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9 V 2024
Łukasiewicz – PORT Stabłowicka 147 Wrocław
SCIENTIFIC SEMINARS
On May 9th, 2024, we hosted the distinguished scientist, Prof. Leszek Kaczmarek, Professor at the Nencki Institute of Experimental Biology, Polish Academy of Sciences, Warsaw, Poland, and head of the Laboratory of Neurobiology.
Leszek Kaczmarek has got his PhD in experimental hematology (mentor: Prof. W. Wiktor-Jedrzejczak), followed by D.Sc. (dr hab.) in the field of experimental oncology. He carried out postdoctoral studies in Philadelphia, USA (mentor: Prof. R. Baserga) and then was visiting professor in the University of Catania, Italy; McGill University, Montreal, Canada; University of California, Los Angeles and Institute of Photonic Sciences, ICFO, Castelldefels, Spain. Since 1986 his laboratory at the Nencki Institute has been investigating brain-mind connection at all the levels of brain organization from molecular to cellular to network to behavior in health and disease. Most of the work involves experimental animal models, however joint studies with clinicians on human neuropsychiatric disorders have also been pursued. The current major focus is on extracellular enzyme, matrix metalloproteinase, MMP-9, which his laboratory documented to play paramount role in neuronal/synaptic plasticity and then in learning and memory, development of epilepsy, schizophrenia, autism spectrum disorders and alcohol addiction.
In his recent studies, Prof. Kaczmarek and his team, aimed to test whether MMP-9 might be engaged in epileptogenesis (epilepsy development). Indeed, they have provided a genetic proof (by using MMP-9 gene knockout to impair epileptogenesis and MMP-9 over-expressing rats and mice to enhance the epilepsy development) supporting that notion. To follow up on those results, they have recently tested inhibitors of MMP-9 enzymatic activity as therapeutics to prevent epileptogenesis in such clinically relevant preclinical models, as traumatic brain injury and stroke in mice. In result, they have identified MMP-9 inhibitor as a possible anti-epileptogenesis drug that is currently being prepared for phase one clinical trials.
The lecture was streamed on the SAME-Match-Treat platform, which serves as the project’s platform to engage with young scientists across partner institutions. We invite you to register and join our community! Home | SAME-Match-Treat (b2match.com)
28 II 2024
11 II 2024
Łukasiewicz – PORT Stabłowicka 147 Wrocław
Webinar
Recently we conduted two seminars to launch our NeuroHack iniciative and call for action – we’re looking for Young Investigators to join us at the Neurohack event.
NeuroHack was announced by Bertrand Dupond during the presentation on 28th February 2024 at PORT.
On 11th March 2024 at our Institute, Michał Ślęzak and Agnieszka Krzyżosiak and Bertrand Dupont, led the webinar for researchers from all four Partner Institutions, during which they presented the scientific focus od SAME-NeuroID projecy and aim of the NeuroHack event.
NeuroHack is a three-day event addressed mainly to PhD students and post-docs who have an idea for an innovative product or solution developing the latest knowledge in the field of neurobiology. The workshops will be held in the form of a hackathon, which means that participants will be divided into teams, and their task will be to develop a product or solution submitted as an idea for implementation.
For more information about NeuroHack and to download the One-Pager template, visit the SAME-Match-Treat website.
The video recording from the seminar:
1 II 2024
Łukasiewicz – PORT Stabłowicka 147 Wrocław
SCIENTIFIC SEMINARS
SAME-NeuroID scientific seminar featuring Professor Bastian Hengerer, Director of CNS Diseases Research at Boehringer Ingelheim, took a place on February 1st 2024 at Łukasiewicz – PORT, Assembly Hall, Building A (1st floor).
Seminar Title:
“Studying the Circuit Biology of Social Behavior: Backtranslation of the Findings of a Transdiagnostic Clinical Study”
Abstract:
“PRISM (Psychiatric Ratings using Intermediate Stratified Markers), a EU wide consortium of academic and industry partners, identified a novel transdiagnostic and pathophysiological link between quantitative measures of neural integrity within the brain’s Default Mode Network (DMN) and social dysfunctioning. Significant relationships of measures of daily social functioning with quantitative neuroimaging measures of DMN activity and DMN connectivity were observed irrespective of the initial clinical diagnosis. These findings are providing a novel neurobiological, quantitative, and transdiagnostic framework for further validation.
To enrich our understanding of the fundamental biology underlying the new hypotheses and to test the causality between the quantitative variation in DMN integrity and social dysfunction in preclinical models, the team modulated DMN activity experimentally and developed a novel setup for automated analysis of social behavior in groups of mice.”
Short Bio:
Professor Bastian Hengerer has more than 34 years’ experience in pharmaceutical industry. Currently the Director of CNS Diseases Research at Boehringer Ingelheim, he joined Boehringer Ingelheim in 2003, heading the preclinical Parkinson’s disease research group and now being responsible for scientific partnering in the field of CNS Diseases.
As usual, for young investigators, there was a post-lecture meeting scheduled as a Q&A session. During this session, they had the opportunity to ask our guest questions, such as how to accelerate their careers.
This seminar is part of the SAME-NeuroID project funded by the Horizon Europe program.
The video recording from the seminar:
30-31 I 2024
Erasmus Medical Center (EMC)
SHORT TREM VISITS
On January 30-31, 2024 the SAME-NeuroID team visited the Erasmus Medical University Center (EMC).
Representation from Łukasiewicz — PORT: Marta Małolepsza (SAME-NeuroID), Bertrand Dupond (SAME-NeuroID), and Justyna Wilińska (TTO) participated in engaging discussions with the EMC Technology Transfer Office (TTO) team, led by Robert Al, the Technology Transfer Director. They also explored the “Rotterdam Science Tower,” meeting with the innovative Hardt Hyperloop company and engaging with startups from the EMC Incubator.
On the second day, the team met with Femke de Vrij and had the opportunity to visit her lab and held productive sessions with Femke, Jofey Chadwick, and Aleksandra Badura, brainstorming and planning exciting events within the SAME-NeuroID project. This visit exemplifies the power of collaboration in the SAME-NeuroID project between Łukasiewicz – PORT and Erasmus Medical University Center.
11 I 2024
Łukasiewicz – PORT Stabłowicka 147 Wrocław
SCIENTIFIC SEMINARS
On January 11th, 2024 we had a pleasure to host Prof. Marco Rust from the Molecular Neurobiology Group at the Institute of Physiological Chemistry, Biochemical-Pharmacological Center (BPC), University of Marburg.
He elaborated on the crucial roles played by CAP1 and CAP2 in regulating actin dynamics and collaborating with cofilin1 for neuronal function and dendritic spine maturation in a seminar titled “Cyclase-associated protein (CAP): a novel CAPt’n of neuronal actin dynamics”.
The lecture was followed by Q&A Session for Young Investigators.
Seminar Title: “Cyclase-associated protein (CAP): a novel CAPt’n of neuronal actin dynamics“
Abstract:
Research in Prof. Rust’s lab focuses on deciphering the molecular mechanisms controlling neuronal actin dynamics and understanding the relevance of actin regulators in the development and function of the mammalian brain. Prof. Rust’s team has identified actin-depolymerizing proteins of the ADF/cofilin family as pivotal regulators in neurons, impacting the morphology and function of excitatory synapses. Their exploration extends to understanding the role of cyclase-associated protein (CAP), which recent studies suggest may collaborate with ADF/cofilin in neuronal functions. By investigating CAP1 and CAP2 in the brain, particularly in dendritic spines, the team has revealed their involvement in regulating actin dynamics and their interdependence with cofilin1, along with their roles in controlling dendritic spine maturation.
About Prof. Marco Rust:
Prof. Marco Rust completed his Diploma in Biology at the University of Bielefeld in 2000, followed by his PhD at the Center for Molecular Neurobiology Hamburg (ZMNH), University of Hamburg, from 2000 to 2004. He then pursued postdoctoral fellowships at the ZMNH (2004-2005) and the European Molecular Biology Laboratories (EMBL) in Rome, Italy (2005-2007). Afterward, he was Independent Group Leader for Neurobiology at the University of Kaiserslautern from 2008 to 2014. Since 2014, Prof. Rust has held the position of Professor for Molecular Neurobiology at the Institute of Physiological Chemistry, University of Marburg, Germany.
The video recording from the seminar:
11-15 XI 2024
Walter E. Washington Convention Center
SCIENTIFIC SEMINARS
SAME-NeuroID at NEUROSCIENCE 2023 in USA
Michał Ślęzak, PhD, at the largest and most prestigious neuroscience event in the world! The Neuroscience 2023 conference, held November 11-15 in Washington, D.C., brought together leading neuroscientists, practitioners and brain science enthusiasts from around the world. Łukasiewicz – PORT was also strongly represented during the conference – Michał Ślęzak, PhD, leader of the Biology of Astrocytes Research Group, gave a lecture at the Walter E. Washington Convention Center on the influence of stress hormones on astrocytes, introducing the audience to the function of astrocytes in behavioral modulation. Michał Ślęzak’s participation at Neuroscience 2023 took place as part of the SAME-NeuroID project.
9 IX 2024
Łukasiewicz – PORT Stabłowicka 147 Wrocław
SCIENTIFIC SEMINARS
From an evolutionary perspective, the answer to the question “to eat or not to eat” may seem straightforward. The matter becomes more complicated with the development of modern civilizations. Why is that? It turns out that the solution to this puzzle lies in the brain.
At the Scientific Picnic on September 9th, 2023, our project coordinator Dr. Witold Konopka, gave interesting lecture titled “To Eat or Not to Eat: Brain vs. Body” about fascinating interplay between the brain and the body’s decision-making processes.
We cordially invite you to watch video stream of the lecture.
Note: lecture is in Polish.
21-22 XI 2024
Paris Brain Institute (ICM)
SHORT TREM VISITS
ICM partnership visit Tech Transfer & Open Science
A productive session on Tech Transfer & Open Science took place at the ICM Paris Brain Institute on n November 21-22 2023.
Bertrand Dupont, Technology Audit and Pre-incubation Advisor within the SAME-NeuroID project, along with Agnieszka Sok-Grochowska, Senior Technology Transfer Specialist, had the opportunity to meet and discuss with ICM professionals. The knowledge gained from ICM’s expertise in tech transfer is incredibly valuable. Bertrand provided updates on our SAME-NeuroID project, fostering collaboration and participated in the Neuro Openscience Workshop, tackling critical topics like the declining of scientific publication model, alternatives to the peer review process, openscience and research assessment methods.
Thank you to the ICM team for these enriching sessions! A special thanks to Cristina Lemos for orchestrating this event.
19 X 2023
Łukasiewicz – PORT Stabłowicka 147 Wrocław
SCIENTIFIC SEMINARS
On October 19th, in the Auditorium of building A, our Young Investigators presented their contributions to the Brain to Market Summer School 2023. The presentation included three main parts:
1. Introduction of the Brain to Market Program.
2. Insight into This Year’s Program.
3. Projects and the Winning Idea.
The presenters, representing research groups, were as follows:
Jakub Chwastek, Müzeyyn Uğur, and Olga Pietrzyk from the Neuroplasticity and Metabolism Research Group.
Ewa Mrówczyńska and Karolina Cierluk from the Mechanisms of Neurodegeneration Research Group.
Congratulations to all participants for their outstanding work!
9 IX 2024
Łukasiewicz – PORT Stabłowicka 147 Wrocław
SCIENTIFIC SEMINARS
From an evolutionary perspective, the answer to the question “to eat or not to eat” may seem straightforward. The matter becomes more complicated with the development of modern civilizations. Why is that? It turns out that the solution to this puzzle lies in the brain.
At the Scientific Picnic on September 9th, 2023, our project coordinator Dr. Witold Konopka, gave interesting lecture titled “To Eat or Not to Eat: Brain vs. Body” about fascinating interplay between the brain and the body’s decision-making processes.
The picnic offered a wonderful opportunity to get to know PORT, engage with science, and explore laboratories. Attendees had a chance to interact with researchers and witness real scientific experiments in action, making it an enriching and educational experience. It was a day of discovery and learning for all who participated.
We will soon provide the link to the lecture recordings. Stay tuned!
4-6 IX 2023
Łukasiewicz – PORT Stabłowicka 147 Wrocław
CONFERENCE
On
September 4 – 6, 2023, we hosted nearly 140 scientists from around the world
who, at the invitation of the Life Sciences and Biotechnology Center of
Łukasiewicz – PORT, took part in conference: PORT for Health: Neuroscience 2023.
The PORT
for Health: Neuroscience 2023 conference has become a permanent fixture in the
calendar of events organized by Łukasiewicz – PORT. Its aim was again to update
knowledge about the causes of neurological diseases. The program included five
thematic sessions: cellular models in neurodegeneration, cellular models in
neuropsychiatry, neurometabolic disorders, animal models in neuropsychiatry,
computational models in neuropsychiatry. During each session, the results of
their research were presented by respected scientists from Europe, China and
the United States, including: Andrew Holmes (Laboratory of Behavioral and
Genomic Neuroscience, NIAAA, Rockville), Dominik Paquet (Laboratory of
Neurobiology, Univ. Hospital, LMU & Munich Cluster for Systems Neurology),
and Johannes Passecker (Center for Chemistry and Biomedicine Medical University
of Innsbruck). The scientific committee on the Łukasiewicz-PORT side included:
Agnieszka Krzyżosiak, PhD – leader of the Mechanisms of Neurodegeneration Research Group,
Witold
Konopka, PhD – leader of the Neuroplasticity and Metabolism Research Group
Tomasz
Prószyński, PhD – leader of the Synaptogenesis Research Group.
Michał
Ślęzak, PhD – leader of the Biology of Astrocytes Research Group.
What distinguishes this conference from other scientific events?
– What
distinguishes the PORT for Health: Neuroscience 2023 conference from other
events is its formula – consistent with the approach to science characteristic
of the entire Łukasiewicz – PORT Institute. In our research unit, we do not
limit ourselves to research and their publications, but we immediately look for
opportunities for implementation in industry – explains Dr. Michał Malewicz,
director of the Life Sciences and Biotechnology Center Łukasiewicz – PORT. – We
invite the best scientists to give lectures, and the conference is attended by
representatives of industry, as well as doctors, clinicians and our partners
from hospital centers. Thanks to this, our event becomes a platform for
establishing long-term cooperation at the intersection of science and business
– adds Dr. Michał Malewicz.
The conferences were also accompanied by matchmaking sessions organized by Industry Contact Point for Medical Technologies and Health. These meetings were an opportunity to exchange ideas and look for partners for international research projects.
The meeting was part of the SAME-NeuroID project funded by the Horizon Europe program.
15 VI 2023
Łukasiewicz – PORT Stabłowicka 147 Wrocław
SCIENTIFIC SEMINARS
Stress resilience is an ability of neuronal networks to maintain their function despite the stress exposure. In Prof. Jakub Włodarczyk’s study, he and his team investigated whether stress resilience is an actively developed dynamic process in adult mice. In order to assess the resilient and anhedonic behavioral phenotypes developed after induction of the chronic unpredictable stress, scientists quantitatively characterized the structural and functional plasticity of excitatory synapses in the hippocampus using a combination of proteomic, electrophysiological, and imaging methods.
On 15th June 2023, as part of the SAME-NeuroID project, we hosted prof. Jakub Włodarczyk, Professor at the Nencki Institute of Experimental Biology, Polish Academy of Sciences, Warsaw, Poland, head of the Laboratory of Cell Biophysics, who gave a lecture entitled “The molecular fingerprint of stress resilience”.
Jakub Włodarczyk heads the Laboratory of Cell Biophysics. The main field of his interest is aberrant synaptic plasticity underlying stress related disorders and stress resilience. He studies structural and functional synaptic modifications regulated by posttranslational modifications. He develops and employs novel imaging based techniques and mass spectrometry methods to assess the reorganization of activity patterns accompanied by local volumetric and molecular changes at the synapses.
The meeting was part of the SAME-NeuroID project funded by the Horizon Europe program.
31 III 2023
Łukasiewicz – PORT Stabłowicka 147 Wrocław
SCIENTIFIC SEMINARS
On Friday, 31st March 2023, as part of the SAME-NeuroID project and PORT Seminar Series, we hosted Ali Jawaid, PhD who currently heads the Laboratory for Translational Research in Neuropsychiatric Disorders (TREND lab) at the BRAINCITY: Center of Excellence for Neural Plasticity and Brain Disorders, Warsaw, Poland. TREND lab is focused on dissecting the liaison between non-coding RNAs and metabolic factors in the long-term sequelae of early life trauma; and investigate how metabolism can be manipulated to counter its neuropsychiatric manifestations across generations.
Ali Jawaid’s lecture was titled “The Interplay between Metabolism and Epigenetics in Risk and Transmission of Neuropsychiatric Disorders”. The meeting was part of the SAME-NeuroID project funded by the Horizon Europe program.
For Young Investigators there was post-lecture meeting scheduled as Q&A session. During the session they were able to inquire our guest Ali Jawaid, Ph.D. about the tips how to accelerate a research career and how to avoid traps and bottlenecks.
28-29 III 2023
Paris Brain Institute (ICM)
SHORT TREM VISITS
PORT – ICM partnership visit
Directors of the PORT management team and leaders of the SAME-NeuroID project met with the management board of the Paris Brain Institute (ICM) in Paris (March 27 – 29, 2023). PORT representatives had the opportunity to see the huge scale of the ICM Institute’s functioning, the systems in place, and the operation of research groups and core facilities. In addition, we debated how to conduct technology transfer, support “high risk – high gain” innovative ideas, and create the environment for collaboration with brain disease start-ups – clustered around the iPEPS BioIncubator (https://ipeps.institutducerveau-icm.org/). In addition, we were introduced to the Living Lab initiative, CARE LAB, in which new technologies are developed in close collaboration with patients and members of the health care system (https://institutducerveau-icm.org/en/care-lab-2/). During lively discussions, a formula for organizing a Hackathon (one of the activities of the SAME-NeuroID project) was worked out. Detailed directions for further cooperation between the two institutions were also specified.
4-6 IX 2023
Łukasiewicz – PORT Stabłowicka 147 Wrocław
Conference
Counting down days to 𝗣𝗢𝗥𝗧 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝗛𝗲𝗮𝗹𝘁𝗵: 𝗡𝗲𝘂𝗿𝗼𝘀𝗰𝗶𝗲𝗻𝗰𝗲 𝟮𝟬𝟮𝟯 at #ŁukasiewiczPORT 4-6.09.2023!
The conference will be a unique opportunity to meet outstanding scientists in the field of neuroscience, as well as to listen to over 20 lectures presenting the latest research results and achievements in the field of neuropsychiatry, neurodegeneration, and neurometabolic disorders.
Here’s what we have prepared for you:
✅ 3 plenary lectures:
✔ Dominik Paquet (Institute for Stroke and Dementia Research (ISD), University Hospital, LMU Munich, Munich, Germany; Munich Cluster for Systems Neurology (SyNergy), Munich, Germany),
✔ Andrew Holmes (Laboratory of Behavioral and Genomic Neuroscience, NIAAA, Rockville),
✔ Johannes Passecker (Center for Chemistry and Biomedicine, Medical University of Innsbruck)
✅ 6 thematic sessions dedicated to the latest research results and achievements in the field of cellular, animal models, and computational neuropsychiatry.
✅ Matchmaking sessions that work the opportunity to establish cooperation and contacts between conference participants to exchange ideas, share experiences, and create new projects.
✅ Presentations of Young Researchers, i.e., a platform for young scientists to share their ideas and research results.
Registration is in progress! We invite you to participate online!
11 I 2023
Łukasiewicz – PORT Stabłowicka 147 Wrocław
KICK-OFF MEETING
Neuropsychiatric diseases affect nearly one third of the European adult population. Existing therapies are largely suboptimal as we lack understanding of disease mechanisms, clearly underscoring the need for novel solutions. The scope of the EU-funded SAME-NeuroID is to support the research capacity of the Life Science and Biotechnology Centre (LS&BC) of the Łukasiewicz-PORT institute in Wrocław in Poland.
The project constitutes a partnership with neuroscience centres in France (Paris Brain Institute), Germany (Max Planck Institute of Psychiatry), and the Netherlands (Erasmus University Medical Center), which will share knowledge and technology and undertake staff training. Collectively, these activities will render Łukasiewicz-PORT a neuroscience hub of excellence, increasing its future research prospects and international visibility.
7 X 2022
Łukasiewicz – PORT Stabłowicka 147 Wrocław
SCIENTIFIC SEMINARS
On 7th October we hosted DR. ANNE BERTOLOTTI who delivered first of the twelve SCIENTIFIC SEMINARS scheduled. Dr. Anne Bertolotti from Medical Research Council Laboratory of Molecular Biology (MRC LMB) in Cambridge UK investigates the protein quality control systems in the aim to identify strategies preventing accumulation of aggregation-prone misfolded proteins in the cell.
At Łukasiewicz – PORT, she gave a lecture on “Boosting protein quality control: A strategy against neurodegenerative diseases.” The meeting took place as part of the SAME-NeuroID project Standardized Approaches to Modelling and Examination of Neuropsychiatric Disorders financed by the Horizon Europe program.
After the Seminar Ann met with the group of young investigators to answer all difficult questions related to the bottlenecks in the young researchers’ career.
With a relentless pursuit of knowledge, we unravel the complexities of the mind, unraveling the mysteries that hinder mental well-being. Join us as we pave the way for breakthroughs in neuroscience and offer hope for a brighter future
With unwavering determination, we delve into the depths of the human mind, pioneering breakthroughs that inspire a brighter future for mental well-being and transform lives.
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