Skip to main content

Dusan Velickovic
Chemist

Dušan Veličković is a mass spectrometry imaging (MSI) scientist with the Terrestrial-Atmosphere Processes team. Veličković’s expertise is in spatial metabolomics, lipidomics, and glycomics in plant organs, microbial colonies, plant-microbe interfaces, and mammalian tissues. In his work, he mostly utilizes Matrix-Assisted Laser Desorption/Ionization (MALDI) coupled to ultra-high-resolution mass spectrometers (Fourier-Transform Ion Cyclotron Resonance, Orbitrap) and ion mobility mass spectrometers. His main research interest is in developing MS imaging tools to understand how glycoconjugates mediate environmental processes. He also participates in the Kidney Precision Medicine Project (KPMP) funded by the National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases, where he develops tools for N- and O-glycan imaging in human kidney biopsies and the Human BioMolecular Atlas Program funded by the National Institutes of Health, where he develops MALDI MSI tools for near single cell imaging of intact proteins.

Research Interests

  • Spatial glycomics, metabolomics, and lipidomics
  • MALDI MS imaging
  • Ion mobility MS imaging
  • MS imaging of glycoconjugates
  • Non-water enzymology
  • Protein purification and stabilization

Education

  • PhD in Chemistry University of Belgrade, 2011
  • Graduated Studies, Faculty of Chemistry, University of Belgrade, 2008

Awards and Recognition

  • 2019 M.T. Thomas Award for Outstanding Postdoctoral Achievements, EMSL (2020)
  • KPMP Opportunity Pool Travel Grant, FOA #: RFA‐KPMP‐OP‐19‐001 (2019)
  • KPMP Opportunity Pool Travel Grant, FOA #: RFA-KPMP-OP-18-003 (2018)
  • Founding Member, Serbian Proteomic Association (2015)
  • MARIE CURIE Fellowship, International Mobility Programe to Strengthen Skills and Excellence in Research for Agriculture (AgreenSkills), EU (2012)
  • Outstanding Achievement in Academic Studies, Serbian Chemical Society (2009)
  • Scholarship Fund, Young Talents of the Ministry of Youth and Sport of the Republic of Serbia (2008)
  • Scholarship, Ministry of Education and Sports of the Republic of Serbia (2007)

Affiliations and Professional Service

  • Scientific Associate, Faculty of Chemistry, University of Belgrade (2014 – 2016)
  • Postdoctoral Researcher, Institut National de la Recherche Agronomique (2012 – 2014)
  • Associate Researcher, Faculty of Chemistry, University of Belgrade (2010 – 2012)
  • Graduate Researcher, Faculty of Chemistry, University of Belgrade (2009 – 2010)

Publications

2020

Bhattacharjee A., D. Velickovic, T.W. Wietsma, S.L. Bell, J.K. Jansson, K.S. Hofmockel, and C.R. Anderton. 2020. "Visualizing Microbial Community Dynamics Via a Controllable Soil Environment." mSystems 5, no. 1:Article No. e00645-19. PNNL-SA-147223. doi:10.1128/mSystems.00645-19

Samarah L.Z., R. Khattar, T.H. Tran, S.A. Stopka, C.A. Brantner, P. Parlanti, and D. Velickovic, et al. 2020. "Single-Cell Metabolic Profiling: Metabolite Formulas from Isotopic Fine Structures in Heterogeneous Plant Cell Populations." Analytical Chemistry 92, no. 10:7289-7298. PNNL-SA-152789. doi:10.1021/acs.analchem.0c00936

Velickovic D., G. Zhang, D. Bezbradica, A. Bhattacharjee, L. Pasa Tolic, K. Sharma, and T. Alexandrov, et al. 2020. "Response Surface Methodology as a New Approach for Finding Optimal MALDI Matrix Spraying Parameters for Mass Spectrometry Imaging." Journal of the American Society for Mass Spectrometry 31, no. 3:508-516. PNNL-SA-147292. doi:10.1021/jasms.9b00074

Velickovic D., R.K. Chu, G.L. Myers, A. Ahkami, and C.R. Anderton. 2020. "An Approach For Visualizing The Spatial Metabolome Of An Entire Plant Root System Inspired by the Swiss-rolling Technique." Journal of Mass Spectrometry 55, no. 4:Article Number e4363. PNNL-SA-142631. doi:10.1002/jms.4363

Velickovic D., V.S. Lin, A. Rivas-Ubach, C.R. Anderton, and J.J. Moran. 2020. "An approach for broad molecular imaging of the root-soil interface via indirect matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization mass spectrometry." Soil Biology and Biochemistry 146. PNNL-SA-150080. doi:10.1016/j.soilbio.2020.107804

2019

Angerer T.B., D. Velickovic, C.D. Nicora, J.E. Kyle, D.J. Graham, C.R. Anderton, and L.J. Gamble. 2019. "Exploiting the Semidestructive Nature of Gas Cluster Ion Beam Time-of-Flight Secondary Ion Mass Spectrometry Imaging for Simultaneous Localization and Confident Lipid Annotations." Analytical Chemistry 91, no. 23:15073-15080. PNNL-SA-150104. doi:10.1021/acs.analchem.9b03763

Nagy G., D. Velickovic, R.K. Chu, A.A. Carrell, D.J. Weston, Y.M. Ibrahim, and C.R. Anderton, et al. 2019. "Towards Resolving the Spatial Metabolome with Unambiguous Molecular Annotations in Complex Biological Systems by Coupling Mass Spectrometry Imaging with Structures for Lossless Ion Manipulations." Chemical Communications 55, no. 3:306-309. PNNL-SA-138045. doi:10.1039/C8CC07482H

Stopka S.A., L.Z. Samarah, J.B. Shaw, A.V. Liyu, D. Velickovic, B.J. Agtuca, and C. Kukolj, et al. 2019. "Ambient Metabolic Profiling and Imaging of Biological Samples with Ultrahigh Molecular Resolution using Laser Ablation Electrospray Ionization 21 Tesla FTICR Mass Spectrometry." Analytical Chemistry 91, no. 8:5028-5035. PNNL-SA-137600. doi:10.1021/acs.analchem.8b05084

Velickovic D., H. Liao, R. Vilgalys, R.K. Chu, and C.R. Anderton. 2019. "Spatiotemporal Transformation in the Alkaloid Profile of Pinus Roots in Response to Mycorrhization." Journal of Natural Products 82, no. 5:1382-1386. PNNL-SA-140336. doi:10.1021/acs.jnatprod.8b01050

2018

Velickovic D., R.K. Chu, A.A. Carrell, M. Thomas, L. Pasa Tolic, D.J. Weston, and C.R. Anderton. 2018. "Multimodal MSI in Conjunction with Broad Coverage Spatially Resolved MS2 Increases Confidence in Both Molecular Identification and Localization." Analytical Chemistry 90, no. 1:702-707. PNNL-SA-132227. doi:10.1021/acs.analchem.7b04319

Velickovic D.S., B.J. Agtuca, S.A. Stopka, A. Vertes, D.W. Koppenaal, L. Pasa Tolic, and G. Stacey, et al. 2018. "Observed Metabolic Asymmetry Within Soybean Root Nodules Reflects Unexpected Complexity in Rhizobacteria-legume Metabolite Exchange." The ISME Journal 12, no. 9:2335-2338. PNNL-SA-127419. doi:10.1038/s41396-018-0188-8

2017

Velickovic D.S., and C.R. Anderton. 2017. "Mass Spectrometry Imaging: Towards Mapping The Elemental And Molecular Composition Of The Rhizosphere." Rhizosphere 3, no. Part 2:254-258. PNNL-SA-123990. doi:10.1016/j.rhisph.2017.03.003.

Milivojević, A., M. Ćorović, M. Carević, K. Banjanac, L. Vujisić, D. Veličković, and D. Bezbradica. 2017. “Highly Efficient Enzymatic Acetylation of Flavonoids: Development of Solvent-Free Process and Kinetic Evaluation.” Biochemical Engineering Journal 128: 106-115. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.bej.2017.09.018.

Milosavić, N. B., R. M. Prodanović, D. Veličković, and A. Dimitrijević. 2017. Macroporous Poly(GMA-co-EGDMA) for Enzyme Stabilization. Methods in Molecular Biology 1504: 139=147. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4939-6499-4_11.

Trbojević Ivić, J., N. Milosavić, A. Dimitrijević, M. Gavrović Jankulović, D. Bezbradica, D. Kolarski, and D. Veličković. 2017. “Synthesis of Medium-Chain Length Capsinoids from Coconut Oil Catalyzed by Candida rugosa Lipases.” Food Chemistry 218: 505-508. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.foodchem.2016.09.049.

Veličković, D., and C. R. Anderton. 2017. “Mass Spectrometry Imaging: Towards Mapping the Elemental and Molecular Composition of the Rhizosphere.” Rhizosphere 3: 254-258. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.rhisph.2017.03.003.

2016

Carević, M., D. Bezbradica, K. Banjanac, A. Milivojević, M. Fanuel, H. Rogniaux, D. Ropartz, and D. Veličković. 2016. “Structural Elucidation of Enzymatically Synthesized Galacto-Oligosaccharides Using Ion-Mobility Spectrometry-Tandem Mass Spectrometry.” Journal of Agricultural and Food Chemistry 64 (18): 3609-3615. https://doi.org/10.1021/acs.jafc.6b01293.

Carević, M., M. Ćorović, M. Mihailović, K. Banjanac, A. Milisavljević, D. Veličković, and D. Bezbradica. 2016. “Galacto-Oligosaccharide Synthesis Using Chemically Modified β-Galactosidase from Aspergillus oryzae Immobilised onto Macroporous Amino Resin.” International Dairy Journal 54: 50-57. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.idairyj.2015.10.002.

Ivić, J. T., A. Dimitrijević, N. Milosavić, D. Bezbradica, B. J. Drakulić, M. G. Jankulović, M. Pavlović, H. Rogniaux, and D. Veličković. 2016. “Assessment of the Interacting Mechanism between Candida rugosa Lipases and Hydroxyapatite and Identification of the Hydroxyapatite-Binding Sequence through Proteomics and Molecular Modelling.” RSC Advances 6 (41): 34818-34824. https://doi.org/10.1039/c6ra07521e.

Mihailović, M., J. Trbojević-Ivić, K. Banjanac, N. Milosavić, D. Veličković, M. Carević, and D. Bezbradica. 2016. “Immobilization of Maltase from Saccharomyces cerevisiae on Thiosulfonate Supports.” Journal of the Serbian Chemical Society 81 (12): 1371-1382. https://doi.org/10.2298/JSC160730099M.

Trbojević Ivić, J., D. Veličković, A. Dimitrijević, D. Bezbradica, V. Dragačević, M. Gavrović Jankulović, and N. Milosavić. 2016. “Design of Biocompatible Immobilized Candida rugosa Lipase with Potential Application in Food Industry.” Journal of the science of food and agriculture 96 (12): 4281-4287. https://doi.org/10.1002/jsfa.7641.

Veličković, D., L. Saulnier, M. Lhomme, A. Damond, F. Guillon, and H. Rogniaux. 2016. “Mass Spectrometric Imaging of Wheat (Triticum spp.) and Barley (Hordeum vulgare L.) Cultivars: Distribution of Major Cell Wall Polysaccharides According to Their Main Structural Features.” Journal of Agricultural and Food Chemistry 64 (32): 6249-6256. https://doi.org/10.1021/acs.jafc.6b02047.

2015

Carević, M., D. Veličković, M. Stojanović, N. Milosavić, H. Rogniaux, D. Ropartz, and D. Bezbradica. 2015. “Insight in the Regioselective Enzymatic Transgalactosylation of Salicin Catalyzed by β-Galactosidase from Aspergillus oryzae.” Process Biochemistry 50 (5): 782-788. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.procbio.2015.01.028.

Stojanovic, M., M. Carević, M. Mihailovic, D. Veličković, A. Dimitrijevic, N. Milosavić, and D. Bezbradica. 2015. “Influence of Fatty Acid on Lipase-Catalyzed Synthesis of Ascorbyl Esters and Their Free Radical Scavenging Capacity.” Biotechnology and Applied Biochemistry 62 (4): 458-466. https://doi.org/10.1002/bab.1296.

2014

Milisavljević, A., M. Stojanović, M. Carević, M. Mihailović, D. Veličković, N. Milosavić, and D. Bezbradica. 2014. “Lipase-Catalyzed Esterification of Phloridzin: Acyl Donor Effect on Enzymatic Affinity and Antioxidant Properties of Esters.” Industrial and Engineering Chemistry Research 53 (43): 16644-16651. https://doi.org/10.1021/ie5027259.

Pavlović, M., A. Dimitrijević, D. Bezbradica, N. Milosavić, M. Gavrović-Jankulović, D. Šegan, and D. Veličković. 2014. “Dual Effect of Benzyl Alcohol on Α-Glucosidase Activity: Efficient Substrate for High Yield Transglucosylation and Non-Competitive Inhibitor of Its Hydrolytic Activity.” Carbohydrate Research 387 (1): 14-18. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.carres.2013.08.028.

Veličković, D., H. Herdier, G. Philippe, D. Marion, H. Rogniaux, and B. Bakan. 2014. “Matrix-Assisted Laser Desorption/Ionization Mass Spectrometry Imaging: A Powerful Tool for Probing the Molecular Topology of Plant Cutin Polymer.” Plant Journal 80 (5): 926-935. https://doi.org/10.1111/tpj.12689.

Veličković, D., D. Ropartz, F. Guillon, L. Saulnier, and H. Rogniaux. 2014. “New Insights into the Structural and Spatial Variability of Cell-Wall Polysaccharides During Wheat Grain Development, as Revealed through MALDI Mass Spectrometry Imaging.” Journal of Experimental Botany 65 (8): 2079-2091. https://doi.org/10.1093/jxb/eru065.

2013

Bezbradica, D., M. Stojanović, D. Veličković, A. Dimitrijević, M. Carević, M. Mihailović, and N. Milosavić. 2013. “Kinetic Model of Lipase-Catalyzed Conversion of Ascorbic Acid and Oleic Acid to Liposoluble Vitamin C Ester.” Biochemical Engineering Journal 71: 89-96. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.bej.2012.12.001.

Pavlović, M., A. Dimitrijević, J. Trbojević, N. Milosavić, M. Gavrović-Jankulović, D. Bezbradica, and D. Veličković. 2013. “A Study of Transglucosylation Kinetic in an Enzymatic Synthesis of Benzyl Alcohol Glucoside by Α-Glucosidase from S. cerevisiae.” Russian Journal of Physical Chemistry A 87 (13): 2285-2288. https://doi.org/10.1134/S0036024413130207.

Prlainović, N. Z., D. I. Bezbradica, Z. D. Knežević-Jugović, D. V. Veličković, and D. Z. Mijin. 2013. “Enzymatic Synthesis of a Vitamin B6 Precursor.” Journal of the Serbian Chemical Society 78 (10): 1491-1501. https://doi.org/10.2298/JSC130322050P.

Stojanović, M., D. Veličković, A. Dimitrijević, N. Milosavić, Z. Knežević-Jugović, and D. Bezbradica. 2013. “Lipase-Catalyzed Synthesis of Ascorbyl Oleate in Acetone: Optimization of Reaction Conditions and Lipase Reusability.” Journal of Oleo Science 62 (8): 591-603. https://doi.org/10.5650/jos.62.591.

Trbojević, J. N., A. S. Dimitrijević, D. V. Veličković, M. Gavrović-Jankulović, and N. B. Milosavić. 2013. “Isolation of Candida rugosa Lipase Isoforms.” Hemijska Industrija 67 (5): 703-706. https://doi.org/10.2298/HEMIND120828113T.

2012

Dimitrijević, A., D. Veličković, F. Bihelović, D. Bezbradica, R. Jankov, and N. Milosavić. 2012. “One-Step, Inexpensive High Yield Strategy for Candida antarctica Lipase a Isolation Using Hydroxyapatite.” Bioresource Technology 107: 358-362. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.biortech.2011.11.077.

Dimitrijević, A., D. Veličković, N. Milosavić, and D. Bezbradica. 2012. “Specificity of Maltase to Maltose in Three Different Directions of Reaction: Hydrolytic, Vanillyl Alcohol Glucoside and Vanillyl Alcohol Isomaltoside Synthesis.” Biotechnology Progress 28 (6): 1450-1456. https://doi.org/10.1002/btpr.1628.

Dimitrijević, A. S., D. V. Veličković, R. M. Jankov, and N. B. Milosavić. 2012. “Electrophoretic and Zymographic Techniques for Production Monitoring of Two Lipase Forms from Candida antarctica DSM 70725.” Hemijska Industrija 66 (2): 201-206. https://doi.org/10.2298/HEMIND110816077D.

Milosavić, N., J. Bogdanović Pristov, D. V. Veličković, A. S. Dimitrijević, A. Kalauzi, and K. Radotić. 2012. “Study of the Covalently Immobilized Amyloglucosidase on Macroporous Polymer by Mathematical Modeling of the pH Optima.” Journal of Chemical Technology and Biotechnology 87 (10): 1450-1457. https://doi.org/10.1002/jctb.3768.

Veličković, D., A. Dimitrijević, F. Bihelović, D. Bezbradica, Z. Knežević-Jugović, and N. Milosavić. 2012. “Novel Glycoside of Vanillyl Alcohol, 4-Hydroxy-3-Methoxybenzyl-Α-D- Glucopyranoside: Study of Enzymatic Synthesis, in Vitro Digestion and Antioxidant Activity.” Bioprocess and Biosystems Engineering 35 (7): 1107-1115. https://doi.org/10.1007/s00449-012-0695-3.

2011

Dimitrijevic, A., D. Velickovic, B. Dejan, F. Bihelovic, R. Jankov, and N. Milosavić. 2011. “Production of Lipase from Pseudozyma aphidis and Determination of the Activity and Stability of the Crude Lipase Preparation in Polar Organic Solvents.” Journal of the Serbian Chemical Society 76 (8): 1081-1092. https://doi.org/10.2298/JSC110428096D.

Dimitrijević, A., D. Veličković, M. Rikalović, N. Avramović, N. Milosavić, R. Jankov, and I. Karadžić. 2011. “Simultaneous Production of Exopolysaccharide and Lipase from Extremophylic Pseudomonas aeruginosa san-ai Strain: A Novel Approach for Lipase Immobilization and Purification.” Carbohydrate Polymers 83 (3): 1397-1401. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.carbpol.2010.10.005.

Veličković, D., A. Dimitrijević, F. Bihelović, D. Bezbradica, R. Jankov, and N. Milosavić. 2011. “A Highly Efficient Diastereoselective Synthesis of α-Isosalicin by Maltase from Saccharomyces cerevisiae.” Process Biochemistry 46 (8): 1698-1702. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.procbio.2011.05.007.

Veličković, D. V., A. S. Dimitrijević, F. J. Bihelović, R. M. Jankov, and N. Milosavić. 2011. “Study of the Kinetic Parameters for Synthesis and Hydrolysis of Pharmacologically Active Salicin Isomer Catalyzed by Baker’s Yeast Maltase.” Russian Journal of Physical Chemistry A 85 (13): 2317-2321. https://doi.org/10.1134/S0036024411130346.