Grants and financial support
With grants, we develop cutting-edge ideas and conduct pioneering scientific projects in response to the current challenges and needs of humanity.
in SONATA, SONATA BIS, SONATINA, DAINA, OPUS, PRELUDIUM, MINIATURA, and WEAVE UNISONO calls of the Polish National Science Centre. Also, PASIFIC grant awarded by Polish Academy of Sciences; funding for CRATER conference and SCIENCE FOR SOCIETY project awarded from the Ministry of Education and Science; and PROOF OF CONCEPT granted by the Foundation for Polish Science. The Potocki Foundation Grant has also been secured.
scientists engaged in our Research projects.
that have been filled with talented people.
Granted projects
Horizon Europe WIDERA – Teaming for Excellence / EU
Project title: Translational Research on Innovations in Ophthalmology and Vision (ICTER CoE) Project Leader: prof. Maciej Wojtkowski Thanks to significant European and Polish funding, the existing International Centre for Eye Research (ICTER) in Warsaw will be transformed into a Centre of Excellence for research in ophthalmology. The Centre will be established based on the expertise […]
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MAESTRO 16 / NCN
Project title: Optical measurements of retinal neuronal responses The human eye contains the retina, which is part of the brain’s neural network and can be studied using non-invasive optical methods. The retina has well-defined inputs (photoreceptors) and outputs (nerve fibers connecting the eye to the brain), and the neuronal circuits within its structure are well […]
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OPUS 28 / NCN
Project title: Ultra-high-throughput single-microbe profiling to study microbiome
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IRAP FENG / FNP
Project Leader: prof. Maciej Wojtkowski This research program aims to develop new tools for safer and more effective surgical interventions, new therapies for eye diseases, and diagnostic methods to improve prognosis and restore vision. The main technology to be developed under this program will be a novel robotic system for delivering drugs to the eye […]
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OPUS 27 / NCN
Project title: Characterization of sensitivity of cones and rods to two-photon stimulation Project leader: dr Katarzyna Komar Two-photon stimulation of photoreceptors will be studied using dedicated optical systems and measurement techniques based on visual psychophysics (flicker photometry), optoretinography, and electrophysiology. With the flicker photometry, the spectral two-photon sensitivity of individual photoreceptor types will be measured. We […]
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OPUS 26 / NCN
Project title: Light-induced photoreceptor morphological changes – Towards objective and impartial diagnostics in ophthalmology Recently functional imaging devices have been gaining popularity, but still, for some, the molecules responsible for the changes observed are unknown, and the full potential of a diagnostic tool can only be unleashed when the biology behind it is fully understood. […]
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SONATA BIS 12 / NCN
Project title: Parallel interferometric near-infrared spectroscopy for noninvasive monitoring of the cerebral blood flow in humans in vivo. This project aims to develop a fast optical system for noninvasive continuous cerebral blood flow monitoring in humans in vivo. To achieve this goal, we aim to parallelize the iNIRS system. The collected optical signals will be recorded […]
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Weave-UNISONO / NCN & Swiss SNSF
Project title: Spatial Determinants of Immunotherapy Resistance in Cancer In this project we have outlined a series of experiments to analyze the cellular and transcriptional changes associated with tumor infiltrating immune cells. This research project is highly interdisciplinary implementing single-cell ‘omics’ strategies and systems immunology approaches to further unravel the players and rules governing immune responses during […]
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OPUS 25 / NCN
Project title: The effect of Western diet modified with vegetable oils on the healing process of skin wounds in mice The aim of the project is to show that changing eating habits by partial substitution of dietary animal fat by plant oils improves skin wound healing by reducing pro-inflammatory effect of WD and restoring skin […]
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Potocki Foundation Grant
Project title: Genome and transcriptome study of tumours In this project, we plan to apply a state-of-the-art single-cell multimodal profiling method to study eye tumours. Multimodal profiling allows, in a single experiment to obtain detailed multi-layer data that, when analysed using machine and deep learning methods, provide a complete picture of the genotype and phenotype of […]
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SONATINA 8 / NCN
Project title: Interrogation of the antigen presentation dynamics via MHCII in tumor immune evasion through multimodal single-cell sequencing. In this research project we aim to elucidate the mechanisms underlying antigen presentation via Major Histocompatibility Complex class II (MHC-II) in tumor-activated antigen-presenting cells (APCs) and their contribution to immune evasion. Leveraging innovative molecular biology techniques we […]
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OPUS 24 / NCN
Project title: A new approach for gene delivery into retinal bipolar cells. This project aims to develop a novel proof-of-concept approach to therapeutic gene delivery using a modified Rabies virus as a vector specific to bipolar cells. We propose that specific targeting of the surviving cell population within the degenerated retina, especially bipolar cells (BC) […]
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OPUS 21 / NCN
The project ” Benchmarking Human Tissue Culture Systems that Mimic the Tumor Microenvironment ” received funding from the OPUS 21 program. Funding in the amount of 954 650 PLN was granted by Polish National Science Centre.In this collaborative, inter-disciplinary project the researchers from University of Warsaw, ICTER at IPC and Medical University in Lublin (consrotium leader) […]
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Science for Society II / MSHE
Project title: Breakthrough single cell profiling method for cancer research The development of targeted therapies, has made the fight against cancer more effective, although their availability is limited due to their high cost. Technological advances and the development of new treatment modalities can reduce the financial outlay for oncotherapy, which in the long term will […]
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PRELUDIUM 24 / NCN
Project title: Monitoring Prefrontal Emotion-Related Activation Using a Spectroscopy Platform
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MINIATURA 9 / NCN
Project title: Establishing MicroED-Based Structural Insights into Aldose Reductase for Fragment-Driven Drug Discovery
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MINIATURA 9 / NCN
Project title: Multimodal analysis of transcriptional dynamics in single cell
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SONATINA 7 / NCN
Project title: Chimeric Rhodopsin as a novel optogenetic tool. This project aims to develop novel proof-of-concept chimeric opsins with exceeded functionality to mimic natural circuit mechanisms and information processing within a degenerated retina. We propose that chimeric RecRho variants may constitute a new gene therapy strategy in retinal diseases. We hypothesize that moderate light levels […]
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SONATA BIS 12 / NCN
Project title: Comprehensive, multimodal profiling of chromatin states and gene expression in single cells. The main aim of this project is to develop an experimental protocol to simultaneously measure dozens of histone modifications and DNA-bound proteins, accessibility of the chromatin, and RNA molecules that are polyadenylated (protein coding genes) and non-polyadenylated (regulatory RNAs). This comprehensive […]
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SONATA 16 / NCN
This project is designed to investigate the Basal Forebrain's role in visual information processing. The BF is the primary source of cholinergic inputs into the visual cortex, and therefore the main source of the acetylcholine neurotransmitter. We propose that cholinergic modulation coming from BF will significantly impact single neuronal responses of the primary visual cortex (V1) in Long-Evans rats.
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PRELUDIUM BIS 2 / NCN
Project title: Development of a comprehensive bacteria detection procedure: the creation of a sensor and development of new protocols for sample preparation and deposition
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SONATA BIS 9 / NCN
The general aim of this project is to develop a new approach to deliver light-sensitive ion channels in order to restore selective neuronal responses to low light stimuli in the visual system of a blind animal. To do so we will use a modified Rabies virus (RV) tracing technique that allows not only for efficient gene expression but also cell-type-specific network tracing to precisely deliver proteins of interest to the desired retinal circuit.
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PRELUDIUM 21 / NCN
Project title: Topic modeling for multimodal single-cell data The project aims to develop a new topic modeling algorithm able to compress data from multimodal single-cell sequencing into a form that is drastically smaller in size and easily interpreted. To the best of our knowledge no one has yet attempted to model multimodal topics for single-cell […]
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DAINA 2 / NCN
To follow the progression and treatment of degenerative diseases, new in vivo imaging modalities are required. Building on the state of the art technology and recent advances in physical optics, we propose to develop new methods for repeatable and safe imaging to assess morphological and functional aspects of individual cells within human body. We will focus on methods derivative to Optical Coherence Tomography OCT, which is the most promising method for providing non-invasive, high-speed volumetric structural, and functional imaging at cellular-level.
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Proof of Concept FENG / FNP
Project title: Retinal display based on two-photon vision for augmented reality Project number: FENG.02.07-IP.05-0233/23 One of the main problems with augmented reality (AR: Augmented Reality) technologies is that simultaneously achieving satisfactory clarity and quality: (1) the image of the outside world and (2) the additional information displayed against it, requires a compromise. Current solutions on […]
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MINIATURA 6 / NCN
Project title: Screening of HDAC Inhibitors with Single-Cell Transcriptome and Epigenome Readouts. The scientific activity under Miniatura research grant is a pilot study aimed at testing the profiling of cancer cells’ responses to selected chemical compounds at single-cell and single-clone resolution, with full determination of changes in the transcriptome and chromatin availability after drug administration. […]
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Polish Returns / NAWA
Polish Returns 2018 – Karol Karnowski
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IRAP / FNP
Project Leader: prof. Maciej Wojtkowski The research conducted as part of this project aimed to provide ophthalmologists with a new method capable of simultaneously detecting and comparing structural and objective functional information about the state of the retina during the normal ageing process and disease. The research activities included two overarching scientific objectives focusing on […]
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Horizon 2020 – Information and Communication Technologies Call / EU
Project title: IMaging-based CUSTOMised EYE diagnostics Prevalent eye diseases, such as glaucoma, keratoconus, refractive errors, cataract, myopia and presbyopia, affect millions worldwide, and only in Europe represent over €20 billion annual cost to society. Current screening tools rely on morphological biomarkers based on corneal shape and optics, yet differences in biomechanical properties underlie and precede […]
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MINIATURA 5 / NCN
The project entitled “Monolithic imaging fiber optic probes with integrated spherical lenses of different refractive indices” received funding from the Miniatura 5 Programme funded by National Science Centre. The total funding is 27500 PLN.In the awarded grant, dr Karnowski will explore novel methods for the fabrication of all-fiber imaging probes. The proposed approach, if successful, will […]
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Team-Tech / FNP
Project title: Two-photon vision and two-photon eye imaging (2×2 PhotonVis)
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PRELUDIUM 23 / NCN
Project title: Phase-Sensitive Measurements of Signal Transduction in the Inner Plexiform Layer in Mouse Retina Project leader: Wiktor Kulesza, MSc The aim of this project is to develop a new method to study the response of nerve cells in the mouse retina to light, which could contribute to a better understanding of brain diseases and […]
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Perfect Science / MSHE
The project titled „Conference on Recent Advances in Translational Eye Research” received 320 000 PLN of financial support from “Exellence Science –Support Science Conference” programme, funded by the Polish Ministry of Education and Science. Total cost of the project is 364 793 PLN.
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MINIATURA 6 / NCN
Project title: Mapping the dynamics of epigenomic and transcriptomic bases of cell differentiation in patients diagnosed with conjunctival MALT lymphoma by using SHARE-seq technology. This project aims to conduct preliminary research in the field of transcriptome and epigenome analysis at the level of single cells in a group of patients diagnosed with conjunctival MALT lymphoma. […]
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PASIFIC / PAS
The project entitled Development of a non-invasive diagnostic method for early detection of changes in the level of retinol binding protein 3 (RBP3) linked to Diabetic Retinopathy received funding within PASIFIC Programme. The Programme is co-funded by Polish Academy of Sciences and the European Union under Marie Skłodowska-Curie CO-FUND scheme, Horizon 2020. It enables scholars of all nationalities and across all scientific disciplines to establish […]
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Funding institutions
Foundation for Polish Science
The Foundation for Polish Science has been in operation since 1991. It is a non-governmental, non-political, non-profit institution that pursues the mission of supporting science. It is the largest source of science funding in Poland outside of the state budget.
National Science Centre, Poland
National Science Center is a government agency, supervised by the Ministry of Science and Higher Education, set up in 2011 to support basic research in Poland.
Ministry of Science and Higher Education, Poland
Ministry of Science and Higher Education - a Polish government administration office serving the minister responsible for government administration departments of education and upbringing and higher education and science.
Polish Academy of Sciences
Polish Academy of Sciences - a state scientific institution that carries out activities for the development, promotion, integration and dissemination of science.
