MINIATURA supports scientific activities, including preliminary/pilot research and scientific internships that result in the preparation of assumptions for a future research project. Researchers with a doctoral degree (obtained after January 1, 2010) can apply for the funds. In the latest round of the 6th edition of the competition, 67 winners were selected in the area of science and technology, 49 in the humanities, social sciences and arts, and 78 in the life sciences division. It is in this group that our scientists were included.
• Dr. Piotr Kalinowski from the Department of General, Transplant and Liver Surgery UCC MUW has received funding for an activity entitled "Evaluation of serum metabolic profiles of patients with non-alcoholic fatty liver disease and giant obesity under bariatric treatment."
Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is the most common liver disease affecting 25-30% of the population among patients with morbid obesity. NAFLD can develop steatohepatitis (NASH), advanced fibrosis, cirrhosis and hepatocellular carcinoma. Prevention of the development of advanced liver pathologies requires identification of risk groups and monitoring of patients at risk. Liver biopsy is considered the gold standard for diagnosing NAFLD, but its use is limited due to its invasiveness. Therefore, our scientist's project involves metabolomic analysis of hydrophilic and hydrophobic compounds of serum collected from patients and people in the control group. Once the studies and metabolic profile analyses are completed, potential metabolic biomarkers of obesity and NAFLD/ NASH, identifiable in serum, will be sought. The studies will be used to correlate with other routine biochemical tests and imaging and histopathological findings.
• "Identification of the core and companion virulome of Staphylococcus aureus in atopic dermatitis based on genomic analyses" is the name of a pilot study by Dr. Leszek Blicharz from the Department of Dermatology.
Recently, the role of disruption of the skin microbiota in the pathogenesis of this disease entity has been emphasized. The main phenomenon is the excessive development of Staphylococcus aureus within the skin lesions associated with the simultaneous displacement of other components of the physiological microbiota of this microniche. The main goal of the study is to deepen the knowledge of the pathogenesis of AD and lay the groundwork for developing modern methods of prevention and treatment of this disease based on restoring the normal composition of the skin microbiota. The outcome of the research will be the development of methods for identifying the core and associated virulome, as well as genetic differentiation, cross-species comparison, analysis of relatedness, origin and evolutionary trend of S. aureus in AD, in order to carry out analysis on a larger group of patients.
• Dr. Zofia Wicik from the Department of Experimental and Clinical Pharmacology has received funding for a pilot/initial study "Application of metabolomics, proteomics and bioinformatics tools to determine pathophysiological changes induced by endurance training of ultramarathon runners."
The main goal of the project is to evaluate the effects of prolonged high-intensity exercise on parallel proteomic and metabolomic changes in a unique population of ultra-endurance runners. The project plans to identify and characterize related metabolites and proteins for their role and their potential to monitor post-workout inflammation, mechanical damage to articular cartilage and muscle, and the signaling pathways involved in their regeneration. As the researcher wrote in the competition application, most sports-related research focuses on the beneficial effects on the cardiovascular and muscular systems, while knowledge about exercise on joints is still unclear. Prolonged stress, such as participation in a marathon or ultramarathon, triggers complex molecular reactions, including direct cartilage damage and muscle micro-tears. This leads to changes in metabolic pathways and inflammatory processes. Running-related musculoskeletal damage, especially to joints, is common and is a significant impediment to continue the sport. Better monitoring and understanding of the protein and metabolic changes associated with cartilage degradation, which are the most common cause of osteoarthritis, may help in the prevention of diseases associated with aging.
• Dr. Aleksandra Sędzikowska from the Department of General Biology and Parasitology, received funding for "Molecular studies of the occurrence of viral and bacterial pathogens dangerous to humans and animals in mosquitoes in Poland."
The goal is to determine whether mosquitoes present in the Mazovian province are vectors of pathogens dangerous to humans. Of the dozens of mosquito species present in Poland, a dozen of them can breed in huge numbers and carry serious but poorly understood and diagnosed human and animal diseases. Due to changes in the spread of these insects, there are increasingly frequent reports of the new pathogens not previously present in a given area. Poorly understood viruses that pose a threat to human health and transmitted by mosquitoes in Europe include Usutu virus (USUV) and West Nile virus (WNV). The establishment of exotic mosquitoes, such as the tiger mosquito imported to Europe, means that the list of pathogens present on our continent is constantly changing. Other mosquitoes, also carriers of pathogens, may also enter Europe, posing new potential health risks and challenges. Therefore, the research conducted on this topic constantly requires new, up-to-date data, which this project can provide.
MINIATURA was first announced in 2016. In five editions of the competition, NCN has funded more than 3,300 scientific activities.
Full ranking list of the latest round