UPWr Doctoral School: Prof. Marycz and translational medicine

Prof. Krzysztof Marycz – Head of the Department of Experimental Biology of the UPWr, plenipotentiary of the Director of the National Medicines Institute in Warsaw for advanced therapy products, and Visiting Professor at Stanford Medical School and the University of California, DAVIS (UC DAVIS), where he is currently carrying out a research project. He conducts pioneering research in areas related to stem cells, biointelligent implant material and biomedicine, which is the best evidence that his passion and vocation is the development of translational and regenerative medicine and endocrinology. Not only does setting the bar so high not deter those in search of challenges, but it actually attracts them, and the UPWr Doctoral School currently has two doctoral dissertation topics being supervised by Prof. Krzysztof Marycz, both related to translational medicine and endocrinology. They are "The role and significance of extracellular membrane microfragments in animal nephropathies" and "Sex hormone binding globulin (SHBG) as a therapeutic factor in selected equine disorders".

– The latter topic is an excellent example of what translational medicine is. SBGH protein, produced by the liver, is measured in women with high androgen levels and, for example, suspected polycystic ovaries. But what makes it important to us is that testing its level is used in diagnosing and monitoring insulin resistance, characteristic for metabolic syndrome, which is the first stage of diabetes development – explains Prof. Krzysztof Marycz.

The metabolic syndrome is a disease of civilisation associated with lifestyle, obesity and lack of exercise. It has an equine animal model.

– The horse lifestyle model has changed similar to that of humans. Horses in stables are given a lot of food, but they move less and therefore put on weight, leading to the development of syndrome X, which is the equivalent of the human metabolic syndrome. Our research on the role of a protein that could bind sex hormones and reduce insulin resistance has the potential for a breakthrough in human medicine – says Professor Krzysztof Marycz, who when asked what he expects from a doctoral candidate at the UPWr Doctoral School who wants to conduct research in biological sciences, he replies: – Diligence and creativity are equally important to me. The former is fundamental in laboratory research, which requires commitment, a systematic approach, and precision. But creativity is equally important, as are the courage to ask questions, notice problems and look for ways to solve them. It gives me personal satisfaction when I find out that a former student of mine is working at a leading foreign research centre. And especially if they are respected for their thorough preparation for the job.

Prof. Krzysztof Marycz has no doubts that the UPWr Doctoral School offers more than only the chance to pursue doctoral studies under the supervision of a great scientist. It also offers a chance for development, meeting young scientists from universities abroad, establishing contacts, and is a good place for your postdoc.

– I am very glad that at the Department of Experimental Biology, which I head, English is heard more often than Polish. This is the best proof that we can also proudly build an international community in Poland. If I am now carrying out research at the best veterinary university in the world, then this is not only a personal success, but also proof of the leading position of the Department of Experimental Biology of UPWr, which makes us attract young people who are looking for a good Doctoral School, and topics in the field of biological sciences that will widen their horizons – emphasises Prof. Krzysztof Marycz, who developed, among others, active biological molecules dedicated to the regeneration of the locomotor system and osteoarthritis treatment therapy for people suffering from osteochondrosis. He was also the first to describe the molecular changes in the stem cells of patients suffering from syndrome X, or the metabolic syndrome, and develop treatments for corneal regeneration.