Current biomedical research: challenges and opportunities 1400-SZD-CBR-en
Part I: Challenges of neurobiology
1.1. Ischemic stroke: can we improve patients’ recovery?
(A. Malik, Faculty of Biology)
This lecture will explore pathogenesis of ischemic stroke: risk
factors, cellular mechanisms of post-stroke recovery, long term
consequences of stroke. Animal models and cell culture systems in
stroke research will be discussed. We will highlight existing
therapeutic approaches and new concepts in stroke patients
treatment.
1.2 Alzheimer’s disease: pathogenesis and potential treatments.
(A. Malik, Faculty of Biology)
We will discuss genetic and environmental factors in Alzheimer’s
diseases (AD) risk. We will highlight the pathological hallmarks of
AD , neurodegeneration, disease symptoms and the most
important hypotheses on AD pathogenesis (amyloid hypothesis,
inflammation, metabolic disturbances). Mouse models of AD will be
introduced. Finally, we will discuss current therapeutic options and
future perspectives.
1.3. Mechanisms behind neuropsychiatric disorders
(Ł. Szewczyk, CeNT)
During this lecture, the following topics will be discussed:
(1). Introduction to Neuropsychiatric Disorders Brief overview:
What defines a neuropsychiatric disorder? Examples:
Schizophrenia, depression, bipolar disorder, ASD; Genetic,
environmental, and developmental risk factors.
(2). Neuronal Mechanisms (Synaptic dysfunction: E/I balance,
plasticity deficits, Neurotransmitter systems (e.g., dopamine,
glutamate, GABA) Example: Dopaminergic dysregulation in
schizophrenia.
(3). Glial Mechanisms (Astrocytes: roles in neurotransmitter
recycling, metabolic support, synaptic pruning, Microglia:
neuroinflammation, synaptic remodeling, immune surveillance,
Oligodendrocytes: myelination and white matter abnormalities,
Example 1: Astrocyte dysfunction in major depressive disorder,
Example 2: Microglia and synapse pruning in autism spectrum
disorder.
(4). Emerging Therapeutic Approaches (Modulation of glial activity
(e.g., minocycline, ceftriaxone), Neurostimulation and circuit-level
interventions, Potential for glia-targeted gene therapies or glia
reprogramming
Part II: Metabolic diseases
2.1. Diabetes mellitus: pathogenesis, managing and methods of
mitigation
(J. Janikiewicz, Nencki Institute)
This module will provide an overview of the latest developments in
the field of diabetes, including types of the aforementioned
malady, mechanisms of pathogenesis, risk factors and potential
pharmacological or drug-free treatment approaches.
2.2. Rethinking obesity
(Robert Jarzyna, Faculty of Biology)
The following topics will be discussed:
(1) Obesity pandemic and its consequences.
(2) Competing paradigms of obesity pathogenesis: energy balance
versus carbohydrate-insulin models.
(3) Non pharmacological treatment of obesity.
Part III: Cancer
3.1. Cancer epigenetics
(M. Maleszewska, Faculty of Biology)
This lecture will explore the role of epigenetic changes in cancer
development, focusing on whether they act as drivers or results of
tumorigenesis. Key mechanisms such as DNA methylation, histone
modifications, and chromatin organization will be introduced, along
with examples from cancers like leukemias and gliomas. The lecture
will also explore the interplay between genetic mutations and
epigenetic regulation. The potential of epigenetic enzymes
emerging as promising therapeutic targets will be discussed.
3.2. Targeting receptor tyrosine kinase-mediated signaling
pathways in cancer
(D. Zdżalik, Faculty of Biology)
The lecture will cover the topics related to receptor tyrosine
kinases (RTKs) and RTK-mediated signaling in cancer, including an
introduction to RTKs and signal transduction, the mechanisms
leading to impaired activation of RTKs in cancer cells, the role of
RTKs and RTK-driven cellular processes in cancer progression,
epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) as the “prototypical” RTK
and TAM (TYRO3, AXL, MER) receptors as a unique subfamily of
RTKs involved in efferocytosis, RTKs as targets for anticancer
therapies, and the mechanisms of resistance to RTK-Inhibitor-Based
Cancer Therapies.
Part IV: New concepts and approaches
4.1. Microbiome in human health
(T. Wypych, Nencki Institute)
This lecture will briefly discuss how the microbiome shapes our
immunity and how we can harness this knowledge to develop new
drugs.
4.2. Current problems in enzymology
(J. Drożak, Faculty of Biology)
The lecture will discuss selected problems in current enzymology,
including the biological messiness as the driving force of enzyme
evolution, enzyme promiscuity, and the role of the underground
metabolism, metabolite damage and repair.
4.3. iPSCs-based models in biomedical research
(E. Liszewska, IIMCB)
This module will provide introduction to induced pluripotent stem
cells (iPSCs) and their use in modeling human diseases. We will
discuss the applications of iPSCs-derived cell types in studying
disease mechanisms, drug testing, and regenerative medicine. We
will also highlight the advantages and limitations of iPSC-based
systems compared to traditional models.
4.4. New approaches: cell therapies (CAR-T, TCR)
(T. Kamiński, Faculty of Biology)
This lecture will cover emerging strategies in cell-based
immunotherapies, focusing on CAR-T cells, TCR-engineered cells,
BiTEs (bispecific T-cell engagers), and other immune cell engagers.
It will discuss their mechanisms of action, clinical progress, and the
potential of these approaches in personalized cancer therapy and
beyond.
4.5. High-throughput methods in drug discovery
(T. Kamiński, Faculty of Biology)
We will discuss high-throughput methods in drug discovery,
including small-molecule screening using DNA-encoded libraries,
phage display and single cell approaches for antibody discovery and
engineering and CRISPR-based functional genomics for cell therapy
targets.
4.6. Reprogramming immunity: vaccines and therapeutics inspired
by parasites
(A. Zawistowska-Deniziak, Faculty of Biology)
The lecture will look at how parasites cleverly trick the immune
system to survive inside the host. Understanding these tricks can
help scientists design new vaccines and treatments for various
diseases.
4.7. The complex life of mRNA vaccines
(S. Mroczek, Faculty of Biology)
This lecture will cover the history and development of mRNA
technology in modern medicine. We will discuss the mechanism of
action and metabolism of mRNA vaccines, using the example of the
vaccines for the prevention of SARS-CoV-2 infection. We will
provide insights in the delivery of vaccines to cells and the
differences between classical and mRNA vaccines. We will discuss
controversies surrounding RNA vaccines, the potential of mRNA
technology in the treatment of cancer and genetic diseases as well
as current challenges and future research directions.
4.8. Computational methods in biomedical research
(Filip Stefaniak, IIMCB).
We will discuss the following topics:
(1) Where do drugs come from - Computer Aided Drug Design.
(2) Databases, ligand-based and structure-based methods.
(3)ADMET Analysis and property predictions.
(4) Molecular simulations.
Koordynatorzy przedmiotu
Efekty kształcenia
KNOWLEDGE
P8S_WG: After completing the course, the students know and
understand the main scientific trends and research methodology in
biomedical sciences to a degree that allows them to formulate and
solve research problems.
SKILLS
P8S_UW: After completing the course, the students are able to
critically analyze and evaluate the results of scientific research and
their contribution to the development of science. They are able to
define the purpose and subject of scientific research, formulate
research hypotheses and design an experiment leading to the
solution of a research problem.
P8S_UK Students are able to use English at a B2 level to a degree
that allows them to participate in scientific discussions in an
international environment.
SOCIAL COMPETENCES
P8S_KK: After completing the course, the students are ready to
critically evaluate the achievements within biomedical sciences.
They are ready to recognize the importance of knowledge in solving
biomedical challenges.
P8S_KR: After completing the course, the students are ready to
conduct scientific activity independently.
Kryteria oceniania
Grading based on a written test exam (single choice questions).
Passing threshold: 55%
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