News

The researcher will investigate the potential use of dairy industry by-products and bovine colostrum to produce valuable feed for cattle. The research is funded by the National Science Centre under the MINIATURA 10 call.

The aim of the project is to determine whether fermentation using lactic acid bacteria can enable the effective utilisation of dairy industry by-products, including milk permeate and bovine colostrum, to produce a valuable feed material for cattle.

The project, entitled “Targeted microbial fermentation of dairy industry by-products and bovine colostrum as a means of producing multifunctional feed for cows – characterisation of the physicochemical and microbiological properties of the products obtained”, is being carried out as part of the MINIATURA 10 call organised by the National Science Centre. Funding of PLN 49,944 has been awarded for the project.

Agnieszka Jończyk, PhD, Eng is a member of the Embryo Biology Team at the InLife Institute The MINIATURA competition is aimed at researchers at an early stage of their scientific careers and supports the implementation of individual research activities that may provide a basis for developing a future research project. Funding under the competition can be awarded only once.

Read more

Professor at the InLife Institute and Head of the Fish Reproduction and Development Research Team at our Institute has been elected President-Elect of the European Aquaculture Society (EAS). In 2028, he will take office as President of EAS – one of the leading European organizations bringing together scientists, producers and representatives of the aquaculture sector.

The decision was approved during the EAS General Assembly, held in Ljubljana during the Aquaculture Europe 2026 conference.

The election of Dr. Daniel Żarski, DSc, is a recognition of his longstanding commitment to the aquaculture community, as well as his experience and scientific achievements. At the same time, his new role will create further opportunities to promote internationally the Institute’s research activities in the fields of aquaculture and fish biology.

– Being entrusted by the European aquaculture community with the future leadership of the organization is both a tremendous distinction and a great responsibility. It is a community that brings together science, industry, producers and the next generation of aquaculture professionals across Europe. The opportunity to help shape its future is extremely valuable to me – says Dr. Daniel Żarski, DSc.

Important challenges ahead for European aquaculture

The new role means not only prestige, but above all responsibility for further developing cooperation within the European aquaculture community.

– One of the most important tasks will be to support the development of the sector and seek answers to the challenges currently facing European aquaculture. These include, among others, public perception of aquaculture and an increasingly complex regulatory environment. We need a reliable, science-based narrative that demonstrates both the potential and the challenges facing modern aquaculture – says Daniel Żarski.

– Supporting the younger generation of scientists and professionals is also an important area. They will shape the future of European aquaculture. I would like EAS to provide a space not only for presenting research findings, but also for building connections, exchanging ideas and developing new initiatives – he adds.

The election of a representative of the InLife Institute as EAS President-Elect confirms the strong position of Polish science within the European aquaculture community and creates new opportunities for developing the Institute’s international cooperation.

About EAS

The European Aquaculture Society is a non-profit organization that has been operating since 1976. Its aim is to foster contacts between individuals and institutions involved in marine and freshwater aquaculture, facilitate the exchange of information, support interdisciplinary research, and strengthen cooperation between public authorities, the scientific community and the commercial sector.

Photo: Ana Visković, EAS (aquaeas.eu)

Read more

The DIRECTOR and the SCIENTIFIC COUNCIL of the InLife Institute of Animal Reproduction and Food Research, Polish Academy of Sciences in Olsztyn, have the honor to invite you to the public defense of the doctoral dissertation for the degree of Ph.D. in agricultural sciences, discipline of food technology and nutrition:

Ranjini Ghosh Dastidar, M.Sc.

“A Dynamic Regulatory Model of In Vivo Vitamin D Responsiveness: From Transcriptomic Discovery to Systems Identification in Human Immune Cells”

The defense will take place on November 17th, 2026, at 10:00 a.m. (CET) via ZOOM platform.

Supervisor:

Prof. Carsten Carlberg, ERA chair, Nutrigenomics Team, InLife Institute of Animal Reproduction and Food Research, Polish Academy of Sciences.

Reviewers:

• Prof. dr hab. inż. Agata Urszula Chmurzyńska, Uniwersytet Przyrodniczy w Poznaniu;
• Dr hab. inż. Adam Kuzdraliński, Polsko-Japońska Akademia Technik Komputerowych w Warszawie;
• Dr hab. inż. Tomasz Sawicki, Uniwersytet Warmińsko-Mazurski w Olsztynie.

The doctoral dissertation and dissertation reviews are available on the BIP Institute website. The doctoral dissertation is also available at the Director’s Office, InLife Institute of Animal Reproduction and Food Research PAS, Trylinskiego Str. 18 in Olsztyn.

Those wishing to participate in the public defense are asked to send an email to the Secretary of the Doctoral Committee, Mariusz Jankowski, at: m.jankowski@pan.olsztyn.pl.

In the reply e-mail, you will receive an access link to the defense. Logging in to the meeting will be possible from 9:30 a.m., and the defense will start at 10:00 a.m. CET.

Chair of the Scientific Council
Prof. Urszula Gawlik

Read more

Read more

The future microcosm, elixirs of youth and giving packaging a second life – these were the topics explored during workshops led by InLife researchers as part of the 24th Olsztyn Science and Art Days, held under the theme “Future 2.0: People, Technology, Nature.”

The event, organized by the Kortosfera Center for Science and Innovation Popularization, offered an opportunity to discover science from a practical perspective.

This was another collaboration between the InLife Institute and Kortosfera, united by a shared goal: promoting science and making it accessible to audiences in an engaging and easy-to-understand way.

During the InLife workshops, participants were first introduced to the basics and interesting facts related to the topics presented, before moving on to hands-on experiments and practical activities. The workshops were attended by students from primary and secondary schools.

The students explored the world of microorganisms used, among other things, in food production, environmental remediation and biofuel production. They prepared their own samples containing algae and other microorganisms and observed them under microscopes, including smartphone-based microscopes. During workshops devoted to natural “elixirs of youth,” they investigated the properties of extracts made from herbs, fruits and vegetables, including fermented products, and explored their potential antioxidant properties. Recycling was another important topic: participants learned how to identify packaging symbols, use apps that help assess the recyclability of packaging, and design their own objects using recovered materials.

The workshops were led by Anna Ogrodowczyk from the Food Immunology and Microbiology Team, Marzena Lenkiewicz and Martyna Błaszczuk from the Microbiology and Virology Laboratory, and Joanna Browarek from the Sensory Laboratory.

For the InLife team, participation in the 24th Olsztyn Science and Art Days was an opportunity to promote science and share knowledge with young participants. The workshops demonstrated that science can be not only a source of knowledge, but also an engaging, hands-on experience closely connected to everyday life.

Read more

On Saturday, 19 September, the eighth and final educational meeting held as part of the Welcome2 project took place. The meeting, entitled “In Your Own Skin. Habits, Diet, Health”, brought together a full house of participants and provided an opportunity to gain practical knowledge about skin health, diet and prevention.

The programme included four lectures. Scientists and doctors talked about what affects the health of our skin – from the gut microbiota, through diet and everyday lifestyle, to proper skincare and sun protection. Participants could also take advantage of free dermoscopic examinations and body composition analysis.

During the meeting, Dr hab. Urszula Krupa-Kozak, from the InLife Institute, talked about the relationship between gut microbiota and skin diseases. Participants learned how diet, lifestyle and other factors affect the microbiota and the so-called gut–skin axis.

Karolina Bieglecka, MSc, PhD student at the InLife Institute, spoke about an anti-inflammatory diet and everyday habits that support health. The presentation included practical tips on composing meals, physical activity and simple changes that can be introduced into everyday life.

Dr Natalia Zdanowska, MD, PhD, from the Faculty of Medicine at the University of Warmia and Mazury, presented the key principles of skincare for infants and children, particularly those at risk of atopic dermatitis. In turn, Dr Agnieszka Markiewicz, MD, PhD, from the Faculty of Medicine at the University of Warmia and Mazury, spoke about UV radiation, sun protection, vitamin D and the prevention of skin cancer.

An important part of the meeting was also the opportunity to take advantage of free dermoscopic examinations and body composition analysis. The dermoscopic examinations were carried out by Maja Kleniewska, MD, while the body composition analysis was conducted by Dr hab. Urszula Krupa-Kozak and Karolina Bieglecka, MSc.

We would like to thank all the speakers who, during the successive editions, shared their knowledge, experience and commitment, as well as all the participants for their presence, interest and active involvement in our meetings.

The meeting was organised as part of the ERA Chair WELCOME2 project: “Establishment of a Centre of Excellence in the field of nutrigenomics to improve health and quality of life.”

Read more

What determines how healthily we age? Why can the same diet affect different people in completely different ways? And could the health of future generations be influenced by a mother’s health even before a child is born? Researchers from more than a dozen countries addressed these questions during the international conference “Nutrigenomics for Lifelong Health”, held in Olsztyn.

From 2 to 4 September, scientists working in the fields of nutrigenomics, nutrition, metabolism and ageing presented the latest research findings on the impact of food and lifestyle on health and the ageing process.

“The conference focuses on one of the most exciting challenges in contemporary life sciences: understanding how nutrition interacts with our biology throughout the entire lifespan,” emphasised Prof. Mariusz Piskuła, Coordinator of the Welcome2 project.

For the InLife Institute of Animal Reproduction and Food Research of the Polish Academy of Sciences, the conference was not only an opportunity to present the latest research and exchange expertise, but also an important step towards strengthening the Institute’s international scientific position.

“The EU-funded Welcome2 project, Centre of Excellence in Nutrigenomics for Improved Health and Quality of Life, under which the conference was organised, is an important element in building and further developing scientific excellence at our Institute,” said Prof. Monika Kaczmarek, Director of the InLife Institute.

Diet, Health and Stress

Nutrigenomics investigates the relationships between nutrition, genes, metabolism and processes taking place in the body. Researchers seek to combine this knowledge with lifestyle factors and immune system function in order to better understand individual needs, predict disease risks at an earlier stage and, in the future, develop more personalised prevention strategies.

Nutrition affects much more than body weight and metabolism. Prof. Louise Dye from the University of Sheffield discussed the impact of diet on mental health and cognitive function, as well as the links between nutrition and stress.

Researchers are therefore increasingly examining diet as part of a broader lifestyle, seeking to better understand how nutrition and stress influence processes taking place in the body.

Health Begins Before Birth

Research presented in Olsztyn also demonstrated that environmental influences on health can extend back to the period before birth.

Dr Karolina Wołodko from the InLife Institute presented research on the effects of maternal obesity on very early embryonic development and its potential consequences for future offspring. This research contributes to the study of developmental programming, helping scientists better understand how environmental factors during the earliest stages of life may influence health later in life.

Prof. Lars-Oliver Klotz from Friedrich Schiller University Jena discussed the role of copper and selenium in processes related to the cellular stress response and ageing. His research highlights the complex relationships between nutrients, stress and the mechanisms of cellular ageing.

From Genes to Personalised Prevention

The conference demonstrated that nutrigenomics is now bringing together a wide range of disciplines – from molecular biology and genetics to data analysis, computational modelling and digital health technologies.

The development of personalised nutrition and new data-analysis methods may help researchers better predict how individual organisms respond to specific nutritional factors and develop more tailored prevention strategies.

Scientists from countries including Denmark, Norway, Switzerland, the Netherlands, Germany, the United Kingdom, France, Italy, Israel, Mexico and Poland travelled to Olsztyn to take part in the conference.

The event also provided an opportunity for early-career researchers to present their findings, exchange experiences and establish new scientific collaborations. The “Nutrigenomics for Lifelong Health” conference was organised by the InLife Institute of Animal Reproduction and Food Research of the Polish Academy of Sciences as part of the Welcome2 ERA Chair project, which aims to strengthen scientific excellence and international research collaboration in the fields of nutrition, health and ageing.

Read more

InLife Institute of Animal Reproduction and Food Research of the Polish Academy of Sciences and the Chancellery of the Polish Academy of Sciences invite you to the event “Water for the Future of Warmia and Masuria. Konik Polski 2026”, which will take place on 4–5 September 2026 in Popielno and Wierzba.

This year’s edition will combine the traditional meeting of the Konik Polski breeders’ community with a debate on one of the key challenges for the future of the region — water resources in Warmia and Masuria.

For two days, Popielno and Wierzba will become a meeting place for breeders, scientists, experts, representatives of institutions, and people interested in nature conservation, conservation breeding and regional development.

The Konik Polski has long been an important part of the activity of the Research Station in Popielno. This year’s event will show not only the importance of this native horse breed, but also the broader context of its breeding — connected with the landscape, ecosystems, responsible management of natural resources, and the role of water as a foundation for a stable future for nature, agriculture and local communities.

On the first day, 4 September, the programme at the Research Station in Popielno will include a welcome meeting for breeders, a field riding and driving performance test for Konik Polski horses, as well as the entry of young stallions and mares into the Stud Book of the Konik Polski Horse Breed and the verification of mares over 5 years of age.

On the same day, at the Creative Work Centre of the Polish Academy of Sciences in Wierzba, a session devoted to the future of water resources in Warmia and Masuria will take place. The programme will include lectures, a discussion and an expert debate entitled “Water as a foundation for the resilience of ecosystems, conservation breeding and regional development”.

On the second day, 5 September, the event will continue at the Research Station in Popielno. The programme will include a presentation of Konik Polski breeding stallions, the National Championship of Konik Polski Foals with their Dams and  lectures for breeders.

Event programme

4 September 2026 | Popielno

Research Station in Popielno, Popielno 25,
12-220 Ruciane-Nida

09:00–13:00 – welcome meeting for breeders; field riding and driving performance test for Konik Polski horses

13:00–15:00 – entry of young stallions and mares into the Stud Book of the Konik Polski Horse Breed and verification of mares over 5 years of age

4 September 2026 | Wierzba

Creative Work Centre of the Polish Academy of Sciences in Wierzba, Wierzba 7,
12-220 Ruciane-Nida

14:00–15:00 – welcome lunch

15:00–15:15 – official opening of the event

15:15–16:15 – lectures and discussion

16:15–18:00 – expert debate “Water as a foundation for the resilience of ecosystems, conservation breeding and regional development”

5 September 2026 | Popielno

Research Station in Popielno, Popielno 25,
12-220 Ruciane-Nida

09:00–09:30 – presentation of Konik Polski breeding stallions

09:30–12:30 – National Championship of Konik Polski Foals with their Dams

12:30–13:30 – lectures for breeders

13:30–14:30 – refreshments

Read more

The research infrastructure submitted by InLife Institute of Animal Reproduction and Food Research of the Polish Academy of Sciences was listed on the Polish Research Infrastructure Map (PMIB). This is a confirmation of our strategic importance for the development of Polish science and innovation, and at the same time new opportunities for further expansion of the Institute’s research facilities.

As emphasized by Prof. Wiesław Wiczkowski – Deputy Director for Scientific Affairs of InLife: „Inclusion on the Polish Research Infrastructure Map is an important distinction for us and at the same time a confirmation that the direction of development of our infrastructure corresponds to the current needs of science. It is also an impulse to further strengthen the research potential of the Institute and develop cooperation with domestic and foreign partners.”

In this year’s call to the Ministry of Science and Higher Education, 192 applications were submitted to list infrastructure on the PMIB. After formal evaluation, 183 of them were forwarded to the merit-based evaluation stage. Ultimately, the Advisory Team for the Polish Research Infrastructure Map recommended to the Minister the 104 highest-rated infrastructures, including the infrastructure submitted by our Institute.

Each application was evaluated by the Advisory Team and two external experts, including one from abroad. Taken into account were, among others, the uniqueness of the infrastructure on a national and international scale, the scientific and personnel potential of the applicant, interest from the scientific community and entrepreneurs, possibilities for international cooperation, and the justification of planned costs.

Strategic infrastructure for science and innovation

The Polish Research Infrastructure Map indicates infrastructures of particular importance for the development of scientific research, technology, and innovation in Poland. The updated Map currently includes 165 infrastructures: 104 listed as a result of the latest call and 61 left on it after a review conducted in 2024⁠–⁠2025.

For InLife, inclusion on the PMIB has not only a prestigious significance. It can open the way to dedicated funding programs for the development and modernization of research infrastructure, including investments in new equipment and technologies.

Presence on the Map also strengthens the Institute’s position when creating national and international consortia, developing cooperation with scientific units and enterprises, and making infrastructure more widely available to external partners.

This is an important step in further building InLife’s research potential and creating facilities enabling the implementation of ambitious scientific projects and cooperation with partners in Poland and abroad.

Read more

Dr Olgirda Belova and Dr Povilas Zemaitis from the Institute of Forestry, Lithuanian Research Centre for Agriculture and Forestry in Kaunas, visited the InLife Research Station in Popielno. The visit provided an opportunity to learn more about the scientific and research activities of the Institute and the Popielno Research Station, as well as to discuss opportunities for further cooperation.

The meeting took place on 22–24 July 2026 as part of a personnel exchange project between the Polish Academy of Sciences and the Lithuanian Academy of Sciences entitled “Ecological and Behavioural Factors in the Sustainable Management of Cervidae.”

During their stay, the guests learned about the specific research activities carried out at the Institute and the Popielno Research Station, with particular emphasis on the research infrastructure of the Biodiversity Conservation Team. They also visited the Experimental Forest, where they learned about the forest ecosystem that provides a habitat for Polish  Horses.

An important part of the visit focused on discussing opportunities for research cooperation. The participants discussed, among other things, the preparation of a joint research project, the scope of the planned studies, and methods for collecting and preserving research material.

Read more