10 A niversary of IIMCB

• Award by The Ministry of Health as a coauthor of the
publication: „Evaluation of neuroendocrine status in
longevity”, Neurobiol. Aging 2007, 28:774–783 to Dr.
Małgorzata Mossakowska
• Award by The Ministry of Health for the cycle of three
papers on molecular and cellular basis of immunological
disorders in Multiple Sclerosis to Prof. Alicja Żylicz
Education
IIMCB continues its doctoral program in partnership with
other research and educational institutes of the Ochota
Campus (40 students). The international PhD program run
in collaboration with Utrecht University has entered the
last phase: currently, four students are still enrolled in this
program. Additionally, the doctoral program of the Institute
of Biochemistry and Biophysics, the Nencki Institute, the
Postgraduate School of Molecular Medicine and of the
Foundation for Polish Science continues (see section
„Educational Activities” p. 76).
Media Visibility and Popularization of Science
In 2008, IIMCB faculty and staff members actively
popularized science in media, reported on activities of IIMCB
and commented on various aspects of country’s science
politics. In the Public Service Review: European Union (issue 15),
a highly esteemed key source of news and analysis on public
sector matters in Europe, Michał Witt placed two articles: on
reversing the research brain-drain, advocating the importance
of gifted young researchers in improving local scientific
communities and on new way in Polish science being put into
practice at IIMCB. In line with the latter was the editorial article
in Newsweek Polska, presenting IIMCB as an independent
The monography edited by Janusz M. Bujnicki, published by John Wiley
& Sons, 2008
10 Annual Report 2008
and attractive research institute, calling it (definitely with
some exaggeration) …the first exceptional institution of the
country’s “happiness island archipelago” of Polish science.
Gazeta Wyborcza, a leading Polish daily, featured an
article on various aspects of aging relating to the Institute’s
PolSenior Program. The same problem was described in
an extensive interview with Małgorzata Mossakowska
published in Puls Medycyny.
Foreign visits of Jacek Kuźnicki, IIMCB’s Director, were
covered in Gazeta Wyborcza (National Institutes of Health,
Bethesda, USA) and in Ukrainian daily Zierkalo Tiżnia (Ukrainian
Science Club and Ukrainian Ministry of Science, Kiev, Ukraine).
The Volvox Project, together with achievements of
the Centre for Innovative Bioscience Education (SFN),
was widely described in the leading European teachers’
professional journal Science in School. The project was also the
topic of a commentary in Nature (453, May 2008).
Two group visits were hosted at IIMCB, both including a
presentation of IIMCB: of gifted youngsters brought here by
National Children’s Fund and of students of biotechnology
of Warmia-Mazury University in Olsztyn.
Publishing NEWSKO
Since 2000 e-bulletin NEWSKO provides the Ochota
Campus community with current information on seminars,
symposia, conferences, job opportunities and other
essential events. NEWSKO, which has been published at
the Institute for the last eight years, integrates scientists,
students and medical doctors at the Ochota Campus and
plays a significant role as the communication platform for all
Centres of Excellence at the Ochota Campus. Currently this
information is available at www.iimcb.gov.pl/seminars.php.
Computer Network
In 2008 a number of main network services were
modernized at IIMCB. This implied installation of the latest
system versions and databases which were implemented on
brand new and technologically advanced platforms. Based
on this, the Institute developed a unique, fully functional and
advanced intranet webpage. Apart from this, two new and
independent file servers were created. One of them is presently
used by the administrative staff, the other was prepared for
implementation by researchers. Both servers are controlled by
the Linux operating system and equipped with SATA II hard
discs functioning in RAID5 configuration. Their capacity is, 1500
GB and 3000 GB respectively. Moreover, a new and efficient
application server was implemented, allowing for access
to a wide variety of utility software. Also a new server for the
accounting unit was launched, which hosts a multiple database
system. In future it is planned to install two 24 TB disc arrays, one
of them is currently being purchased. Apart from the disc arrays,
the Institute is concluding the transaction of advanced firewall,
which will contribute highly to a greater network and data safety
in the Institute. It is necessary to install a big and highly efficient
emergency power pack, which would protect the whole
Institute’s server room from power black-out related problems.
Additionally, two network service servers of great importance
are to be launched shortly, that is an electronic mail system and
the main webpage server. Data is currently being replaced from
the present units into brand new server machines.