mTOR is an enzyme that helps cells adjust their activity in response to signals from their environment and available resources. Research has shown that it also plays an important role in the development and function of neurons. During an open scientific seminar at Łukasiewicz – PORT, Prof. Jacek Jaworski will explore the lesser-known functions of mTOR and explain their significance for the nervous system.
The mTOR kinase is an important regulator of cellular metabolism. It integrates signals from the cell’s environment with information about the availability of energy and nutrients, regulating processes involved in the synthesis and breakdown of cellular components. For many years, research on the role of mTOR in the nervous system focused primarily on its regulation of protein synthesis. However, scientists now know that this enzyme performs other functions essential for neuronal development.
During the seminar “Neurobiology of mTOR” Prof. Jacek Jaworski will discuss the molecular mechanisms of mTOR signaling that extend beyond the regulation of protein synthesis. He will explain how mTOR-regulated cellular processes contribute to the proper development and function of neurons.
Join us for an open scientific seminar on October 15 at 2:00 p.m. in the Łukasiewicz – PORT auditorium. The event will be of particular interest to researchers and students working in neuroscience, cell and molecular biology, nervous system development, and neurodevelopmental disorders.
Online participation is also available.
About the Speaker
Prof. Jacek Jaworski heads the Laboratory of Molecular and Cellular Neurobiology at the International Institute of Molecular and Cell Biology in Warsaw. His research focuses on the molecular and cellular mechanisms underlying neuronal development and their relevance to disorders of the nervous system.
One of his most significant scientific achievements was the first demonstration of the involvement of the mTOR kinase in neuronal development. He currently collaborates with research teams across Europe to investigate the role of mTOR-regulated processes in neurodevelopmental disorders, including epilepsy and tuberous sclerosis. His team uses advanced research models, including induced pluripotent stem cells and zebrafish.
Prof. Jaworski has also participated in the EPISTOP and EPIMARKER projects, which focused, among other areas, on identifying biomarkers of epilepsy. He is a member of the European Molecular Biology Organization (EMBO) and a corresponding member of the Polish Academy of Sciences. He currently serves as President of the Polish Neuroscience Society and is a member of the P4Health Advisory Board.
