Six Decades at the Forefront of Croatian Science
Nestled in Zagreb, the Ruđer Bošković Institute (RBI) stands as Croatia's premier research institution in the natural sciences and technology. For over sixty years, this multidisciplinary hub has been the engine behind groundbreaking discoveries that resonate far beyond Croatia's borders. Named after the renowned 18th-century Croatian physicist and astronomer Ruđer Bošković, the institute represents the culmination of a scientific vision that began in 1950 and has since evolved into a recognized center of excellence 4 9 .
With more than 550 scientists and researchers working across more than 80 laboratories, RBI represents the largest and most productive scientific institution in Croatia. Its work spans from the theoretical realms of physics to the applied frontiers of molecular medicine, consistently contributing to humanity's collective knowledge while tackling challenges relevant to society, health, and technology 4 9 .
Scientists and Researchers
Laboratories
Research Divisions
The formal establishment of the Ruđer Bošković Institute in 1950 marked a pivotal moment in Croatia's scientific development. Originally founded as the Institute for Atomic Physics under the auspices of the former Yugoslav Academy of Arts and Sciences (now the Croatian Academy of Sciences and Arts), the institute was conceived during a period of significant global scientific advancement 9 .
The institute's naming after Ruđer Bošković was proposed by academician Ivan Supek, one of its founders, honoring a brilliant mind who made substantial contributions to physics, astronomy, mathematics, and philosophy during the 18th century. This connection to Bošković created a powerful symbolic link between Croatia's historical scientific achievements and its modern research ambitions 4 9 .
The early vision for RBI focused on atomic research, but its scope expanded rapidly. By 1951, construction began according to plans by architect Kazimir Ostrogović, establishing the physical home for an institution that would grow to encompass multiple scientific disciplines 9 .
| Year | Key Milestone | Significance |
|---|---|---|
| 1950 | Official establishment | Founded as Institute for Atomic Physics |
| 1951 | Named after Ruđer Bošković | Connected to Croatia's scientific heritage |
| 1952 | Institute Council formed | Established governance structure |
| Present | 550+ researchers, 14 divisions | Croatia's largest scientific institute 4 |
Today, the Ruđer Bošković Institute operates as a multidisciplinary research organization structured into 14 specialized divisions and centers. This organizational framework allows for both specialized depth and interdisciplinary collaboration, creating an environment where physicists, chemists, biologists, and computer scientists can address complex research questions together 4 .
Seeking to expand basic scientific knowledge across multiple disciplines
Addressing practical problems and technological development for real-world impact
Postgraduate training and international collaborations to nurture future scientists
RBI has established itself as Croatia's most internationally competitive research institute, actively participating in global scientific initiatives including projects funded by the European Commission, NATO, and various international scientific foundations. This international engagement keeps Croatian science integrated with the global research community and brings world-class standards to its work 9 .
| Field of Research | Specific Divisions |
|---|---|
| Physics | Theoretical Physics, Experimental Physics, Materials Physics, Electronics |
| Chemistry | Physical Chemistry, Organic Chemistry & Biochemistry, Materials Chemistry |
| Biological & Medical Sciences | Molecular Biology, Molecular Medicine, Marine Research |
| Interdisciplinary Centers | Informatics & Computing, Laser & Atomic R&D, NMR, Marine & Environmental Research 4 |
In 2025, RBI scientists made a discovery that fundamentally changed our understanding of one of biology's most essential processes: cell division. The research team, led by Dr. Kruno Vukušić and Professor Iva Tolić, overturned two decades of textbook knowledge about how chromosomes move during cell division 1 .
Each time a cell divides, it must precisely distribute its genetic material—packaged as chromosomes—to two daughter cells. For this to happen, chromosomes first need to align perfectly at the cell's center. Scientists had long believed that a protein called CENP-E acted as a molecular motor, physically dragging chromosomes into position along microtubule "tracks" 1 .
This understanding seemed elegant and complete—until the RBI team looked closer.
Through research published in Nature Communications, the Croatian scientists discovered that CENP-E doesn't function as a motor at all. Instead, it plays a completely different role: it stabilizes the initial attachments between chromosomes and microtubules. Without this stabilization, chromosomes stall at the cell's edges, unable to progress to the center for proper division 1 .
"CENP-E is not the engine pulling chromosomes to the center," explained Dr. Vukušić. "It is the factor that ensures they can attach properly in the first place. Without that initial stabilization, the system stalls" 1 .
The researchers identified how CENP-E interacts with Aurora kinases, proteins that act like overzealous traffic lights flooding the cell with "red" signals that prevent chromosomes from locking on too soon. CENP-E modulates these signals, essentially easing the light to green just enough for chromosomes to form stable connections. Once this first stable connection forms, the rest of the process follows naturally 1 .
"This isn't just about rewriting a model," Vukušić emphasized. "It's about identifying a mechanism that directly links to disease. That opens doors for diagnostics and for thinking about new therapies" 1 .
The research that led to this discovery followed careful scientific methodology, combining advanced microscopy techniques with molecular biology approaches 1 :
Researchers noticed inconsistencies in how chromosomes behaved when CENP-E was inhibited, contradicting the motor protein model.
The team proposed that CENP-E might instead be involved in stabilizing chromosome attachments rather than providing movement.
Using high-resolution live cell imaging and molecular interference techniques to disrupt CENP-E function while observing outcomes.
The researchers analyzed the timing, success rates, and failure modes of chromosome attachments under various experimental conditions.
The experimental results provided compelling evidence for CENP-E's new role. When CENP-E was disabled, chromosomes still received initial connections to microtubules, but these attachments failed to stabilize properly. The chromosomes would briefly connect then disconnect repeatedly, never progressing to the aligned position needed for proper cell division 1 .
This pattern directly contradicted the predicted outcome if CENP-E were a motor protein—in that case, chromosomes would form stable attachments but fail to move. Instead, the observed results pointed to CENP-E's critical role in transitioning initial attachments into stable connections capable of supporting chromosome movement 1 .
| Experimental Condition | Predicted Outcome (Motor Theory) | Actual Observed Outcome |
|---|---|---|
| Normal CENP-E function | Chromosomes move to center | Stable attachments form, chromosomes align |
| Disabled CENP-E | Stable attachments form but no movement | Attachments form but fail to stabilize; no movement |
| Overactive Aurora kinases | Chromosome movement impaired | Attachments fail to form properly |
The groundbreaking CENP-E research relied on several specialized reagents and experimental components. These tools enabled the precise manipulation and observation of cellular processes:
| Research Component | Function/Application |
|---|---|
| CENP-E inhibitors | Specifically disrupt CENP-E function to study its effects |
| Aurora kinase regulators | Modulate the "traffic light" signals controlling attachment stability |
| Fluorescent protein tags | Visualize chromosome positions and movements in live cells |
| High-resolution microscopy | Observe real-time cellular processes at molecular scales |
| Microtubule stabilizers/destabilizers | Manipulate the "tracks" chromosomes move along |
| Live cell imaging systems | Track dynamic processes throughout cell division 1 |
The discovery of CENP-E's true function exemplifies how fundamental research can transform our understanding of biological processes with significant implications for human health. Errors in chromosome segregation are a hallmark of many cancers and genetic disorders. Tumor cells often contain abnormal numbers of chromosomes, resulting from faulty cell division processes 1 .
By revealing the precise mechanism that ensures proper chromosome attachment, the RBI team has identified a potential vulnerability in cancer cells that might be targeted with new therapeutic approaches. Drugs that fine-tune this balance could potentially suppress runaway cell divisions in tumors or rescue stalled divisions in certain health conditions 1 .
Professor Iva Tolić captured the significance of this work: "By uncovering how these microscopic regulators cooperate, we are not only deepening our understanding of biology but also moving closer to correcting the failures that underlie disease" 1 .
The story of CENP-E is just one example of how the Ruđer Bošković Institute continues to fulfill its mission six decades after its founding. As Croatia's leading scientific institution, RBI represents a crucial investment in knowledge, discovery, and innovation that benefits both the scientific community and society at large 9 .
Through its multidisciplinary approach, international collaborations, and commitment to both fundamental and applied research, the institute honors its namesake's legacy while building Croatia's scientific future. The researchers working within its walls—from established leaders to emerging scientists—ensure that this sixty-year-old institution remains at the forefront of scientific discovery, ready to overturn established models and reveal new truths about the natural world.
In the words of its founders, RBI continues "the acquisition of new knowledge to contribute to the development of the Republic of Croatia" while aspiring "to remain the leading Croatian center and become a recognizable regional and European center of excellence" 9 .