Researchers at our institute, under the direction of dr. Anna Ogrodowczyk used the freeze-drying process to create an unusual yogurt. The herbal and honey addition will make the product distinct and highly digestible. How does it differ from commercially available products? (więcej…)
Moms in Charge project, or when a mother’s experiences affect her child
Can a mother pass on information about past illnesses or natural predators to her child? The Moms in Charge project, carried out by scientists at our Institute, aims to study the extent to which non-genetic inheritance factors affect the adaptability of offspring. This knowledge could help improve fish breeding and gain a deeper understanding of fish resilience.
Moms in Charge is a project carried out by dr. Taina Rocha de Almeida, winner of the PASIFIC grant competition administered by the Polish Academy of Sciences and co-funded by the H2020 Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions Co-funding of regional, national and international programs and the Ministry of Education and Science. Her scientific supervisor is dr. Daniel Żarski of the Department of Gamete and Embryo Biology of the Institute of Animal Reproduction and Food Research of the Polish Academy of Sciences in Olsztyn.
The project aims to monitor so-called non-genetic inheritance factors in fish and determine to what extent they affect the adaptability of offspring (from embryo to juvenile stages) to breeding conditions. The research will be carried out on three Polish rainbow trout breeding lines from Poland’s largest fish hatchery, „Dąbie”.
- Our project is called Moms in Charge, freely translated as „mothers rule,” because it focuses on mothers’ role in young fish’s lives. According to the project’s main idea, the mother’s experience is passed on to her offspring using molecules (in our case, RNA) that the female builds into the eggs during the egg-forming process. We want to see what the mother can protect her children from in this way – says Taina Rocha de Almeida.
What are non-genetic inheritance factors?
Non-genetic inheritance (NGI) includes various mechanisms that are not directly related to genes but interact with or result from them. The contents of the egg cell are a consequence of NGI mechanisms, which will play an essential role in embryo and early larval development. They are a source of transcripts, proteins, and nutrients that will guide and support development even in later developmental stages.
- Fish accumulate „important” experiences from their lives. It is known that in fish, this most often refers to past diseases or thermal preferences, which determine the profile of specific information molecules – proteins or RNA – that it builds into the eggs, says Daniel Żarski.
The Moms in Charge project is to investigate to what extent maternal NGI factors (mRNAs, miRNAs, or proteins) affect the performance of offspring from embryos to juveniles.
- We want to check the molecular profile of eggs from three different breeding lines of rainbow trout from the „Dabie” hatchery near Bytów. We want to conduct research at the molecular and individual levels. The results can be used in the future in breeding different fish to obtain better individuals endowed with traits important for breeders – adds Taina Rocha de Almeida.
The research will be conducted on three strains of rainbow trout (phenotypically different) bred in Poland. Since the project will be carried out in cooperation with fish breeding, we expect that it will impact fish management and selection based on progeny performance, which can help increase fish production in the long term.
- A similar process also occurs along the father-offspring line, but we don’t intend to test it at this stage, as the mechanism for transmitting this information is somewhat different. For the moment, we are focusing on eggs – egg cells are larger and contain more molecules, and their influence on the development of offspring in fish is much more significant than that of sperm. In this regard, the mother’s influence on the offspring is more important than that of the father. We are also limited time, as the project will last only two years – explains Taina Rocha de Almeida.
Why rainbow trout?
The rainbow trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss), native to North America, is the most common trout species raised in European freshwater aquaculture. It prefers swiftly flowing waters with relatively stable thermal conditions and tolerates high densities. The optimal growth temperature for breeding is 8-18°C, with a maximum of 20°C. Rainbow trout is sold as a portion fish and a large fish, also known as salmon trout. Over the years, the rainbow trout sector has faced problems contributing to stagnant production. In this context, a clear and effective selective breeding program could greatly help.
- There is a great need to improve breeding protocols, for example, due to increased disease resistance or improved longevity. In the long run, the impact of the research on the fishing industry could be huge – says Daniel Żarski.
Taina Rocha de Almeida, Ph.D., came to the Institute from Brazil and received a prestigious scholarship from the PASIFIC MSCA COFUND program. The competition was fierce – there were about ten applicants per spot. To select the winning proposals, evaluators assessed them in three main categories – excellence, impact, and feasibility. Each project also had to pass an ethical evaluation. The fellowship will last 24 months, but as Taina admits: „she feels very comfortable in Poland,” so we are keeping our fingers crossed that her stay in our country will be extended.
Ewa Wasilewska Ph.D. with a prestigious award
Ewa Wasilewska, Ph.D. from the Department of Food Immunology and Microbiology at the Institute of Animal Reproduction and Food Research of the Polish Academy of Sciences, has received the prestigious JDS Highly Cited Award from American Dairy Science Association (ADSA).
The ADSA is an international organization of lecturers, scientists, and business representatives involved in developing the dairy industry. Members of ADSA has discovered methods and technologies that have revolutionized the dairy industry.
An official journal of ADSA, Journal of Dairy Science, is the leading general dairy research journal in the world. Highly Cited Award program was established to formally recognize JDS authors whose efforts significantly impact research and the dairy industry.
The JDS Highly Cited Award 2022 was awarded to Ewa Wasilewska and co-authors (Dagmara Zlotkowska and Barbara Wróblewska) for their paper entitled „Yogurt starter cultures of Streptococcus thermophilus and Lactobacillus bulgaricus ameliorate symptoms and modulate the immune response in a mouse model of dextran sulfate sodium-induced colitis,” published in 2019.
The number of citations of the published study is an excellent indicator of its importance to the scientific community. Moreover, the highlighted work has been linked to the UN Sustainable Development Goals, which can help address major global threats.
The success of our staff at the 3rd International Conference on Tissue Repair, Regeneration, and Fibrosis
Dr. Marta Kopcewicz and Dr. Joanna Wiśniewska from the Regenerative Biology Team were awarded the Aegean Conference Trainee Travel Award at the 3rd International Conference on Tissue Repair, Regeneration, and Fibrosis, held October 10 – 15, 2022, in Greece.
The 3rd International Conference on Tissue Repair, Regeneration, and Fibrosis is one of the most important scientific events bringing together scientists interested in various aspects of repairing and regenerating damaged tissues and organs. Understanding the molecular mechanisms underlying the repair and regeneration of the liver, lungs, skin, kidneys, and bone marrow, among others, is key to the progress of modern medicine.
The winners of this year’s conference were Dr. Marta Kopcewicz and Dr. Joanna Wiśniewska from the Regenerative Biology Team led by Prof. Barbara Gawrońska-Kozak, MD. The Organizing Committee awarded the Trainee Travel Award ($1,000) to the oral presentations of our female scientists’ research results:
Sex, individual age and transcription factor Foxn1 affect the condition of healthy and post injured mice and human skin
Marta Kopcewicz, Sylwia Machcińska-Zielińska, Katarzyna Walendzik, Joanna Wiśniewska, Joanna Rutkowska, Piotr Malinowski, Tomasz Waśniewski, Justyna Drukała, and Barbara Gawrońska-Kozak
Pig adipose-derived stem cells (pASCs) pre-conditioned with hypoxia. Characterization and validation for wound healing therapy
Joanna Wiśniewska, Magda Słyszewska, Marta Kopcewicz, Katarzyna Walendzik, Sylwia Machcińska-Zielińska, Patrycja Dudek, Karolina Stałanowska, and Barbara Gawrońska-Kozak
The research presented at the conference was carried out as part of the following:
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- research projects funded by the National Science Center:
- Opus 14 no. 2017/27/b/nz5/02610,
- Sonata 13 nr 2017/26/D/NZ5/00556;
- the KNOW grant of the Scientific Consortium „Healthy Animal – Safe Food,”
Dec. No.: 05-1/KNOW2/2015; - own research fund 14/FBW/22.
- research projects funded by the National Science Center:
AQUAENT – aquaculture in the age of global challenges
AQUAENT – aquaculture in times of global challenges – under such a title, a workshop organized by our scientists within the framework of the EIT Food project AQUAENT- Support for small and medium enterprises in RIS regions in aquaculture, was held in Gdynia on October 12.
Go to AQUAENT website
The workshop topics touched on the most current issues related to the sustainable breeding of aquatic organisms. Konrad Ocalewicz from the University of Gdansk discussed the topic of genetic pollution of the environment and biotechnological methods of protecting gene pools of wild-living fish. Ziemowit Pirtań from the Trout-Tarnowo Fish Farm presented aspects of renewable energy and the possibility of energy storage in aquaculture – futurology or actions necessary for the industry’s survival in the energy crisis.
In turn, Radosław Kowalski of the Department of Gamete and Embryo Biology of the Institute of Animal Reproduction and Food Research Polish Academy of Sciences focused on the issue of multitrophic aquaculture and the related possibility of intensifying production in fresh and salt waters. Tomasz Kolankowski of KOL-tech Solutions discussed the options of inlet water quality monitoring in fish farms, which protects farming from environmental disasters. Other speakers included scientists and experts from Iceland, including from the Matis research institute. Hildur Inga Sveinsdottir touched on using enzymes and proteins in fish waste to create innovative medicinal products and dietary supplements. Saemundur Eliasson, on the other hand, presented the possibilities of using geothermal energy in fisheries and aquaculture.
A discussion with the participants accompanied each presentation.
Thanking the experts and participants for their involvement, we already invite you to the next training, which will be held on November 17 in the online form (in English). We will touch on the topics discussed at the October 12 training. Still, we will also learn about the assumptions of the innovative Salmocross project and its potential for implementation in aquaculture, which Martyna Sas will present from the Tarnowo Trout Fish Farm. Registration link.
Program of the workshop on November 17, 2022
10.00 – 10.10 Welcoming the participants, Marek Bogacki, Institute of Animal Reproduction and Food Research, Polish Academy of Sciences, Olsztyn, Poland
10.10 – 10.50 Renewable energy and the potential of energy storage in aquaculture – futurology or activities necessary for the industry’s survival in times of energy crisis? Ziemowit Pirtań, The fishing farm „PSTRĄG TARNOWO”, Tarnowo, Poland
10.50 – 11.30 Salmocross – an innovative research and implementation project in aquaculture. Martyna Sas The fishing farm „PSTRĄG TARNOWO”, Tarnowo, Poland
11.30 – 12.10 Multitrophic aquaculture – possibilities of intensifying production in fresh and salt waters. Radosław Kowalski, Institute of Animal Reproduction and Food Research, Polish Academy of Sciences, Olsztyn, Poland
12.10 – 12.50 Genetic pollution of the environment and biotechnological methods of protecting gene pools of wild-living fish. Konrad Ocalewicz, University of Gdańsk, Gdańsk, Poland
12.50 – 13.30 The use of enzymes and proteins in fish waste to create innovative medical products and dietary supplements. Margret Geirsdottir, Lysi-Life, Zymtech Enzymatica Aktieägare, Icelandic Food and Biotech R&D, Reykjavík, Iceland
13.30 – 14.10 The use of geothermal energy in fisheries and aquaculture. Saemundur Eliasson, HS Orka and Haustak, Icelandic Food and Biotech R&D, Reykjavík, Iceland
Institute with Erasmus Charter for higher education
The Institute has received the Erasmus Charter for Higher Education – ERASMUS CHARTER FOR HIGHER EDUCATION 2021-2027 (ECHE), and thus the opportunity to participate in international educational mobility and cooperation programs for innovation and exchange of good practices.
The ECHE Charter is a confirmation of the Institute’s compliance with the quality standards required for the organization of student and university staff mobility and the implementation of international educational projects.
ECHE entitles the Institute to apply for funds to implement all international activities under the Erasmus+ program. It defines an institution’s basic principles when organizing and implementing high-quality mobility and cooperation. It specifies the conditions the institution agrees to meet to ensure high-quality services and procedures and provide reliable and transparent information.
By applying for ECHE, the Institute has taken on the obligation to follow the principles referred to in the Erasmus Charter’s contents and implement the developed Erasmus Policy Statement.
First Marie Skłodowska-Curie COFUND program fellow at the Institute
Dr. Taina Rocha de Almeida is the first fellow of the Marie Skłodowska-Curie COFUND program at the Institute.
Taina is the winner of the PACIFIC scholarship competition administered by the Polish Academy of Sciences and co-funded by the H2020 Program „Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions Co-funding of regional, national and international programs” and the Ministry of Education and Science.
Taina came to the Institute from Brazil, and her research supervisor is Dr. Daniel Żarski from the Department of Gamete and Embryo Biology. The fellow’s research aims to determine to what extent non-genetic inheritance factors affect the adaptability of offspring (from embryo to juvenile stages) to breeding conditions. The study will be conducted on three Polish rainbow trout breeding lines.
The prestigious scholarship of the PACIFIC MSCA COFUND program was awarded to 49 candidates from 60 countries worldwide. The competition was fierce – there were about ten candidates per place. To select the winning proposals, evaluators assessed them in three main categories – excellence, impact, and feasibility. Each project also had to pass an ethical evaluation.
The scholarship was awarded for a period of 24 months.
Welcome to the Institute, and congratulations to the scholarship winner and the research supervisor on this prestigious award.
Prof. Marta Siemieniuch on the Main Board of PEFTA
Prof. Marta Siemieniuch was elected to the Main Board of the Polish Equine Facilitated Therapy Association (PEFTA)! This is a great honor for Prof. Siemieniuch, who also heads the breeding of Polish Konik horses at the Research Station of our Institute in Popielno.
During the reporting and election assembly of the Polish Equine Facilitated Therapy Association (PEFTA), which took place on October 1, 2022, in Warsaw, in a secret ballot, the Main Board and the Audit Committee were elected for the term 2022-2026. Prof. Marta Siemieniuch from the Department of Immunology and Reproductive Pathology of our Institute, who also manages the breeding of Polish Konik horses at the Research Station in Popielno, became a member of the Board.
The mission of PEFTA and the honorable function of Prof. Siemieniuch
Polish Equine Facilitated Therapy Association (PEFTA), which brings together Polish specialists interested in hippotherapy: doctors, rehabilitators, psychologists, educators, riding instructors, and horse breeders, was founded in 1992 as Polish Hippotherapeutical Association (PHA). The society aims to promote hippotherapy as a rehabilitation method for selected disorders of children, adolescents, and adults, to improve the skills of hippotherapists, and to provide its members with access to professional literature and information on the progress of hippotherapy abroad.
PEFTA cooperates with doctors of various specialties, rehabilitation therapists, and experienced riders to develop a methodology and training program for hippotherapy specialists. The Society also strives to recognize hippotherapy as an official method of specialized rehabilitation and reacts to any deviation from the principles of the art of hippotherapy.
Prof. Marta Siemieniuch is an experienced expert who has devoted most of her professional career to research and work with horses. At the Research Station in Popielno, which has been part of our Institute since 2016, she manages the breeding of the Polish horse, a native breed of primitive horses covered by the biodiversity protection program. Joining PEFTA Main Board is another distinction for prof. Siemieniuch in recent months – in August, she was awarded the silver union badge of the Polish Horse Breeders Association.
For more information about the Polish Equine Facilitated Therapy Association (PEFTA), we refer you to its official website.
The eighth edition of the International Workshop on the Biology of Fish Gametes – conference summary
The eighth edition of the International Workshop on the Biology of Fish Gametes is over. One of the most important European conferences on reproductive biology this time took place in Gdansk.
The International Workshop on the Biology of Fish Gametes’ eighth edition lasted from September 20-23, 2022. This time the best scientists interested in gametes and reproductive technologies of aquatic organisms in the world were hosted in Gdansk, and our Institute was responsible for the organization.
– Organizing the conference was a significant challenge for us, given the uniqueness of this event for the scientific community. Uncertain times make it even more challenging to arrange face-to-face meetings. Still, the positive response from interested scientific teams from the beginning gave us plenty of motivation to create an exceptional event despite the adversities, the success of which we can conclude from the very positive response from the participants – says Dr. Daniel Żarski, head of the conference organizing committee.
This year’s edition was exceptionally successful, as the organizers received as many as 91 abstracts from 14 countries, 40 of which were selected for oral presentations. The event was divided into six thematic sections, focusing on biotechnology and biotech, gametogenesis, gamete quality, gamete biology, fertilization and development, gamete storage, and cryopreservation.
– As organizers, we achieved our goal – to create a highly productive and friendly atmosphere to discuss science and consolidate and develop valuable relationships between participants. And this is the success of our entire team, who worked hard to make this goal a reality – adds Dr. Żarski.
International Workshop on the Biology of Fish Gametes – what kind of conference is this?
The first edition of the International Workshop on the Biology of Fish Gametes was held in 2007 in Vodňany, the Czech Republic. Since then, it has been organized every two years in various European locations, including Valencia, Faro, Budapest, Ancona, and Rennes. The organization of the eighth iteration was entrusted to the Institute of Animal Reproduction and Food Research of the Polish Academy of Sciences, and the campus of the University of Gdansk was chosen as the venue. Initially, it was to be held in 2021, but due to the global situation, it was decided to start in September 2022.
This year’s conference was attended by distinguished scientists from around the world, including Prof. Katsutoshi Arai of Hokkaido University, who has been involved in the Fish Gametes workshop since its inception, Prof. Ibon Cancio of the University of the Basque Country, and Dr. Audrey Laurent of INRAE LPGP. The level of the conference itself was very high, as mentioned by Prof. Andrzej Ciereszko, head of the scientific committee.
– The papers and materials presented in the posters were characterized by a high scientific level, both in the primary and applied sciences. Among other things, significant progress was made in embryonic and stem cell transplantation, clarifying the role of ribosomes in oocyte function and implementing molecular tools for fish sterilization. Research on endocrine regulatory mechanisms has been deepened, including the role of kisspeptin in reaching maturity and the regulation of stem cell proliferation by FSH and chronic stress – Prof. Ciereszko explained.
The eighth installment of the International Workshop on the Biology of Fish Gametes is now a thing of the past, and all concerned – organizers and participants – highly rate it. This is a great success not only for our Institute but also for the Polish scientific world.
