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The ICCVS Team has recently attended the COST Action IMMUNO-model CA21135 annual conference in Warsaw, Poland (13th-14th May 2025). The initiative aims to foster research and innovation in the field of preclinical immuno-oncology models, advancing cancer treatment for patients by improving their outcomes and quality of life. IMMUNO-model brings together European researchers from diverse sectors (academia, clinical, industry) with the common goal of establishing a network that endorses immuno-oncology research by specifically promoting the sharing, standardization, and application of immunotherapy preclinical models. The meeting has opened several collaborative opportunities for the clinical peptidomics group in the fields of cytokines, secretome analysis, immunopeptidome analysis for glycopeptides, 2D/3D model proteomics, peptide/protein biomarker discovery, and further development of in silico modeling.

In addition, this Action will enable the establishment of a broad, creative, and collaborative hub through the organization of community-building activities, the creation of synergies among European and non-European scientists, and the training of future researchers in the field. This Action aims to contribute to translating novel scientific discoveries into benefits for cancer patients and society. ICCVS Team, including prof. Natalia Marek-Trzonkowska, dr hab. eng. Monikaben Padariya, dr Anna Biernacka, and dr Sachin Kote actively participated in the keynote speaker and poster presentation sessions, initiating collaborative opportunities. The efforts of the COST action will enhance the design of in vitro and in vivo experiments in the cancer field, thereby overcoming the limitations previously encountered in cancer immunotherapy.

The participation was financed by COST and CANVAS project.

We were pleased to host a guest from The Arctic University of Norway as part of our ongoing collaboration under the Memorandum of Understanding between our institutions.

Dr. Swapnil Bhavsar from University of Tromsø, Department of Clinical Medicine worked with ICCVS’ researchers since 26 until 28 of March 2025. The visit to the Clinical Peptidomics research group, lead by dr. Sachin Kote,  at the International Centre for Cancer Vaccine Science provided an excellent opportunity to exchange knowledge and explore potential joint research activities.

This collaboration aligns with our shared commitment to advancing interdisciplinary training, fostering academic exchange, and strengthening international research networks in cancer immunology and peptidomics.

We look forward to further developing our partnership and future visits!

The International Centre for Cancer Vaccine Science (ICCVS), Team Leader of Clinical Peptidomics Group, dr Sachin Kote, has recently represented ICCVS at the AI for Science conference held on 20-21 March 2025 in Krakow, Poland. The conference organized by the Ministry of Science and Higher Education and Academic Computer Centre CYFRONET AGH under the Polish presidency of the Council of the European Union. The AI for Science conference was gathered to learn about real-world artificial intelligence (AI) applications across various scientific fields and to debate the future of AI and its role in academic and business ecosystems. The AI factory constructions, investment, and fundamental infrastructure for future AI development in Europe have been discussed, and more light has been shed on how artificial intelligence is transforming research and business processes.

ICCVS has mass spectrometers as state-of-the-art analytical instruments, and the clinical peptidomics group has several innovative methods that include immunopeptidomics, neo-antigen discovery and tissue extracellular peptidomics, serum peptidomics from both human and non-human biofluids, intracellular peptidomics, and routine quantitative proteomics research dedicated to enhancing health, environment, and safety. These novel methods generate the highest quality data; therefore, these data serve as a gold mine for AI-based applications and their implementation for discoveries and therapies. In addition, AI should be implemented to accelerate the NSCLC immunotherapy development; hence, ICCVS plays a dual role in AI for science and businesses, said dr Sachin Kote.

The European Cooperation in Science and Technology (COST) is a dynamic funding agency that supports collaborative research and innovation networks across Europe. COST Actions foster connections among research initiatives, empowering scientists to exchange ideas and advance their work. This not only accelerates research but also boosts careers and drives innovation. One of COST Actions, “Bench to Bedside: Transitioning Pharmacological Regulation of NRF2 in Noncommunicable Diseases,” alias BenBedPhar, attracted dr. Alicja Sznarkowska and her team from ICCVS as it aligns perfectly with their work on NRF2 isoforms.

I attended the SFRR meeting (Society for Free Radicals Research) in Istanbul where I learnt about the BenBedPhar COST Action. I met its Chair and Leaders of particular Work Packages and finally became a member myself, followed by the team – dr. Zuzanna Urban-Wójciuk and Alicja Dziadosz-Brzezińska. – Alicja says.

How exactly did it happen?

In June 2024 I took part in the European SFRR meeting in Istanbul where I presented our data on detection of NRF2 which point to the fact that majority of commercial anti-NRF2 antibodies bind to another protein that co-migrates with NRF2 in SDS-PAGE. We showed how to differentiate true signal from the unspecific one – says dr. Sznarkowska.
Unspecific antibodies are the burden to the NRF2 community thus our poster attracted a lot of attention. This is how I met prof. Antonio Cuadrado Pastor from Autonomous University of Spain, Madrid, who is the Leader of COST BenBedPhar as well as prof. Albena Dinkova-Kostova from the University of Dundee – School of Medicine, who leads the package on NRF2 pharmacological regulation and drugs– she continues.

In Istanbul I also learnt about COST Training School which was, to my surprise, organized in Poland, in Wieliczka, by prof. Anna Grochot-Przęczek from Jagiellonian University of Cracow, who leads the BenBedPhar work package 1 on tools for NRF2 research. I contacted Anna who invited me to come with a poster to Wieliczka and in the end I was encouraged to give a talk on NRF2 detection and isoforms project. Besides wonderful lectures summarizing current knowledge on NRF2/KEAP1 pathway, we were also offered a brilliant talk by Prof. Alicja Józkowicz (Jagiellonian University, Cracow) on How to write the ERC grants. COST training schools gather young researchers – PhD students and post-docs – who are especially interested in the very bases of work with NRF2 so we had a lot of lively discussions!

After getting acquainted with COST members and presenting our work, I applied for the COST membership and was soon accepted. This allowed me to go to Lizbon, Portugal for the 8th BenBedPhar Scientific meeting and give a talk on methods with which we study NRF2 isoforms. It was a wonderful journey and a very rich and inspiring meeting from which I brought new ideas and I am very grateful for the opportunity to join.

Being a part of the COST Action has been a thrilling experience. I met people investigating one protein from various angles so we could exchange perspectives and knowledge. I am looking forward to future meetings (next in Galway, Ireland in June 2025) and I recommend to everyone to search for COST Action with the agenda of their interests, as it really gives a kick of motivation!

This year, scientists from the International Centre for Cancer Vaccine Science joined the Night of Biologists to share their important work on cancer research and cell-based therapies.

For our youngest visitors, we created a fun animated film that explained how immune cells fight diseases in our bodies. Aspiring young scientists had the chance to try their hand at using a model of flow cytometer and discover how to find cells that can protect us from cancer. Our researchers also shared stories about how these special cells could help develop life-saving targeted therapies for future patients.

The Intercollegiate Faculty of Biotechnology UG brought the event to life with attracting exhibits. Visitors explored microbiological cultures, models of antibodies, cells, and viruses, and even a map showing bacterial infections in the human body.

One of the night’s highlights was an escape room adventure, where participants became anti-terrorist heroes battling a microbiological threat. It was both stimulating and educational! Visitors also enjoyed fascinating lectures packed with facts on research from various fields of biology.

Events like this remind us how important it is to share knowledge, celebrate science, and show the world how research can make a difference in our lives.

Special gratitude to dr. Zuzanna Urban-Wójciuk and dr. Anna Biernacka from ICCVS for the stand preparation.

The participation in the event was a part of CANVAS project financed by the European Union.

From 25th November to 9th December, two members of our ICCVS team, Dr. Anna Biernacka and Alicja Dziadosz, participated in an intensive training program on γδ T cell culture at the Department of Biology, Università di Roma “Tor Vergata.”

Under the expert mentorship of Dr. Marina Potestà, Dr. Carla Montesano, and Dr. Alessandra Sacchi, our team gained hands-on experience in purifying, expanding, characterizing, and activating these rare yet powerful immune cells. This invaluable expertise will play a crucial role in advancing our research on cellular anti-NSCLC therapies at ICCVS.

A highlight of the trip was attending the Extracellular Vesicles and Nanoparticles Conference (CSEVP-2024) on 4th December. The event featured cutting-edge talks by leading experts and promising young scientists, making it a truly inspiring experience.

Outside the lab, our team also had the pleasure of experiencing the rich Roman cuisine and enjoying time with colleagues in a traditional Roman restaurant.

We give our gratitude to the team at Università di Roma “Tor Vergata” for their expertise and warm hospitality!

These visit was part of the CANVAS project aiming to enhance research potential and develop innovative tools that contribute to the advancement of cell-based therapies for non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC).

During the Gliwice Scientific Meetings, held on 21-22 November 2024 at the Education and Congress Centre of the Silesian University of Technology, Prof. Natalia Marek-Trzonkowska, along with Justyna Kocik-Król PhD and Ewelina Majewska PhD, actively promoted the CANVAS project: “Enhancing Cancer Vaccine Science for New Therapy Pathways.” The event provided an excellent opportunity to present the project’s goals and objectives, emphasizing its significance in development of immuno-oncology therapies. The scientific posters were presented by the team of ICCVS, Ines Papak PhD student, Artur Piróg PhD and Wojciech Siwek PhD.

We extend our gratitude to the Organizers for inviting us to participate in this event and for the inspiring discussions with representatives of the scientific and clinical medicine communities!

As a reminder, the CANVAS project aims to enhance research potential and develop innovative tools that contribute to the advancement of cell-based therapies for non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). The project is led by Prof. Natalia Marek-Trzonkowska at the International Centre for Cancer Vaccine Science (ICCVS) in collaboration with partners: Real Research S.A., the French Alternative Energies and Atomic Energy Commission (CEA) in France, and the University of Rome Tor Vergata (UNITOV) in Italy.

The project’s activities include both scientific research and study visits or exchange programs among partners to improve expertise in the field of cancer immunology. The CANVAS project is funded by the European Union and fosters an interdisciplinary environment that encourages the development of innovative research ideas, contributing to the dynamic advancement of science and public awareness in the field of cancer immunotherapy.

From the 30^th of September until 5^th of October I took part in Advanced Lecture Course organized by Society for Free Radicals Research-Europe (SFRR-E) and Federation of European Biochemical Societies (FEBS) on Greek Island of Spetses. The topic of this meeting was: “Redox biochemistry: Cellular responses and disease relevance”. At first, I felt a bit intimidated by the packed schedule as I’m new to this field, but soon I’d realized all of the talks were very interesting and speakers easily approachable. We learnt about the involvement of reactive oxygen species in aging, Alzheimer’s disease, and physical exercise. A huge part of the meeting was dedicated to presentations given by early-career researchers (PhD students and post-docs). All of us were asked to prepare not only a poster but also a 4-minute scientific presentation and 2-minute presentation to non-scientific audience. Most of the participants took it very seriously and the presentations led to some very interesting discussions.

We did not have much free time during the meeting but because the hotel where the meeting was held was located right at the seaside, we could still enjoy beautiful scenery. I had a great time in Spetses and I’m very grateful I had a chance to participate in this conference.

This year, the Research Support Team from the International Centre for Cancer Vaccine Science had the unique opportunity to participate in two job shadowing visits, hosted by the University of Rome Tor Vergata (UNITOV) and the French Alternative Energies and Atomic Energy Commission (CEA).

The visit to our Italian partner institution took place in April. During five packed days, our team had the chance to delve into a wide range of topics, including best practices in research funding acquisition and proposal writing, practical aspects of laboratory management, support for international students and staff, and information and marketing processes. Particularly engaging discussions revolved around critical areas such as laboratory waste management, ordering reagents, managing reagents and consumables, and equipment booking systems. After full working days, we also had the chance to explore the historic spots of the beautiful and ever-vibrant city of Rome.

In October, we were delighted to join our French colleagues at CEA in Grenoble. The city welcomed us with stunning weather and breathtaking views of the Alpine mountains. During this inspiring three-day visit, we learned a great deal about CEA’s innovative work, visited impressive showrooms and laboratories, and connected with highly engaged professionals eager to share their knowledge. Key topics discussed included digital management of reagents, electronic lab books, intellectual property management, working hours declaration tools, and advocacy activities at the EU level.

These visits were part of the CANVAS project activity plan, providing a valuable opportunity for the entire project consortium (ICCVS, UNITOV, CEA and Real Research) to meet and plan the next steps for the near future.

We returned to our daily responsibilities with fresh ideas and solutions to address ongoing challenges.

Special thanks to Carla Montesano, Marina Potesta, and Elisabetta Russo from the University of Rome Tor Vergata, as well as to Haiyet Chebli and Christophe Battail from the French Alternative Energies and Atomic Energy Commission.

We are grateful to have been part of this inspiring journey!

On 18^th October 2024, the International Centre for Cancer Vaccine Science at the University of Gdańsk hosted the second episode of Science, Biotech and Beyond, season 2. This engaging session, titled Science Popularization: Why and How to Do It, provided two experienced speakers from the Experyment Science Center in Gdynia—Klaudia Tajthi and Magdalena Jaworska.

Klaudia Tajthi, a physicist and renowned science popularizer, shared her experience in organizing impactful science events. Magdalena Jaworska, a PR specialist, offered insights into promoting science to the broader public and her involvement with the European Network of Youth Cancer Survivors, where she advocates for the needs of cancer survivors.

Big thanks to our speakers, it was a great pleasure to learn from you!

The event, part of the CANVAS project, aimed to enhance science dissemination efforts, making them more effective and accessible. With a focus on science communication, this session provided valuable training for researchers and professionals interested in improving public engagement.

The ICCVS extends an open invitation to all willing to join future episodes of Science, Biotech and Beyond.