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Head of the Laboratory:
Dr. hab. Anna Niedźwiecka, prof. IP PAS
Secretary:
MSc. Katarzyna Duszyńska
| Team | Projects | Selected publications |
Scientists Dr. Mateusz Chwastyk, assistant professor Dr. Izabela Kamińska, assistant professor Dr. Dinh Quoc Huy Pham, assistant professor Dr. Radost Waszkiewicz, assistant professor | Engineering and technical staff MSc. Eng. Agnieszka Michaś MSc. Zuzanna Staszałek
PhD Students MSc. Michał Białobrzewski MSc. Barbara Klepka |
The Laboratory of Biological Physics (SL 4) is engaged in research in the domain of molecular biophysics and nanotechnology of biologically functionalised quantum dots. The objective of this research is to elucidate the physical basis of biological phenomena at the molecular level and to create biologically functionalised nanoparticles for potential applications in cancer theranostics.
The primary focus of our research in molecular biophysics is the structural dynamics and interactions of proteins, with a particular emphasis on intrinsically disordered proteins (IDPs). These proteins play a crucial role in regulating key cellular processes; on the other hand, their malfunction is associated with various pathologies, including neurodegenerative diseases. Our experimental research primarily aims to undersand the conformational dynamics and its influence on molecular mechanisms of interactions between IDPs that are involved in the regulation of gene expression in eukaryotic organisms and viruses, as well as in biomineralisation. Our research focuses on the hydrodynamic properties of IDPs, the interactions that occur between them, and liquid-liquid phase transitions that lead to the formation of protein droplets. In the context of biomineralisation, we also investigate the nucleation and crystal growth processes that are controlled by proteins. Our experimental approach combines spectroscopic, microscopic, hydrodynamic and thermodynamic methods. The field of biophysical theoretical work focuses on the process of protein folding and misfolding, their conformational changes, aggregation, the behaviour of biomolecules at phase boundaries, and the formation of protein droplets as a result of liquid-liquid phase separation. The research is based on molecular dynamics simulations, employing both full-atom and coarse-grained models.
Our research on multifunctional magnetic and opto-magnetic bionanomaterials is based on up-converting nanoparticles (UCNPs), which can convert infrared light ‘upward’ into visible light. The studies are conducted as part of the statutory topic: “Synthesis of passivated biosensor nanostructures”. Developing efficient techniques for the colloidal synthesis of UCNPs and their biofunctionalisation, along with toxicity testing, could potentially lead to the design of biomedical applications. Our goal is thus to produce, characterise and evaluate the interaction between UCNPs and cells and tissues for potential use in imaging, targeted cancer diagnostics, phototherapy and magnetic hyperthermia.
Shopa Y, Kolwas M, Jakubczyk D, Derkachov G, Kamińska I, Fronc K, Wojciechowski T
Up-Converting Luminescent Nanoparticles as Probes of Surface Dynamics in Single Evaporating Microdroplets of Suspension
J Phys Chem C 2025, doi: https://doi.org/10.1021/acs.jpcc.5c00174
Stryczniewicz W, Chmielewski C, Sobczak K, Szajna E, Fronc K, Chojnacki M, Kamińska I
Off-Line temperature profiling of Mo-based rocket engine combustion chamber using thermal history paint
Applied Thermal Engineering 2025, doi: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.applthermaleng.2025.127661
Kamińska I, Wojciechowski T, Minikayev R, Chojnacki M, Sobczak K, Stryczniewicz W, Fronc K
Influence of high energy ball milling on structural and optical properties of Gd2O3: 1% Er3+, 18% Yb3+ nanoparticles supplemented with NaCl
Ceramics International 2025, doi: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ceramint.2025.03.272
Kamińska I, Sobczak K, Zhydachevskyy Y, Wojciechowski T, Minikayev R, Sikora-Dobrowolska B, Lewińska S, Chojnacki M, Fronc K
Hybrid upconverting/paramagnetic Fe3O4/Gd2O3:Er3+, Yb3+, Mg2+, Nd3+ nanoparticles – synthesis, characterization and biological applications
Opto-Electronics Review 2024, doi: https://doi.org/10.24425/opelre.2024.150182