Structure Polish Academy of Sciences

A report delivered by a team of scientists, working under the supervision of Prof. Jerzy Duszyński, president of the Academy, presents the current state of knowledge about SARS-CoV-2 virus, COVID-19 disease and its medical, psychological, economic and social impacts. In an accessible manner, this document provides forecasts of the COVID-19 epidemic for the upcoming winter season and recommendations for citizens and institutions. 

Water becomes scarce resource even in regions where there seems to be an abundance of water. Scientists and policymakers have met on this year’s Economic Forum, held in Karpacz, to discuss how to prevent water shortages. Prof. Paweł Rowiński, vice-president of the Polish Academy of Sciences, was one of the invited speakers.

In recently published Scientific Reports, prestigious Nature Research journal, archaeologists prove that the remains of a Neanderthal discovered in the Stajnia Cave (Silesia) may date back as far as 116,000 years. One of members of the international researcher team was Prof. Adam Nadachowski from the PAS Institute of Systematics and Evolution of Animals.

Professor Paweł Gancarczyk from the PAS Institute of Art has been elected a new member of the prestigious scientific organization – Academia Europaea. This creates a good opportunity for world-wide promotion of Polish musicological research.

At least 15% of COVID-19 patients suffer from severe form of the disease. We need an efficient therapeutic response to COVID-19 pandemic to save hundreds of thousands of people affected by the novel coronavirus. According to Prof. Andrzej Górski from the PAS Institute of Immunology and Experimental Therapy in Wrocław, phage therapy might be an effective method of treatment.

Wild plants, commonly referred to as weeds, are the most threatened plant group. "Let’s protect native plants, thus preserving biodiversity, which is crucial for the functioning of the ecosystem, insects, animals and finally, ourselves" – appeals Prof. Arkadiusz Nowak from the PAS Botanical Garden. "However, we should remember that not all weeds deserve protection," he adds.

We know all this thanks to scientists from the PAS Institute of Human Genetics. They were the first to examine all genomes of the SARS-CoV-2 virus present in Poland. Researchers also observed a significant dominance of one type of coronavirus sequences compared to other European countries.

How science is helping us advance today? This is one of the topics discussed by the participants of a prestigious conference ESOF in Trieste (Italy). Among speakers is Dr. Jacek Kolanowski from the Institute of Bioorganic Chemistry of the Polish Academy of Sciences.

Scientists are working to develop a natural dietary supplement that prevents infection, limits the action of viruses and boosts immunity. The Institute of Animal Reproduction and Food Research of the Polish Academy of Sciences takes part in the international project.

Only one test, and we examine 10 people. This is possible thanks to the procedures developed at the PAS Institute of Experimental Biology in Warsaw. The method saves time and money and it gives a chance to test all Poles for the presence of SARS-CoV-2. We asked Prof. Agnieszka Dobrzyń, head of the project, how to implement pooled PCR testing?

Our scientist is the first Polish researcher to receive the Prince Sultan Bin Abdulaziz International Prize for Water. His research on the relationship between climate and water resources was appreciated. Congratulations!

The Polish Academy of Sciences Scientific Center in Paris promotes the development of Polish-French research cooperation and the popularisation of Polish science in France by organising scientific events such as symposia, conferences, lectures and meetings.

Holographic optical tomography is a breakthrough method of corneal imaging developed by a team of scientists from the Institute of Physical Chemistry of the Polish Academy of Sciences (IPC PAS) in Warsaw. In a quick and painless way, it will help to look into the eye and thus support the early diagnosis of eye diseases.

Beginning this week you can get a free coronavirus test in Poznań and at the same time make your contribution to an important study. The PAS Institute of Bioorganic Chemistry wants to determine how many people in Poland tested positive for COVID-19 but had no symptoms, and what genetic factors affect the course of the disease.

Researchers from the PAS Institute of Physical Chemistry have developed a cheap and effective chemical compound capable of purifying the air from various toxins. The invention can potentially be applied to produce air filters for industrial plants, as well as gas masks or protective suits for factory workers exposed to toxic vapors.

They emit strong red light and facilitate the study of the finest cellular structures. New, stable fluorescent dyes were developed by scientists from the PAS Institute of Organic Chemistry. They provide an opportunity to investigate, for example, proteins associated with Parkinson's disease or Alzheimer's disease.

The PAS Center of Polymer and Carbon Materials in Zabrze and the Medical University of Silesia in Katowice have created a wound dressing for the 21st century. It accelerates wound healing, reduces the risk of scarring and does not need to be changed. The invention was awarded in the "Eureka! DGP" competition.

It is established by scientific institutions that during the COVID-19 pandemic have supported hospitals and sanitary epidemiological stations by carrying out tests for coronavirus. Those institutions agreed to conduct joint research and apply for grants. Medical University of Lodz is a leader of the newly established consortium, while the PAS Institute of Medical Biology is one of its partners.