19.02.2026 Two days of conversations, presentations, and meetings that remind us that science is, above all, about people and their ideas. During the IChF Microsymposium, ICTER researchers showcased the diversity and ambition of their projects – from optical brain imaging to the structure of proteins essential for vision.
On February 9-10, 2026, the Institute of Physical Chemistry of the Polish Academy of Sciences (IChF PAS) hosted its annual Microsymposium – a celebration of the institute and an opportunity to summarize the scientific achievements of 2025. The event combined formal presentations with lively discussions during poster sessions and informal exchanges in the corridors. This year, ICTER had a strong and visible presence, both in oral and poster sessions.
Optics that “see” blood flow
One of the highlights of the program was the presentation by PhD student Klaudia Nowacka-Pieszak from the Physical Optics and Biophotonics Group. In her talk titled “Interferometric speckle contrast optical spectroscopy (iSCOS) in continuous-wave parallel interferometric near-infrared spectroscopy (CW-πNIRS)”, she introduced the innovative iSCOS method developed at ICTER.
This technique combines interferometry with speckle contrast analysis in the near-infrared range, enabling precise monitoring of blood flow changes and hemodynamic dynamics. In practical terms, it allows for more sensitive, multiparametric monitoring of processes occurring in tissues – without the need for large and costly imaging systems.
As Klaudia emphasized:
It’s like having an optical brain camera that can simultaneously analyse multiple aspects of the signal from a single measurement sequence – a huge opportunity to accelerate research on hemodynamic and brain function.
Her presentation demonstrated how optical technologies developed at ICTER can translate into real-world applications in biomedical research.
How does the eye “reset” to keep seeing?
The second oral presentation was delivered by Luca Gessa, a PhD student from the Integrated Structural Biology Group. In his talk titled “CryoEM structure and small-angle X-ray scattering analyses of porcine retinol-binding protein 3”, he presented research findings on RBP3, a protein that plays a key role in the visual cycle.
As Luca explained:
How does our eye “reset” itself to keep seeing light? During the Microsymposium at IChF, I presented research on RBP3 – a protein that transports molecules essential for vision. Using cutting-edge structural biology techniques, we revealed its three-dimensional structure and flexibility, opening new perspectives on the visual cycle.
By combining cryo-electron microscopy with small-angle X-ray scattering analyses, the team was able to capture both the structure and dynamic properties of the protein with unprecedented precision. This is a clear example of fundamental research that lays the groundwork for future therapies targeting retinal diseases.
A broad spectrum of research in the poster sessions
ICTER was also strongly represented during the poster sessions, which traditionally foster direct discussion and exchange of ideas.
Image-guided Devices for Ophthalmic Care Group was represented by MSc Eng. Tomasz Gawroński, presenting a project on artificial intelligence for classification and pose estimation of surgical tools.
The Computational Genomics Group, represented by Dr. Stefania Robakiewicz, presented the CUT&Tag method for profiling histone modifications and transcription factors in human cells and tissues.
The Ophthalmic Biology Laboratory, represented by MSc Eng. Anna Galińska showcased a project on the functional introduction of the rabies virus into healthy and degenerated retina. This work was one of those distinguished by the Commission for the evaluation of scientific works.
The Physical Optics and Biophotonics was represented by Piotr Kasprzycki, who presented work on the Spectral Phasor approach in human TPEF-SLO imaging.
The Parallel Interferometry and Computational Optics Group, represented by Dawid Borycki, introduced the research directions and potential of the newly established group.
The Integrated Structural Biology was represented by Nelam Kumar and Saurav Karmakar.
ICTER’s growing role
Participation in the IChF Microsymposium is not only about presenting results – it is also about strengthening the scientific community. We would like to thank all ICTER researchers for their professionalism, commitment, and passion in representing our center.
We also extend our appreciation to the Institute of Physical Chemistry PAS for organizing the event and creating a space for open scientific exchange. Meetings like this remind us that the best ideas are born in dialogue – and science thrives where such dialogue is possible.
