Management and expertise
The project manager is Dr. Daniel Gackowski, professor at Nicolaus Copernicus University (Department of Clinical Biochemistry, Faculty of Medicine, Nicolaus Copernicus University) – a specialist in DNA/RNA biochemistry, biomarkers, cancer epigenetics, and chromatography and mass spectrometry techniques. The team combines expertise in the fields of clinical biochemistry, immunology, hematology, and laboratory diagnostics.
Implementing units
- Department of Clinical Biochemistry – nucleic acid modification analysis, development and validation of UPLC-MS/MS methods.
- Department of Immunology – flow cytometry, immunophenotypic diagnostics, standardization and interpretation of cytometric results.
- Department of Hematology – clinical context, material selection, interpretation in light of prognostic factors and current treatment standards.
Team composition
The project involves researchers and clinical researchers from the Departments of Clinical Biochemistry and Immunology at the Medical University of Nicolaus Copernicus, as well as biomedical students. The team includes specialists in LC-MS/MS analysis, flow cytometry, laboratory diagnostics, data analysis, and implementation (including regulatory and quality issues).
Department of Clinical Biochemistry
Daniel Gackowski
I am a laboratory diagnostician and a doctor of medical sciences. For many years, I have been involved in the search for disease biomarkers and the molecular basis of carcinogenesis. I specialize in chromatographic techniques, particularly in combination with tandem mass spectrometry. In this project, I am the technical manager and leader of Task 1.
Ryszard Oliński
I am a specialist in biochemistry, medical biology, and molecular biology. In this project, I am responsible for developing experimental evidence confirming that 5-hmUra can be a biomarker with optimal diagnostic and prognostic potential in the development of CLL.
Rafał Różalski
My scientific activity focuses on nucleic acid repair and DNA demethylation processes. I analyze modified nitrogenous bases and nucleosides in human biological fluids using chromatographic techniques. In the project, I am responsible for the automation and adaptation of analytical techniques and supervise the analysis of DNA and RNA modifications in urine.
Marek Foksiński
Tomasz Dziaman
I am a professor at Nicolaus Copernicus University in Toruń, a medical biologist and biotechnologist. I specialize in gene expression analysis and the identification of DNA mutations of biological and clinical significance. My research focuses on epigenetic regulation, genome stability, and cell cycle control mechanisms in hematological malignancies, particularly CLL. In this project, I am involved in the analysis of mutations in genes relevant to epigenetics and the clinical course of CLL (including SF3B1, TP53, IDH, TET) using RT-qPCR and mutation detection methods (HRM-PCR, Sanger, NGS).
Agnieszka Siomek-Górecka
In my scientific work, I conduct research on the significance of oxidative stress markers and epigenetic changes in the development and pathogenesis of diseases. In this project, I am a member of the team conducting research on selected markers in urine.
Karol Białkowski
For many years, my professional interests have focused on enzymology. I conduct research on enzymes that prevent the introduction of oxidatively damaged nucleotides with mutagenic and carcinogenic properties into DNA. I specialize in liquid chromatography, electrophoresis, and enzyme activity analysis techniques. My task within the project is to optimize chromatographic determinations of modified nucleosides in DNA hydrolysates.
Ewelina Zarakowska
Biotechnologist, specialist in chromatography techniques and mass spectrometry, I am the technical coordinator of Task 2. In this project, I am responsible for sample preparation, optimization of analytical methods, and research using UPLC-MS/MS techniques. I am also responsible for disseminating the project results in the scientific and industrial communities.
Jolanta Guz
I am a specialist in nucleic acid biochemistry. I have experience in separation techniques and molecular biology. In this project, I am responsible for preparing samples for UPLC-MS/MS analysis, searching for optimal biomarkers, and disseminating the results obtained.
Marta Starczak
I am a specialist in the analysis of nucleic acid modifications using UPLC-MS/MS. My scientific interests focus on the identification and quantitative analysis of modified nucleosides in DNA and RNA and their significance in the pathogenesis of cancer, with particular emphasis on hematological malignancies. As part of the project, I am responsible for Task 1 and the part related to UPLC-MS/MS analyses in Task 4.
Maciej Gawroński
I am a doctor of medical sciences and health sciences, as well as a medical biotechnologist. I specialize in research on epigenetic modifications of nucleic acids. In this project, I am the leader of Task 3 (“Development of optimal calibration and control procedures”) and I am responsible for the robotization and automation of the developed methods. In addition, I serve as SCRUM Master.
Anna Szpila
Marek Jurgowiak
Assistant professor, molecular biologist, award-winning academic lecturer, respected and award-winning science popularizer, author of textbooks and scientific and popular science articles, vice-chairman of the Program Council of CN Młyn Wiedzy in Toruń and member of the Program Council of TFNiS, Wiadomości Akademickie, and the Editorial Team of Głos Uczelni, expert in the dissemination and popularization of science... In this project, I am responsible for coordinating and executing the task of disseminating the results and promoting the Research Project.
Martyna Byzdra
I completed my master's degree in Biotechnology. In this project, I am involved in the preliminary processing of biological material, nucleic acid isolation, and sample archiving and banking.
Fabian Leśniewski
I am a specialist in analyses using flow cytometry and chromatographic techniques coupled with mass spectrometry. In this project, I am involved in the immunophenotyping of peripheral blood leukocytes using flow cytometry, which allows us to confirm the diagnosis of CLL in patients.
Paweł Mijewski
I am a specialist in liquid chromatography with UV detection and mass detection. In this project, I am mainly involved in optimizing the UPLC chromatographic method and validating pre-analytical, analytical, and post-analytical processes.
Patrycja Bagińska
PhD student at the Department of Clinical Biochemistry, where she studies the role of an epigenetic DNA derivative (5-hydroxymethyluracil) in the development of chronic lymphocytic leukemia. In the project, she deals with cytometric analysis and statistical analysis of data. Outside of work, she enjoys 3D design and printing as a hobby.
Department of Immunology
Lidia Gackowska
Dr. Lidia Gackowska heads the Department of Immunology at the Medical College in Bydgoszcz, Nicolaus Copernicus University in Toruń, and is the head of the Laboratory Diagnostics Unit at Dr. J. Biziel University Hospital No. 2 in Bydgoszcz. She is a scientist, educator, and laboratory diagnostician, a specialist in laboratory medical immunology, and a recognized expert in the field of flow cytometry, which she actively develops, promotes, and popularizes in Poland and internationally. Her scientific activity focuses mainly on cellular immunology and the use of modern methods of cell analysis in diagnostics and scientific research. She is active in national and international scientific organizations – she is, among others, Vice-President of the Baltic Flow Cytometry Society, a volunteer at ESCCA, a member of the Associated Societies Subcommittee at ISAC, a member of the State Examination Commission for Laboratory Medical Immunology, and a scientific collaborator with the Foundation for the Development of Polish Flow Cytometry (FlowPol), supporting the development and popularization of flow cytometry. As part of the project, he is responsible for the cytometric analysis of 5-hydroxymethyluracil expression in selected leukocyte populations and lymphocyte subpopulations in patients with CLL, which is part of the standardization of research methods implemented in the project.
Małgorzata Wiese‑Szadkowska
I am a specialist in laboratory medical immunology with many years of experience in multiparametric flow cytometry. As part of the project, I am involved in cytometric and imaging analysis of peripheral blood leukocytes from patients with CLL and healthy donors.
Izabela Kubiszewska
I am a specialist in flow cytometry. In this project, I am responsible for the procedure of fluorescent staining of samples for flow cytometry.
Anna Helmin‑Basa
I am a specialist in laboratory medical immunology and multiparametric flow cytometry. As part of the project, I am responsible for the cytometric analysis of 5-hydroxymethyluracil expression in selected leukocyte populations and lymphocyte subpopulations in patients with CLL.
Agnieszka Mlicka
I am a laboratory diagnostician with experience in laboratory work involving molecular techniques and flow cytometry. As part of the project, I am involved in cytometric analysis and image analysis of peripheral blood leukocytes from patients with CLL and healthy donors.
Karolina Korczak
I am a specialist in flow cytometry. In this project, I am responsible for the procedure of fluorescent staining of samples for flow cytometry.
Geriatrics Clinic
Maciej Woźniak
Hematology Clinic
Paulina Koszykowska
I am a resident physician in hematology at the Hematology Clinic of Dr. J. Biziel University Hospital No. 2 in Bydgoszcz. In this project, I am responsible for recruiting patients from our ward to participate in the study.
Olga Demska
Przemysław Sobczak
Łukasz Wodzyński
Katarzyna Mikołajczyk
Students of biomedical sciences
Aleksandra Leszczyńska
As a participant in a research project, I am responsible for ensuring the safe transport of samples under controlled conditions, which guarantees their stability and full scientific usability. My main responsibilities include performing specialized laboratory processing of the delivered material, preparing it appropriately for further, advanced stages of research. In addition, I actively participate in analytical work, performing cell immunophenotyping using flow cytometry.
Alicja Kuźma
In this project, I am responsible for processing, securing, and transporting biological material collected from patients, as well as preparing samples for cytometry testing.
Natalia Smuniewska
Zofia Siębor
In this project, I am responsible for the preparation, processing, and logistics of biological material obtained from patients, as well as supervising the proper conditions for its transport and storage. I also conduct cell cultures that form the basis for further molecular analyses carried out as part of the project.