We are excited to announce that the Laboratory of Intracellular Ion Channels at the Nencki Institute, led by Prof. Adam Szewczyk, has been awarded two prestigious grants from the National Science Center.
The first project (OPUS 2023/51/B/NZ5/00999) with Prof. Adam Szewczyk as Principal Investigator running from June 2024 to June 2028 aims to investigate the role of mitochondrial potassium channels in regulating cellular senescence. The research will focus on understanding how mitoBKCa channels influence the initiation and progression of cellular senescence. Using advanced cell models, the project seeks to shed light on the mechanisms through which these channels contribute to aging-related processes. By targeting mitochondrial potassium channels, this project could open new avenues for therapies aimed at promoting healthy aging and mitigating age-related diseases.
The second project (OPUS 2023/25/B/NZ1/588576) with dr hab. Piotr Koprowski as Principal Investigator focuses on unraveling the interaction between the potassium channel ROMK2 and lipid kinases, acylglycerol kinase (AGK) and diacylglycerol kinase ε (DGKE), in the context of renal physiology. This project aims to investigate how these kinases regulate potassium channels in the kidney. The project will explore the molecular architecture of ROMK2 complexes and their role in modulating potassium homeostasis and cytoprotection during ischemia/reperfusion (I/R) events. This work could reveal new therapeutic targets for managing conditions like acute kidney injury and electrolyte imbalances.
