Science for Society

„SCIENCE is ART!” Family Picnic of the Polish Academy of Sciences

Writing secret messages with invisible ink, identifying magical antioxidants in drinks, studying fossils of Polish dinosaurs, experimenting in chemical laboratories, designing jelly DNA, composing cosmetics with lyophilized fruits, building gigantic bacteria, and learning the technique of seeing in the dark. These and many other edutaining activities will await guests of the “SCIENCE is ART!” Family Picnic of the Polish Academy of Sciences on June 10^th in Olsztyn’s City Centre.

This is the 3rd edition of the Science Picnic organized by the Institute of Animal Reproduction and Food Research PAS in Olsztyn together with the Cultural Centre. Popular science shows, workshops, experiments and contests are a unique occasion to get an insight into the work of researchers, try our hands at scientific challenges and get inspired to explore the phenomena surrounding us every day. This year the Picnic will offer even more attractions than in the past editions. Organizers invited to Olsztyn partner scientists from other units of the Polish Academy of Science, e.g. Institute of Biochemistry and Biophysics, Institute of Organic Chemistry or Institute of Paleology, who will familiarize us with the Polish research in Antarctica, examine 230 million years old fossils, and teach us how to walk on water. Fascinating science demos will also be prepared by researchers from Warsaw University and Poznań University of Life Sciences, where we will experiment with the food products we use on daily basis and learn the troublesome art of finding a way in the forest.

We won’t forget about “bestsellers” to be ran by scientists from the Institute of Animal Reproduction and Food Research PAS. Organizers will prepare i.a. workshops on composing cosmetics with lyophilized fruits, contests examining the efficiency of our senses, experiments detecting pro-health antioxidants in drinks, workshops of building DNA with sweet jellies and competition in finding gluten in everyday food products.

Family Picnic of the Polish Academy of Sciences will start at 12:00 at the heart of Olsztyn’s Old Town and finish at 16:00. Free of charge.

Organizer: Institute of Animal Reproduction and Food Research PAS in Olsztyn

Co- organizer: Cultural Centre

Partner: Division of Polish Academy of Sciences in Olsztyn and Białystok headquartered in Olsztyn

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Science Picnic in Mikołajki

Pupils from the the Social School Complex in Mikołajki celebrated the 1st day of spring together with the scientists from Institute’s Research Station in Popielno.

Our researchers familiarized them with i.a. the world of microorganisms, which could be observed both under the microscope and on own hands, learning that each of us has a unique bacterial microflora. In addition, using anatomy models, students gained knowledge on the structure of the reproductive system and disorders that affect it.

The Picnic was also joined by scientists from the Hydrobiology Station of the Nencki PAS Institute.

(więcej…)

Inspire the youngest to develop passion for science

About inspiring the youngest to challenge their curiosity and develop a life-long passion fo science. About women in science and their determination in achieving professional goals. (więcej…)

Science-driven winter break

For many of us winter break is finally the chance to spend more time on cultivating our passions. Those fascinated with experimenting, creating and exploring scientific achievements we use in everyday life could take part in a series eduatining acivities prepared by the Institute, following the „hands-on” scheme. (więcej…)

New cooperation opportunities

During the visit in Hungary and Slovenia, Dr. Radosław Kowalski along with his research team – Dr. Beata Cejko, Sylwia Judycka and Michał Blitek – conducted a trial of air spawning of marble trout (Salmo marmoratus), thanks to Dušan Jesenšek a manager of a Slovenian fish hatchery in Tolmin (Ribiška družina Tolmin). (więcej…)

Prebiotics to alleviatie celiac disease

PhD student from the Institute of Animal Reproduction and Food Research PAS in Olsztyn investigates the influence of prebiotics-enriched gluten-free diet on alleviating harmful effects of celiac disease in children. The study will be aided by the funds obtained in the National Science Centre PRELUDIUM call. (więcej…)

More plant-derived proteins for Europe

Quinoa, amaranth and chickpeas are valuable sources of plant protein yet still underestimated in Europe, which remains dominated by the consumption of animal-derived protein. Scientists want to change this trend, increasing the European production of plant protein by 25%. (więcej…)

Maternal nutrition and health of next generations

Prof. Monika Kaczmarek, Head of Molecular Biology Core Facility

Challenges of contemporary medicine

So far it has been demonstrated that the nutritional status of mother may affect a normal development of the embryo and fetus in the womb, and after birth, determines health of the offspring. This September, English researchers published in Pediatric Obesity Journal a prognosis for 184 countries regarding obesity and related health problems in school children. It is estimated that without an adequate policy challenging current trends, by 2025 268 million children aged 5-17 will be overweight, with 91 million of them to suffer from obesity.

Infertility has always affected humans, yet unfortunately we can now observe a considerable decrease in the pregnancy rates caused by inter alia environmental factors. World Health Organization (WHO) clearly demonstrates that 10% of women worldwide are trying to get pregnant with no success, and this situation has not improved in the last 20 years.

Nutritional programming

It appears that the period from conception until the age of 3 is marked by increased sensitivity to environmental factors, such as lifestyle, diet and parents’ health status. The process in which nutritional status determines metabolic balance in the organism is called nutritional programming. So far it has been demonstrated that the nutritional status of mother may affect a normal development of the embryo and fetus in the womb, and after birth, determines health of the offspring. Proper „designing” of offspring within the process of nutritional programming has long-term prohealth effects and may prevent the development of diet-induced diseases such as cardiovascular disorders, obesity, hypertension and diabetes type II.

In the mother’s womb

It is interesting that excessive weight gain during pregnancy occurs more frequently than in the past century. Unfortunately for us, children of women who put on too much weight during pregnancy were observed to suffer from an increased risk of obesity at the age of 34. Therefore, women having a Body Mass Index (BMI) within the normal range (18,5-24,9) are recommended to gain 11-16 kg during pregnancy, while those with the BMI 25 – 29,9 and BMI ≥30 only 7-11 kg and 5-9 kg, respectively.

After birth

The effects of nutritional programming may be observed not only in the cells of an individual with improper eating habits, but – in the case of pregnant or lactating females – also in their children or grandchildren. Our research based on animals fed a strict diet during lactation revealed inaccuracies in the development of offspring’s reproductive functions despite introduction of a proper diet in the future. These mice achieved sexual maturity later and suffered from a series of disorders affecting their fertility. What is interesting, the effects of improper diet of lactating females were noticeable even in the second generation – in grandchildren.

Even though the conclusions drawn from the studies based on mice cannot be directly translated to humans, there are numerous report on the influence of distorted metabolic balance on the increased risk of development of diabetes, obesity and other diseases in adulthood. Therefore, we shall bear in mind that during pregnancy we are advised to eat for two, but not twice as much, and not follow any strict diet. We shall obey this rule also when lactating. Then, let’s lead a considerate lifestyle and pass it on to our children and next generations.

Hands-on workshops for Polish Academy of Kids students

Testing the content of antioxidant in favourite juices, designing tailor-made creams with lyophilisated fruits, and discovering bakteria from our everyday menu. On December 3, 2016 scientists from the Institute hosted students of the Polish Academy Sciences.

Polish Academy of Kids is the first free University worldwide coordinated and led by children themselves. Young Scientists aged 6-12 deliver lectures and present their own research results together with Senior Scientists – guest lecturers.

Institute holds a honorary patronage over the Academy since 2013, opening laboratories to the students and organizing edutaining workshops which inspire them to embark on research careers in the future.

Polish researchers work to improve food quality

Institute of Animal Reproduction and Food Research PAS takes part in the activities aimed at improving the production of protein-rich plants.

EUR 416 million is waiting for the scientists investigating food and agriculture safety in 4 new calls of the Horizon 2020 programme. So far scientists from Poland have managed to win over PLN 28 million zlotys.

European Commission has just announced the call for proposals to 4 new contests in the area of ”Food safety, sustainable agriculture and forestry, marine, maritime and inland water research and the bioeconomy”, involving 51 topics. The call for proposals will last until February 14, 2017.

”Taking part in the call is worth considering, as the applicants may reach for funds from a total budget of EUR 416 million” – convinces Bożena Podlaska from the National Contact Point for Research Programmes of the EU”.

Currently, scientists and entrepreneurs from 47 research and business in Poland carry out 40 Horizon 2020-funded research and innovation projects associated with food safety.

Institute of Animal Reproduction and Food Research PAS takes part in the activities aimed at improving the production of protein-rich plants. “Protein2Food” project aims at increasing the consumption of protein among Europeans who, according to doctors and experts in nutrition, eat it in scarce amounts.

Research Institute of Horticulture in Skierniewice works to provide Europeans with a wide-open access to their most preferred berry fruits. The Consortium of 19 partners from Europe, China and Chile strives to develop new varieties of berry fruits which will better adjust to unfavourable growing conditions of the environment, abound it fruit and have improved quality.

Plant production constitutes one of many areas of interest of Polish researchers working within the framework of Horizon 2020. Warsaw University of Life Sciences participates in the development of new vaccines against bacteria and virus-derived animal diseases, which cause a considerable loss in animal breeding.

“These projects are only examples of possibilities provided by Horizon 2020 to scientists and entrepreneurs concerned with food and agriculture safety” – says Bożena Podlaska.

Every one interested is welcome to participate in the info day organized by the National Contact Point, when the experts will present the most recent calls, focusing on the guidelines for applicants and models of evaluation to be acknowledged.