Six New NCN Grants Awarded to Wroclaw Medical University Researchers

Researchers from Wroclaw Medical University have secured funding for six new research projects in the latest calls of the National Science Centre (NCN). Three projects were awarded in the flagship OPUS competition, open to scientists at all career stages, and three in PRELUDIUM, dedicated to early-career researchers. The total value of the funded projects exceeds several million PLN and spans fields from public health, psychiatry, and cardiology to paediatric oncology, plant-based pharmacology, and sustainable cultivation technologies.

OPUS Projects
1. Cognitive and Brain Reserve in the Polish Population

Lead: Prof. Katarzyna Zatońska
Funding: 2.8 million PLN

A large-scale study based on the PURE cohort, aiming to identify lifestyle, environmental and biological factors that determine why some individuals experience faster cognitive ageing while others maintain good brain health. The project integrates MRI, neuropsychological testing and immune profiling to identify modifiable protective and risk factors for dementia and cerebrovascular disease.

2. Loneliness, Cognitive Distortions and Psychosis-Like Experiences

Lead: Prof. Błażej Misiak
Funding: 1.8 million PLN

A 30-month longitudinal study of 1,800 young adults examining how social isolation and maladaptive thinking patterns contribute to psychosis-like experiences. The project combines questionnaire-based assessments with intensive digital experience sampling, aiming to identify psychological mechanisms relevant for prevention and early intervention.

3. FRAIL-NUTR: Iron Deficiency and Frailty in Cardiovascular Patients

Lead: Prof. Ewa Anita Jankowska
Funding: 3 million PLN

The project investigates how iron deficiency contributes to frailty in older adults with cardiovascular diseases. It includes comprehensive clinical evaluation, a nutritional intervention programme, and a trial comparing oral versus intravenous iron supplementation to determine whether improving iron status can enhance physical performance, resilience and quality of life.

PRELUDIUM Projects
1. Pulsed Electric Fields and Growth of Iris domestica in Aeroponic Systems

Lead: Kajetan Grzelka
Funding: 203,000 PLN

A study on how pulsed electric fields affect growth and metabolite production in Iris domestica cultivated aeroponically. The project explores sustainable plant cultivation strategies to increase biomass and valuable bioactive compounds.

2. Exosomal miRNA as Biomarkers of Paediatric B-cell Acute Lymphoblastic Leukaemia

Lead: Dr Dawid Przystupski
Funding: 210,000 PLN

An analysis of 752 microRNAs in serum exosomes from children with BCP-ALL to identify non-invasive biomarkers for relapse prediction and disease monitoring, supporting future development of liquid biopsy–based diagnostics.

3. Molecular Control of Phenylpropanoid Biosynthesis in Knotweed Species

Lead: Marta Stafiniak
Funding: 205,000 PLN

A metabolomic and transcriptomic investigation of Reynoutria japonica and R. sachalinensis to identify genes and environmental triggers regulating the production of pharmacologically valuable phenylpropanoid compounds.