News

Polymorphisms of the sphingomyelinase gene affect the risk of depression and alcoholism Polymorphisms of the sphingomyelinase gene affect the risk of depression and alcoholism The latest issue of Molecular Psychiatry features a report from an international team of scientists that included researchers from the Department of Drug Addiction Pharmacology at our Institute that points to the involvement of disrupted function of the enzyme sphingomyelinase in the risks of developing alcohol dependence, mood disorders, and also abnormal bone mineralization. https://doi.org/10.1038/s41380-021-01304-w.  The Authors observed that polymorphisms in the gene encoding sphingomyelinase (SMPD3) had a significant correlation with alcoholism and depression in a cohort of almost 500 000 volunteers that participated in the study. Moreover, experiments conducted using genetically modified mice with inactivation of the Smpd3 gene confirmed its significance for alcohol-related behaviors and also revealed accompanying changes at the neuronal level. Congratulations to the Authors!
We encourage you to watch the film from this year's Neurobiological boat. We encourage you to watch the film from this year's Neurobiological boat. The neurobiological boat, traditionally organized by the Maj Institute of Pharmacology Polish Academy of Sciences, is a science outreach event designed to popularize neurobiology and brain sciences.The event was co-financed by the "Social Responsibility of Science" program of the Minister of Science and Higher Education.
The Central European Biomedical Congress (CEBC) has concluded. The Central European Biomedical Congress (CEBC) has concluded. The 4th edition was the largest yet, with over 300 participants, 4 plenary lectures, 63 lectures during 14 scientific sessions and several workshops. We are looking forward to the 5th CEBC in 2023, and in the meantime here is the video with the highlights from the 4th meeting!
Maj Institute of Pharmacology Polish Academy of Sciences as a partner of Małopolska Researchers' Night Maj Institute of Pharmacology Polish Academy of Sciences as a partner of Małopolska Researchers' Night The Institute of Pharmacology is a partner in the Małopolska Researchers' Night event! The slogan of this 15th edition of the Małopolska Researchers' Night: "How do scientists change our world?", how the scientist's work affects various aspects of human life, including scientists' role in the battle against environmental hazards. The event in Poland is coordinated by the Marshal's Office of Małopolska. The official patronage over the Night was taken by: the Minister of Education and Science, the Polish Academy of Sciences, and PAP Science in Poland. This year the event will take place on 24 September 2021 and the Institute of Pharmacology will be represented by 17 scientists. We also inform about the ongoing art competition with the slogan: "The Scientist’s ECO-POWER". More information about the competition can be found on the website https://nocnaukowcow.malopolska.pl/konkurs/ . More information about the event can be found here https://nocnaukowcow.malopolska.pl/ , and in the Małopolska Researchers' Night tab on the Institute's official website. We invite you to share this information, and also to participate in the next editions!