This web page is focused on MAESTRO project supported by National Science Center (2019/34/A/NZ1/00352)
Mitochondria provide cells with energy to carry out fundamental organism functions. Additionally, mitochondria are involved in such important phenomena as apoptosis, necrosis or aging. The proper functioning of mitochondria depends on the maintenance of transmembrane potential. One of the groups of proteins involved in ion transport are. potassium channels of the inner mitochondrial membrane. It has been shown that the activation of mitochondrial potassium channels in various cell types can lead to cell protection against damage, a phenomenon known as cytoprotection. The research project aims to identify new infrared light-induced cytoprotective mechanisms. Our initial studies suggests that mitochondrial potassium channels change their activity when exposed to infrared light.

Latest news

Celebration of the 70th Anniversary of the Faculty of Chemistry at the University of Warsaw

The Faculty of Chemistry at the University of Warsaw is celebrating the 70th anniversary of its establishment this year. The ceremony, held on 21 November 2025, brought together numerous representatives of the academic community and scientific institutions, highlighting the Faculty’s significant scientific, educational, and organizational achievements, as well as its contributions to the development of …

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New Publication: Uncovering How Mitochondria Regulate Potassium Channels

A new review titled “Mitochondrial potassium channels: mitochondria-specific mechanism of regulation” by Intracellular Ion Channels Lab at  Nencki Institute of Experimental Biology PAS and collaborating centers has just been published in Biophysical Reviews. The article provides an up-to-date synthesis of current knowledge on potassium channels located in the inner mitochondrial membrane (mitoK) and the unique regulatory mechanisms that distinguish them …

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1st Joint Exploratory Meeting

The first joint exploratory meeting between the Laboratory of Intracellular Ion Channels of the Nencki Institute, headed by Prof. Adam Szewczyk, and the Department of Physics and Biophysics, Institute of Biology, Warsaw University of Life Sciences (SGGW), headed by Prof. Piotr Bednarczyk, took place 18th November at SGGW in Warsaw. The meeting was also attended …

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