Doctoral Students for Lower Silesians

On Saturday, April 11, as part of the open and free popular science lecture series “Doctoral Students for Lower Silesians,” two more meetings were held to promote scientific knowledge.

The first lecture, “The Human Microbiome – Our Friends or Enemies?”, was delivered by Aleksandra Agnieszka Woytoń, MSc, a second-year doctoral student at the Doctoral School of Wroclaw Medical University, affiliated with the Department of Translational Technologies. The speaker explained what the human microbiome is and the role it plays in maintaining health and overall well-being. She discussed the most important microbial ecosystems of the human body, including the gut, skin, vaginal, and respiratory microbiomes, as well as their influence on immunity, metabolism, and nervous system function. She also highlighted the importance of microbial balance and the consequences of its disruption—known as dysbiosis—which can lead to numerous diseases, including metabolic and skin disorders. The lecture also covered practical aspects of maintaining a healthy microbiome, such as proper diet, a healthy lifestyle, and avoiding factors that negatively affect its composition.

The second lecture, “Bryophytes in Environmental Protection. Bryophytes as a Source of New Medicinal Compounds. Mosses as Friends of Home and Garden”, was presented by Michał Dziwak, MSc Eng., from the Department of Biology and Pharmaceutical Botany at Wroclaw Medical University. In his talk, he introduced the basics of bryology—the scientific study of bryophytes—and discussed species diversity and key morphological differences within this group of plants. He emphasized the important role bryophytes play in environmental protection, explaining that as pioneer plants they colonize hard-to-reach areas, contribute to soil formation, protect against erosion, and support water retention. He also addressed the significance of peatlands as natural carbon dioxide reservoirs, as well as the role of mosses as shelter and food sources for many organisms. In the later part of the lecture, he discussed practical uses of bryophytes, including in gardening and decoration, and reminded the audience about the legal protection of certain species. To conclude, Michał Dziwak presented the potential of bryophytes as a source of new compounds with antibacterial, antifungal, antiviral, and anticancer properties.

Lectures in the “Doctoral Students for Lower Silesians” series are held monthly. T