Dr. Ewelina Goryszewska-Szczurek with the scientific award of the Society for Reproductive Biology

Dr. Ewelina Goryszewska-Szczurek from the Department of Hormone Action Mechanisms is the laureate of the Scientific Award of the Society for Reproductive Biology for the best scientific work in the field of reproductive biology in 2021.

The awarded publication „Prokineticin 1 – prokineticin receptor 1 signaling in trophoblast promotes embryo implantation and placenta development” by Ewelina Goryszewska-Szczurek, Monika Baryła, Piotr Kaczyński and Agnieszka Wacławik appeared in the journal Scientific reports 11, 13715 (2021); https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-021-93102-1. The publication is part of the doctoral dissertation of Dr. Goryszewska-Szczurek, conducted under the supervision of Prof. Agnieszka Wacławik.

Dr. Goryszewska-Szczurek et al. (2021) described a new mechanism involved in the process of placental development involving prokineticin 1 and its receptor PROKR1 in the porcine embryo trophoblast. The results of the research, described in the award-winning article, will bring us closer to understanding the processes involved in the molecular dialogue between the developing embryo and the mother’s organism.

The TBR Scientific Award is awarded for scientific work in the field of reproductive biology published in a national or foreign journal to scientists who are under 35 years of age and are the first or corresponding author of the work.

More information here.

 

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NCN Opus 22, Opus Lap, and Sonata 17 calls settled


The National Science Center (NCN) has announced the results of the Opus 22, Opus Lap, and Sonata 17 calls. Among the awarded projects are works by six scientists from our Institute.

A total of 116 projects from the Life Sciences (NZ) panel within the Opus 22 competition and 80 projects within the Sonata 17 competition qualified for funding by NCN. Among the approved applications are six projects carried out by scientists from our Institute.

OPUS is a funding opportunity intended for a wide range of applicants. The research proposal submitted under this scheme may include the purchase or construction of research equipment:

Budget: PLN 1,802,715

The project aims to obtain information on the hitherto undescribed Cap31 protein, including its structure, characteristics, localization, dynamics of changes during cold acclimation, and infectioń of fish with microbes. The research hypothesis is that Cap31 can modify single-stranded DNA and RNA of microorganisms whose expression depends on infectioń with microorganisms. Cap31 may also be an essential biomarker of fish welfare.

Budget: PLN 1,387,384

This project aims to expand the knowledge of how the methylation process works in the reproductive system. Learning about this regulation of corpus luteum function within the promoters of the A and B isoforms of the progesterone receptor may have important implications for understanding disorderś of pregnancy in cows and other species. Scientists will examine how these processes are regulated and whether they can be influenced.

Budget: PLN 700,365

The project will fill gaps in knowledge about the development and functioning of the biological clock and circadian rhythm in the early developmental stages of the perch. The research will examine whether the „sense of time” already appears in embryos or only in European perch larvae and how it changes during the fish’s development. The researchers will also examine to what extent a different photoperiod (period of exposure to light) from the natural one affects the circadian rhythm in the early developmental stages of perch. The results will provide valuable information for protecting freshwater ecosystems from the increasingly common anthropogenic light pollution.

The project is being carried out jointly with the Stanislaw Sakowicz Inland Fisheries Institute (IRŚ), led by Dr. Katarzyna Palińska-Żarska.

OPUS LAP allows researchers at all stages of their scientific careers to apply for funding for projects carried out in international cooperation under the Lead Agency Procedure track.

Budget: PLN 1,861,012

The aim of the project is to investigate the long-term influence of environmental factors on the biological processes and genetic diversity of ruminants. Using the European roe deer as a model species, scientists will evaluate the relationship between genetic diversity, epigenetic environmental mechanisms and ruminant health parameters. The research material in the project will be collected posthumously from roe deer from three ecotypes: forest, field and mosaic. Scientists will also check how the composition of the food consumed by deer affects the microflora of these animals.

The project is implemented in cooperation with the University of Primorska, Faculty of Mathematics, Natural Sciences and Information Technology under the supervision of Prof. Elena Buzan.

SONATA is a competition aimed at researchers with a doctoral degree, obtained from 2 to 7 years before the year of application. It is designed to support those embarking on their scientific careers to conduct innovative research.

Budget: PLN 1,959,780

Semen cryopreservation is an important tool in artificial reproduction technologies in livestock farming. However, this process is accompanied by side effects that negatively affect the sperm motility, and disrupt the capacitation and fertilization process. The aim of Dr. Mostek’s project is to investigate the possibility of improving cryopreserved bull semen by the addition of enzymes from the peroxyredoxin group (PRDX), which will reduce the oxidative stress occurring during the freeze-thaw process, and thus maintain the redox balance in sperm.

Budget: PLN 1,799,500

The project aims to program selected strains of lactobacillus bacteria to produce proteins that can potentially mitigate food allergies. The study’s results may providé evidence of interactions between lactic acid bacteria proteins and the human immune system.

Total budget allocated for the implementation of the projects reaches over 9,5 mln zlotych.

 

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Polish Journal of Food and Nutrition Sciences with the highest IF index ever

This year marks the 30th anniversary of the publication of the Polish Journal of Food and Nutrition Sciences by our Institute. The occasion for celebration is all the more significant because the journal has achieved the new highest-ever impact factor in two major bibliographic databases!

Polish Journal of Food and Nutrition Sciences (PJFNS) is number 1 in the Polish food science journals category. Its highest impact factor confirms this in two major bibliographic databases – Scopus and Web of Science Core Collection. PJFNS is a quarterly journal published by the Institute of Animal Reproduction and Food Research of the Polish Academy of Sciences in Olsztyn since 1992. The Editor-in-Chief of the journal since 2018 is Dr. Magdalena Karamać from the Department of Chemical and Physical Properties of Food. This function was performed by prof. Adolf Horubała, prof. Ryszard Amarowicz and prof. Henryk Zieliński, respectively. Joanna Molga has been the Secretary of the Editorial Office since 1997.

Number 1 among Polish food science journals

The origins of PJFNS date back to 1957, when Rocznik Chemii I Technologii Żywności (Yearbooks of Food Chemistry and Technology) was established (published in Polish), which changed to Acta Alimentaria Polonica in 1974 and was published by the Warsaw University of Life Sciences until 1991. The journal was taken over by the Institute of Animal Reproduction and Food Research of the Polish Academy of Sciences in Olsztyn. It changed its name to the Polish Journal of Food and Nutrition Sciences. It is worth noting that the journal has been published in English since 1974.

„We want to publish high-quality peer-reviewed scientific papers describing research in food and nutrition sciences. We publish all papers in open access – our goal is to reach as many readers as possible,” – Dr. Karamać says.

Since 2003, the full texts of the publications have been made available to readers free of charge in a digital form on the website. Articles are published on a rolling basis (when approved by reviewers and editors) and are collected every three months into the publication’s next issue. About 30 people work on each case. Manuscripts arriving at the editorial office are assigned to one of four sections: Food Technology, Food Chemistry, Food Quality and Function, and Nutrition Research.

„Each section is managed by 2-3 editors, responsible for the substantive quality of published articles. We can boast that this is an international group representing renowned scientific centers: two scientists from Italy, one from Switzerland, Turkey, France, Brazil, Canada, and three Poles. The editors are elected on a term basis for four years, and we take great care to ensure they are world-class scientists. This is because the scientific standing of the departmental editors translates into the quality of the published papers” – Dr. Karamać adds.

The author of the paper’s manuscript is submitted in person through a unique online system. It undergoes an initial evaluation by the editor-in-chief – the most important thing is to check whether the article fits into the journal’s scope, whether it has an appropriate layout, up-to-date references, etc. All guidelines for the authors are posted on the website. The pre-approved paper goes to departmental editors, who appoint reviewers and are responsible for following up on the article. The reviewers are mainly members of the journal’s scientific council (a total of 21 scientists) and a group of experts constantly working with PJFNS. The approved and reviewed paper goes back to the author for revisions. It goes to the publication department when it is accepted before the departmental editor and the editor-in-chief.

Unfortunately, it is not easy to get through the editorial sieve. Approximately 85% of the manuscripts submitted to the PJFNS editorial board are rejected, mainly due to subject matter mismatches, although inadequate language preparation and factual errors are also standard. Approximately 350-400 scientific papers are submitted annually to the PJFNS editorial board, and only 36 are published.

Record Impact Factor

PJFNS boasts high citation indexes IF (Impact Factor) and CiteScore, which are indicators of the prestige of scientific journals. A key element was obtaining indexation in bibliographic databases of scientific journals that calculate these indices.

„The two main reputable databases in which we sought indexing from the beginning were Scopus and Web of Science Core Collection. Our first numbers went into Scopus in 2009. – After two years, our CiteScore was rated at 0.3. In 2020, it was already 3.7, and in 2021. 4.2, which is a record as far as Polish food science journals are concerned. These values depend on the number of citations of recent articles published in PJFNS. Two more Polish journals in the food science category are indexed in this database, but they are rated lower than ours. The second database – Web of Science Core Collection – is even more difficult. We succeeded in 2012. After two years, we counted the first IF citation index, which was unexpectedly high: 0.643. In 2016 it was already 1.276 and in 2020. 2.111, and in 2021 we recorded a jump to 2.736. We are the only Polish journal in the food science category to be listed in this bibliographic database.” – Dr. Karamać adds.

Based on the Web of Science Core Collection citation indices, a list of the world’s leading journals is announced annually – to be on it is a great success. PJFNS wants to stay among the world’s top journals and climb the rankings. That’s why it is constantly evolving and following global trends. Recently, the platform on which scientific papers are published (Journals System) was changed, giving many new options. It is possible to link authors directly to databases (e.g., ORCID, Scopus, Publons), so you can get information about a person’s publishing activity and check other articles linked to her/his name with one click. In addition, active links to references used in essays are provided on the PJFNS website. The reader can quickly and easily reach cited publications that have DOI identifiers. Our articles also integrate with the CrossRef database assigning these identifiers. Papers are much more interactive today.

„It is worth publishing in PJFNS. Our associate editors are excellent scientists, we have a steady pool of vetted reviewers, and more and more authors return to us. This builds the high quality of the journal. We are growing all the time and want to increase this pace even more” – Dr. Karamać concludes.

 

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Awards for doctoral students from our Institute

Two doctoral students from our Institute – Ewelina Żebrowska and Natalia Walędziak – have won valuable awards for their conference presentations.

At the conference Endometritis as a cause of infertility in domestic animals, held June 22-24, 2022, in Krakow, Poland, Ewelina Żebrowska was awarded for the best poster presentation titled „The effect of interleukin six on the expression of genes involved in the pathogenesis of endometriosis in mares – in vitro studies.” A few days later, the doctoral student was awarded the Grand Prize for her oral presentation at the Polish Physiological Society’s 11th Adepts of Physiology Conference entitled Adepts of Physiology – Our Passion Unites, held June 27-28, 2022, in Olsztyn. Natalia Walędziak also received an Honorable Mention for her oral presentation at the same conference.

Ewelina Żebrowska from the Department of Team of Reproductive Pathology and Translational Medicine received the Grand Prize for oral presentations for research performed within the OPUS 19 project entitled „Recognition of molecular mechanisms of interactions between endometrial macrophages and fibroblasts in processes involved in the pathogenesis of endometriosis in mares,” supervised by Anna Szóstek-Mioduchowska, Ph.D.

Endometriosis is a fibrosis of the endometrium in mares, which is one of the leading causes of infertility and early embryo loss. Endometriosis is characterized by excessive collagen deposition and impaired expression of enzymes known as metalloproteinases (MMPs), which are responsible for the degradation of extracellular matrix (ECM) and their tissue inhibitors (TIMPs) in the endometrium. Interleukin 6 (IL-6) is a cytokine produced mainly by immune cells – monocytes and macrophages. It plays a role in the fibrosis of tissues and organs, including the liver and lungs. Tissue fibrosis results from chronic inflammation, during which macrophages secrete IL-6. This study aimed to determine the effect of IL-6 on the expression of extracellular matrix components, MMPs, and TIMPs at the mRNA level in endometrial fibroblasts.

Natalia Walędziak from the Department of Reproductive Physiology and Toxicology received an Honorable Mention for her oral presentation. „The mRNA and protein expression and cellular localization of phoenix 14 and its receptor GPR173 in the endometrium of the cow during the estrous cycle.” Her scientific supervisor is Magdalena Kowalik, Ph.D. The research was carried out under the PRELUDIUM BIS 2 project entitled „Secretory function and proliferative activity of the endometrium: involvement of phoenixin 14”.

Phoenix is a newly discovered neuropeptide in two variants: phoenixin 14 (PNX-14) and phoenixin 20 (PNX-20). Phoenix has been found to regulate reproductive function by acting on the hypothalamic-pituitary-gonadal hormonal axis and also stimulates steroidogenesis (steroid hormone synthesis) in fish gonads and maturation of mouse oocytes. The role of this neuropeptide in regulating endometrial function has so far remained unknown. This study aimed to determine the cellular localization, mRNA, and protein expression of PNX-14 and its receptor GPR173 in the bovine endometrium during the estrous cycle.

nagroda

 

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Call for a position of a PhD student in OPUS 22

Project NCN OPUS 22 entitled: „Exploration of the development, functioning and role of circadian rhythm in early life stages of Perca fluviatilis”

Principal Investigator:

Dr. Daniel Żarski, Dr. Katarzyna Palińska-Żarska

Description of the position:

General aim of this project is to verify at which developmental stage the embryos or larvae of Eurasian perch, Perca fluviatilis, acquiring ‘sense of time’ and how this ability undergoes future dynamics during the larval and/or juvenile periods. Additionally, the project will allow to answer the question ‘whether’ and ‘to what extent’ modified photoperiod and/or light spectrum, affects circadian rhythm of early life stages of the species studied.

The candidate will participate in the following research tasks:

  1. Controlled reproduction of Eurasian perch (induction of ovulation and spermiation, obtaining the gametes, in vitro fertilization);
  2. Incubation of Eurasian perch eggs, evaluation of the quality of embryos;
  3. Rearing of larvae and juveniles and evaluation of their zootechnical indicators;
  4. Sampling of biological material and their evaluation in terms of transcriptomic research;
  5. RNA, protein isolations and molecular analysis;
  6. Transcriptomic and proteomic analysis;
  7. Preparation of scientific articles.

Requirements:

  1. A master’s degree in fisheries, agriculture, biology or equivalent (expected before the deadline of this application);
  2. High motivation to work in a multidisciplinary and international team with fish breeders, fish larvae as well as in molecular biology laboratory;
  3. Basic knowledge on biology and animal physiology (vertebrates);
  4. Basic knowledge on genomic tools (mainly transcriptomics and proteomics) will be appreciated, but not prerequisite;
  5. Fluency in English in writing and speaking;
  6. Availability, good work organization, ability to work in a team and deal with stress;
  7. Ability to write scientific and / or popular science papers and present the results.

Conditions of work:

  1. The selected candidate will participate in the Interdisciplinary Doctoral School of Agricultural Sciences at the Institute of Animal Reproduction and Food Research of the Polish Academy of Sciences in Olsztyn.
  2. The elected candidate will receive a monthly PhD scholarship of 4 276 PLN gross (around 3 700 PLN net salary)
  3. Location of the workplace: Department of Gamete and Embryo Biology, IAR&FR PAS, Bydgoska Str. 7, 10-243 Olsztyn, POLAND
  4. Starting date: October 1, 2022,
  5. The PhD course length: 48 months.

Interested candidates are asked to provide the following documents:

  1. Cover letter;
  2. Curriculum vitae (CV), containing:
    • education,
    • scientific achievements, including scientific publications, popular science articles, conference announcements,
    • achievements resulting from conducting scientific research, scholarships, awards, scientific experience, workshops and scientific training as well as participation in research projects,
    • competences to carry out the tasks provided for in the project;
  3. Opinion of the research supervisor and/or mentor;
  4. Other documents that, according to the candidate, may be important when considering the candidature.

Applications should be sent to:

Dr. Daniel Żarski, e-mail: d.zarski@pan.olsztyn.pl. Deadline July 22, 2022 until 3:00 p.m. The subject of the letter should be „PhD application”.

Selected candidates will be invited for an interview to be conducted on-line on July 27th 2022.

Contact and additional information: d.zarski@pan.olsztyn.pl.

In your CV, please include a consent clause for the processing of personal data in the recruitment process:

„I consent to the processing of my personal data contained in the application documents by the Institute of Animal Reproduction and Food Research of the Polish Academy of Sciences in Olsztyn, 10-748 Olsztyn, ul. Tuwima 10, in order to carry out the recruitment process and publishing the full results of the competition on the Institute’s website”.

Information clause:

  1. The administrator of personal data processed as part of the recruitment process is the Institute of Animal Reproduction and Food Research of the Polish Academy of Sciences in Olsztyn, 10-748 Olsztyn, ul. Tuwima 10, phone no. 89 523 46 86, e-mail: instytut@pan.olsztyn.pl.
  2. Contact with the personal data protection officer is possible at the above-mentioned address.
  3. The provided personal data will be processed in order to carry out the current recruitment process and kept until its completion on the basis of expressed consent (in accordance with Article 6 (1) (a) of the GDPR).
  4. You have the right to withdraw consent at any time without affecting the lawfulness of the processing which was carried out on the basis of consent before its withdrawal.
  5. You have the right to access your personal data, request their rectification or removal. Submitting a request to delete data is tantamount to resignation from participation in the recruitment process. In addition, you have the right to request the restriction of processing in the cases specified in art. 18 GDPR.
  6. You have the right to lodge a complaint with the President of the Personal Data Protection Office against the unlawful processing of his personal data. This authority will be competent to consider the complaint, provided that the right to file a complaint concerns only the lawfulness of the processing of personal data, and not the recruitment process.
  7. Your data will not be profiled or made available to entities or third countries. The recipients of the data may be institutions authorized by law.
  8. Providing your personal data is not obligatory, but it is a necessary condition to participate in the recruitment process. 

 

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Małgorzata Starowicz PhD and Agnieszka Mostek-Majewska PhD with a scholarship for outstanding young scientists

Małgorzata Starowicz Ph.D. and Agnieszka Mostek-Majewska Ph.D. from our Institute have received a scholarship from the Minister of Education and Science for outstanding young scientists.

This is the 17th edition of the support program for particularly talented young scientists, and another in which people from the Institute of Animal Reproduction and Food Research of the Polish Academy of Sciences have been awarded. The competition was strong, as a total of 1,719 applications were submitted. The Minister of Education and Science awarded scholarships to 215 young scientists, including 37 doctoral students. When evaluating the applications, the greatest importance was attached to the measurable effects of scientific activity in the form of scientific publications and practical applications of the results of scientific research or development work.

Małgorzata Starowicz Ph.D. received a scholarship in the field of food technology and nutrition and Agnieszka Mostek-Majewska Ph.D. in the field of zootechnics and fisheries.

The topic of Małgorzata Starowicz’s research is the characterization of chemical distinguishing features in foods of plant origin that determine their sensory quality, biological quality, and safety. The research is conducted to analyze the content of biologically active compounds in plant raw materials and final products, as well as determine the influence of technological processes on the formation of favorable and unfavorable Maillard reaction compounds. Her research has made a major contribution to expanding the knowledge of the properties of buckwheat, herbs and spices, bee products, and their beneficial application in functional food formulation from both health-promoting and sensory aspects. The research may contribute to solving problems related to the aging population and the increased risk of metabolic diseases such as diabetes and hypertension.

In turn, Agnieszka Mostek-Majewska’s scientific work focuses on sperm physiology – she has contributed, among other things, to expanding knowledge in previously unknown areas, including redox signal transmission. Mostek-Majewska’s greatest scientific achievement is the implementation of methods for the analysis of oxidative modifications of proteins for the study of bull spermatozoa. She was the first to show that cryopreservation (freezing) of spermatozoa induces oxidation of selected proteins (through a process known as carbonylation). Other research by Agnieszka Mostek-Majewska confirmed that the process of capacitation (conditioning of sperm for fertilization) in bulls is accompanied by reversible modifications of proteins. The findings can be used to study the treatment of infertility in animals. Dr. Agnieszka Mostek-Majewska’s project „Potential use of peroxiredoxins to improve the quality of cryopreserved bull semen” received funding from the National Science Center under the recent SONATA 17 competition.

We are glad to learn that this year’s winners of this prestigious prize include also young researchers who have built their scientific acheivements during PhD studies in our Institute. Dr. Natalia Drabińska is currently doing a postdoctoral fellowship at the University of Life Sciences in Poznań. Dr. Paulina Opyd, like the 2020 laureate of Minister’s scholarship, Dr. Tomasz Sawicki, continues her scientific career at the University of Warmia and Mazury in Olsztyn. The fact that many early careers researchers succeed in competitive scholarships and find employment in other research units, confirms that we are training skilful human resources not only for our, but also other’s advantage. Their succeess, e.g. receiving the Minister’s award, proves we are working on a top class level.

The full list of winners is HERE.

In this year’s edition, the Minister of Education and Science adopted a new approach to the method of selecting candidates for the grant, resulting from the equality of scientific and artistic disciplines. It involves awarding a similar number of scholarships in each discipline. Thus, young scientists competed against each other within a given discipline, rather than an entire field, the announcement stated.

 

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