Welcome to International Institute of Molecular and Cell Biology podcasts!
Today we launch a new era of our scientific dialogue with the society. And we join the international podcast community. We hope you will find our podcasts an interesting source of information on scientific issues. All our podcasts are in Polish, furthermore the lectures are perfectly intelligible for all human beings. For youngsters, for science lovers, for podcasts fans, for everyone ...

 

WYKŁADY XXI WIEKU: WSPÓŁCZESNE POGLĄDY NA EWOLUCJĘ

• Prof. dr hab. Leszek Kuźnicki (Instytut Nenckiego PAN) - "Wprowadzenie"
• Prof. dr hab. Jerzy Dzik (Instytut Paleobiologii PAN) - "Bezpośrednie dowody ewolucji"
• Dr Marcin Ryszkiewicz (Muzeum Ziemi PAN) - "Paradoksy antropogenezy"

NOBEL 2006

• Dr hab. Jacek Jaworski, Międzynarodowy Instytut Biologii Molekularnej i Komórkowej, "SiRNA - mała cząsteczka, wielkie nadzieje. Ekspresowy Nobel XXI wieku."

CHOROBY RZĘSKOPOCHODNE

• Prof. dr hab. Michał Witt: "Choroby rzęskopochodne"

More info: http://www.verum-foundation.de/apopis

• Prof. dr hab. Jacek Kuźnicki: Wszystko, co powinniscie wiedziec o chorobie Alzheimera - wstęp
• Dr n. med. Maria Styczyńska: Diagnostyka genetyczna choroby Alzheimera
• Dr n. med. Piotr Lewczuk: Diagnostyka biochemiczna choroby Alzheimera
• Prof dr hab. n. med. Maria Barcikowska: Szczepionka przeciwko chorobie Alzheimera?

“Pathways of Store-Operated Calcium Entry (SOCE) as a novel
therapeutic target in neurodegenerative diseases”

TargetSOCE

ERA.Net RUS
Linking Russia to the ERA: Coordination of MS/AC S&T programmes
towards and with Russia
Pilot Joint Call for Collaborative S&T Projects

Project Partners

Prof. Jacek Kuźnicki (Coordinator), International Institute of Molecular and Cell Biology (IIMCB), Laboratory of Neurodegeneration

Prof. Axel Methner, Johannes Gutenberg University Medical Center Mainz (UM Mainz), Department of Neurology

Prof. Elena Kaznacheyeva, Institute of Cytology of the Russian Academy of Sciences (IC RAS), Laboratory of Ionic Channels of Cell Membranes

Project Consultant

Prof. Ilya Bezprozvanny, University of Texas, USA

News

September, 30 2014
TargetSOCE accomplishment

On September, 30th, TargetSOCE project has come to an end.  The final project reports were submitted to the Joint Call Secretariat, and to the partnering countries’ national agencies. TargetSOCE was initiated to expand partners’ knowledge about the role of Ca2+ signaling in neurodegenerative disease and to strengthen ties of the three laboratories involved.  Both these goals were reached, the groups published together 4 publications in well-renown journals, exchanged personnel, and met on a regular basis. The published and unpublished results are the basis of future projects, which are already developed.

September, 30 2013
By the end of September 2013, the first TargetSOCE year has been accomplished and the intermediate report was submitted to the Joint Call Secretariat from this period.

March, 31 2013
By the end of March 2013, the first 6 months of the TargetSOCE  was realized and the first interim report was submitted to and accepted by the Joint Call Secretariat from this period.

February, 15th 2013
TargetSOCE project kick-off meeting took place at IIMCB. View pictures from the Meeting.

Prof. Jacek Kuźnicki, the project coordinator, hosted partners from abroad: Prof. Elena Kaznacheyeva  with two young team members Dr. Alexey Shalygin and Maria Ryazanstseva from the Institute of Cytology of the Russian Academy of Sciences, Saint Petersburg, Russia and Prof. Axel Methner with Dima Lisak and Teresa Schacht from the University Medical Center of Johannes Gutenberg-University of Mainz, Germany. The event was inaugurated by an open seminar delivered by Prof. Kaznacheyeva and her colleagues. Further, partners discussed their so far research progress and planned future tasks and activities.  Guests had opportunity to learn more about IIMCB, visit its laboratories, equipment premises and zebrafish core facility.  At the kick-off a TargetSOCE Scientific Board meeting was organized with remote participation of the project consultant, Prof. Ilya Bezprozvanny from the Southwestern Medical Center at Dallas, USA.

October, 7th 2012
TargetSOCE partners concluded Consortium Agreement specifying the relationship among the partners, especially concerning the organization of work between them, the management of the projects and the rights and obligations of the partners with regard to liability, access rights, dispute resolution, etc.

July, 7th 2012
The Umbrella Agreement between Joint Call Secretariat and IIMCB on behalf of the Project consortium was signed. The Umbrella Agreement is a general agreement setting up regulatory framework for horizontal issues related to the transnational funding of the collaborative TargetSOCE research project.

TargetSOCE in a nutshell

There are no effective drugs to cure or to delay the progression of Alzheimer’s and Huntington’s diseases. It is clear that new target proteins respective pathways need to be addressed. TargetSOCE will respond to it by targeting  calcium (Ca2+) homeostasis as a potential site for new treatments as both diseases are accompanied by profound changes in the intracellular Ca2+ homeostasis. Partners will study three transgenic mouse models, compare them and observe whether changes are specific for a certain pathological mechanism or are general downstream effects of neurodegeneration. In TargetSOCE, Russian, German and Polish groups complement one other. The expected results are highly relevant to prevailing neurodegenerative diseases in aging societies.

General information / aims of the project

Alzheimer’s disease (AD) is a progressive neurodegenerative disorder histopathologically defined by the extracellular deposition of the amyloid-β peptide, intracellular hyperphosphorylated neurofibrillary tangles, and selective neuronal loss. Huntington’s disease (HD) is a hereditary neurodegenerative disease caused by expression of a polyglutamine stretch in the protein Huntingtin. There are no effective drugs neither to cure these diseases, nor to delay their progression. It is clear that new target proteins pathways need to be addressed. We propose to approach this problem by targeting calcium (Ca2+) homeostasis as a potential site for new treatments as both diseases are accompanied by profound changes in the intracellular Ca2+ homeostasis. We  hypothesize that changes in the function or abundance of the Ca2+ machinery at the endoplasmic reticulum (ER) result in changes in Store-Operated Calcium Entry (SOCE) and that this initiates or propagates the neurodegenerative process in AD and HD. We then hypothesize that genetic or pharmacological manipulation of SOCE alters or even ameliorates the course of disease. Thus, our research objective is to verify these hypotheses by the specific aims:
1) To systematically determine changes in the amount and function of the major players of the ER Ca2+ machinery in the brain of different transgenic mouse models for AD and HD;
2) To determine the cell death susceptibility of primary neurons from transgenic mouse models for AD and HD in response to different stressors involved in the pathophysiology of the disease;
3) To develop and evaluate genetic and pharmacological tools to alter changes in Ca2+ homeostasis involved in these models.
We will study these aims in three transgenic mouse models overexpressing mutated Amyloid Precursor Protein, Presenilin1, or expanded Huntingtin. We will investigate changes in the expression of proteins relevant for the ER Ca2+ machinery and study Ca2+ handling of different organelles with its consequences for the intrinsic function of neurons, the propagation of electrical signals. We will develop the genetic and pharmacological tools needed to alter changes in Ca2+ homeostasis and study their effects on cell death and on electrophysiological function of neurons. These studies aim to clarify the role of SOCE in AD and HD. We expect changes in the amount and function of some ER Ca2+ players such as Ca2+ release channels, ER Ca2+ pumps or STIM proteins, which are ER sensor proteins that activate SOCE. Moreover, we expect to identify genetic or pharmacological tools to correct the dysregulated Ca2+ homeostasis. Direct comparison of different mouse models will reveal whether the observed changes are specific for a certain pathological mechanism or general downstream effects of neurodegeneration. In TargetSOCE Russian, German and Polish groups complement one another. The aim and expected results are highly relevant taken into account the prevalence of neurodegenerative diseases in aging societies.

Project tasks

Axel Methner lab, Mainz, Germany
Task 1: To determine the abundance of key proteins of the Ca2+ machinery in brains from transgenic mouse models for AD and HD

Task 2: To determine changes in the intracellular Ca2+ homeostasis of primary neurons from transgenic mice expressing mutant APP and expanded Huntingtin

Task 3: To determine cell death susceptibility of primary neurons from transgenic mouse models for AD and HD

Elena Kaznacheyeva lab, St. Petersburg, Russia
Task 4: To determine changes in the SOC and L-type currents of primary neurons from transgenic mice expressing expanded Huntingtin and mutant PS1.

Task 5: To determine the effect of genetic tools evaluated by JK and quinazoline-derived compounds on Ca2+ currents in HD and PS1 neurons

Task 6: To determine the target of quinazoline-derived compounds by knockdown of proteins upregulated in HD and PS1 neurons on SOC currents of primary HD and AD neurons

Jacek Kuznicki lab, Warsaw, Poland
Task 7: To determine changes in the intracellular Ca2+ homeostasis of primary neurons from mice expressing mutant PS1

Task 8: Identification of pharmacological and genetic tools modifying SOCE in neurons

Task 9: Analysis of Ca2+ homeostasis in cultured neurons from mouse models using selected shRNA or drug(s) affecting SOCE

Project budget

The overall implementation and administration of the project is assured by the Era.Net-Rus General Secretariat. However, the operational management and the financing was entrusted to national agencies/institutions of the countries which participate in the Era.Net-Rus initiative. 

Thus, the TargetSOCE partners receive support from the following national institutions: 
IIMCB -  National Centre for Research and Development
IC RAS -  Russian Academy of Sciences
UM Mainz - Federal Ministry for Education and Research in Germany (minor support) 

Project duration

24 months: October, 1st 2012 – September, 30th 2014

Project management and contact

Project coordinator: Prof. Jacek Kuźnicki, Ten adres pocztowy jest chroniony przed spamowaniem. Aby go zobaczyć, konieczne jest włączenie w przeglądarce obsługi JavaScript.
Project manager: Dorota Libiszowska, Ten adres pocztowy jest chroniony przed spamowaniem. Aby go zobaczyć, konieczne jest włączenie w przeglądarce obsługi JavaScript.

Scientific Board: Prof. Jacek Kuźnicki, Prof. Axel Methner, Prof. Elena Kaznacheyeva, Prof. Ilya Bezprozvanny
 

“Pathways of Store-Operated Calcium Entry (SOCE) as a novel
therapeutic target in neurodegenerative diseases”

TargetSOCE

ERA.Net RUS
Linking Russia to the ERA: Coordination of MS/AC S&T programmes
towards and with Russia
Pilot Joint Call for Collaborative S&T Projects

Project Partners

Prof. Jacek Kuźnicki (Coordinator), International Institute of Molecular and Cell Biology (IIMCB), Laboratory of Neurodegeneration

Prof. Axel Methner, Johannes Gutenberg University Medical Center Mainz (UM Mainz), Department of Neurology

Prof. Elena Kaznacheyeva, Institute of Cytology of the Russian Academy of Sciences (IC RAS), Laboratory of Ionic Channels of Cell Membranes

Project Consultant

Prof. Ilya Bezprozvanny, University of Texas, USA

News

September, 30 2014
TargetSOCE accomplishment

On September, 30th, TargetSOCE project has come to an end.  The final project reports were submitted to the Joint Call Secretariat, and to the partnering countries’ national agencies. TargetSOCE was initiated to expand partners’ knowledge about the role of Ca2+ signaling in neurodegenerative disease and to strengthen ties of the three laboratories involved.  Both these goals were reached, the groups published together 4 publications in well-renown journals, exchanged personnel, and met on a regular basis. The published and unpublished results are the basis of future projects, which are already developed.

September, 30 2013
By the end of September 2013, the first TargetSOCE year has been accomplished and the intermediate report was submitted to the Joint Call Secretariat from this period.

March, 31 2013
By the end of March 2013, the first 6 months of the TargetSOCE  was realized and the first interim report was submitted to and accepted by the Joint Call Secretariat from this period.

February, 15th 2013
TargetSOCE project kick-off meeting took place at IIMCB. View pictures from the Meeting.

Prof. Jacek Kuźnicki, the project coordinator, hosted partners from abroad: Prof. Elena Kaznacheyeva  with two young team members Dr. Alexey Shalygin and Maria Ryazanstseva from the Institute of Cytology of the Russian Academy of Sciences, Saint Petersburg, Russia and Prof. Axel Methner with Dima Lisak and Teresa Schacht from the University Medical Center of Johannes Gutenberg-University of Mainz, Germany. The event was inaugurated by an open seminar delivered by Prof. Kaznacheyeva and her colleagues. Further, partners discussed their so far research progress and planned future tasks and activities.  Guests had opportunity to learn more about IIMCB, visit its laboratories, equipment premises and zebrafish core facility.  At the kick-off a TargetSOCE Scientific Board meeting was organized with remote participation of the project consultant, Prof. Ilya Bezprozvanny from the Southwestern Medical Center at Dallas, USA.

October, 7th 2012
TargetSOCE partners concluded Consortium Agreement specifying the relationship among the partners, especially concerning the organization of work between them, the management of the projects and the rights and obligations of the partners with regard to liability, access rights, dispute resolution, etc.

July, 7th 2012
The Umbrella Agreement between Joint Call Secretariat and IIMCB on behalf of the Project consortium was signed. The Umbrella Agreement is a general agreement setting up regulatory framework for horizontal issues related to the transnational funding of the collaborative TargetSOCE research project.

TargetSOCE in a nutshell

There are no effective drugs to cure or to delay the progression of Alzheimer’s and Huntington’s diseases. It is clear that new target proteins respective pathways need to be addressed. TargetSOCE will respond to it by targeting  calcium (Ca2+) homeostasis as a potential site for new treatments as both diseases are accompanied by profound changes in the intracellular Ca2+ homeostasis. Partners will study three transgenic mouse models, compare them and observe whether changes are specific for a certain pathological mechanism or are general downstream effects of neurodegeneration. In TargetSOCE, Russian, German and Polish groups complement one other. The expected results are highly relevant to prevailing neurodegenerative diseases in aging societies.

General information / aims of the project

Alzheimer’s disease (AD) is a progressive neurodegenerative disorder histopathologically defined by the extracellular deposition of the amyloid-β peptide, intracellular hyperphosphorylated neurofibrillary tangles, and selective neuronal loss. Huntington’s disease (HD) is a hereditary neurodegenerative disease caused by expression of a polyglutamine stretch in the protein Huntingtin. There are no effective drugs neither to cure these diseases, nor to delay their progression. It is clear that new target proteins pathways need to be addressed. We propose to approach this problem by targeting calcium (Ca2+) homeostasis as a potential site for new treatments as both diseases are accompanied by profound changes in the intracellular Ca2+ homeostasis. We  hypothesize that changes in the function or abundance of the Ca2+ machinery at the endoplasmic reticulum (ER) result in changes in Store-Operated Calcium Entry (SOCE) and that this initiates or propagates the neurodegenerative process in AD and HD. We then hypothesize that genetic or pharmacological manipulation of SOCE alters or even ameliorates the course of disease. Thus, our research objective is to verify these hypotheses by the specific aims:
1) To systematically determine changes in the amount and function of the major players of the ER Ca2+ machinery in the brain of different transgenic mouse models for AD and HD;
2) To determine the cell death susceptibility of primary neurons from transgenic mouse models for AD and HD in response to different stressors involved in the pathophysiology of the disease;
3) To develop and evaluate genetic and pharmacological tools to alter changes in Ca2+ homeostasis involved in these models.
We will study these aims in three transgenic mouse models overexpressing mutated Amyloid Precursor Protein, Presenilin1, or expanded Huntingtin. We will investigate changes in the expression of proteins relevant for the ER Ca2+ machinery and study Ca2+ handling of different organelles with its consequences for the intrinsic function of neurons, the propagation of electrical signals. We will develop the genetic and pharmacological tools needed to alter changes in Ca2+ homeostasis and study their effects on cell death and on electrophysiological function of neurons. These studies aim to clarify the role of SOCE in AD and HD. We expect changes in the amount and function of some ER Ca2+ players such as Ca2+ release channels, ER Ca2+ pumps or STIM proteins, which are ER sensor proteins that activate SOCE. Moreover, we expect to identify genetic or pharmacological tools to correct the dysregulated Ca2+ homeostasis. Direct comparison of different mouse models will reveal whether the observed changes are specific for a certain pathological mechanism or general downstream effects of neurodegeneration. In TargetSOCE Russian, German and Polish groups complement one another. The aim and expected results are highly relevant taken into account the prevalence of neurodegenerative diseases in aging societies.

Project tasks

Axel Methner lab, Mainz, Germany
Task 1: To determine the abundance of key proteins of the Ca2+ machinery in brains from transgenic mouse models for AD and HD

Task 2: To determine changes in the intracellular Ca2+ homeostasis of primary neurons from transgenic mice expressing mutant APP and expanded Huntingtin

Task 3: To determine cell death susceptibility of primary neurons from transgenic mouse models for AD and HD

Elena Kaznacheyeva lab, St. Petersburg, Russia
Task 4: To determine changes in the SOC and L-type currents of primary neurons from transgenic mice expressing expanded Huntingtin and mutant PS1.

Task 5: To determine the effect of genetic tools evaluated by JK and quinazoline-derived compounds on Ca2+ currents in HD and PS1 neurons

Task 6: To determine the target of quinazoline-derived compounds by knockdown of proteins upregulated in HD and PS1 neurons on SOC currents of primary HD and AD neurons

Jacek Kuznicki lab, Warsaw, Poland
Task 7: To determine changes in the intracellular Ca2+ homeostasis of primary neurons from mice expressing mutant PS1

Task 8: Identification of pharmacological and genetic tools modifying SOCE in neurons

Task 9: Analysis of Ca2+ homeostasis in cultured neurons from mouse models using selected shRNA or drug(s) affecting SOCE

Project budget

The overall implementation and administration of the project is assured by the Era.Net-Rus General Secretariat. However, the operational management and the financing was entrusted to national agencies/institutions of the countries which participate in the Era.Net-Rus initiative. 

Thus, the TargetSOCE partners receive support from the following national institutions: 
IIMCB -  National Centre for Research and Development
IC RAS -  Russian Academy of Sciences
UM Mainz - Federal Ministry for Education and Research in Germany (minor support) 

Project duration

24 months: October, 1st 2012 – September, 30th 2014

Project management and contact

Project coordinator: Prof. Jacek Kuźnicki, Ten adres pocztowy jest chroniony przed spamowaniem. Aby go zobaczyć, konieczne jest włączenie w przeglądarce obsługi JavaScript.
Project manager: Dorota Libiszowska, Ten adres pocztowy jest chroniony przed spamowaniem. Aby go zobaczyć, konieczne jest włączenie w przeglądarce obsługi JavaScript.

Scientific Board: Prof. Jacek Kuźnicki, Prof. Axel Methner, Prof. Elena Kaznacheyeva, Prof. Ilya Bezprozvanny
 

Health-Prot Website

The project is targeted at continuation and expansion of activities initiated as the FP5 Centre of Excellence in Molecular Bio-Medicine (CEMBM). In the past as the Centre of Excellence we developed an advanced methodology of analysis of complex protein structures with the use of cell and molecular biology techniques, biochemical methods, crystallographic analysis and computer modelling. Our goal is to become a top protein studies Centre in the region by unlocking the potential of all our research groups. This will be achieved mainly by twinning each of the Institute's groups with European groups leading in the field (first objective), through joint research activities, organization of workshops and conferences and participation in consortia within FP7.

We plan to create the place for experienced scientist to conduct research at the highest level (second objective), and for junior scientists to obtain the best possible mentoring and a degree based on the top-flight theses. We also intend to reach an ultimate critical mass by completing the organisation of IIMCB's structure (third objective). We aspire to be more innovative towards applications in medicine and biotechnology (fourth objective). In parallel, we will popularize science and raise social awareness of the benefits of modern biology and biotechnology (fifth objective). We will leverage the activities of the existing professional popularization science unit and use the available electronic media to disseminate knowledge on protein research. Ultimately, a reinforced S&T potential of our research groups will allow us to become more visible and attractive as a collaborating partner in the European Research Area, for both academia and industry.

Health-Prot Website

The project is targeted at continuation and expansion of activities initiated as the FP5 Centre of Excellence in Molecular Bio-Medicine (CEMBM). In the past as the Centre of Excellence we developed an advanced methodology of analysis of complex protein structures with the use of cell and molecular biology techniques, biochemical methods, crystallographic analysis and computer modelling. Our goal is to become a top protein studies Centre in the region by unlocking the potential of all our research groups. This will be achieved mainly by twinning each of the Institute's groups with European groups leading in the field (first objective), through joint research activities, organization of workshops and conferences and participation in consortia within FP7.

We plan to create the place for experienced scientist to conduct research at the highest level (second objective), and for junior scientists to obtain the best possible mentoring and a degree based on the top-flight theses. We also intend to reach an ultimate critical mass by completing the organisation of IIMCB's structure (third objective). We aspire to be more innovative towards applications in medicine and biotechnology (fourth objective). In parallel, we will popularize science and raise social awareness of the benefits of modern biology and biotechnology (fifth objective). We will leverage the activities of the existing professional popularization science unit and use the available electronic media to disseminate knowledge on protein research. Ultimately, a reinforced S&T potential of our research groups will allow us to become more visible and attractive as a collaborating partner in the European Research Area, for both academia and industry.

 Auresine Project 

Our research is focused on bacteriolytic enzymes that in a very selective and effective way eliminate staphylococcal cells from various environments.  We are working on development of commercial applications for such enzymes, especially for a patented one - Auresine®. These enzymes can be used in diagnostic tests, as a food bioprotectant, to decontaminate various surfaces in industry and hospitals, and as a component of hygiene products for animals and humans. Thanks to results of our basic research we are able to address very practical issues, like development of resistance, tolerance to environmental conditions, protein stability. Structural and biochemical characterization of enzymes broaden our knowledge about their activity regulation and determination of enzyme specificity, and also provide a scientific basis for structure-designed enzyme engineering.

Main achievements in 2018:

1.  In December 2017 we have launched TeamTech project (Foundation for Polish Science program), which is focused on developing new-generation wound dressings that are functionalized with bacteriolytic enzymes. We have completed building up the project team and also the network of external experts, who support our efforts in the area of nanomaterials.

2.  We were awarded a grant in International Academic Partnerships program funded by the Polish National Agency for Academic Exchange (NAWA). The MolSpec project “Molecular basis of enzyme specificity and applications”, will be carried out in collaboration with the Trinity College Dublin (Ireland), the Applied Molecular Biosciences Unit of the Department of Life Sciences FCT-NOVA (Portugal) and with the Fraunhofer Institute for Silicate Research (Germany).

3.  Our team completed three Quest for Commercialization grants (founded by IIMCB) to leverage commercialization of Auresine. They allowed us, among others:
      •    to establish very simple and effective technology for one step, large scale purification of our recombinant enzyme
      •    to get  international trademark protection of the name and the graphic logo of Auresine®
      •    to prepare new, professional webpage dedicated to Auresine project (www.auresine.com) illustrated by our technician Weronika Augustyniak

4.    We continue collaboration with our business partners to test the implementation of Auresine in industry and also with global supplier of R&D chemicals on worldwide distribution of Auresine®.
5.    We have established collaboration with the global supplier of veterinary products interested in implementation of our enzymes in their innovative products.
6.    Our research has been presented at prestigious international meetings:
        •    EMBO Workshop on Bacterial Persistence and Antimicrobial Therapy, Ascona, Switzerland
        •    EMBO Workshop Viruses of Microbes, Wrocław, Poland
        •    18th International Symposium on Staphylococci and Staphylococcal Infection, Copenhagen, Denmark
        •    The Lysin Meeting: 2nd International Symposium on Antimicrobial Hydrolytic Enzymes, Rockefeller University, New York, USA,
        •    Bessy User Meeting, 2018, Berlin, Germany.


Ongoing Projects:

TEAM TECH (FNP) “INFECTLESS: New generation of antibacterial wound dressing” click here for more information.

MolSpec (Polish National Agency for Academic Exchange, NAWA) “Molecular basis of enzyme specificity and applications”.

"Be Healthy as a Fish" movie

The aim of the movie is to familiarize viewers with IIMCB’s facilities and scientific interests and show what scientists' everyday work lives look like. This 6-min movie is mostly animated. However, part of it shows real images of various locations within the institute (e.g., laboratories, fish facility, office of the head of IIMCB, and a lecture hall where the workshops take place). The storyline of the animation consists of a humorous tour around the institute that is guided by two cartoon characters: the Professor and his pet, a zebrafish. During the tour, the children are told the reason why the zebrafish facility was established, and they can witness the formation of a new international team of scientists. The viewers are informed that science has no borders, and new discoveries result from the joint efforts of scientists around the word, who exchange information during seminars and conferences. Both Polish and English versions of the movie are available on the IIMCB YouTube channel.

“Be Healthy as a Fish” workshop at the Warsaw Science Festival 2016

“Be Healthy as a Fish” workshop at the Warsaw Science Festival 2015

““Be Healthy as a Fish” workshop at the Warsaw Science Festival 2014

“Be Healthy as a Fish” workshops 2014-2016

Children's artworks

"Be Healthy as a Fish" workshops

The Be Healthy as a Fish campaign was initiated by IIMCB in September 2014 during the Warsaw Science Festival. In the 2014/2015 school year, 90-min workshops were held an average of three times per month. In the first semester of the 2015/2016 school year, the program is still being run, and the workshops are conducted. As of September 30, 2016, 645 primary school students participated in 32 workshops.

Publication in Zebrafish

Be Healthy as a Fish Educational Program at the International Institute of Molecular and Cell Biology in Warsaw, Poland
Goś Daria, Szymańska Ewelina, Białek-Wyrzykowska Urszula, Wiweger Małgorzata, and Kuźnicki Jacek. Zebrafish. June 2016, 13(4): 266-271. doi:10.1089/zeb.2015.1195.

IIMCB continues its doctoral program in partnership with other research and educational institutes of the Ochota Campus (50 students). The PhD program run in collaboration with  the Institute of Biochemistry and Biophysics, the Nencki Institute of Experimental Biology, the Postgraduate School of Molecular Medicine, University of Warsaw and the Foundation for Polish Science.

Postgraduate School of Molecular Medicine (SMM)

Medical Universities in Warsaw, Poznań, Szczecin, Gdańsk, Wroclaw, Lodz, as well as the International Institute of Molecular and Cell Biology, the Nencki Institute and the Foundation for Experimental and Clinical Oncology have jointly founded the Postgraduate School of Molecular Medicine. The main goal of the School is to offer a new postgraduate PhD program in the field of molecular medicine, which is addressed to medical, biology and pharmacology postgraduate students in Poland. Since 2002, SMM has been opened to foreign students. SMM is formally affiliated with the Medical University of Warsaw, which is responsible for the administration of the school. According to its by-laws, the School is managed by the Director and the Scientific Council elected by the founding institutions. SMM admits students (up to twelve per year) for the four-year doctoral program. The candidates are requested to present a scientific program of their doctoral research, the scientific merit of which is carefully evaluated by the Recruitment Committee of SMM, as well as independent reviewers in Poland and from abroad. Ten groups of students were accepted during the period of 1998-2008, including seven foreign individuals. Successful candidates accomplish their scientific program, under the supervision of their tutors, in home laboratories throughout Poland.

The members of the SMM Scientific Council evaluate student progress annually. The tutorial program offered to the students includes theoretical (lectures and seminars) and practical courses (laboratory sessions) on selected topics of modern molecular biology and medicine. Furthermore, SMM helps students to participate in short-term scientific training in leading Polish and foreign laboratories. In parallel to funds generated by founding institutions, SMM activities were supported so far by subsidies from the Polish Ministry of Health, the Ministry of Science and Higher Education, the Kronenberg Foundation, UNESCO-ROSTE, the European Commission and The National Center for Scientific Research (CNRS), France. Additional financial support camefrom the French government supporting the costs of participation of outstanding French scientists in tutorial and organizational activities of SMM, as well as short-term scholarships for the training of SMM students in laboratories in France.