Project Leader: Prof. Marta Pokrywczyńska, PhD, Habilitated Doctor
The CURE research team conducts innovative studies in the field of regenerative medicine and tissue engineering, with a particular focus on personalized therapies and advanced, non-invasive cancer diagnostics. Our mission is to develop modern solutions that address real clinical needs.
We focus on the development of Advanced Therapy Medicinal Products (ATMPs) using stem cells, biomaterials, and extracellular vesicle (EV)-based biological products. One of our priorities is the reconstruction of the bladder wall using tissue engineering methods, addressing the limitations of current treatments following cystectomy. We are also developing therapies based on stromal stem cells for the treatment of urinary incontinence, a common complication after radical prostatectomy. Another important area of our research involves EV-based biological products designed to modulate and enhance tissue regeneration after surgery, supporting healing processes.
Our research is interdisciplinary, combining expertise in biotechnology, biomaterials, urology, and surgery. We also work on pancreatic islet transplantation for diabetes treatment, cornea banking for transplantation purposes, and the development of therapies supporting wound healing in plastic surgery and dermatology.
A second key focus of our research is the identification of new diagnostic markers for genitourinary cancers, particularly bladder and prostate cancer. We employ advanced EV analysis techniques and so-called “liquid biopsy” (biomarker detection in body fluids). Planned studies also include patient-derived tumor organoid cultures and drug testing (screening), which allow precise prediction of individual patient responses to treatment, in line with the principles of personalized medicine.
The nature of our research encourages broad collaboration across different University units. While we develop new treatment and diagnostic methods in urology within our Department, collaboration with units specializing in other techniques, such as chromatography, mass spectrometry, capillary electrophoresis, or spectroscopy, would enhance the interdisciplinary nature of our studies. Potential collaborators include University units interested in this field and possessing the necessary analytical infrastructure. Such cooperation would improve marker selection and create integrated approaches combining biological and chemical markers.
Due to the possibility of isolating EVs from various body fluids, our research could be extended to other types of cancers, potentially attracting the interest of other University Clinics that could participate in patient recruitment and collection of biological material for analysis. We are also open to collaboration in developing new therapeutic solutions in the area of cell therapy and biomaterials, especially regarding applications in dermatology, oncology, and transplantation.