Over PLN 12.5 million for WUM to build modern laboratories for microbiota research

Six people stand together during an official event. Two of them are holding a large board with information about project funding. The flags of Poland and the European Union, as well as materials promoting European Funds for Mazovia, are visible in the background.

Thanks to the support of the Mazovian Voivodeship, the Center for Translational Pharmacy – Specialist Laboratories for Microbiota Research will be established. The contract for co-financing this project has just been signed by our university. The center is intended to be a unique research facility in Mazovia, Poland and Europe. It will conduct comprehensive research on the human and animal microbiota as well as on the metabolism of drugs, toxins, food and cosmetics.

The document was initialed by Prof. Marcin Sobczak, the Vice Rector for Science and Technology Transfer, and by Anna Brzezińska, a member of the voivodeship board, from the Mazovian Voivodeship.

The following were present at the signing of the document: Prof. Jakub Piwowarski, the Head of the Department of Pharmaceutical Microbiology WUM and the Head of the Microbiota Lab Environmental Laboratory, the author of the project for the establishment of the Center for Translational Pharmacy – Specialist Laboratories for Microbiota Research, as well as Dorota Szubstarska, the Director of Scientific and Teaching Projects at WUM, and Anetta Pszczołowska, the Head of the Project Support Department WUM.

The funds received by our university are part of the European Funds Program for Mazovia for 2021-2027. The program includes support for the economy, education, social development and digitization in the region.

What is covered by the project to establish the Center for Translational Pharmacy – Specialist Laboratories for Microbiota Research

The project includes the adaptation of a part of the Center for Medical Simulation building into a modern laboratory, which will be equipped with highly specialized devices for research on microbiota and the metabolites. The center will house advanced chromatographic and spectrometric systems, equipment for analyzing biological samples and devices for synthesizing and purifying metabolites.

The funds received under the European Funds Program will be used for the purchase of this modern apparatus.

“We have been conducting research on the microbiota for many years and, so far, we have been able to identify numerous interesting molecules that we have patented. Now, we are trying to implement them in therapy,” emphasized Prof. Jakub Piwowarski.

Professor Piwowarski added that the current research had been carried out using low-tech equipment, which narrowed the field of research.

“The new equipment will allow us to enter a higher level, and to cooperate with centers conducting clinical trials and companies wishing to develop their ideas concerning the introduction of probiotic or postbiotic products, or therapies involving the modification of the intestinal microbiota,” said the professor.

The total value of the project is PLN 21,992,400.00.

Photo: Michał Słaby, Marshal's Office of the Mazovian Voivodeship

Two people are seated at a table signing documents. Documents and a board providing information about project funding are placed on the table. The flags of Poland and the European Union, as well as materials related to European Funds for Mazovia, are visible in the background.

Several people attend a meeting at a conference table. Two people are seated next to each other and taking part in a discussion. Bottles of water and an arrangement of white flowers are on the table.