Scientific research

Our main idea and the purpose of our research is to develop a cure for cancer. Specifically, we are working on radiosensitizers, i.e. compounds that would support radiotherapy of radioresistant cancers. We are studying simple thymine analogues, which, by building themselves into the DNA of a cancer cell, could become the "Trojan horse" of radiotherapy. On the one hand, we try to understand the mechanisms of action of the tested compounds, and on the other hand, we try to use this knowledge to design new, better oncological treatment.

In our team, experimental and computational chemists work hand in hand. Currently, our group consists of seven members, including: the head, prof. Janusz Rak, three researchers: Lidia Chomicz-Mańka, PhD, Samanta Romanowska, PhD and Magdalena Zdrowowicz-Żamojć, PhD, and three PhD students: Anna Czaja, MSc, Magdalena Datta, MSc and Adrian Szczyrba, MPharm.

The wide spectrum of specialization of team members and laboratory facilities allows for multidisciplinary research on radiosensitizers. We design and analyze new compounds and their radiosensitizing potential using the methods of quantum chemistry and molecular dynamics. The most promising ones are synthesized and tested using analytical, physicochemical and radiation chemistry techniques. The compounds with the highest activity are subjected to radiobiological tests. In in vitro tests, with the use of molecular biology methods, we assess the cytotoxicity of the tested compounds and the radiation-induced cellular response. This holistic way of conducting research has already led to the patenting of two thymine derivatives as potential radiosensitizers, but we do not stop searching for more effective and safe compounds that can support anticancer radiotherapy.

Our laboratory has highly specialized research equipment. In addition to basic analytical tools, such as high-performance liquid chromatography kits (Dionex Ultimate 3000 with a diode matrix or Shimadzu Prominence), we also have a high-resolution LC-MS system (Nexera UHPLC system coupled with a Sciex TripleTof 5600+ mass spectrometer). Due to the specialized research profile of the Laboratory, we have a compact X-ray irradiator with adjustable dose of ionizing radiation (CellRad, Faxitron), a chamber for UV irradiation of cell cultures and an optical system used for stationary photolysis. We also have a biological laboratory equipped with, among others, in a CO₂ incubator with O₂ concentration control (CB60, Binder), an inverted fluorescence microscope (IX73, Olympus) or a flow cytometer (Guava easyCyte 12, Merck). The Laboratory is also equipped with a gradient PCR thermocycler (Mastercycler gradient, Eppendorf) and a thermal cycler with real-time detection (CFX96, Bio-Rad).