Institute of Biological Sciences

Head:                                                 Prof. dr hab. Jerzy Rogalski Akademicka 19, 20-033 Lublin room 334B; tel.  81 537 56 68 mail: rogal@poczta.umcs.lublin.pl

Staff members 

prof. dr hab. Jerzy Rogalski
prof. dr hab. Anna Jarosz-Wilkołazka 
dr hab. Marcin Grąz, prof. UMCS
dr hab. Grzegorz Janusz, prof. UMCS
dr hab. Magdalena Jaszek, prof. UMCS
dr hab. Anna Matuszewska, prof. UMCS
dr hab. Monika Osińska-Jaroszuk
dr hab. Anna Pawlik 
dr hab. Jolanta Polak  
dr Renata Bancerz
dr Magdalena Czemierska
dr Justyna Sulej
dr Marzanna Paździoch-Czochra
dr Katarzyna Szałapata
dr Dawid Stefaniuk

mgr Ewa Jóźwik
mgr Marta Ruminowicz-Stefaniuk
mgr Beata Ciołek
mgr inż. Iwona Mazur
mgr Marcin Anusiewicz

Retired staff members

prof. dr hab. Jerzy Łobarzewski
prof. dr hab. Elżbieta Dernałowicz-Malarczyk
prof. dr hab. Krzysztof Grzywnowicz
dr hab. Magdalena Staszczak, prof UMCS

Doctoral students

mgr Wiktoria Piątek-Gołda
mgr Maciej Karaśkiewicz
mgr Sylwia Stefanek

History

The Department of Biochemistry was established in 1953. Prof. dr Adam Paszewski was the initiator and had a function of a superintendent until 1959. In 1960, doc. dr hab. Jerzy Trojanowski became the Head of the Department. The research carried out at the Department at that time was mainly focused on humus compounds. In 1971, the Department was renamed the Department of Biochemistry and became part of the structure of the newly established Institute of Microbiology and Biochemistry. Studies on enzymatic transformations of lignin were initiated at that time. In 1977, by virtue of a decision of the Minister of Science, Higher Education, and Technology, the Department of Biochemistry became an independent organizational unit of the Faculty. In 1972, the Department moved to the building of the Faculty of Chemistry and occupied it until the return to the original Faculty building in September 2008. In 2011, the Faculty of Biology and Earth Sciences was divided and the Department was incorporated into the Institute of Biology as part of the Institute of Biology and Biochemistry at the Faculty of Biology and Biotechnology. In 2019, the Department was renamed the Department of Biochemistry and Biotechnology and became part of the Institute of Biological Sciences, Maria Curie-Skłodowska University.

Heads of the Department: prof. dr Adam Paszewski (superintendent 1953-1959), prof. dr hab. Jerzy Trojanowski (1960-1987), prof. dr hab. Andrzej Leonowicz (1987-2003), prof. dr hab. Jerzy Rogalski since September 2003

Current research topics:

• Enzymatic transformations of lignocellulosic materials, production of bioethanol, and detoxification of materials containing aromatic substances;
• Identification of genes encoding lignocellulolytic enzyme activities and intensification of their production with genetic engineering methods;
• Application of enzymes for construction of biosensors and fuel cells;
• Production and characterisation of fungal lipo-, amylo-, mutano-, chitino-, pectino-, lignino-, cellulo- and hemicellulolytic enzymes;
• Function of proteolysis in the maturation of biocatalysts in wood-degrading fungi;
• Isolation and characterisation of natural protein inhibitors of proteolytic enzymes of wood-degrading fungi;
• Transformation of natural phenolic derivatives by micro- and macro-organisms into substances with a protective effect against free radicals and heavy metals;
• Search for biochemical criteria for the response of ligninolytic organisms to various forms of exogenous stress;
• Immobilisation of biologically active substances;
• Search, isolation, and characterisation of new fungal bioactive substances and exploration of their potential to be used in medicine (antitumor activity) and broad-sense biotechnology (industrial applications)

 Research projects

1. OPUS 13 (NCN) (2017) „Modyfikacja materiałów biomedycznych inhibitorami enzymów proteolitycznych” [Modification of biomedical materials with the use of proteolytic enzyme inhibitors]. Head of the project: prof. dr hab. Anna Jarosz-Wilkołazka.
2. MINIATURA 1 (NCN) (2017) „Ocena potencjału bioremediacyjnego lakazy Sinorhizobium meliloti” [Assessment of the bioremediation potential of Sinorhizobium meliloti laccase]. Head of the project: dr Anna Pawlik.
3. MINIATURA 1 (NCN) (2017) „Nowa droga rozkładu kwasu szczawiowego przez grzyby białej i brunatnej zgnilizny drewna” [A new mode of oxalic acid degradation by white and brown wood rot fungi]. Head of the project:  dr hab. Marcin Grąz, prof. UMCS.
4. PRELUDIUM 11 (NCN) (2016) „Analiza właściwości biologicznych i fizyko-chemicznych egzopolimerów wytwarzanych przez szczep Rhodococcus opacus FCL1069” [Analysis of the biological and physicochemical properties of exopolymers produced by Rhodococcus opacus strain FCL1069]. Head of the project: mgr Magdalena Czemierska.
5. SONATA 11 (NCN) (2016) „Enzymatyczna synteza związków o aktywności antymikrobiologicznej i antyoksydacyjnej w dwuskładnikowych układach transformacyjnych” [Enzymatic synthesis of antimicrobial and antioxidant compounds in two-component transformation systems]. Head of the project: dr Jolanta Polak.
6. SONATA 9 (NCN) (2015) „Ocena potencjału antyoksydacyjnego i przeciwdrobnoustrojowego grzybowej dehydrogenazy celobizowej jako składnika opakowań aktywnych” [Assessment of the antioxidant and antimicrobial potential of fungal cellobiose dehydrogenase as a component of active packaging]. Head of the project: dr Justyna Sulej.
7. PRELUDIUM 9 (NCN) (2015) „Unieruchomiona lakaza grzybowa jako uniwersalny katalizator w transformacji związków aromatycznych” [Immobilised fungal laccase as a universal catalyst in the transformation of aromatic compounds]. Head of the project: K. Wlizło, NCN,  PRELUDIUM 9
8. OPUS 8 (NCN) (2014) „Wpływ światła na metabolizm Cerrena unicolor” [Effect of light on Cerrena unicolor metabolism].Head of the project: dr Grzegorz Janusz.
9. OPUS 7 (NCN) (2014) Charakterystyka i znaczenie nowej oksydazy kwasu szczawiowego (OXOAb) w odpowiedzi Abortiporus biennis na obecność metali ciężkich w środowisku wzrostu” [Characterisation and significance of a new oxalic acid oxidase (OXOAb) in the response of Abortiporus biennis to the presence of heavy metals in the growth environment]. Head of the project: prof. dr hab. Anna Jarosz-Wilkołazka.
10. PRELUDIUM 8 (NCN) (2014) „Analiza wybranych właściwości fizykochemicznych, biologicznych i farmakologicznych materiałów biomedycznych zmodyfikowanych syntetycznym inhibitorem proteaz serynowych” [Analysis of selected physicochemical, biological, and pharmacological properties of biomedical materials modified with a synthetic serine protease inhibitor]. Head of the project: dr Katarzyna Szałapata.

Patents:

1. Patent no. PL 233829 (Urząd Patentowy Rzeczpospolitej Polskiej); 2019
   „Zastosowanie polisacharydów pochodzenia bakteryjnego wraz z lipazą wyizolowaną z Rhizomucor variabilis w reakcjach estryfikacji wyższych kwasów tłuszczowych oraz sposób otrzymywania takich estrów” [Use of bacterial polysaccharides with lipase isolated from Rhizomucor variabilis in esterification of higher fatty acids and the method for derivation of the esters]. Inventors: Renata Bancerz, Monika Osińska-Jaroszuk, Magdalena Jaszek, Monika Janczarek, Jerzy Rogalski.
2. Patent no. PL 233924 (Urząd Patentowy Rzeczpospolitej Polskiej); 2019
   „Zastosowanie polisacharydów pochodzenia grzybowego wraz z lipazą wyizolowaną z Rhizomucor variabilis w reakcjach estryfikacji wyższych kwasów tłuszczowych oraz sposób otrzymywania takich estrów” [Use of fungal polysaccharides with lipase isolated from Rhizomucor variabilis in esterification of higher fatty acids and the method for derivation of the esters]. Inventors: Renata Bancerz, Monika Osińska-Jaroszuk, Magdalena Jaszek, Monika Janczarek, Jerzy Rogalski.
3. Patent no. PL 223529 (Urząd Patentowy Rzeczpospolitej Polskiej); 2018
   „Sposób osadzania bioaktywnych powłok wielofunkcyjnych” [Method for deposition of multifunctional bioactive coatings]. Inventors: Justyna Jaroszyńska-Wolińska, Anthony P. Herbert, Jerzy Rogalski, Szymon Malinowski.
4. Patent no. PL 2286759 (Urząd Patentowy Rzeczpospolitej Polskiej); 2017
   „Nowy szczep grzyba Trichoderma atroviride G79/11, sposób otrzymywania biopreparatu do fermentacji metanowej odpadów organicznych z wykorzystaniem tego szczepu oraz sposób prowadzenia fermentacji metanowej odpadów organicznych z zastosowaniem biopreparatu” [New Trichoderma atroviride fungus strain G79/11, a method for production of a bioformulation for the methane fermentation of organic wastes using the strain and a method for methane fermentation of organic wastes with the use of the bioformulation]. Inventors: Magdalena Frąc, Agata Gryta, Karolina Oszust, Anna Siczek, Nina Bilińska, Krzysztof Ziemiński, Anna Pawlik, Grzegorz Janusz.
5. Patent no. PL 2235435 (Urząd Patentowy Rzeczpospolitej Polskiej); 2016
   „Kompleks TRIS peptydowy otrzymany ze szczepu bakterii Raoultella ornithinolytica i jego wykorzystanie w leczeniu nowotworu szyjki macicy ludzkiej” [TRIS-peptide complex from a Raoultella ornithinolytica strain and its application in treatment of human cervical cancer]. Inventors: Marta Fiołka, Krzysztof Grzywnowicz, Kinga Lewtak, Jolanta Rzymowska, Paweł Mak.
6. Patent no. PL 224869 (Urząd Patentowy Rzeczpospolitej Polskiej); 2016
   „Enzym lakaza wyizolowany z grzyba Cerrena unicolor do zastosowania w leczeniu raka szyjki macicy” [Laccase enzyme isolated from the Cerrena unicolor fungus for application in cervical cancer treatment]. Inventors: Anna Matuszewska, Magdalena Jaszek, Grzegorz Janusz, Monika Osińska-Jaroszuk, Justyna Sulej, Dawid Stefaniuk, Jerzy Rogalski, Magdalena Mizerska-Kowalska, Martyna Kandefer-Szerszeń.
7. Patent no. PL 224867 (Urząd Patentowy Rzeczpospolitej Polskiej); 2016
   „Kompleks polisacharydowo-peptydowy otrzymany ze szczepu bakterii Raoultella ornithinolytica do zastosowania w zwalczaniu zakażeń powodowanych przez bakterie z rodzaju Mycobacterium” [Polysaccharide-peptide complex from a Raoultella ornithinolytica strain for application in treatment of infections caused by Mycobacterium bacteria]. Inventors: Marta Fiołka, Krzysztof Grzywnowicz, Jolanta Rzymowska, Rafał Szewczyk.
8. Patent no. PL 224934 (Urząd Patentowy Rzeczpospolitej Polskiej); 2016
   „Enzym lakaza wyizolowany z grzyba Cerrena unicolor do zastosowania w leczeniu chorób nowotworowych krwi” [Laccase enzyme isolated from the Cerrena unicolor fungus for application in blood cancer treatment]. Inventors: Magdalena Jaszek, Anna Matuszewska, Monika Osińska-Jaroszuk, Grzegorz Janusz, Justyna Sulej, Dawid Stefaniuk, Krzysztof Giannopoulos, Marta Karp.
9. Patent no. PL 231247 (Urząd Patentowy Rzeczpospolitej Polskiej); 2013
   „Sposób wytwarzania barwników syntetycznych” [Method for production of synthetic dyes]. Inventors: Anna Jarosz-Wilkołazka, Anna Polak, Anna Olszewska.

Patent applications:

1. Patent application no. P.430603 (Urząd Patentowy Rzeczpospolitej Polskiej); 2019 „Ekstrakt z gniazda mrówek Lasius fuliginosus do zastosowania w leczeniu czerniaka ludzkiego”. [Extract from the nest of Lasius fuliginosus ants for application in human melanoma treatment] Inventors: Karol Wagner, Bernard Staniec, Aneta Ptaszyńska, Magdalena Jaszek, Anna Matuszewska, Dawid Stefaniuk
2. Patent application no. P.432228 (Urząd Patentowy Rzeczpospolitej Polskiej); 2019 „Wodny ekstrakt z gniazda mrówek Lasius fuliginosus do zastosowania w zwalczaniu nosemozy pszczoły miodnej”. [Water extract from the nest of Lasius fuliginosus ants for application in control of honeybee nosemosis] Inventors: Karol Wagner, Bernard Staniec, Aneta Ptaszyńska, Magdalena Jaszek, Anna Matuszewska, Dawid Stefaniuk

Utility models:

1. Utility model No.  W127004; (Urząd Patentowy Rzeczpospolitej Polskiej); 2018
   ”Przystawka aplikacyjna do stacji pipetującej substancje lecznicze na płaskie powierzchnie”. [Application attachment for pipetting medicinal substances on flat surfaces] Inventors: Jerzy Rogalski, Marta Palusińska-Szysz, Anna Turska-Szewczuk, Adam Choma, Teresa Urbanik-Sypniewska, Jolanta Kutkowska.

Research cooperation

The Department of Biochemistry and Biotechnology cooperates with the following units of Lublin universities: Clinic of Orthopaedics and Traumatology PSK IV, Lublin (modification of surgical cements and the impact of modifiers on their); Lublin University of Technology, Faculty of Civil Engineering and Architecture, Institute of Civil Engineering (immobilisation of phenol oxidoreductases); Medical University of Lublin, Faculty of Pharmacy with the Department of Medical Analytics, Chair and Department of Biochemistry and Biotechnology (immobilisation of biological substances on medical prostheses); University of Life Sciences in Lublin, Faculty of Food Sciences and Biotechnology, Chair of Biotechnology, Human Nutrition, and Food Commodities (cellulolytic and hemicellulolytic enzymes); Bohdan Dobrzański Institute of Agrophysics, Polish Academy of Sciences in Lublin, Department of Soil-Plant System (production of enzymatic preparations stimulating the methane fermentation process)

We also cooperate with the following national research centres: Institute of Physical Chemistry, Polish Academy of Sciences, Warsaw (modification of the fuel cell cathode); Institute of Catalysis and Surface Chemistry, Polish Academy of Sciences, Kraków (activity of biocatalysts in low-water and anhydrous environment); Textile Research Institute, Łódź (analysis of new textile bio-dyes); IBB Warsaw (hydrolytic enzymes, heterologous expression); Łódź University of Technology, Chair of Bioprocess Engineering (application of fungi for decolorization of dyes and industrial wastewater); Wrocław University of Environmental and Life Sciences, Faculty of Food Sciences (involvement of laccase in modification of model substances); University of Warsaw, Department of Physical Chemistry (modification of electrodes and construction of an open bio-cell); Gdańsk University of Technology, Chair of Chemical Technology (optimization of HPLC separation techniques); M. Curie-Skłodowska Institute in Warsaw, Department of Genetics, Oncology Centre (effect of laccase and low-molecular fungal substances on proliferation of tumour cells), Chair and Department of Pharmaceutical Botany, Jagiellonian University, Department of Experimental Pharmacology, Medical University of Białystok, and the Faculty of Forestry, Białystok University of Technology in Hajnówka (search, derivation, and verification of the effects of biologically active substances from fungi colonising the natural environment of the Białowieża Forest).

The Department of Biochemistry and Biotechnology cooperates with the following foreign research institutions: Institute of Biochemistry and Physiology of Plants and Microorganisms, Russian Academy of Sciences, Saratov, University of Idaho, Vilnius University, TU Dresden – International Institute (IHI) Zittau, Agricultural University of Georgia, Institute of Biochemistry and Physiology of Plants and Microorganisms, Russian Academy of Sciences, Saratov, University of Siena, University of Griefswald, Montana Tech; Montana's Premier STEM University, Michigan State University, University of Tulsa, Ruhr-Universitat Bochum, University of Oldenburg, University of Helsinki, University of Uppsala, Kyushu University, University of Tokyo, Chungbuk National University, Mississippi State University, Division of Agriculture, Forestry and Veterinary Medicine.

Awards and distinctions

In recent years, the following decorations, medals, and awards have been granted to the employees of the Department of Biochemistry (Department of Biochemistry and Biotechnology): Silver Cross of Merit - 2 workers; Medals for Long Service - 11 workers; Medals of the National Education Commission - 12 workers; UMCS Rector's Team Awards for research and organisational activities -15 workers; UMCS Rector's Individual Award for research and organisational activities - 2 workers

Major publications

• Sud,Z.F., Karaskiewicz,M., Rogalski,J., Bilewicz,R., Lipkowski. 2020. Spectroelectrochemical studies of structural changes during reduction of oxygen catalyzed by laccase adsorbed on modified carbon nanotubes, Journal of Electroanalytical Chemistry, 113820, https://doi.org/101016/j.jelechem.2020.113820.
• Matuszewska, A., D. Stefaniuk, M. Jaszek, M. Piet, A. Zajac, L. Matuszewski, I. Cios, M. Graz, R. Paduch, and R. Bancerz. 2019. Antitumor potential of new low molecular weight antioxidative preparations from the white rot fungus Cerrena unicolor against human colon cancer cells. Sci Rep 9:1975.
• Pawlik, A., A. Mazur, J. Wielbo, P. Koper, K. Zebracki, A. Kubik-Komar, and G. Janusz. 2019. RNA Sequencing Reveals Differential Gene Expression of Cerrena unicolor in Response to Variable Lighting Conditions. International Journal of Molecular Sciences 20.
• Pawlik, A., M. Ruminowicz-Stefaniuk, M. Frac, A. Mazur, J. Wielbo, and G. Janusz. 2019. The wood decay fungus Cerrena unicolor adjusts its metabolism to grow on various types of wood and light conditions. Plos One 14.
• Matuszewska, A., M. Jaszek, D. Stefaniuk, T. Ciszewski, and L. Matuszewski. 2018. Anticancer, antioxidant, and antibacterial activities of low molecular weight bioactive subfractions isolated from cultures of wood degrading fungus Cerrena unicolor. Plos One 13:e0197044.
• Rudawska, A., I. Haniecka, M. Jaszek, and D. Stefaniuk. 2018. The Influence of Adhesive Compounds Biochemical Modification on the Mechanical Properties of Adhesive Joints. Polymers 10.
• Malinowski,S., P. Herbert ,P.A.F., Rogalski,J.,  Jaroszynska-Wolinska, J. 2018. Laccase Enzyme Polymerization by Soft Plasma Jet for Durable Bioactive Coatings, Polymer 10, 532.
• Bancerz, R., M. Osinska-Jaroszuk, M. Jaszek, J. Sulej, A. Wiater, A. Matuszewska, and J. Rogalski. 2018. Fungal polysaccharides as a water-adsorbing material in esters production with the use of lipase from Rhizomucor variabilis. Int J Biol Macromol 118:957-964.
• Janusz, G., A. Pawlik, J. Sulej, U. Swiderska-Burek, A. Jarosz-Wilkolazka, and A. Paszczynski. 2017. Lignin degradation: microorganisms, enzymes involved, genomes analysis and evolution. FEMS Microbiology Reviews 41:941-962.
• Bancerz, R. 2017. [Industrial application of lipases]. Postepy biochemii 63:335-341.
• Bancerz, R., M. Osinska-Jaroszuk, M. Jaszek, G. Janusz, D. Stefaniuk, J. Sulej, M. Janczarek, A. Jarosz-Wilkolazka, and J. Rogalski. 2016. New alkaline lipase from Rhizomucor variabilis: Biochemical properties and stability in the presence of microbial EPS. Biotechnol Appl Biochem 63:67-76.
• Additional information
• The Department has a fungus collection (FLC) established to conduct research of the biochemistry of wood-degrading fungi. It comprises white, soft, and brown wood rot fungi as well as edible mushrooms. A minor part of the collection contains mycorrhizal fungi, sea mushrooms, and moulds. The strains are provided by other centres through scientific exchange and licence transfer or are collected in natural environments.