal of Haematology, 138(3), 366 (2007). (Journal Impact Factor: 4.597) 

Ignjatovic V, Summerhayes R, Gan A, Than J, Chan A, Cochrane A, Bennett M, Horton S, Shann F, Lane G, Ross-Smith M and Monagle P. Monitoring Unfractionated Heparin (UFH) therapy: which Anti Factor Xa assay is appropriate? Thrombosis Research, 120, 347-51 (2007). (Journal Impact Factor: 2.278) 

Ignjatovic V, Summerhayes R, Than J, Gan A, Monagle P. Therapeutic range for unfractionated heparin therapy: age-related differences in response in children. Journal of Thrombosis and Haemostasis, 4(10), 2280-3 (2006). (Journal Impact Factor: 6.069) 

Monagle P, Barnes C, Ignjatovic V, Furmedge J, Newall F, Chan A, De Rosa L, Hamilton S, Ragg P, Robinson S, Auldist A, Crock C, Roy N, Rowlands S. Developmental Haemostasis: Impact for clinical haemostasis laboratories. Thrombosis and Haemostasis, 95, 362-372 (2006). (Journal Impact Factor: 4.451) 

Ignjatovic V, Furmedge J, Newall F, Chan A, Berry L, Fong C, Cheng K, Monagle P. Age-related differences in Heparin response. Thrombosis Research, 118(6), 741-745 (2006). (Journal Impact Factor: 2.278) 

Newall F, Ignjatovic V, Monagle P. Temporal aspects of anti-heparin-PF4 antibodies in heparin-induced thrombocytopenia. Annals of Thoracic Surgery, 81(5), 1944-1944 (2006). (Journal Impact Factor: 3.644)