We are pleased to announce that Dr. Roland Wesołowski from the Department of Biology and Medical Biochemistry at the Faculty of Medicine, Nicolaus Copernicus University in Toruń, has been awarded a grant of 46,585 PLN in the MINIATURA 10 competition organized by the National Science Center to conduct preliminary research.
The research project titled “Excretion Dynamics and Molecular Heterogeneity of Blastocystis spp. as a Source of Detection Limitations—A Pilot Study” focuses on one of the most commonly detected eukaryotic microorganisms inhabiting the human gastrointestinal tract.
Blastocystis may be excreted irregularly, which is why test results for consecutive samples collected from the same individual may vary. The research will characterize this variability and assess whether the microorganism’s genetic diversity may affect its detectability.
The research will employ complementary methods: direct microscopy, in vitro culture, molecular analyses, and DNA sequencing.
This project builds on the experience gained by Dr. Roland Wesołowski during a research mission at the Laboratory of Molecular and Evolutionary Parasitology at the University of Kent, carried out as part of the COST Action “Blastocystis under One Health.”
The project’s objectives will also be presented to the international scientific community during the 5th International Blastocystis Conference, which will take place in September 2026 in La Laguna, Canary Islands. 🌍
Source: Faculty of Medicine, CM