The success of our Student Scientific Clubs in the competition for funding of innovative projects

Which MUW Scientific Clubs have received funding?

The funds awarded in the competition are intended to support students in conducting scientific research or development work, in particular aimed at creating or modernizing technologies or technical solutions as well as promoting their results. For the fifth edition of the competition, 371 applications were submitted, of which the science ministry selected the best 145. Among them are the following scientific clubs operating at MUW:

• SKN Free Radicals at the Department of Organic and Physical Chemistry;
• SKN Immunooncology IMDIK PAN;
• SKN at the 1st Chair and Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology;
• SKN Fetal Therapy and Perinatology at the Department of Obstetrics, Perinatology, Gynecology and Reproductive Sciences;
• SKN AGAR at the Department of Medical Biology;
• SKN CEREBRUM at the Department of Pharmacotherapy and Pharmaceutical Care;
• SKN Physio at the Department of Experimental and Clinical Physiology;
• SKN „Endocrinus” at the Chair and Department of Internal Medicine and Endocrinology;
• SKN Experimental Medicine;
• SKN Herba at the Department of Pharmaceutical Biology 

Polycystic ovary syndrome, neuropsychiatric diseases, adrenal tumors - what are the winning projects about?

• The project “The use of artificial intelligence algorithms to predict the effect of cyclodextrins on the bioavailability of selected pharmacologically active substances” by SKN Free Radicals is an innovative proposal that combines modern technologies, such as artificial intelligence, with the practical needs of pharmacy. The development of a tool to predict the effect of cyclodextrins on the bioavailability of active substances can contribute to faster and more efficient drug development. The project has received PLN 22,000 in funding from the Ministry of Science and Higher Education.
• The aim of the SKN Immunooncology IMDIK PAN project entitled: “The tumor organoid co-cultures with microenvironment for testing therapeutic protocols in pancreatic cancer” is to develop a novel platform for testing chemotherapeutics based on 3D co-culture of organoids with tumor-associated fibroblasts (CAFs) and leukocytes. The project received PLN 70,000 in funding from the Ministry of Science and Higher Education.
• As part of the project entitled “The use of exosomal microRNAs and androgens contained in saliva and plasma in the diagnosis of polycystic ovary syndrome,” the SKN at the 1st Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology will analyze miRNAs found in extracellular vesicles in saliva in patients with PCOS. Panel-based miRNA profiling is a modern and cost-effective technique that allows assessment of the expression levels of a wide range of dozens or even hundreds of miRNA molecules at a relatively affordable cost. With this innovative approach, knowledge of the importance of miRNAs in PCOS will be expanded and complemented. The project received PLN 70,000 in funding from the Ministry of Science and Higher Education.
• The SKN Fetal Therapy and Perinatology has received a PLN 70,000 grant from the Ministry of Science and Higher Education for a project entitled “The significance of nuclear farnesoid X receptor in the pathogenesis of glycemic abnormalities recorded with a continuous glycemic monitoring system in intrahepatic cholestasis of pregnancy.” As written in the project proposal, intrahepatic cholestasis of pregnancy is a disease whose etiology is not known, therefore studying its pathogenesis using novel methods has great potential, and the knowledge gained from the study will be able to influence the clinical management of ICP in the future.
• The goal of the project titled “The evaluation of bioactivity of oligosaccharide fractions isolated from mare's milk against Cutibacterium acnes” by SKN AGAR is to study in detail the qualitative and quantitative composition of oligosaccharide fractions found in mare's milk. Students will also evaluate their antimicrobial properties and potential synergism with antibiotics used to treat infections with C. acnes etiology. The research will contribute to a better understanding of the mechanisms of action of oligosaccharides, which may have important implications for the prevention and treatment of bacterial diseases. The Scientific Circle received a grant of PLN 49,000 for the project.
• Whereas, the results of SKN CEREBRUM's project entitled “The study of cellular mechanisms controlled by brain-derived neurotrophic factor as a basis for new therapeutic strategies in the treatment of neuropsychiatric diseases” may significantly contribute to the development of new therapeutic strategies for neuropsychiatric disorders that are associated with BDNF deficiencies. The project has received funding of PLN 56,000 from the Ministry of Science and Higher Education.
• The innovation of SKN Physio's project entitled “The evaluation of the effect of microRNAs on the sequelae of myocardial ischemia-reperfusion injury in an animal model of ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction” against the background of related studies is related to the use of an animal model of heart failure following I/R injury and a comprehensive analysis of the impact of a therapeutic strategy based on miRNAs. The project received PLN 66,800 in funding from the Ministry of Science and Higher Education.
• The aim of the SKN “Endocrinus” project is to develop a new AI algorithm to identify adrenal tumors in CT images in an automated way. The idea behind the project titled “The use of artificial intelligence algorithms for analysis of CT images of adrenal tumors” is to engage medical students to “teach” AI to detect focal lesions of the adrenal glands. In the future, the application of mathematical tools in the analysis of CT images will allow for a precise, objective and reproducible method of analyzing images, as well as negate possible diagnostic errors. The SKN has received PLN 46,943 in funding from the Ministry of Science and Higher Education.
• The SKN Experimental Medicine will carry out a project entitled “The effects of genetically modified stromal vascular fraction cells, which secrete brain-derived neurotrophic factor, on peripheral nerve healing in a rat model.” The project focuses on an innovative strategy to use stromal vascular fraction (SVF) cells from adipose tissue. The development of an alternative, more accessible therapy for peripheral nerve injury using BDNF and SVF cells could become a viable option for future clinical application, promoting faster and more effective recovery as well as reducing the costs and limitations of current experimental therapies. The amount of funding the students received from the Ministry of Science and Higher Education is PLN 56,519.
• The SKN Herba has received funding for the project “The innovative approach to phytotherapy of atopic dermatitis: studies of dehydrotriferulic acid from Aralia spinosa as a modulator of the aromatic hydrocarbon receptor-dependent pathway.” The main objective of the project is to develop biotechnological methods to obtain dehydrotriferulic acid (KdhTF) as well as plant extracts from trichome roots and callus tissue of Aralia spinosa and to evaluate their therapeutic potential for the treatment of atopic dermatitis (AD) through modulation of the AHR-NRF2 pathway. The project is part of the field of research into modern, natural methods of treating chronic inflammatory skin diseases such as AD. The students' development of an efficient method for obtaining KdhTF and understanding its mechanisms of action may contribute to the development of novel topical dermatological preparations that will provide a safer alternative to current systemic therapies. The amount of funding from the Ministry of Science and Higher Education is PLN 60,000.

The success in the competition is due to the creativity and scientific curiosity of our students, and also to the fulfillment of formal and substantive issues of the submitted applications. In this, the students are indispensably assisted by the staff of the Project Support Department MUW.