Welcome to Rutkowska Lab!

We focus on understanding demyelinating, neuroinflammatory and neurodegenerative processes to uncover the cellular and molecular mechanisms that drive disease progression and resolution, particularly in multiple sclerosis, to advance therapeutic strategies for remyelination and neuroprotection.

Our research encompasses several key areas. We explore the brain’s natural mechanisms for repair and renewal through remyelination, while also investigating the role of inflammation in demyelinating diseases. Additionally, we look into approaches to address progressive neural damage associated with neurodegeneration and examine the critical role of the blood-brain barrier in both health and neuroinflammatory conditions.

We aim to translate these insights into meaningful therapeutic strategies for individuals affected by these challenging conditions through international collaborations. We also offer a supportive learning environment for the next generation of neuroscientists at all career stages.

Our FUNDING
Current
National Science Centre, grant registration number: OPUS 26+LAP/ Weave: 2023/51/I/NZ3/02005, title: Uncovering the Mechanisms Driving Virus-Induced Central Nervous System Disease. Part funded by the NCN: 2 787 532 PLN; and part funded by DFG: 1,611,391 PLN (total 4.4 mln PLN) PI: A. Rutkowska and F. Kurschus

National Science Centre, grant registration number: SONATA 18: 2022/47/D/NZ3/02613, title: EBI2 receptor as a new myelin repair therapy in multiple sclerosis. Funding amount: 1,707,496 PLN; PI: A. Rutkowska

National Science Centre, Grant registration number: OPUS 17: 2019/33/B/NZ4/03000, title: The EBI2 receptor/oxysterol signalling in multiple sclerosis pathophysiology, therapy and diagnostics. Funding amount: 1,699,526 PLN; PI: A. Rutkowska

„The Student Grant” funded under the Excellence Initiative – Research University, Medical University of Gdansk, title: Function of Piezo1 mechanoreceptor in oligodendrocytes differentiation, myelination and remyelination of the central nervous system. Funding amount: 25,000 PLN; Grantee/Student: O. Krajewski; Scientific Advisor: A. Rutkowska

„The Student Grant” funded under the Excellence Initiative – Research University, Medical University of Gdansk, title: Expression and function of mechanosensitive ion channel PIEZO1 in T CD4+ lymphocytes population from patients with multiple sclerosis. Funding amount: 25,000 PLN; Grantee/Student: M. Padzik; Scientific Advisor: A. Rutkowska

Previous
National Science Centre, Grant registration number: POLONEZ: 2016/21/P/NZ3/00897, title: The function of EBI2 receptor in human oligodendrocytes and its role in the cuprizone model for demyelination. Funding amount: 944,754 PLN; PI: A. Rutkowska

Inkubator GUMed, 2nd ed., title: Ocena toksyczności ostrej i przewlekłej zmodyfikowanego oksysterolu CF3-7α,25OHC i barbadyny in vivo. Funding amount: 150,000 PLN; PI: A. Rutkowska

„The Young Creator of Science” funded under the Excellence Initiative – Research University, Medical University of Gdansk, title: A pilot study of relapsing experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis model of multiple sclerosis in TDAG8 knock-out mice. Funding amount: 50,000 PLN; PI: A. Rutkowska

„The Young Creator of Science” funded under the Excellence Initiative – Research University, Medical University of Gdansk, title: Remyelination-enhancing properties of EBI2/7α,25OHC-induced signalling in the cuprizone model of MS. Funding amount: 50,000 PLN; Grantee/Student: M. Opielka; Scientific Advisors: Prof. B. Karaszewski, A. Rutkowska