Michał Ślęzak, Ph.D., principal investigator

Michał graduated from the Université Louis Pasteur in Strasbourg, from the lab of Dr. Frank W. Pfrieger, where he developed a set of novel transgenic mice for astrocyte-specific, inducible gene ablation. Afterwards, he joined Inst. Pharmacology, PAS, in Kraków, where he obtained Young Investigator Award from Polish Ministry of Science and Higher Education. During his stay, he found that astrocytes are an important cellular target in the brain of systemic glucocorticoids. He accomplished his postdoctoral training during Marie Curie IEF fellowship at VIB, KU Leuven. At this time, he obtained the direct evidence for the functional sensory tripartite synapse using in vivo imaging. Simultaneously, he developed a novel methods for flexible genetic manipulation of astrocytes in wild-types animals. His first independent position was at BioMed X in Heidelberg, where he led a project sponsored by Boehringer Ingelheim. Within four years the team has obtained the comprehensive evidence supporting the dysfunction of astrocytes in depression. The project resulted in a new drug discovery program launched by the sponsor.

Bartosz Zglinicki, Ph.D.

Bartek graduated from University of Warsaw and then began his PhD studies at the Nencki Institute of Experimental Biology in Warsaw. In both places he was involved in projects focused on metabolism, especially adipose tissue metabolism and it’s regulation by miRNAs. The work has led to discovery of several miRNAs, that were associated with the process of non-shivering thermogenesis. Additionally, Bartek was also involved in side projects within the cognitive neuroscience field, where he grew interest in non-invasive methods of animal behavior assessment and data analysis. Experience in these methods and being influenced by the system of metabolic cages from the previous project, led Bartek to work on automated T-maze system combined with analysis of animals with deep learning. Using deep neural networks allowed for analysis on the level that would be hard to achieve otherwise. Currently, at Łukasiewicz – PORT, Bartek is moving these concepts further and is responsible for implementation of a tool known as a social box, which allows for characterization of more complex animal behavior.

Katarzyna Terejko, Ph.D.

Katarzyna graduated from Jagiellonian University in Cracow and accomplished her Ph.D. degree in the Department of Biophysics and Neuroscience at Wrocław Medical University. In her research, Katarzyna focused on electrophysiological properties of the fast inhibitory synaptic transmission in the adult mammalian brain and she investigated molecular mechanisms underlying the activation process and modulation by benzodiazepines of the GABAA receptor. During her Ph.D. and a short postdoctoral training at Wrocław Medical University, while she continued her research on the relationship between the structure of pentameric ion channels and their kinetics, she discovered an intersubunit interaction and characterized long-range molecular interactions within the GABAA receptor.

Anna Lech, Ph.D.

Anna graduated from Wroclaw University of Science and Technology and accomplished her Ph.D. at the Department of Molecular Physiology and Neurobiology at the University of Wrocław. During her research, Anna focused on molecular mechanisms of synaptic plasticity in hippocampal GABAergic synapses. As a result, she identified a specific role of matrix metalloproteinases and trans-synaptic interaction between neuroligin-2 and neurexin in inhibitory long-term potentiation. In our team Anna will be responsible for in vivo imaging.

Viorica Raluca Contu, Ph.D.

Raluca received her B.S. and M.Sc. from Hiroshima University, where she studied toxic dopamine metabolites involved in the etiology of Parkinson’s disease. For her Ph.D. journey, Raluca joined Dr. Tomohiro Kabuta’s group at the National Center of Neurology and Psychiatry in Tokyo as part of a collaborative program with the University of Yamanashi. Her projects focused on the molecular mechanisms and physiological significance of RN/DNautophagy, a non-canonical form of autophagy that targets nucleic acids. Raluca received a Research Fellowship for Young Scientists from Japan Society for the Promotion of Science (JSPS) during her PhD and was also awarded an International JSPS Postdoctoral Fellowship to investigate lysosomal acidification and ATP consumption during cargo delivery in autophagy afterwards. While a postdoc at Rutgers University – Newark, Raluca established iPSC-derived 2D and 3D culture models of Alzheimer’s disease and studied autophagy-associated disease phenotype. In our group, Raluca aims to decipher GR-dependent cell type-specific mechanisms through which chronic stress contributes to the development of psychiatric conditions like major depressive disorder. Do well to do good – yoga and local culture lover.

Aleksandra Herud, M.Sc.

Ola graduated in Biomedical Engineering at Wrocław University of Science and Technology. She gained experience working as a bioinformatician at Hirszfeld Institute of Immunology and Experimental Therapy PAS, where she analysed data from Next-Generation Sequencing and third-generation sequencing of bacteria, bacteriophages and SARS-CoV-2. Ola joined Biology of Astrocytes Group to take responsibility of RNA-seq data analysis.

Tansu Göver, M.Sc.

Tansu obtained her BSc in Molecular Biology and Genetics from Uskudar University, Turkey. During her undergraduate degree, she completed various research periods at University of Oxford, as part of the Erasmus+ Traineeship Programme.  Afterwards, she accomplished her MSc in Neuroscience and proceeded to begin her PhD with a keen interest on investigating the role and molecular mechanisms of astrocytes in neuropsychiatric disorders.

Patrycja Ziuzia, M.Sc.

Dedicated PhD student focused on advancing behavioral studies, especially in context of depressive- and anxiety-like behavior. My work explores innovative tools to improve implementation of the 3Rs (Replacement, Reduction and Refinement) principles in animal studies.

Paweł Hanus, M.Sc.

Paweł obtained his MSc in degree in Genetics and Experimental Biology at University of Wrocław, where he was identifying astrocytal receptor for transthyretin. Currently in our team he is investigating role of astrocyte’s metabolism in central effects of chronic stress. His main research interest is astrocytal regulation of synaptic plasticity. Privately committed floorball player and hitchhiker.

Martyna Skuła, M.Sc.

Martyna received her master’s degree from the University of Wrocław, and her work focused on the effects of glycogen metabolism disruption on neuronal and astrocytic cultures. In addition to this, she completed a second degree with a specialization in Bioinformatics, during which she worked on the application of unsupervised machine learning algorithms to genomic analysis. Her PhD project was ranked first in the ranking list of the 8th edition of the Implementation Doctorate program. In her work, Martyna is responsible for implementing computational solutions for automating animal behavioral testing.

Klaudia Kuzdrowska, M.Sc.

Klaudia holds a Master’s degree in Biology from Adam Mickiewicz University and is currently pursuing a second Master’s degree in Neurobiology. During her studies, she focused on the behavioral patterns of small mammals, participating in research projects conducted across Poland for several years, which sparked her interest in neuroscience. As a Master’s student, she was awarded a grant to investigate the neuroprotective effects of nicotine in Alzheimer’s disease and conducted research related to the genetic disorder Duchenne muscular dystrophy. Later, she spent a semester at Vilnius University, collaborating with a research team exploring the properties of psychoactive substances in neurodevelopmental disorders such as ADHD and autism. These experiences have shaped her academic journey, leading her to her current Master’s thesis, which continues to delve into related topics in neurobiology. Klaudia’s role involves ensuring the care and management of animals, conducting genotyping essential for our studies, and providing support for research projects carried out by the group. Additionally, she is conducting research for her master’s thesis, which is being undertaken jointly with Adam Mickiewicz University and Poznan University of Medical Sciences.

Paulina Macierzyńska, M.Sc.

Paulina earned her B.S. in Medicinal Chemistry and my M.S. in Chemistry and Forensic Toxicology at University of Wrocław. After completing her studies, she went on a one-year internship to Dallas, USA, where she worked at the Center for Alzheimer’s and Neurodegenerative Diseases, focusing on chaperone interaction with the model of huntingtin protein. In our team Paulina is responsible for managing the team, maintaining equipment and supplies, and handling orders, budget control, documentation, and laboratory work organization, while ensuring compliance with safety regulations and quality standards.