Department of Neurobiology

The Department of Neurobiology consists of separate research teams and the independent Laboratory of Trace Elements Neurobiology. Research teams conduct complementary studies in areas such as metabotropic receptors for glutamate and the search for new sites of action for psychotropic drugs.


The team consisting of the following members: dr hab. Agnieszka Pałucha-Poniewiera (PhD), Karolina Podkowa (MPharm) and Szymon Rzeźniczek (MSc) takes part in the study of potential antidepressant properties of glutamate metabotropic ligands and their mechanisms of action.


The team consisting of the following members: Piotr Brański (PhD), Grzegorz Burnat (PhD), Paulina Chorobik (PhD), Marcin Marcinak (PhD), Barbara Chruścicka (MSc) deals with an identification and pharmacodynamic characteristics of biologically active chemical compounds. Their studies are focused on metabotropic receptors, in particular mGluR and GABA B.


The methodology and experimental procedures:

  • Mammalian cell cultures
  • Analysis of protein expression using RT-PCR and Western Blot
  • Immunofluorescence (microscopy and FACS)
  • Measurement of metabotropic receptors-mediated GTPase activity in isolated cell membranes
  • Cyclic ATP measurement (cells, tissue sections) using HTRF
  • Kinetic luminometric measurement of intracellular cAMP levels using a molecular sensor (Glo)
  • Measurement of the IP1 accumulation (cells, tissue sections) using HTRF
  • Measurement of intracellular mobilization of calcium ions (fluorescence)
  • Molecular cloning (propagation of bacterial vectors, modification of DNA sequence, transfer into mammalian cells [including tetracycline-inducible gene expression system], selection of cell clones)
  • Point mutations
  • Experiments on transgenic animals (PCR, electrophoretic separation of products)
  • Evaluation of sperm quality parameters (evaluation of: motility, vitality – eosinophilic test, maturity – presence and location of cytoplasmic droplets, integrity of cytoplasmic membrane – hyposmotic test and morphology of spermatozoids)


Dr hab. Joanna Wierońska (PhD), Monika Woźniak (MSc) and Paulina Cieślik (MSc) form a team whose main research direction are antipsychotics and their mechanisms of action. We use animal models of positive, negative and cognitive symptoms as well as techniques to determine the level of specific proteins and mRNA. Our studies oscillate around metabotropic receptors for glutamate and GABA B receptors.

The Laboratory of Neurodegeneration and Neuroprotection (no formal status), whose members are prof. dr hab. Maria Śmiałowska and Dr. Helena Domin, is involved in:

  • Research on neurodegeneration and neuroprotection in experimental models of ischemia
  • Study of neuroprotective and antidepressant mechanisms of glutamate group III receptor ligands and neuropeptide Y receptor ligands
  • Study of anatomical and histochemical interactions between different types of neurons and astrocytes in the cerebral cortex and limbic structures. We pay special attention to GABA and NPY neurons.


Methods used:

  • Histology (Nissl, HE, Kluver-Barrera staining)
  • Histochemistry and immunohistochemistry (NPY-ir, GAD67-ir, GFAP-ir, CRF-ir, NeuN-ir, TH-ir, TrpH-ir, immunohistochemical staining of selected receptors, and others)
  • Stereological quantification in microscopic images
  • Intracerebral administration of substances
  • Behavioral observations and tests
  • Western blot analysis of selected proteins or peptides.


The team closely collaborates with Laboratories of the Department of Neurobiology and other researchers in the Institute, especially in the field of behavior, Western blotting, neural cell cultures, and assessment of neurodegenerative changes in Parkinson's disease models.

The Department also conducts studies regarding the anxiolytic activity of drugs and the mechanisms of action of these compounds.

More publications
  • Sad brain, joyful brain – that is, considering how emotions shape us and vice versa

    Wszechświat 124, 7-9, 217-222

    https://wszechswiat.ptpk.org/index.php/wszechswiat/article/view/1524
  • Is it worth taking supplementation with omega-3 fatty acids and vitamin D?

    Wszechświat 124, 4-6, 147-154

    https://wszechswiat.ptpk.org/index.php/wszechswiat/article/view/1497
  • Positive impact of gardening on the psyche – or a few words about what is hortiterapy

    Wszechświat 123, 7-9, 2022.

    Introducing the subject of horticulture therapy.

    https://wszechswiat.ptpk.org/index.php/wszechswiat/article/view/1360
  • Stress as an environmental danger – how to deal with it

    Wszechświat 123, 1-3, 2022. Katarzyna Stachowicz, Helena Domin, Bernadeta Szewczyk.

    The article presents the basic issues related to stress, i.e. how stress affects the body, what brain structures are involved in the response to stress, what neurotransmitters are released in response to stress, and what brain structures may suffer the most as a result of chronic stress. In addition, several methods are described that can help prevent the effects of chronic stress.
  • Application potential of modulation of cyclooxygenase-2 activity: a cognitive approach

    PHMD DOI: https://doi.org/10.2478/ahem-2021-0022
  • The unknown face of cyclooxygenase

    Wszechświat,  122, 7-9, 2021

    https://wszechswiat.ptpk.org/index.php/wszechswiat/issue/view/50/61
  • The photoelectric effect a hundred years later

    Wszechświat t. 122, 4-6, 2021
  • Trade‐ofs between male fertility reduction and selected growth factors or the klotho response in a lipopolysaccharide‑dependent mouse model Toxicological Research DOI: 10.1007/s43188-021-00098-x
  • A little thing, but gives a satisfaction – that is, about the use of nanoparticles in medicine and in industry

    Kosmos, 2021, 70, 49-56.

    The article discusses the current state of knowledge on the use of nanoparticles in medicine and in industry.
  • Bionics - the implementation of practical goals inspired by nature

    Wszechświat t. 122, 1-3:54-58, 2021

    The article discusses what bionics is and what practical applications it has. The reader will learn from the article, inter alia, whether a fungus can be made a brick?
  • Selected aspects of male infertility

    Wszechświat t. 122, 1-3:59-65, 2021

    The article discusses the problem of male infertility. The article attempts to answer the question whether infertility arises in the reproductive organs or in the brain.
  • Can SARS-CoV-2 virus cause mental illness as a complication of COVID-19disease – theoretical considerations

    Wszechświat  t. 121, 7-9:213-218, 2020

    The article presents theoretical considerations as to whether  late post-pandemic complications, in the form of mental disorders, may occur.
  • Lapses of memory

    Wszechświat t. 121, 1-3:52-57, 2020

    The article discusses in a concise way how we define lapses of memory, and distinguishes between physiological forgetfulness and dementia-type diseases. The article presents two diseases: Alzheimer's disease and post-traumatic stress disorder, as opposing diseases.
  • Human mind under microbiom control

    Wszechświat t. 120, 10-12, 2019

    The article presents microorganisms inhabiting the human body, and shows how they affect our psyche.
  • Empathy

    "Wszechświat" t. 120, nr 7-9/2019

    In the article empathy was discussed in philosophical, psychological and neurobiological approach.

    Brain structures involved in empathy, neurotransmitters and diseases with altered empathy levels were presented.
More publications
  • PNRF-103-AI-1/07, Polish-Norwegian Grant, Director Prof. Dr. Andrzej Pilc, Katarzyna Stachowicz, PhD
    Creation of an academic platform for the discovery of substances acting on serotonergic or glutamatergic systems as potential new antidepressant or anti-anxiety drugs
  • KBN No. 4 P05F03517, Head Prof. Dr. Maciej Pawłowski, Katarzyna Stachowicz, PhD
    Title: 'Search for new atypical neuroleptics in the aryl-alkyl-piperazine group with aromaticity groupings'
  • KBN No. 3 P05F01223, headed by Dr Andrzej Bojarski. , Katarzyna Stachowicz, PhD
    Title: 'Conformational constraints on arylpiperazines key to controlling intrinsic activity towards serotonin 5-HT1A receptors; new tools in receptor modelling'
  • PRELUDIUM grant 2016/23/N/NZ4/01337, managed by Patrycja Pańczyszyn-Trzewik. , Katarzyna Stachowicz, PhD
    "The role of activation of the nuclear transcription factor Nrf2 induced by administration of (R,S)-Sulforaphane in the regulation of depressive-type behaviour in a mouse model of olfactory bulb deletion"
  • POIG:01.01.02-12-004/09-00 , Katarzyna Stachowicz, PhD
    Depression-mechanisms-therapy (DeMeTer), headed by Prof. Dr. Krzysztof Wędzony. Funding body: European Funds - Innovative Economy Programme
  • NCN 2013/09/B/NZ7/00748 and director Dr Andrzej Chodkowski, Katarzyna Stachowicz, PhD
    Synthesis and biological activity of pyrrolidine-2,5-dione derivatives with potential antidepressant activity. Warsaw Medical University, Faculty of Pharmacy with the Division of Laboratory Medicine
  • NCN 2016/23/B/NZ7/02916, head Prof. Tomasz Bączek, Katarzyna Stachowicz, PhD
    Modelling quantitative metabolic stability-chemical structure relationships as a tool to improve the development of potential new antidepressant and anti-anxiety drug candidates. Medical University of Gdańsk, Faculty of Pharmacy
  • NCN OPUS 6, 2013/11/B/NZ7/01638, supervisor Prof. Franciszek Herold, Katarzyna Stachowicz, PhD
    Synthesis of pyridopyrimidine derivative ligands with dual binding to 5-HT1AR and SERT
  • NCN, 2012/06/A/NZ7/00014, Head Prof. Andrzej Pilc , Katarzyna Stachowicz, PhD
    Third metabotropic receptor group for glutamate as a point of action for future antipsychotics
  • Involvement of cyclooxygenase 2 in antidepressant-like effects of metabotropic glutamatergic receptors group I. Grant: SONATA 7 NCN, Director Katarzyna Stachowicz, Katarzyna Stachowicz, PhD

  • , Piotr Brański, PhD

more_grants
  • L'OREAL For Women in Science , Katarzyna Stachowicz, PhD
    Monday, 30 November -0001
  • Scientific Team Award WUM, Katarzyna Stachowicz, PhD
    Monday, 30 November -0001
  • Postdoc Research position Vanderbilt University, Katarzyna Stachowicz, PhD
    Monday, 30 November -0001
  • , Piotr Brański, PhD
    Monday, 30 November -0001
  • Personality of the Year 2023 Malopolska, in the category Science, Polska Press, Katarzyna Stachowicz, PhD
    Monday, 30 November -0001
more_awards
Head

Bernadeta Szewczyk, PhD

Phone number: +48 12 6623242
E-mail: szewczyk@if-pan.krakow.pl

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