POB I: Science for the Planet

POB I, “Science for the Planet”, takes an integrated and multidisciplinary approach to identifying threats to the environment, biodiversity, climate, and health, and then searching for solutions that can be implemented to serve society. The activities envisaged for this area respond to the challenges of the modern world, such as diseases of civilisation, new forms of micro-pollution, and climate change.

Examples of fields and disciplines of science related to POB

Natural sciences
- biological sciences
- chemical sciences
- physical sciences
- Earth and related environmental sciences
Social sciences
- economics and finance
- social and economic geography and spatial management
- sociology

The above list does not exclude other fields and disciplines of science that could fit into Priority Research Area I.

Activities

During the implementation of POB I, specific actions for this area have been planned, including many university-wide measures, as specified in the initial application. The implementation of the intended measures requires the development of infrastructure and funding for research groups involved in the implementation of individual measures, as well as the creation of a new model for training young scientists, in response to the challenges of the modern world.

Creation of a centre for expert research in the Białowieża Geobotanical Station of the University of Warsaw

Through this activity, a scientific centre will be created which will contribute to building an international research network, focused on the themes of forest ecology and biodiversity. There will also be a seed bank for the Białowieża Primeval Forest, which allow for the preservation of the biodiversity in the area for future generations. — detailed description

Coordinator: dr Patryk Czortek

Creation of three scientific teams conducting research in the field of lifestyle diseases, new types of environmental pollution, and closed-loop economy

Within the framework of this activity, the teams established will conduct research in the area of key areas for environmental protection and preservation of natural resources: prevention, diagnosis and treatment of lifestyle diseases, and closed-loop economy – with a particular emphasis on new energy storage technologies. The teams will be led by scientists recruited through international competitions. Their task will be to conduct research in a given area, submit applications for external funding, and establish cooperation with leading scientific centres. The teams will carry out innovative research, thanks to which the University of Warsaw will become an initiator of breakthrough scientific discoveries, increasing the chance of internationalisation of current and future projects. This will make the University of Warsaw more recognisable in the international scientific arena, through its strengthen position in research for sustainable socio-economic development. — detailed description

Coordinator: dr hab. Anna Ajduk

Launching a new course of study – Radiogenomics

This new interdisciplinary postgraduate course will combine knowledge of science and medicine, especially in the field of genetics. Contemporary medicine is heading towards personalised medicine, i.e., treatment tailored to the needs of a specific patient. The risk of heart disease, cancer, neurological illness, or responses to treatment are all coded in the genes of every human being. In the light of this fact, it is important to provide education which will integrate knowledge from a specific medical speciality with knowledge of the genetic background in human diseases. The creation of this specialisation will contribute to strengthening the scientific potential of students, who will develop personalised treatment techniques in the future, as young researchers. The launch of the Radiogenomics course of study will be possible through cooperation with the Medical University of Warsaw and diagnostic clinics performing MRI, CT, PE, and SPECT tests. — detailed description

Coordinator: dr hab. Marek Pruszyński

Strengthening the potential of the Core Facility on the Ochota Campus

The aim of this activity is to increase the potential use of the research infrastructure on the campus by employing more experienced experts trained in the use of special equipment, and by modernising the research infrastructure. It will involve the expansion of existing specialised laboratories, as well as the creation of new facilities. This will allow for ground-breaking research to be conducted, related to environmental protection, the development of medical therapies, and the development of new energy sources. — detailed description

Coordinator: dr hab. Łukasz Dziewit

Security for patent and publication activities

The aim of this action is to secure funding for the patenting and publishing activities of staff who are conducting research at the University of Warsaw. The separation of this activity relates to strengthening the international area of patent protection, and results from a strategy assuming there will be increases in the number of obtained patents, hence more opportunities to commercialise the results of research. Effective implementation of the patent policy for the best solutions which have been developed as part of the activities in various departments at the University of Warsaw will facilitate the procedure of implementing those results. — detailed description

head of activity: dr hab. Zbigniew Rogulski