News

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.

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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.

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Do you want to spend a week in snowy Finland filled with scientific debates while deepening your knowledge in nutrition science? Nutrition Winter School 2023 is the proposal for you! You still have a chance to become one of the participants in this event, but there is not much time left.

7th Nutrition Winter School will happen the last week of January 2023! This meeting will be held in the town of Saariselkä in Lapland, Finland. The theme, „The Saga of the Gut,” will lead participants to understand the various roles of the gut in health and disease.

NuGO facilitates registration

European Organization of Nutrigenomics NuGO is a prestigious international association of universities and research institutes focusing on the joint development of the research areas of molecular nutrition, personalized nutrition, nutrigenomics and nutritional systems biology. Institute of Animal Reproduction and Food Research is part of NuGO and thus our employees have access to discounts for registration to NWS2023.

All PhD students and postdocs from NuGO member organizations have a chance to win one of 3 grants in the amount of 500 €, which covers part of the Early Bird registration fees at NWS2023. The deadline for requesting financial support from NuGO is October 1, 2022. The request for financial aid should be addressed to nugo@wur.nl. For more information on the grant, go to the NuGO website.

What is Nutrition Winter School 2023?

The organizers of the Nutrition Winter School have set themselves the goal of bringing together the most talented scientists in the early stages of their careers and experienced educators from different backgrounds to exchange ideas and differing points of view. During NWS2023, numerous lectures and scientific sessions will inspire young scientists to do new research projects.

The program is designed to touch on intestinal health from different sides. The latest developments in the field of nutrition – from a molecular, experimental, and clinical point of view – will be presented. During the lectures, participants will learn how nutrients are absorbed and transported in the gastrointestinal tract, how the microbiome is formed, and whether the gut affects our immune and neurological systems. Scientists will also discuss the latest diagnostic advances that may already have clinical applications and consider the role of genes in healthy gut function. The whole program for the Nutrition Winter School 2023 you can find here.

During NWS2023, participants will have the opportunity to exchange views with world-renowned experts. Sessions will feature speakers such as: Prof. Magnus Simren from University of Gothenburg; Prof. Michael Müller from University of East Anglia; Prof. Michael Schemann from Technical University of Münich and many more.

NWS2023 is a unique opportunity for any scientist who wants to improve their competence in the field of nutritional sciences, and at the same time spend time in an extraordinary, picturesque place.

For all willing participants registration is still open! Registration fees are 750 € (until 15.10.2022) and 850 € (last call, valid until 9.12.2022). The registration fee includes the right to attend lectures, workshops, seminar material, social programs, lunches, coffee, and dinners. The fee does not include breakfast, travel, or accommodation.

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The end of August was very busy for Polish Konik horses from Popielno. On August 19-20, 2022, in Popielno the breeding event „Weekend with Polish Konik Horses” took place, followed a week later by Tarpaniada 2022 in Sieraków Wielkopolski, where animals from our breeding presented themselves remarkably well.

On the first day of the „Weekend with Polish Konik Horses,” performance tests of Polish Konik horses were conducted, which were entered by a total of 7 horses – including two from the breeding of the Research Station in Popielno. The mares that entered the harness trial – DAWKA P and WIECHLINA – finished it with good and excellent marks. Five mares entered the dressage trial, one of which was withdrawn during the test due to insufficient fitness preparation.

A committee composed of the director of the Warmia-Mazury Horse Breeders’ Association, Adam Domzala, the director of the District Horse Breeders’ Association in Bialystok, Marek Niewinski, and the chairman of the Stud Book Commission for Polish Horses, Jan Slominski, conducted the licensing (i.e., an entry in the stud books) of one stallion and three mares, as well as the verification of a 5-year-old stallion and a 5-year-old mare. During the warranty, the stallion bred from Popielno – TOJAD P – received 82 points, while GWIAZDNICA P collected 80 points. A maximum of 100 bonus points can be collected, but this rarely happens – stallions with scores above 80 points are considered very good, and mares rated at 80 points are elite animals.

Horses from Popielno for the exhibition were prepared and presented by youngsters (Marika Frost, Martyna Hapka, and Zuzia Pejsak), who also prepared horses for the XX All-Around Polish Konik Competition, which took place on 22-23.08.2022 at the farm of Mr. and Mrs. Niedbalski in Wojnowo.

On the second day of the „Weekend with the Polish Konik,” the premium of foals took place. Fourteen foals were placed in the catalog: 10 bred from Popielno and four foals belonging to area breeders. The commission composed of: Jan Slomiany, Adam Domzala, and Kamila Bejar, an inspector of the Warmia-Mazury Horse Breeders Association in Olsztyn, awarded the title of a champion to the filly LEGENDA M and the title of vice-champion to the filly BABA JAGA P (from Popielno).

In turn, the mare JUNA P (from Popielno) was awarded the title of vice-champion of the XXI National Polish Horse Show in Sierakow Wielkopolski (Tarpaniada), which took place on August 26-27, 2022.

The Judging Panel, consisting of Zbigniew Jaworski – Chairman, Jaroslaw Szymoniak (Director of the Association of Breeders of Polish Horses of Greater Poland), and Marek Zulawski (member of the KKn Stud Book Commission), evaluated the horses on the grounds of the Sierakow Stallion Stud on the second day of Tarpaniada. Before the start of the evaluation, WZHK Director Jaroslaw Szymoniak presented Marta Siemieniuch. She heads the breeding of Polish Konik horses at the IARFR Research Station of the Polish Academy of Sciences in Popielno, with a silver union badge from the Polish Horse Breeders Association.

During the plate evaluation, the judging panel awarded the highest number of points to the mare HENARA D (43.65 points), while slightly lower marks were given to JUNA P (42.65 points). 10 of the 11 mares scored above 40 points, confirming that the level was even this year. Traditionally, breeders and owners of the best mares, in addition to cups funded by the Polish Horse Breeders Association, will receive monetary prizes awarded by the Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development.

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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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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:

• Prof. Dr. Andrzej Ciereszko – Towards unraveling the role of carp cold acclimation protein 31 (Cap31) – a new important player in fish antimicrobial defense?

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.

• Robert J. Rękawiecki Ph.D. – The role of the methylation of the progesterone receptor isoforms A and B promoters in the regulation of bovine corpus luteum function.

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.

• Daniel Żarski, Ph.D. – Exploration of the development, role, and functioning of circadian rhythm in early life stages of Perca fluviatilis.

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.

• Prof. Anna J. Korzekwa – Biotope influences genetic diversity, fitness traits, microbiome, and embryonic diapause in the European roe deer.

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.

• Dr. Agnieszka Mostek-Majewska – Potential use of peroxiredoxins to improve the quality of cryopreserved bull semen.

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.

• Dr. Anna Ogrodowczyk – The role of milk matrix lipids in programming the immunoreactivity of proteins derived from lactic acid bacteria.

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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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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