As part of the programme 'Student scientific clubs create innovations' established by the Minister of Education and Science, three university scientific clubs received funding to realise their projects:
Student Scientific Club "Biochemistry of Civilisation Diseases" operating at the Department of Hygiene, Epidemiology and Ergonomics - supervisor of the club Dr hab. Mateusz Maciejczyk - amount of funding - PLN 70,000. Project title: "Evaluation of the anti-aging potential of natural histidine derivatives".
Project description:
Ageing is a complex physiological process involving a reduction in adaptive capacity to environmental stressors. Although ageing affects the whole body, its effects are particularly visible on the skin. Modern lifestyles and numerous environmental factors significantly accelerate the skin ageing process. Many studies have shown that wrinkles and sagging skin are major causes of reduced self-esteem, which affects overall quality of life.
Not surprisingly, there is a steadily increasing desire among women and men to look younger. As aesthetic treatments are often associated with high financial expenses, it is necessary to develop less expensive services/products for effective anti-ageing. Consumers are mainly looking for natural cosmetics because of their organic composition, but also because they are very safe to use with an effective anti-ageing effect.
A large group of natural substances used in cosmetology are thiols. These compounds are attributed both antioxidant, anti-inflammatory and detoxifying effects, which are determined by the presence of a free sulfhydryl (-SH) group. However, little is known about the anti-aging properties of sulphur-derived histidine derivatives. Natural histidine compounds of marine origin include ergothioneine and ovothiol A. A recently discovered ergothioneine analogue is selenoneine, which has (instead of sulphur) a selenium atom.
The aim of this project is to comprehensively evaluate the anti-ageing potential of natural histidine derivatives.
Student Scientific Club at the Centre for Regenerative Medicine - club mentors Dr hab. Andrzej Eljaszewicz and Dr Marlena Tynecka - funding amount 70,000zł. Project title: Optimisation of storage parameters and stability assessment of a new biological preparation containing elements of the secretome of mesenchymal stem cells with therapeutic potential.
Project description:
Cell therapies using mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) for the treatment of chronic inflammatory diseases, including respiratory diseases such as severe steroid-resistant asthma has been an object of scientific interest for more than 30 years. Unfortunately, despite numerous reports confirming the therapeutic efficacy of MSCs in preclinical and clinical studies, no therapy using these cells has been registered for any disease entity. An interesting alternative to the use of whole MSCs may be to use only factors secreted by them.
Replacing MSCs with only elements of their secretome while maintaining comparable therapeutic efficacy could therefore reduce the difficulties arising from the use of whole cells while allowing better standardisation of the production process. Unfortunately, the detailed mechanism of action of MSCs, as well as the extracellular vesicles (EVs) they secrete, has not been sufficiently understood to date. The aim of this project is to clarify whether maintaining the integrity of the cell membrane of EVs is necessary to preserve their therapeutic effect, and how storage parameters may affect the therapeutic potential of the formula.
Student Scientific Circle operating at the Department of Food Biotechnology - supervisor of the circle Dr hab. Małgorzata Zujko - amount of funding - PLN 69 900. Project title: "Development of innovative functional food to support the reduction of oxidative stress in athletes".
Project description:
Health-promoting foods with high antioxidant potential are an important element in the prevention of chronic diseases, in the pathogenesis of which oxidative stress is important. Long-term oxidative stress in athletes can lead to lower training and sports performance, and even to the development of cardiovascular diseases. The project will develop innovative product formulations, in an easily accessible form, such as bars with high antioxidant potential. In the product prototypes, the basic nutritional and microbiological value will be determined, as well as the content of vitamins, minerals, polyphenols and antioxidant potential. Food packaging will also be developed.
The effectiveness of the designed antioxidant food in reducing oxidative stress will be tested in intervention studies conducted in a group of athletes involved in long-distance running or triathlon. Final versions of the new products will be presented to the food manufacturer.
On the administrative side, the projects are coordinated by the MUB Development and Evaluation Department.
