Dr. Karolina Bierowiec became a finalist in the Young Talents competition

•  Finalist in the scientific success category

The Young Talents competition is an initiative of the Lower Silesian Capital Club (Dolnośląski Klub Kapitału), which decided a few years ago that they wanted to promote and rewardi students and young academics who have achieved significant success not only in science, but also in art, social activities, sport and as young entrepreneurs. The competition and the gala, during which the winners and participants with honourable mentions receive cash prizes and a statuette by Jarosław Nowak, a sculptor from Wrocław, are held under the patronage of the Marshal of the Lower Silesian Voivodeship.

The award is given in the following categories: scientific success, innovation success, artistic success, success in social activities, success in entrepreneurial activities and success in sports.

Scientific success

Dr. Karolina Bierowiec became a finalist in the scientific success category – her achievements date back to her time at university. In 2011, along with her university diploma, Dr. Karolina Bierowiec received the UPWr Rector's Award for the best veterinary graduate. She then made the decision to continue her academic career.

Her research has focused on the epidemiological characteristics of bacteria of the genus Staphylococcus, which are among the most commonly isolated opportunistic bacteria of the skin and mucous membranes of humans and animals. Over the last ten years, she has produced a unique series of articles on the colonisation of the skin and mucous membranes of cats by bacteria of the genus Staphylococcus. She is also the author of seven publications on this topic, published in JCR-listed journals. In them, she presented data on the prevalence of each staphylococcal species, their antibiotic resistance and virulence, and factors that increase their prevalence in cats. The results of the research were obtained during the course of her PhD thesis and through the execution of the Prelude 11 project, funded by the National Science Centre. – By conducting research in this area, I have built up a collection of over 2,000 staphylococcal strains, which I am currently using in applied research. In 2021, together with students of Veterinary Medicine, we established the EZA Student Science Club, where further basic research in this area is being conducted – says the scientist.

In November 2022, Dr. Karolina Bierowiec was awarded a Leader XIII grant from the National Centre for Research and Development for the StaphiX project on an innovative solution for controlling the skin and mucosal microbiome in veterinary medicine based on bacteriocins. This research is expected to contribute to the development of an innovative medicine for dogs and cats based on bacteriocins with antimicrobial properties against S. aureus and S. pseudintermedius bacteria, especially methicillin-resistant and multidrug-resistant strains.

– My preliminary studies have shown that the commonly occurring staphylococcal species S. felis in cats has a high potential to produce inhibitory substances against coagulase-positive staphylococci such as S. aureus and S. pseudintermedius. These bacteria are one of the main causes of skin infections and surgical wounds in companion animals – explains Dr. Bierowiec and explains that bacteriocins can be defined as biologically active substances with a bactericidal effect. They are different from currently used antimicrobial agents and are mainly characterised by a narrow spectrum. – The selective effect of bacteriocins on pathogens and their natural origin are their undoubted advantages. Preliminary research results in this area are very promising, but bacteriocins have not yet entered therapeutics on a mass scale. Therefore, the prototype medicinal product I have obtained will be unique on a global scale – she adds.

In her scientific work, which has spanned more than a decade, Dr. Bierowiec has consistently developed the research direction she chose at the beginning of her career. This has allowed her to move from the level of basic research to that of development research. – My next goal is to implement products on the market that will be a practical application of the results of my research – says the scientist.