Laboratory of Pharmaconeurochemistry

Head
prof. dr hab. Elżbieta Salińska; 22 60 86 528; This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Secretariat
Aleksandra Stafiej, Msc.; 22 60 86 528; This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
Research staff
Associate Professor Elżbieta Ziemińska; 22 60 86 534; This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
Justyna Augustyniak PhD: 22 60 86 534; This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
Ewelina Bratek-Gerej PhD; 22 60 86 430; This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
Lab technician
Grzegorz Pałka; 22 60 86 531; This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Research profile:
• Searching for therapeutic strategies in brain ischemia, mainly by induction of the tolerance to ischemic insults with pre- or post-conditioning (subjecting the brain before or shortly after the insult to sub-injurious factors).
• Studies on the pharmacologically-induced neuroprotection and brain tolerance to ischemia.
• Investigation of the role of selected environmental toxins in mechanisms of neurodegeneration and their effect on brain developmental disorders.
• Studies on the molecular mechanisms of memory consolidation and reconsolidation.

Grants
• Investigations into molecular mechanisms of neuroprotective effects of metabotropic glutamate receptors group II (mGluR2/3) agonists in an animal model of birth asphyxia, was supported by the Polish National Science Centre, grant number 2016/23/N/NZ7/01942, project manager: mgr inż. Ewelina Bratek (2017-2019)
• Study of the gene expression potentially involved in the pathogenesis of autism in two animal models: valproate and thalidomide. was supported by the Polish National Science Centre; grant number: 2017/01/X/NZ3/01049, project manager:
dr hab. Elżbieta Ziemińska (2017-2018)
• Study of SNAP-25 protein expression, NMR metabolomic analysis, and behavioral characteristics in animal models of infantile autism: reference to glutamate hypothesis, was supported by the Polish National Science Centre; grant number 2014/15/B/NZ4/04490, project manager: prof. dr hab. Jerzy Wojciech Łazarewicz (2015-2018)
• Participation of transient receptor potential channels (TRP) permeable for calcium ions in memory formation and retrieval and their connections with the group I metabotropic glutamate receptors. Studies on the model of passive avoidance task in one-day-old chicks were supported by the Polish National Science Centre; grant number 2014/15/B/NZ4/04487, project manager: prof. dr hab. Elżbieta Salińska (2015-2018)

Collaboration:
domestic
• Maj Institute of Pharmacology, PAS, Cracow
• Nalecz Institute of Biocybernetics and Biomedical Engineering, PAS, Warsaw
• Institute of Organic Chemistry PAS, Warsaw
• Warsaw University, Warsaw

foreign
• Sathyabama Institute of Science and Technology, Chennai, India;
• University at Buffalo, The State University of New York, NY, USA;
• University of Milan, Milan, Italy
• Brigham and Women's Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, USA

Research equipment:
• multifunctional microplate reader FLUOstar Omega - fluorimeter, luminometer and spectrophotometer (BMG Labtech); ex: 340,390,405,440,485,530,590; em: 340,485,510,520,580,620 nm
• microplate reader FLUOROSKAN FL- fluorimeter, luminometer (Labsystems); ex: 400,440,485,530,544; em: 485,520,527,538,590,620 nm
• stereotaxic apparatus, set for microdialysis of small laboratory animals
• continuous perfusion system
• anesthetic kit for surgery on small animals
• a hypobaric chamber and a hyperbaric chamber
• preparatory ultracentrifuge Optima XPN Series (Beckman)
• thermocyclers: LightCycler(R) 96 (Roche), Civic Cycer (Biotach, INC)
• densitometer ImageScanner III Labscan 6.0 (GE Healtcare) with the software
• cryostat Leica
• microtome

Research methods:
• cell cultures
• biochemical methods: electrophoresis, Western Blot, determination of enzyme activity
• immunocytochemical, immunohistochemical methods (ELISA, TUNEL)
• assessment of ligand affinity to cell membranes (binding)
• isolation of nucleic acids RNA and DNA
• PCR, RT- PCR, qRT-PCR,
• fluorescence and confocal microscopy imaging
• rat brain microdialysis
• oxygen and air hypobaria and hyperbaria

Research models:
in vitro:
• primary culture of rat cerebellar granule cells

in vivo:
• model of perinatal asphyxia in 7-day-old puppies
• model of global ischemia in gerbils
• model of passive avoidance task in one-day-old chickens

Selected publications

• Sowińska M, Szeliga M, Morawiak M,Ziemińska E, Zabłocka B, Urbańczyk-Lipkowska Z. Peptide Dendrimers with Non-Symmetric Bola Structure Exert Long Term Effect on Glioblastoma and Neuroblastoma Cell Lines. Biomolecules. 2021 Mar 15;11(3):435. doi: 10.3390/biom11030435.
  
•  Zieminska E, Ruszczynska A,Augustyniak J, Toczylowska B, Lazarewicz JW. Zinc and Copper Brain Levels and Expression of Neurotransmitter Receptors in Two Rat ASD Models. Front Mol Neurosci. 2021 Jun 29;14:656740. doi: 10.3389/fnmol.2021.656740.
• Jastrzebski D, Toczylowska B,Zieminska E, Zebrowska A, Kostorz-Nosal S, Swietochowska E, Di Giulio C, Ziora D. The effects of exercise training on lipid profile in patients with sarcoidosis. Sci Rep. 2021 Mar 10;11(1):5551. doi: 10.1038/s41598-021-84815-4.
• Lenart J, Augustyniak J, Lazarewicz JW,Zieminska E. Altered expression of glutamatergic and GABAergic genes in the valproic acid-induced rat model of autism: a screening test. Toxicology. 2020; Jul;440:152500. doi: 10.1016/j.tox.2020.152500.
• Lenart J, Augustyniak J, Lazarewicz JW, Zieminska E. Altered expression of glutamatergic and GABAergic genes in the valproic acid-induced rat model of autism: a screening test. Toxicology. 2020; Jul;440:152500. doi: 10.1016/j.tox.2020.152500. 
• Sunderland P, Augustyniak J, Lenart J, Bużańska L, Carlessi L, Delia D, Sikora E. ATM-deficient neural precursors develop senescence phenotype with disturbances in autophagy. Mech Ageing Dev. 2020; Sep;190:111296. doi:10.1016/j.mad.2020.111296.
• Kosinski M, Figiel-Dabrowska A, Lech W, Wieprzowski L, Strzalkowski R, Strzemecki D, Cheda L, Lenart J, Domanska-Janik K, Sarnowska A. Bone Defect Repair Using a Bone Substitute Supported by Mesenchymal Stem Cells Derived from the Umbilical Cord. Stem Cells Int. 2020; Apr 5;2020:1321283. doi: 10.1155/2020/1321283.
• Graczyk S, Perlińska-Lenart U, Górka-Nieć W, Lichota R, Piłsyk S, Zembek P, Lenart J, Bernat P, Gryz E,Augustyniak J, Palamarczyk G, Kruszewska JS. Increased activity of the sterol branch of the mevalonate pathway elevates glycosylation of secretory proteins and improves antifungal properties of Trichoderma atroviride. Fungal Genet Biol. 2020; Apr;137:103334. doi: 10.1016/j.fgb.2020.103334.
• Lenart J, Bratek E, Lazarewicz JW, Zieminska E. Changes in the Expression of SNAP-25 Protein in the Brain of Juvenile Rats in Two Models of Autism. J Mol Neurosci. 2020; Sep;70(9):1313-1320. doi: 10.1007/s12031-020-01543-6.
• Tuchalska-Czuroń J, Lenart J, Augustyniak J, Durlik M. Clinical value of tissue DNA integrity index in pancreatic cancer. Surgeon. 2020; Oct;18(5):269-279. doi: 10.1016/j.surge.2019.10.008. 
• Toczylowska B, Zieminska E, Senator P, Lazarewicz JW. Hippocampal Metabolite Profiles in Two Rat Models of Autism: NMR-Based Metabolomics Studies. Mol Neurobiol. 2020; Jul;57(7):3089-3105. doi: 10.1007/s12035-020-01935-0.
• Toczylowska B, Zieminska E, Michałowska M, Chalimoniuk M, Fiszer U. Changes in the metabolic profiles of the serum and putamen in Parkinson's disease patients - In vitro and in vivo NMR spectroscopy studies. Brain Res. 2020; Sep 12;1748:147118. doi: 10.1016/j.brainres.2020.147118. 
• Bratek E, Ziembowicz A, Salinska E. N-Acetylaspartylglutamate (NAAG) Pretreatment Reduces Hypoxic-Ischemic Brain Damage and Oxidative Stress in Neonatal Rats. Antioxidants (Basel). 2020; Sep 17;9(9):E877. doi: 10.3390/antiox9090877
• Rzemieniec J, Bratek E, Wnuk A, Przepiórska K, Salińska E, Kajta M. Neuroprotective effect of 3,3'-Diindolylmethane against perinatal asphyxia involves inhibition of the AhR and NMDA signaling and hypermethylation of specific genes. Apoptosis. 2020; Aug 20. doi: 10.1007/s10495-020-01631-3.
• Bronisz A, Salińska E, Chiocca EA, Godlewski J. Hypoxic Roadmap of Glioblastoma-Learning about Directions and Distances in the Brain Tumor Environment. Cancers (Basel). 2020; May 13;12(5):1213. doi: 10.3390/cancers12051213
• Krolik A, Diamandakis D, Zych A, Stafiej A, Salinska E. The involvement of TRP channels in memory formation and task retrieval in a passive avoidance task in one-day old chicks. Neurobiol Learn Mem. 2020, May;171:107209. doi: 10.1016/j.nlm.2020.107209.
• Raulinajtys-Grzybek M, Grabska-Liberek I, Opala A, Słomka M, Chrobot M. Budget impact analysis of lens material on the posterior capsule opacification (PCO) as a complication after the cataract surgery. Cost Eff Resour Alloc. 2020; Jun 16;18:19. doi: 10.1186/s12962-020-00214-y.
• Janik A, Niewiadomska M, Perlińska-Lenart U, Lenart J, Kołakowski D, Skorupińska-Tudek K, Swiezewska E, Kruszewska JS, Palamarczyk G. Inhibition of Dephosphorylation of Dolichyl Diphosphate Alters the Synthesis of Dolichol and Hinders Protein N-Glycosylation and Morphological Transitions in Candida albicans. Int J Mol Sci. 2019; Oct 12;20(20):5067. doi: 10.3390/ijms20205067.
• Diamandakis D, Zieminska E, Siwiec M, Tokarski K, Salinska E, Lenart J, Hess G, Lazarewicz JW; Tetrabromobisphenol A-induced depolarization of rat cerebellar granule cells: ex vivo and in vitro studies.; Chemosphere. 2019; May;223:64-73. doi: 10.1016/j.Chemosphere.2019.02.032.
• Augustyniak J, Lenart J, Lipka G, Stepien PP, Buzanska L. Reference Gene Validation via RT-qPCR for Human iPSC-Derived Neural Stem Cells and Neural Progenitors. Mol Neurobiol. 2019; Oct;56(10):6820-6832. doi: 10.1007/s12035-019-1538-x. 
• Zychowicz M, Pietrucha K, Podobinska M, Kowalska-Wlodarczyk M, Lenart J, Augustyniak J, Buzanska L. The collagen scaffold supports hiPSC-derived NSC growth and restricts hiPSC. Front Biosci (Schol Ed). 2019; Mar 1;11:105-121.
• Diamandakis D, Zieminska E, Siwiec M, Tokarski K, Salinska E, Lenart J, Hess G, Lazarewicz JW. Tetrabromobisphenol A-induced depolarization of rat cerebellar granule cells: ex vivo and in vitro studies. Chemosphere. 2019; May;223:64-73. doi: 10.1016/j.chemosphere.2019.02.032. 
• Augustyniak J, Lenart J, Gaj P, Kolanowska M, Jazdzewski K, Stepien PP, Buzanska L. Bezafibrate Upregulates Mitochondrial Biogenesis and Influence Neural Differentiation of Human-Induced Pluripotent Stem Cells. Mol Neurobiol. 2019; Jun;56(6):4346-4363. doi: 10.1007/s12035-018-1368-2. 
• Tuchalska-Czuroń J, Lenart J, Augustyniak J, Durlik M. Is mitochondrial DNA copy number a good prognostic marker in resectable pancreatic cancer? Pancreatology. 2019; Jan;19(1):73-79. doi: 10.1016/j.pan.2018.11.009. 
• Ogawa D, Ansari K, Nowicki MO, Salińska E, Bronisz A, Godlewski J. MicroRNA-451 Inhibits Migration of Glioblastoma while Making It More Susceptible to Conventional Therapy.; Noncoding RNA. 2019. Mar 15;5(1). pii: E25. doi: 10.3390/ncrna5010025
• Godlewski J, Lenart J, Salinska E. MicroRNA in Brain pathology: Neurodegeneration the Other Side of the Brain Cancer. Noncoding RNA. 2019; Feb 23;5(1):20. doi: 10.3390/ncrna5010020.
• Podlecka-Piętowska A, Kacka A, Zakrzewska-Pniewska B, Nojszewska M, Zieminska E, Chalimoniuk M, Toczylowska B. Altered Cerebrospinal Fluid Concentrations of Hydrophobic and Hydrophilic Compounds in Early Stages of Multiple Sclerosis-Metabolic Profile Analyses.; J Mol Neurosci. 2019; Sep;69(1):94-105. doi: 10.1007/s12031-019-01336-6. 
• Sowinska M, Morawiak M, Bochyńska-Czyż M, Lipkowski AW, Ziemińska E, Zabłocka B, Urbanczyk-Lipkowska Z. Molecular Antioxidant Properties and In Vitro Cell Toxicity of the p-Aminobenzoic Acid (PABA) Functionalized Peptide Dendrimers.; Biomolecules. 2019; Mar 5;9(3). pii: E89. doi: 10.3390/biom9030089.
• Zieminska E, Toczylowska B, Diamandakis D, Hilgier W, Filipkowski RK, Polowy R, Orzel J, Gorka M, Lazarewicz JW. Glutamate, Glutamine and GABA Levels in Rat Brain Measured Using MRS, HPLC and NMR Methods in Study of Two Models of Autism; Front Mol Neurosci. 2018; Nov 16;11:418. doi: 10.3389/fnmol.2018.00418. eCollection 2018.
• Toczylowska B, Jastrzebski D, Kostorz S, Zieminska E, Ziora D. Serum lipidomics in diagnostics of sarcoidosis. Sarcoidosis Vasc Diffuse Lung Dis. 2018; 35(2):150-153. doi: 10.36141/svdld.v35i2.6131.
• Bratek E, Ziembowicz A, Bronisz A, Salinska E. The activation of group II metabotropic glutamate receptors protects neonatal rat brains from oxidative stress injury after hypoxia-ischemia. PLoS One. 2018; Jul 25;13(7):e0200933. doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0200933. eCollection 2018.
• Bratek E, Ziembowicz A, Salinska E. Pretreatment with Group II Metabotropic Glutamate Receptor Agonist LY379268 Protects Neonatal Rat Brains from Oxidative Stress in an Experimental Model of Birth Asphyxia. Brain Sci. 2018; Mar 17;8(3):48. doi: 10.3390/brainsci8030048.
• Lenart J, Mitochondria w niedotlenieniu mózgu. Postepy Hig Med Dosw. 2017; 71:129-136
• Lenart J, Kogut K, Salinska E. Lateralization of housekeeping genes in the brain of one-day old chicks. Gene Expr Patterns. 2017; Nov;25-26:85-91. doi: 10.1016/j.gep.2017.06.006. 
• Lenart J, Zieminska E, Diamandakis D, Lazarewicz JW. Altered expression of genes involved in programmed cell death in primary cultured rat cerebellar granule cells acutely challenged with tetrabromobisphenol A.; Neurotoxicology. 2017; Dec;63:126-136. doi: 10.1016/j.neuro.2017.09.014.
• Zieminska E, Ruszczynska A, Lazarewicz JW. Tetrabromobisphenol A disturbs zinc homeostasis in cultured cerebellar granule cells: A dual role in neurotoxicity. Food Chem Toxicol. 2017. Nov;109(Pt 1):363-375.
• Zieminska E, Lenart J, Diamandakis D, Lazarewicz JW. The Role of Ca2+ Imbalance in the Induction of Acute Oxidative Stress and Cytotoxicity in Cultured Rat Cerebellar Granule Cells Challenged with Tetrabromobisphenol A. Neurochem Res. 2017; Mar;42(3):777-787.
• Godlewski J, Ferrer-Luna R, Rooj AK, Mineo M, Ricklefs F, Takeda YS, Nowicki MO, Salińska E, Nakano I, Lee H, Weissleder R, Beroukhim R, Chiocca EA, Bronisz A. MicroRNA Signatures and Molecular Subtypes of Glioblastoma: The Role of Extracellular Transfer. Stem Cell Reports. 2017; Jun 6;8(6):1497-1505. doi: 10.1016/j.stemcr.2017.04.024. 
• Augustyniak J, Lenart J, Zychowicz M, Stepien PP, Buzanska L. Mitochondrial biogenesis and neural differentiation of human iPSC is modulated by idebenone in a developmental stage-dependent manner. Biogerontology. 2017; Aug;18(4):665-677. doi: 10.1007/s10522-017-9718-4. 
• Augustyniak J, Lenart J, Zychowicz M, Lipka G, Gaj P, Kolanowska M, Stepien PP, Buzanska L. Sensitivity of hiPSC-derived neural stem cells (NSC) to Pyrroloquinoline quinone depends on their developmental stage; Toxicol In Vitro. 2017, Dec;45(Pt 3):434-444. doi: 10.1016/j.tiv.2017.05.017.

Laboratory of Preclinical Research and Environmental Agents

Head
Prof. Robert Strosznajder, Ph.D. phone: +48 22 60 86 411, This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Research staff
Ewa Koźniewska-Kołodziejska, Prof., Ph.D., phone: +48 22 60 86 489, This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
Kinga Czubowicz, Ph.D., phone: +48 22 60 86 461, This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
Przemysław Wencel, Ph.D., phone: +48 22 60 86 461, This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
Marta Aleksandrowicz Ph.D., phone: +48 22 60 86 566, This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
Łukasz Przykaza, Ph.D., phone: +48 22 60 86 423, lThis email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
Żanna Pastuszak-Stępień, Ph.D., phone: +48 22 60 86 423, This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

PhD students
Iga Wieczorek M.Sc., phone: +48 22 60 86 461,This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Research profile

• The study of molecular mechanisms of selected pharmacologically active compounds in aging processes, neurodegenerative diseases with a special focus on Alzheimer's disease and in the pathology of type 2 diabetes and obesity.
• Involvement of poly (ADP-ribose) polymerase (PARP-1) and sirtuins (histone deacetylases class III) in the pathomechanism of neurodegenerative disorders.
• Study of the role of PARP inhibitors and sirtuin activators in ceramide-induced cytotoxicity.
• The role of S1P signaling in type 2 diabetes pathology and obesity.
• The role of bioactive sphingolipids: ceramide, ceramide-1-phosphate and sphingosine-1-phosphate in the selected models of oxidative stress.
• Impairment of the regulation of cerebral vessels and brain function in experimental hyponatremia.
• Evaluation of the neuroprotective potential of Y2 receptor agonists in a rat model of focal stroke - cerebral ischemia/reperfusion.

Grants

• Mechanisms and consequences of small cerebral blod vessels dysfunction in experimental hyponatremia in the presence of vasopressin, NCN 2021/43/D/NZ4/03304, Head of project: Marta Aleksandrowicz, Ph.D., Duration of the project: 2022-2025.
• Potential neuroprotective properties of modulators of sphingosine-1-phosphate(S1P) receptors (fingolimod and siponimod) in toxicity of amyloid beta oligomers:The significance of S1P receptors in Alzheimer’s disease, 2021/41/N/NZ5/02036, Head of project: Iga Wieczorek, M.Sc., Scientific mentor: Robert Piotr Strosznajder, Prof., Ph.D.; Duration of the project: 2022-2024.
• Searching for the background underlying the neuroprotective effects of the specific agonist of Y2 receptors - NPY(13-36) in the model of transient, focal cerebral ischemia in rats, NCN 2019/33/N/NZ4/02894, Head of project: Łukasz Przykaza, Ph.D., Scientific mentor: Ewa Kozniewska, Ph.D., Professor, Duration of the project: 2020-2023.
• The role of sphingosine kinases/sphingosine-1-phosphate dependent signaling in mice brains exposed to type II diabetes mellitus and high-fat diet. Searching for potential neuroprotective effects of fingolimod and metformin. NCN 2018/29/N/NZ4/00616 Head of project: Przemysław Leonard Wencel, Ph.D.; Scientific mentor: Robert Piotr Strosznajder, Prof., Ph.D.; Duration of the project: 2019-2022.
• Effect of acute hyponatremia associated with vasopressin on the tone of the penetrating arterioles and the middle cerebral artery of the rat, 2017/01/X/N24/016022017, Head of project: Marta Aleksandrowicz, Ph.D., Duration of the project: 2018-2019.
• The role of bioactive sphingolipids: ceramide, ceramide-1-phosphate and sphingosine-1-phospahte in regulation of mitochondria and synaptic function in experimental models of Alzheimer disease (AD). The non-amyloid targets in AD therapy. NCN 2014/15/B/NZ3/01049, Head of project: Robert Piotr Strosznajder, Assoc. Prof., Ph.D., Duration of the project: 2015-2019.
• The role of ceramide and sphingosine-1-phosphate receptor signalling in amyloid beta precursor protein metabolism. NCN 2013/11/N/NZ4/02233, Head of project: Kinga Czubowicz, Ph.D., Scientific mentor: Robert Piotr Strosznajder, Assoc. Prof., Ph.D., Duration of the project: 2014-2017.

Collaboration
domestic
• Mossakowski Medical Research Centre, Laboratory of Pathoneurochemistry, Warsaw.
• Mossakowski Medical Research Centre, Department of Cellular Signalling, Warsaw.
• Mossakowski Medical Research Centre, Electron Microscopy Platform, Warsaw.
• Military Medical Institute, Central Clinical Hospital MON, Neurological Clinic, Warsaw.
foreign
• University of Basel, Neurobiology Laboratory for Brain Aging and Mental Health, Transfaculty Research Platform, Molecular and Cognitive Neuroscience, Basel, Switzerland.
• LSU Neuroscience Center, Louisiana State University Health Sciences Center, New Orleans, USA.
• Institute of Neurobiology, Slovak Academy of Sciences, Košice, Slovak Republic.
• University Graduate School of Medicine, Department of Molecular and Cellular Biology, Kobe, Division of Biochemistry, Kobe, Japan.
• University of Catania, Department of Biochemistry, Faculty of Medicine, Catania, Italy.

Research equipment

• SimpliAmpTM Thermal Cycler (Applied Biotechnology);
• electrophoresis and protein transfer equipment (Bio-Rad);
• LDF – DRT4 Moor Instrument;
• Microscope Olympus SZX16;
• Microscope Olympus CKX 41/Olympus CKX 53;
• centrifuges, models: 5424 and 5430 R (Eppendorf) and MPW 211;
• analytical balance (Radwag and FR-300), water bath (GFL), and other laboratory equipment.

Research methods
• Immunochemical (electrophoresis and immunodetection of proteins by Western blot method).
• Selected methods of molecular biology (RNA isolation, RT-PCR, qRT-PCR).
• Biochemical (measurements of enzyme activity and kinetics).
• Pharmacological (application of selected neuroprotective compounds, including inhibitors/activators of tested enzymes in in vivo and in vitro studies).
• analysis of lipid peroxidation and protein oxidation by spectrophotometric methods
• analysis of muse and rat’s behavior using: open field test, novel object recognition test, elevated plus maze test.

Experimental models in vivo:
• mouse transgenic model of Alzheimer’s disease (FVB/APP KM670/671NL);
• mouse sporadic model of Alzheimer's disease (C57BL / 6, streptozotocin model);
• mouse model of type 2 diabetes (C57BL / 6, high-fat diet plus low doses of streptozotocin);
• mice model of obesity (C57BL/6 mice after high-fat diet).
Experimental models in vitro:
• cell line PC12 – derived from rat adrenal gland pheochromocytoma;
• transfected cell line PC12 stably expressing human wild-type APP gene;
• transfected cell line PC12 stably expressing human APP gene with double Swedish mutation (K670M/N671L);
• cell line HT22 – immortalized mouse hippocampal neurons;
• cell line SH-SY5Y – derived from human neuroblastoma.

Selected publications

• Wencel PL, Blecharz-Klin K, Piechal A, Pyrzanowska J, Mirowska-Guzel D, Strosznajder RP. Fingolimod Modulates the Gene Expression of Proteins Engaged in Inflammation and Amyloid-Beta Metabolism and Improves Exploratory and Anxiety-Like Behavior in Obese Mice. Neurotherapeutics. 2023 Jul 11. doi: 10.1007/s13311-023-01403-2. PMID: 37432552.
• Wieczorek I, Strosznajder RP. Recent Insight into the Role of Sphingosine-1-Phosphate Lyase in Neurodegeneration. Int J Mol Sci. 2023 Mar 24;24(7):6180. doi: 10.3390/ijms24076180. PMID: 37047151; PMCID: PMC10093903.
• Klapczyńska K, Aleksandrowicz M, Koźniewska E. Role of the endothelial reverse mode sodium-calcium exchanger in the dilation of the rat middle cerebral artery during hypoosmotic hyponatremia. Pflugers Arch. 2023 Mar;475(3):381-390. doi: 10.1007/s00424-022-02770-z. Epub 2022 Nov 17. PMID: 36394650
• Aleksandrowicz M, Kozniewska E. Hyponatremia as a risk factor for microvascular spasm following subarachnoid hemorrhage. Exp Neurol. 2022 Sep;355:114126. doi: 10.1016/j.expneurol.2022.114126. Epub 2022 May 30. PMID: 35654161
• Przykaza Ł, Koźniewska E. Ligands of the Neuropeptide Y Y2 Receptors as a Potential Multitarget Therapeutic Approach for the Protection of the Neurovascular Unit Against Acute Ischemia/Reperfusion: View from the Perspective of the Laboratory Bench. Transl Stroke Res. 2022 Feb;13(1):12-24. doi: 10.1007/s12975-021-00930-4. Epub 2021 Jul 22. PMID: 34292517
• Przykaza Ł. Understanding the Connection Between Common Stroke Comorbidities, Their Associated Inflammation, and the Course of the Cerebral Ischemia/Reperfusion Cascade. Front Immunol. 2021 Nov 15;12:782569. doi: 10.3389/fimmu.2021.782569. eCollection 2021. PMID: 34868060
• Jęśko H, Wieczorek I, Wencel PL, Gąssowska-Dobrowolska M, Lukiw WJ, Strosznajder RP. Age-Related Transcriptional Deregulation of Genes Coding Synaptic Proteins in Alzheimer's Disease Murine Model: Potential Neuroprotective Effect of Fingolimod. Front Mol Neurosci. 2021 Jul 9;14:660104. doi: 10.3389/fnmol.2021.660104. PMID: 34305524; PMCID: PMC8299068.
• Jęśko H, Wencel PL, Wójtowicz S, Strosznajder J, Lukiw WJ, Strosznajder RP. Fingolimod Affects Transcription of Genes Encoding Enzymes of Ceramide Metabolism in Animal Model of Alzheimer's Disease. Mol Neurobiol. 2020 Jun;57(6):2799-2811. doi: 10.1007/s12035-020-01908-3. Epub 2020 Apr 30. PMID: 32356173
• Aleksandrowicz M, Kozniewska E. Compromised regulation of the rat brain parenchymal arterioles in vasopressin-associated acute hyponatremia. Microcirculation. 2020 Oct;27(7):e12644. doi: 10.1111/micc.12644. Epub 2020 Jul 14. PMID: 32603523
• Czubowicz K, Jęśko H, Wencel P, Lukiw WJ, Strosznajder RP. The Role of Ceramide and Sphingosine-1-Phosphate in Alzheimer's Disease and Other Neurodegenerative Disorders. Mol Neurobiol. 2019 Aug;56(8):5436-5455. doi: 10.1007/s12035-018-1448-3. Epub 2019 Jan 5. PMID: 30612333
• Jęśko H, Stępień A, Lukiw WJ, Strosznajder RP. The Cross-Talk Between Sphingolipids and Insulin-Like Growth Factor Signaling: Significance for Aging and Neurodegeneration. Mol Neurobiol. 2019 May;56(5):3501-3521. doi: 10.1007/s12035-018-1286-3. Epub 2018 Aug 23. PMID: 30140974
• Jęśko H, Wencel PL, Lukiw WJ, Strosznajder RP. Modulatory Effects of Fingolimod (FTY720) on the Expression of Sphingolipid Metabolism-Related Genes in an Animal Model of Alzheimer's Disease. Mol Neurobiol. 2019 Jan;56(1):174-185. doi: 10.1007/s12035-018-1040-x. Epub 2018 Apr 23. PMID: 29687345

Molecular Biology Unit

Head
Prof. Barbara Zabłocka, PhD - phone: +48 22 60 86 486 This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Research staff
Małgorzata Beręsewicz-Haller, PhD - phone: +48 22 60 86 639; This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
Joanna Gruszczyńska-Biegała, PhD - phone: +48 22 60 86 639; This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
Maria Kawalec, PhD - phone: +48 22 60 86 487; This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
Anna Boratyńska-Jasińska, PhD - phone: +48 22 60 86 487; This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..p
Iga Wasilewska, PhD - phone: +48 22 60 86 486; This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Former Lab Members
Anita Lewczuk, PhD DVM
Karolina Serwach, PnD
Olga Krupska, PhD
Joanna E. Kowalczyk, PhD
Joanna Dłużniewska, PhD
Piotr Wojtyniak, PhD
Maria Adamiak, M.Sc. WUM
Monika Majewska, M.Sc. SGGW
Piotr Walendzik, M.Sc. SGGW
Paweł Bochomulski, M.Sc. UW
Aleksandra Aksamit, student SGGW
Patrycja Klimczak, M.Sc. UW
Ewelina Bielska, M.Sc. WUT
Martyna Bączek, M.Sc. UW

Research profile
• We focus on a the phenomenon of resistance of CA2-4, DG regions of hippocampus after transient brain ischemia in vivo in the model of global cerebral ischemia in gerbils and in vitro in organotypic hippocampal culture. We assume that mitochondria are the main players in the postischemic signal transduction towards activation of neuro-repair and neuro-regeneration processes.
• We examine the role of mitofusin 2 in cell death and cell survival in different models of transient brain ischemia, especially considering its implication in mitophagy and mitochondria biogenesis.
• STIM proteins as new regulators of NMDA receptor trafficking in neurons
• Looking for a new substances able to exert neuroprotection.

Grants

• "The role of Tmbim5 in mitochondrial Ca2+ homeostasis in zebrafish". PI Iga Wasilewska PhD, National Science Centre 2021/40/C/NZ4/00031, 2021-2025
• “STIM proteins as new regulators of NMDA receptor trafficking in neurons.” PI Joanna Gruszczyńska-Biegała PhD, National Science Centre 2017/26/E/NZ3/01144; 2018-2023
• “The role of mitofusin 2 in damage and regeneration of cells in the brain's ischemia-reperfusion episode”. PI Maria Kawalec PhD, National Science Centre 2016/23/D/NZ3/01631, 2017-2022
• “Functional meaning of protein kinase C beta (PKC beta) translocation to mitochondria in cerebral ischemia. Revealing the mechanisms of endogenous neuroprotection”. PI Małgorzata Beręsewicz PhD, National Science Centre 2014/15/D/NZ3/02784, 2015 – 2019
• “Functional meaning of interaction of PKC beta with mitochondrial ATP synthase in response to cerebral ischemia”, PI Barbara Zabłocka PhD, MMRC-KNOW PhD project, 2013-2017
• Mechanisms underlying the signaling function of PKC beta I i beta II in mitochondria in cerebral ischemia. PI Barbara Zabłocka PhD National Science Centre 2012/05/B/NZ3/00415, 2013 - 2016

Collaboration
domestic
• Prof. Michał Ciborowski, Metabolomics Laboratory, Clinical Research Centre, Medical University of Bialystok
• Prof. Krzysztof Zabłocki, Laboratory of Cellular Metabolism, Nencki Institute of Experimental Biology, Warsaw
• Prof. Adam Szewczyk, Nencki Institute of Experimental Biology, Warsaw
  Prof.Jacek Jaworski,International Institute of Molecular and Cell Biology in Warsaw
foreign
• Prof. Dariusz C. Górecki, MD, PhD, Molecular Medicine Unit, School of Pharmacy and Biomedical Sciences, University of Portsmouth, White Swan  Road, PO1 2DT, UK
• Prof. Gerald W. Dorn II, MD, PhD, Department of Internal Medicine, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis MO USA
• Prof. Kevin M. Ryan MD, PhD, The Beatson Institute For Cancer Research, Glasgow, UK

Research equipment
• Light Cycler Real-Time PCR System (Applied Biosystem)
• western blot and chemiluminescence imaging system FUSION FX (VILBER LOURMAT)
• UV Gel Transilluminator Cabinet UV NucleoVision (NucleoTech)
• Tecan Infinite M1000 PRO
• Tissue cultur room GMO klasy II
• SDS-PAGE & western blot equipment
• PCR equipment

Research methods
• In vivo model of transient global brain ischemia in gerbils
• Cell and tissue culturing
• Cell fractions and protein isolation from tissue and cells
• SDS-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (SDS-PAGE) and western blotting
• DNA and RNA isolation from tissues, organotypic and cell cultures
• DNA and gene expression analysis (RT-PCR, qPCR)
• Lentivirus vectors

Selected publications

• Serwach K, Nurowska E, Klukowska M, Zablocka B, Gruszczynska-Biegala J. STIM2 regulates NMDA receptor endocytosis that is induced by short-term NMDA receptor overactivation in cortical neurons. Cell Mol Life Sci. 2023 Nov 21;80(12):368. doi: 10.1007/s00018-023-05028-8.  
• Wasilewska I, Majewski Ł, Adamek-Urbańska D, Mondal SS, Baranykova S, Gupta RK, Bielecki D, Winata CL, Kuznicki J. Lack of Stim2 Affects Vision-Dependent Behavior and Sensitivity to Hypoxia. Zebrafish. 2023 Aug;20(4):146-159. doi: 10.1089/zeb.2022.0068.
• Lewczuk A, Zablocka B, Beresewicz-Haller M. Is Nrf2 Behind Endogenous Neuroprotection of the Hippocampal CA2-4,DG Region? Mol Neurobiol. 2023 Mar;60(3):1645-1658. https://doi:10.1007/s12035-022-03166-x 
  
• Lewczuk A., Boratynska-Jasinska A., Zabłocka B., Validation of the Reference Genes for Expression Analysis in the Hippocampus after Transient Ischemia/Reperfusion Injury in Gerbil Brain. IJMS 2023, 24, 2756. https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms24032756
  

• Rybkowska P., Radoszkiewicz K., Kawalec M., Dymkowska D., Zabłocka B., Zabłocki K., Sarnowska A., The Metabolic Changes between Monolayer (2D) and Three-Dimensional (3D) Culture Conditions in Human Mesenchymal Stem/Stromal Cells Derived from Adipose Tissue. Cells 2023, 12, 178. https://doi.org/10.3390/cells12010178 .

• Kawalec M., Wojtyniak P., Bielska E., Lewczuk A., Boratynska-Jasinska A., Beręsewicz-Haller M., Frontczak-Baniewicz M., Gewartowska M., Zabłocka B. Mitochondrial dynamics, elimination and biogenesis during post-ischemic recovery in ischemia-resistant and ischemia-vulnerable gerbil hippocampal regions. BBA - Molecular Basis of Disease 1869 (2023) 166633. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.bbadis.2022.166633

• Wojtyniak P., Boratynska-Jasinska A., Serwach K., Gruszczynska-Biegala J., Zablocka B., Jaworski J., Kawalec M. Mitofusin 2 integrates mitochondrial network remodelling, mitophagy and  renewal of respiratory chain proteins in neurons after oxygen and glucose deprivation. Mol. Nerobiol. 2022 59(10):6502-6518 https://doi.org/10.1007/s12035-022-02981-6 IF 5,68, 5Y 5,58

• Beresewicz-Haller M., Hippocampal region-specific endogenous neuroprotection as an approach in the search for new neuroprotective strategies in ischemic stroke. Fiction or fact? Neurochem Int. 2022 Nov 21;162:105455. doi: 10.1016/j.neuint.2022.105455 .

• Sowińska M.,Szeliga M., Morawiak M., Zabłocka B., Urbanczyk-Lipkowska Z. Design, Synthesis and Activity of New N1 -Alkyl Tryptophan Functionalized Dendrimeric Peptides against Glioblastoma. Biomolecules 2022, 12(8), 1116; https://doi.org/10.3390/biom12081116

• Wawro B, Nieznanska H, Nieznanski K, Gruszczynska-Biegala J, Stepkowski D, Strzelecka-Golaszewska H. Mechanisms of the modulation of actin-myosin interactions by A1-type myosin light chains. Biochim Biophys Acta Gen Subj. 2022 Jun;1866(6):130132. doi: 10.1016/j.bbagen.2022.130132 .
• Xiawei Dang, Emily K. Walton, Barbara Zablocka, Robert H. Baloh, Michael E. Shy, Gerald W. Dorn, II Mitochondrial Phenotypes in Genetically Diverse Neurodegenerative Diseases and Their Response to Mitofusin Activation. Cells 2022, 11, 1053. https://doi.org/10.3390/cells11061053
• Wawro B.,Nieznanska H., Nieznanski K., Gruszczynska-Biegala J., Stepkowski D., Strzelecka-Golaszewska H. Mechanisms of the modulation of actin-myosin interactions by A1-type myosin light chains. Biochimica et Biophysica Acta (BBA) - General Subjects, 2022, 1866 (6): 130132.
• Gruszczynska-Biegala J, Stefan A, Kasprzak AA, Dobryszycki P, Khaitlina S, Strzelecka-Gołaszewska H. Myopathy-Sensitive G-Actin Segment 227-235 Is Involved in Salt-Induced Stabilization of Contacts within the Actin Filament. Int J Mol Sci. 2021 Feb 26;22(5):2327. doi: 10.3390/ijms22052327.
• Joanna Gruszczynska-Biegala, Francisco Javier Martin-Romero, Tarik Smani and Agnese Secondo, Molecular Components of Store-Operated Calcium Entry in Health and Disease, Editorial. Front. Cell. Neurosci., 2021, https://doi.org/10.3389/fncel.2021.771138
• Zabłocka B. , Górecki DC., Zabłocki K., Disrupted Calcium Homeostasis in Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy: A Common Mechanism behind Diverse Consequences. International Journal of Molecular Sciences 2021, 22, 11040. https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms222011040.
• Beręsewicz-Haller M., Krupska O., Bochomulski P., Dudzik D., Chęcińska A., Hilgier W., Barbas C., Zablocki K., Zablocka B. Mitochondrial Metabolism behind Region-Specific Resistance to Ischemia-Reperfusion Injury in Gerbil Hippocampus. Role of PKCβII and Phosphate-Activated Glutaminase. Int J Mol Sci. 2021;7;22(16):8504. doi: 10.3390/ijms22168504. IF 5.9
• Krupska O., Kowalczyk T., Beręsewicz-Haller M., Samczuk P., Pietrowska K., Zabłocki K., Krętowski A., Ciborowski M.,Zabłocka B. Hippocampal sector-specific metabolic profiles reflect endogenous strategy for ischemia-reperfusion insult resistance. Molecular Neurobiology 2021; 58(4):1621-1633. DOI: 10.1007/s12035-020-02208-6.IF 4.5
• Franco A, Dang X, Walton EK, Ho JN, Zablocka B, Ly C, Miller TM, Baloh RH, Shy ME, Yoo AS, Dorn GW 2nd. Burst mitofusin activation reverses neuromuscular dysfunction in murine CMT2A. Elife. 2020 Oct 19;9:e61119. doi: 10.7554/eLife.61119. IF 7.08
• Sowińska M., Szeliga M., Morawiak M., Ziemińska E., Zabłocka B., Urbańczyk‐Lipkowska Z. Peptide Dendrimers with Non‐Symmetric Bola Structure Exert Long Term Effect on Glioblastoma and Neuroblastoma Cell Lines. Biomolecules 2021, 11, 435. https://doi.org/10.3390/biom11030435
• Gruszczynska-Biegala, J.; Strucinska, K.; Maciag, F.; Majewski, L.; Sladowska, M.; Kuznicki, J. STIM Protein-NMDA2 Receptor Interaction Decreases NMDA-Dependent Calcium Levels in Cortical Neurons. Cells 2020, 9, 160. ; IF 5,656, https://doi.org/10.3390/cells9010160
• Serwach K, Gruszczynska-Biegala J. STIM Proteins and Glutamate Receptors in Neurons: Role in Neuronal Physiology and Neurodegenerative Diseases. Int J Mol Sci. 2019 May 9;20(9). pii: E2289. doi: 10.3390/ijms20092289. Review
• Sowinska M., Morawiak M., Bochynska-Czyz M., Lipkowski AW., Zieminska E., Zabłocka B., Urbanczyk-Lipkowska Z. (2019) Molecular antioxidant properties and in vitro cell toxicity of the p-aminobenzoic acid (PABA) functionalized peptide dendrimers. Biomolecules. 2019 Mar 5;9(3). pii: E89. doi: 10.3390/biom9030089
• Beręsewicz M., Charzewski Ł., Krzyśko K.A., Kochański A., Zabłocka B., Molecular modelling of mitofusin 2 for a prediction for Charcot-Marie-Tooth 2A clinical severity. Scientific Reports 2018, 8:16900, doi: 10.1038/s41598-018-35133-9
• Popek M, Bobula B, Sowa J, Hess G, Polowy R, Filipkowski RK, Frontczak-Baniewicz M, Zabłocka B, Albrecht J, Zielińska M. Cortical Synaptic Transmission and Plasticity in Acute Liver Failure Are Decreased by Presynaptic Events. Mol Neurobiol. 2018;55(2):1244-1258; doi: 10.1007/s12035-016-0367-4
• Krupska O, Sarnowska A, Fedorczyk B, Gewartowska M, Misicka A, Zablocka B, Beresewicz M. Ischemia/Reperfusion-Induced Translocation of PKCβII to Mitochondria as an Important Mediator of a Protective Signaling Mechanism in an Ischemia-Resistant Region of the Hippocampus. Neurochem Res. 2017 Aug;42(8):2392-2403. doi: 10.1007/s11064-017-2263-3. Epub 2017 Apr 12.
• Beręsewicz M, Boratyńska-Jasińska A, Charzewski Ł, Kawalec M, Kabzińska D, Kochański A, Krzyśko KA, Zabłocka B. (2017) The Effect of a Novel c.820C>T (Arg274Trp) Mutation in the Mitofusin 2 Gene on Fibroblast Metabolism and Clinical Manifestation in a Patient. PLoS One. 2017 Jan 11;12(1):e0169999. doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0169999.
• Kawalec M, Boratyńska-Jasińska A, Beręsewicz M, Dymkowska D, Zabłocki K, Zabłocka B. Mitofusin 2 Deficiency Affects Energy Metabolism and Mitochondrial Biogenesis in MEF Cells. PLoS One. 2015 Jul 31;10(7):e0134162. doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0134162.

Health & Safety

Documents & Procedures:

• Procedure for alarm, firefighting and evacuation at IMDiK PAN in case of fire or other emergency.
• Regulations for the remuneration - allowance for work performed in harmful or uncomfortable conditions
• Eye-correcting glasses reimbursement

Occupational Health and Safety Instructions:

• Cleaning and maintenance activities using chemicals
• Safe handling of biocidal preparations
• Safe storage of cylinders of technical gases 
• Operation of compressed medical oxygen cylinders
• Handling of material contaminated with harmful biological agents, including category 1 of activities of closed use of GMO
• General instructions for the use of hazardous chemical substances and preparations
• Instructions for exposure to substances, preparations with carcinogenic or mutagenic effects

Training materials:

• Chemical compatibility of substances
• Training materials on occupational safety and health for administrative employees and others