65 years of

T he mission of the Polish Academy of Sciences consists in multifaceted activities

involving the development of science and setting top standards of research quality and ethical norms. This is to serve the society and expand national culture. The Academy’s research units conduct advanced studies of strategic importance for the growth of science, society and the economy as well as compile expert opinions on significant matters contributing to national development. One of the Academy’s priorities is to support versatile forms of international scientific cooperation and educating scientific staff, in particular by means of PhD studies and organizing postdoctoral internships. Another crucial area of operation is popularizing science. We wish to encourage active approaches to academic work, provide inspiration and motivate by means of our participation in scientific festivals and exhibitions as well as meetings with scientists, organized both domestically and abroad.

Legal basis:

Act of 30 April 2010 on the Polish Academy of Sciences (as amended)

Statute of the Polish Academy of Sciences of 24 November 2010 (as amended)

Supervisory body:

Prime Minister of the Republic of Poland

In 2017, the Polish Academy of Sciences is celebrating its 65th Anniversary.

During the 1st National Congress of Science (held between 29 June and 2 July 1951), almost 2,000 scientists passed the resolution on creating the Polish Academy of Sciences. This took final shape in the Act passed by the Sejm of the Republic of Poland of 30 October 1951. On 9 April 1952 the President of the Republic of Poland nominated first Academy members and its Presidium. Numerous scientific and task-force committees were then set up, affiliated with the Presidium of PAS and its divisions, and gathering representatives of all areas of science and academic circles. The divisions expanded a network of scientific and auxiliary units: institutes, departments and teams. In the early years of operation, the authorities and administration of the Polish Academy of Sciences were located at Staszic Palace in Warsaw. In mid-1955, the Palace of Culture and Science became the Academy’s official seat.

Staszic Palace, Nicolaus Copernicus Year, 17 May 1953, PAS Archives, Photographic Collection6

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First Academy units

Museum of the Earth draws on the tradition of the Museum of the

Earth Society, set up in Warsaw as a social initiative in 1932 with a clearly defined goal of creating a geological museum in the capital city of the Republic of Poland. First museum collections were compiled already in 1933, and in 1959 the Museum of the Earth was taken over by the Polish Academy of Sciences, as per the postulates of the 1st National Congress of Science. In 1974, creating the Botanical Garden, as an independent PAS scientific unit, came as culmination of over 40 years of efforts on the part of botany experts striving to set up a modern botanical garden in Warsaw. In July 1952, the following four scientific units were handed over to the Academy by means of a resolution by the Council of Ministers: the Institute of Literary Research, Nencki Institute of Experimental Biology, State Institute of Mathematics and the Department of Dendrology and Pomology in Kórnik.

Top: White Palace in the 1950s, photo from the Museum of the Earth archivesBeginnings of the Botanical Garden with its seat in Powsin, May 1974, photo from the Botanical Garden archives

In 1957, the first Branch of the Academy was set up in Krakow. The photo presents the “Kreczykowska” Tenement House at ul. św. Jana 28, which has been the seat of the PAS Branch in Krakow since March 1993. Photo from the Branch’s archives

Nencki Institute, 1974, photo from the Institute’s archivesInstitute of Mathematics seat in ul. Śniadeckich, 1939, photo from the Institute’s archives

Medal commemorating the 20th Anniversary of Marie Skłodowska-Curie’s death,

designed by Krystyna Hofman-Domadziarska and minted by PAS, 1954

1st National Congress of Science

The 1st National Congress of Science in 1951 saw the passing

of a resolution on creating PAS. Jan Dembowski, the first President of PAS, chaired the Organizational Committee. Professor Irène Joliot-Curie, daughter of Marie Skłodowska-Curie, participated in the Congress.

Photo: PAS Archives

Staszic Palace in Warsaw before World War II. Henryk Poddębski – Warszawa stolica Polski, Społeczny Fundusz Odbudowy Stolicy [Warsaw, the capital city of Poland, Social Fund for Reconstruction of the Capital City], 2nd edition, Warsaw 1949

PAS authorities seat

Initially, the Polish Academy of Sciences authorities were seated

at Staszic Palace (from 1952). Since mid-1955 until present day the Academy’s authorities and administration have been located at the Palace of Culture and Science.

Staszic Palace following remodeling as per Mikhail Pokrovsky’s design, early 20th century, photo from PAS Archives

Left: “Under the Staszic sign. Members of the Warsaw Scientific Society”, 1912, painted by St. Lenz. From left to right: Zdzisław Dmochowski, Józef Potocki, Gabriel Korybut, Jan K. Kochanowski, Franciszek Pułaski, Erazm Majewski, Aleksander Jabłonowski (first President of the WSS), Samuel Dickstein, Jan Lewiński, Władysław Smoleński

“Father Onufry Kopczyński receives his diploma for Gramatyka języka polskiego [Grammar of the Polish Language]”, 1916, painted by B. Kopczyński

Paintings from early 20th century, on

display at Staszic Palace today, presenting Polish scientists.

The Academy’s governing bodies include: the PAS General Assembly,

its chief organ, participated in by all Academy members, the Presidium of PAS as well as President of PAS and the Chancellor of PAS. Their term of office is 4 years. The corporate structure includes divisions, branches, scientific and task-force committees, the Polish Young Academy, the Science Ethics Committee and the Audit Committee. The Academy includes five divisions: Division I: Humanities and Social Sciences, Division II: Biological and Agricultural Sciences, Division III: Mathematics, Physics, Chemistry and Earth Sciences, Division IV: Engineering Sciences, and Division V: Medical Sciences. Among other activities, the divisions coordinate the operations of 69 scientific institutes and supervise auxiliary scientific units: archives, libraries, museums and the botanical garden. PAS scientific and task-force committees also operate with the structure of the Academy. 13 task-force committees and 78 scientific committees were appointed for the 2015−2018 term. The Academy is also involved in field work, domestically through its Branches in Gdańsk, Katowice, Krakow, Lublin, Łódź, Olsztyn and Białystok (with seat in Olsztyn), Poznań and Wrocław, and abroad, through its international scientific centers.

PAS authorities (from left to right): T. Latała, S. Malepszy, P. Rowiński, J. Duszyński, E. Frąckowiak, E. Nęcka, S. Czuczwar

Session of the PAS General AssemblyStaszic Palace in Warsaw, photos by J. Ostałowski (3)Th

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Dean of Division

Professor Stanisław Filipowicz

Council of Division Provosts

Chair of the Council of Provosts Professor Jerzy Brzeziński Deputy chair of the Council of Provosts Professor Grażyna Borkowska

The subject was completed at the Institute of Archaeology and Ethnology,

PAS, in the years 2015–2017, by Grzegorz Śnieżko, MA, under the supervision of Professor Stanisław Suchodolski, PhD, DSc. Research was financed with funds from the National Science Centre, granted under the Preludium 7 competition (project No 2014/13/N/ HS3/04588). For centuries, issuing coins has served as a physical manifestation of monetary policy, being a significant attribute of power for practically all rulers. It was also followed by one of the most celebrated rulers of Poland – Bolesław Wrymouth (reign: 1102–1138), as evidenced by the coins preserved. Despite significant recognizability of this Piast ruler, his minting activities have not been the subject of detailed research to date. Although Bolesław III was not the first Polish ruler to issue his own coins, it was during his reign that they started to be seen both in economic categories and as a tool for creating internal policy. In the very same era, domestic coins started to dominate in domestic circulation, pushing out foreign ones, for the very first time. It cannot be ruled out that this was largely due to the development of the Polish manufacturing of silver. In order to determine the elemental composition of the alloys to be found in Bolesław Wrymouth’s coins, numerous spectral analyses were conducted during the project. The results of such research are a major contribution to discussion on the resources and origins of silver in the Piast state.

Minting under Polish Prince Bolesław III Wrymouth

Selection of Bolesław Wrymouth’s coins. Collections of the Royal Castle in Warsaw

Left: Bolesław Wrymouth’s denarius, with a likeness of the Prince in state. Collections of the Royal Castle in Warsaw, photos by A. Ring, L. Sandzewicz (2)

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Ancient residences of Nea Pafos

The oldest remains of the ancient city of Nea Pafos in Cyprus have been

discovered recently by an archaeological team led by Henryk Meyza, PhD, from the Institute of Mediterranean and Oriental Cultures, PAS. Fragments of walls and floorings, dating as far back as 2.3 thousand years ago, are located on the site of luxury residential buildings, constructed later and uncovered in the course of earlier excavations by the Polish scientific center. Nea (i.e. New) Pafos is one of the most important archaeological sites in Cyprus, having served as the island’s capital city in the Hellenistic and Roman periods. It was founded in late 4th century BC, when the city of Palea (i.e. Old) Pafos, which was a thousand years its senior and boasted the famous temple dedicated to Aphrodite, lost its port due to excessive sedimentation. With the remains being of such historical importance, the municipal complex together with its auxiliary functions have been entered into the UNESCO world heritage list.

Nubian fortresses

Aproject entitled “Emergence of Early Medieval States in the

Middle Nile Valley. Archaeological Sources” has been conducted at the Institute of Mediterranean and Oriental Cultures, PAS, under the leadership of Bogdan Żurawski, PhD, DSc, for a year now. It assumes inter alia extensive documentation of Nubian fortresses from the period of the 4th–7th century. Field research in Sudan is conducted on the basis of a professorial subsidy granted as part of the “Master” program of the Foundation for Polish Science. Using state-of-the-art technologies, a dozen or so three-dimensional models have been prepared of the most important fortifications to be found between the third and sixth cataract on the Nile. The first year of the project was dedicated to findings of crucial significance for further studies of the emergence of early medieval states in the Middle Nile valley. It was determined, among others, that many fortifications from the period of early Christian kingdoms were used as refuges, where the local population sought shelter during enemy invasion. Once immediate threat ceased, people would return non-fortified settlements in close proximity of farmland, which provided for more comfortable livelihood.

Ortophotomap of Ed-Diffar fortress, photo by B. Żurawski

Ortophotomap of Abkur fortress, photo by B. Żurawski

Goblet with depictions of animals, 6th century, found during excavation work on the site of a church in Selib, photo by P. Terendy

Eastern portico of a “Hellenistic” HouseDioscurus bust, photos by H. Meyza (2)Se

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Galicia on Kaiser Joseph’s topographic map (1779–1783)

Kaiser Joseph’s map of Galicia (otherwise known as Von Mieg’s

map) is an excellent source, compiled shortly after the first partition of Poland, but nevertheless providing insights on the Old Poland landscape of the vast area ranging from Cieszyn Silesia to the Zbruch River. It comprises 413 large sheets, drawn in a scale of 1:28,800, along with detailed descriptions of the land, forming six volumes. The map is kept at the War Archive (Kriegsarchiv) in Vienna. This valuable material, significant from a historical research perspective but also useful for studies conducted in many other fields, has been the subject of an editorial program launched in 2008. The program has been conducted by researchers from five cooperating centers: the Institute of Archaeology and Ethnology, PAS, Institute of History, PAS, the PAS Scientific Center in Vienna, the Pedagogical University of Krakow and

the University of Rzeszów. The edition, comprising 15 volumes (each in turn

comprising 2–3 physical books), is being prepared gradually with

the aid of the National Program for the Development of

Humanities and shall be completed in 2020.

European Social Survey

This is one of the largest and most important research

projects in the field of social sciences conducted by the Institute of Philosophy and Sociology, PAS. A unique research method has been developed as part of the ESS, allowing to create maps of changes in attitudes towards key problems, modifications of systems of values and human behaviors. The survey constitutes a reliable source of knowledge on EU residents. For more data, go to www.europeansocialsurvey.org

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Polish Academy of Sciences Archives in Warsaw www.apan.waw.pl

Polish Academy of Sciences Library in Gdańsk www.bgpan.gda.pl

Polish Academy of Sciences Library in Kórnik www.bkpan.poznan.pl

Institute of Archaeology and Ethnology, Polish Academy of Sciences www.iaepan.edu.pl

Institute of Art, Polish Academy of Sciences www.ispan.pl

Institute of Economics, Polish Academy of Sciences www.inepan.waw.pl

Institute of History, Polish Academy of Sciences www.ihpan.edu.pl

Institute for the History of Science, Polish Academy of Sciences www.ihnpan.waw.pl

Institute of Law Studies, Polish Academy of Sciences www.inp.pan.pl

Institute of Literary Research, Polish Academy of Sciences www.ibl.waw.pl

Committee on Ancient Culture, Polish Academy of Sciences www.knoka.pan.pl

Committee on Art Studies, Polish Academy of Sciences www.knos.pan.pl

Committee on Cultural Studies, Polish Academy of Sciences www.knok.pan.pl

Committee on Demographic Studies, Polish Academy of Sciences www.knd.pan.pl

Committee on Economic Sciences, Polish Academy of Sciences www.kne.pan.pl

Committee on Ethnological Sciences, Polish Academy of Sciences www.kometno.pan.pl

Committee on Financial Sciences, Polish Academy of Sciences www.knfpan.pan.pl

Committee on Historical Sciences, Polish Academy of Sciences www.knh.pan.pl

Committee on the History of Science and Technology, Polish Academy of Sciences www.khnit.pan.pl

Committee on Labor and Social Policy Sciences, Polish Academy of Sciences www.knopips.pan.pl

Committee on Legal Sciences, Polish Academy of Sciences www.knp.pan.pl

Committee on Linguistics, Polish Academy of Sciences www.komjezyk.pan.pl

Committee on Literature Studies, Polish Academy of Sciences www.knol.pan.pl

Committee on Organizational and Management Sciences, Polish Academy of Sciences www.knoiz.pan.pl

Committee on Oriental Studies, Polish Academy of Sciences www.kno.pan.pl

Committee on Pedagogical Sciences, Polish Academy of Sciences www.knped.pan.pl

Committee on Philosophical Sciences, Polish Academy of Sciences www.academicon.pl/komitet-nauk-filo-zoficznych-pan

Committee on Political Sciences, Polish Academy of Sciences www.knpol.pan.pl

Committee on Prehistoric and Protohistoric Sciences, Polish Academy of Sciences www.archekom.pan.pl

Committee on Psychological Sciences, Polish Academy of Sciences www.kompsych.pan.pl

Committee on Slavic Studies, Polish Academy of Sciences www.komslow.pan.pl

SCIENTIFIC COMMIT TEES

AUXILIARY RESEARCH UNITSRESEARCH UNITS

TASK-FORCE COMMIT TEES

Institute of Mediterranean and Oriental Cultures, Polish Academy of Sciences www.iksiopan.pl

Institute of Philosophy and Sociology, Polish Academy of Sciences www.ifispan.waw.pl

Institute of the Polish Language, Polish Academy of Sciences www.ijp-pan.krakow.pl

Institute of Political Studies, Polish Academy of Sciences www.isppan.waw.pl

Institute of Psychology, Polish Academy of Sciences www.psych.pan.pl

Institute of Rural and Agricultural Development, Polish Academy of Sciences www.irwirpan.waw.pl

Institute of Slavic Studies, Polish Academy of Sciences www.ispan.waw.pl

Committee on Ethics in Science, Polish Academy of Sciences www.ken.pan.pl

Research Committee on Human Migration, Polish Academy of Sciences www.kbnm.pan.pl

Committee on Science Studies, Polish Academy of Sciences www.naukoznaw.pan.pl

Committee on Sociology, Polish Academy of Sciences www.kspan.pan.pl

Committee on Statistics and Econometrics, Polish Academy of Sciences www.ksie.pan.pl

Committee on Theological Sciences, Polish Academy of Sciences www.teologia.pan.pl

Complex nature of seed dormancy regulation

Seeds form the basis of our civilization as a source of food for the majority

of people in the world. The ability to produce seeds allows plants to populate new land and survive, in the form of the seed, under conditions that do not foster development. This results inter alia from the fact that seeds are able to ignore short periods that encourage germination to wait for conditions allowing to complete a full development cycle. Research conducted at the Institute of Biochemistry and Biophysics, PAS, at the laboratory of Szymon Świeżewski, PhD, has contributed to learning about new mechanisms of regulating this phenomenon.

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esDean of Division

Professor Leszek Kaczmarek

Council of Division Provosts

Chair of the Council of Provosts Professor Romuald Zabielski Deputy chair of the Council of Provosts Professor Andrzej Jerzmanowski

photo from the archives of the Institute of Biochemistry and Biophysics, PAS

Latest discoveries in cell nucleus architecture

The human genome comprises over three billion pairs of nucleotides,

i.e. specific nitrogenous bases. Surprisingly enough, genes – that is protein-coding fragments – account for only 2% of this pool. Geneticists have been fascinated by this phenomenon for years. With the data obtained using state-of-the art DNA sequencing method, researchers from Jackson Laboratories (USA) made a discovery of three-dimensional chromatin structure that will contribute significantly to solving the above-mentioned riddle. As part of Polish-American collaboration, the task of the Laboratory of Molecular and Systemic Neuromorphology at the Nencki Institute of Experimental Biology, PAS, was to verify these results by means of using ultra-sensitive fluorescence microscopy technologies and advanced computer image editing. Research conducted at the Institute confirmed the validity of observations made by the American researchers.

Unique method of regulating gene expression and mitochondrial transformation in humans and animals

Developed at the Institute of Bioorganic Chemistry, PAS, this

method constitutes a novel and unique means of analyzing gene functions in the mitochondria, where some pathologies are coded. It is based on a specific system of intracellular transport of ribonucleic acids (RNA), which manifest catalytic properties. A carefully designed RNA, which includes a nucleotide sequence necessary for export to the mitochondria, a sequence responsible for catalytic properties and a ribozyme sequence, manifests activity towards any mitochondrial mRNA of choice. The strategy developed is of universal character and may be used for direct transformation and studying any mitochondrial gene, both in basic research (as a tool for studying gene functions) as well as in biotechnology of plants and genes significant for agricultural production. It can also aid in hampering development of neurodegenerative diseases in the future.

Three-dimensional structure of the cell nucleusHuman cells under a confocal microscope, with mitochondria dyed green and cell nuclei dyed blue.Se

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Fertility programming over generations

Achild’s level of nutrition and state of health depends to a large

extent on the mother’s nutritional status before and during pregnancy as well as in the period of breastfeeding. Research conducted at the Institute of Animal Reproduction and Food Research, PAS, under the leadership of Professor Monika Kaczmarek, focused on explaining why what mothers eat during lactation is crucial for maintaining fertility for the generations to come. To date, a mouse model has allowed to evidence that subjecting mothers to a restrictive diet during lactation leads to irregularities in development of reproductive functions in their offspring, despite introducing healthy diet in a later period. The mice’s sexual maturity came delayed and they experienced a number of disorders affecting their fertility. The effects of improper diet in nursing females were detectable even in the second generation, that of grandchildren. The subject of this research is of significance due to the increasingly frequent disorders in widely understood fertility combined with the growing number of nutritional abnormalities in humans, the effects of which can be transferred over generations.

New fruit and vegetable waste bioproducts

Cell walls in fruit and vegetables and in their waste from the

food processing industry constitute a valuable sources of pectins, cellulose and hemicellulose. Such polysaccharides can be modified in order to obtain new bioproducts useful in the industry. TexAp®, a new natural additive improving food product texture, has been developed at the Institute of Agrophysics, PAS. TexAp® effectively thickens food products by means of using innovative micronization and drying methods and by using modified pectins along with other natural dietary fibers from fruit and vegetables. TexAp® is produced solely from natural components of cell walls and may serve as a substitute for the additives currently used in the food industry. Research continues with the goal of obtaining nanocellulose from fruit and vegetable waste. The results so far allow to determine that waste is a rich source of nanocellulose, and obtaining it from fruit and vegetables does not entail massive consumption of energy as compared with conventional sources.

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European Regional Center for Ecohydrologywww.erce.unesco.lodz.pl

Institute of Agricultural and Forest Environment, Polish Academy of Scienceswww.isrl.poznan.pl

Institute of Agrophysics, Polish Academy of Scienceswww.ipan.lublin.pl

Institute of Animal Physiology and Nutrition, Polish Academy of Scienceswww.ifzz.pl

Institute of Animal Reproduction and Food Research, Polish Academy of Scienceswww.pan.olsztyn.pl

Institute of Biochemistry and Biophysics, Polish Academy of Scienceswww.ibb.waw.pl

Institute of Bioorganic Chemistry, Polish Academy of Scienceswww.ibch.poznan.pl

Institute of Botany, Polish Academy of Scienceswww.botany.pl

Institute of Dendrology, Polish Academy of Scienceswww.idpan.poznan.pl

Institute of Genetics and Animal Breeding, Polish Academy of Scienceswww.ighz.edu.pl

Institute of Nature Conservation, Polish Academy of Scienceswww.iop.krakow.pl

Institute of Paleobiology, Polish Academy of Scienceswww.paleo.pan.pl

Institute of Parasitology, Polish Academy of Scienceswww.ipar.pan.pl

Institute of Plant Genetics, Polish Academy of Scienceswww.igr.poznan.pl

Institute of Plant Physiology, Polish Academy of Scienceswww.ifr-pan.krakow.pl

Institute of Systematics and Evolution of Animals, Polish Academy of Scienceswww.isez.pan.krakow.pl

Mammal Research Institute, Polish Academy of Scienceswww.ibs.bialowieza.pl

Museum and Institute of Zoology, Polish Academy of Scienceswww.miiz.waw.pl

Nencki Institute of Experimental Biology, Polish Academy of Scienceswww.nencki.gov.pl

Committee on Agronomic Sciences, Polish Academy of Scienceswww.kna.pan.pl

Committee on Biotechnology, Polish Academy of Scienceswww.kbiotech.pan.pl

Committee on Environmental and Evolutionary Biology, Polish Academy of Scienceswww.kbsie.pan.pl

Committee on Food and Nutrition Sciences, Polish Academy of Scienceswww.knoziz.pan.pl

Committee on Forestry Sciences and Wood Technology, Polish Academy of Scienceswww.knlitd.pan.pl

Committee on Molecular Biology of the Cell, Polish Academy of Scienceswww.kbmk.pan.pl

Committee on Organismal Biology, Polish Academy of Scienceswww.kbo.pan.pl

Committee on Veterinary Sciences and Biology of Reproduction, Polish Academy of Scienceswww.knwibr.pan.pl

Committee on Zootechnics and Aquaculture, Polish Academy of Scienceswww.knz.pan.pl

RESEARCH UNITS SCIENTIFIC COMMIT TEESAUXILIARY RESEARCH UNITS

Polish Academy of Sciences, Botanical Garden – Center for Biological Diversity Conservation in Powsinwww.ogrod-powsin.pl

Polish Academy of Sciences, Ichthyobiology and Aquaculture Unit in Gołyszwww.golysz.pan.pl

Dean of Division

Professor Roman Micnas

Council of Division Provosts

Chair of the Council of Provosts Professor Małgorzata Witko Deputy chair of the Council of Provosts Professor Paweł Kulesza

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Merging black holes, photo by Caltech/MIT/LIGO Laboratory Virgo detector, photo by Virgo collaboration

First direct registration of the gravitational wave signal by detectors on Earth

14September 2015 saw the detection of a gravitational

wave from the merging binary black hole. The gravitational wave signal was registered on Earth for the first time and, likewise, a merging of two black holes into one has never been observed before. The signals were registered by laser interferometers at the American LIGO observatory. The discovery was made by the consortium of LIGO Scientific Collaboration and Virgo Collaboration, by using the data collected by the two LIGO detectors. Polish POLGRAW-Virgo team participated in the Virgo project, with Professor Andrzej Królak from the Institute of Mathematics, PAS, as leader. The POLGRAW members’ contribution to the discovery consisted in compiling the basis for numerous algorithms along with the methods to be used for detecting and estimating parameters of gravitational waves from binary systems, modeling the signal of a gravitational wave from a binary system, and simulations evidencing that binary black holes are the most detectable sources of gravitational radiation for the LIGO-Virgo detectors.

First Polish scientific satellites

The PAS Space Research Center, the only unit in Poland to be

concerned with human activity in space, has developed and put together the subsystems of Lem and Heweliusz – the first Polish scientific satellites to enter the Earth’s orbit. They also form part of the international Bright Target Explorer (BRITE) consortium, which performs the most precise measurements of the brightest stars in our galaxy.

Bacteria to identify the nature of disease

In cooperation with the National Medicines Institute, scientists from

the Institute of Physical Chemistry, PAS, have developed a new technique for prompt diagnosis of bacterial infections from cerebrospinal fluid. The method developed uses the phenomenon of light dispersion on the samples studied (Raman spectroscopy). Novel polymer mat bases were used, ensuring strengthening of the Raman signal of the bacteria studied, as well as allowing to filter the bacteria out of the fluid and to immobilize them effectively during measurements. The analyses conducted have allowed to correctly identify three species of bacteria causing meningitis: Neisseria meningitidis, Streptococcus pneumoniae and Haemophilus influenzae. In 95% of cases the species was identified with certainty approaching 98%. When compared with the methods known to date, the newly proposed method for detection and identification of bacteria has a number of advantages: it requires small amounts of cerebrospinal fluid and eliminates the necessity of time-consuming multiplication of bacteria, while measurement automation guarantees a high level of security and the result becomes available within minutes. The price is another crucial argument: to buy the equipment necessary to conduct the analysis, the maximum to be spent is a few dozen thousand dollars.

Proton therapy

The Cyclotron Center in Bronowice forms part of the Institute of Nuclear

Physics, PAS, in Krakow. This is the only center in Poland to be equipped with devices allowing to treat neoplasms with accelerated proton clusters. Proton therapy is the most modern method of radiotherapy, whose effectiveness for some types of tumors is estimated at over 90%. It differs from the traditional one in that the protons hit the cancer cells very precisely and destroy them without damaging healthy tissue.

Proteus C–235 cyclotron, photo from the archives of the Institute of Nuclear Physics, PAS

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PolarPOL Study

The Stanisław Siedlecki Polish Polar Station is located on the

Isbjorhamna bay by the Hornsund fjord on the Norwegian island of Spitsbergen. The unit conducts all-year scientific research and is the farthest-north permanent Polish scientific institution. The Station celebrates its 60th anniversary this year and is managed by the Institute of Geophysics, PAS. The Station and the Polish research ships (including the SY Oceania research vessel, belonging to the Institute of Oceanology, PAS) form the basis of the Polish Multidisciplinary Laboratory for Polar Research (PolarPOL), whose goals include inter alia to recognize the causes and effects of global phenomena such as climate change, and to prevent their negative effects by means of sustainable usage of water and natural resources combined with maintaining biodiversity.

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Stanisław Siedlecki Polish Polar Station in Hornsund Top: photo by D. Kępski Left: photo by P. Andryszczak

Center for Polymer and Carbon Materials, Polish Academy of Sciences www.cmpw-pan.edu.pl

Center for Theoretical Physics, Polish Academy of Sciences www.cft.edu.pl

Center of Molecular and Macromolecular Studies, Polish Academy of Sciences www.cbmm.lodz.pl

Copernicus Astronomical Center, Polish Academy of Sciences www.camk.edu.pl

Haber Institute of Catalysis and Surface Chemistry, Polish Academy of Sciences www.ik-pan.krakow.pl

Institute of Geological Sciences, Polish Academy of Sciences www.ing.pan.pl

Institute of Geophysics, Polish Academy of Sciences www.igf.edu.pl

Committee on Analytical Chemistry, Polish Academy of Sciences www.kcha.pan.pl

Committee on Astronomy, Polish Academy of Sciences www.ka.pan.pl

Committee on Chemistry, Polish Academy of Sciences www.komchem.pan.pl

Committee on Crystalography, Polish Academy of Sciences www.komkryst.pan.pl

Committee on Geographical Sciences, Polish Academy of Sciences www.kng.pan.pl

Committee on Geological Sciences, Polish Academy of Sciences www.kngpan.agh.edu.pl

Committee on Geophysics, Polish Academy of Sciences www.kgeof.pan.pl

Institute of High Pressure Physics, Polish Academy of Sciences www.unipress.waw.pl

Institute of Low Temperature and Structure Research, Polish Academy of Sciences www.intibs.pl

Institute of Mathematics, Polish Academy of Sciences www.impan.pl

Institute of Molecular Physics, Polish Academy of Sciences www.ifmpan.poznan.pl

Institute of Nuclear Physics, Polish Academy of Sciences www.ifj.edu.pl

Institute of Oceanology, Polish Academy of Sciences www.iopan.gda.pl

Institute of Organic Chemistry, Polish Academy of Sciences www.icho.edu.pl

RESEARCH UNITS

Committee on Maritime Research, Polish Academy of Sciences www.ocean.pan.pl

Committee on Mathematics, Polish Academy of Sciences www.km.pan.pl

Committee on Mineralogical Sciences, Polish Academy of Sciences www.komin.pan.pl

Committee on Physics, Polish Academy of Sciences www.komitetfizyki.pan.pl

Committee on Quaternary Research, Polish Academy of Sciences www.kbcz.pan.pl

SCIENTIFIC COMMIT TEES

Institute of Physical Chemistry, Polish Academy of Sciences www.ichf.edu.pl

Institute of Physics, Polish Academy of Sciences www.ifpan.edu.pl

International Laboratory of High Magnetic Fields and Low Temperatures www.ml.pan.wroc.pl

Space Research Center, Polish Academy of Sciences www.cbk.waw.pl

AUXILIARY RESEARCH UNIT

Polish Academy of Sciences, Museum of the Earth in Warsawwww.mz.pan.pl

Home ORC cogeneration micro CHP station

Developed at the Institute of Fluid-Flow Machinery, PAS, in Gdańsk,

this home ORC micro CHP station is a device allowing to simultaneously generate heat and power on a small scale. Using a renewable source of power in the form of biomass combined with an ecological boiler and an oil-free ORC micro turbine makes this solution highly innovative. As such, it meets current needs and solves social problems. Researchers from IFFM PAS would like such devices to replace traditional heaters in the future. The micro CHP station developed has been protected by the Patent Office of the Republic of Poland as a utility model since 2015, and has been awarded at the TECHNICON INNOWACJE Industrial Technology, Science and Innovation Fair. Work on the micro CHP station had been financed under key project No. POIG.01.01.02-00-016/08.

Dean of Division

Professor Antoni Rogalski

Council of Division Provosts

Chair of the Council of Provosts Professor Krzysztof Malinowski Deputy chair of the Council of Provosts Professor Lucjan Pawłowski

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Coalbed methane content measurements

Determining the content of methane in coal beds is of

crucial significance for occupational safety at black coal mines in Poland and worldwide. The CREM digital methane emission recorder, developed and built at the Strata Mechanics Research Institute, PAS, following many years of research on the processes of accumulation and releasing of methane from coal, allows to determine the methane content. With this device the measuring process becomes quick and simple. Results are available within 24 hours and the measurements themselves are made regularly by trained mine staff. CREM is fully automatic and has had a microprocessor applied in order to steer the device and perform extrapolation of results. The method has been patented at the Patent Office of the Republic of Poland as: “A method of recording desorbing gas emissions and an analyzer of desorbing gas emissions”.

Ventil

The Institute of Biocybernetics and Biomedical Engineering,

PAS, has come up with a system for independent ventilation of lungs to be used by one or even two patients when only one medical ventilator is available. The device has been patented in Poland and is currently undergoing the international patenting procedure. The system has already found its use in a total of 224 patients at the Chair and 1st Clinic of Anesthesiology and Intensive Care of the Medical University of Lublin.Se

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Implant-distractor

As part of the “Developing a manufacturing technology for

implant-distractors – an innovative solution for dental prosthetics. Material, model and processing methods research” project (PBS2/A6/18/2014), new types of dental implant-distractors (ID) were developed. They may prove useful in fixing dental prostheses in combination with reconstructing the patient’s bone tissue. This concerns in particular the cases when a long time has passed since tooth extraction. All parts of the ID are made of pure titanium while enhanced mechanical properties have been obtained through modification of microstructure in the process of hydrostatic pressing. Frequently used yet unhealthy alloying additives such as aluminum and vanadium were thus eliminated. Patent notification No. P.416 895, Distraction implant, authors: Z. Machynia, K. Koynov, K. Sztwiertnia, was awarded with the Platinum Medal at the International Exhibition of Economic and Scientific Innovations, Katowice 2016.

Figure. Subsequent stages of fixing one of the implant-distractor (so-called “push in” ID) variations:a) installation stage;b) distraction stage;c) final stage, root implant ready for fixing the tooth

crown. The lower part made of sintered titanium powder, all types of screws and the top part made of hydrostatically pressed titanium.

Database for cases of neoplastic changes in breasts

At the Institute of Fundamental Technological Research, PAS, research

is conducted with the goal of supporting diagnostics and oncologic therapy. In cooperation with the Maria Skłodowska-Curie Memorial Cancer Center and Institute of Oncology in Warsaw, a unique database for cases of neoplastic changes in breasts has been compiled. In addition to classic ultrasound and histopathological data, the database also includes raw ultrasound data used for building neoplastic change markers. At present, the database describes more than 300 cases and serves as the basis for research that entails searching for quantitative ultrasound methods allowing to differentiate between benign and malignant neoplastic changes, and to monitor the effectiveness of preoperative chemotherapy. Quantitative ultrasound imaging results in increased specificity and sensitivity of breast cancer diagnostics, and augments the accuracy of qualifying patients for biopsy procedures. Monitoring the effectiveness of chemotherapy allows to adjust treatment to individual needs and to limit its toxicity.

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Parametric images (entropy distributions) superimposed over an ultrasound image for A) a benign change (fibroadenoma) B) a malignant change (carcinoma cribriforme)Se

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distracting screw stabilizing screwinstallation screw

ImpDis model for one and two roots

Center for Laser Technologies of Metals of the Kielce University of Technology and the Polish Academy of Scienceswww.cltm.tu.kielce.pl

Institute of Biocybernetics and Biomedical Engineering, Polish Academy of Scienceswww.ibib.waw.pl

Institute of Chemical Engineering, Polish Academy of Scienceswww.iich.gliwice.pl

Institute of Computer Science, Polish Academy of Scienceswww.ipipan.waw.pl

Institute of Environmental Engineering, Polish Academy of Scienceswww.ipis.zabrze.pl

Institute of Fluid-Flow Machinery, Polish Academy of Scienceswww.imp.gda.pl

Institute of Fundamental Technological Research, Polish Academy of Scienceswww.ippt.gov.pl

Committee on Acoustics, Polish Academy of Scienceswww.kakustyki.pan.pl

Committee on Architecture and Urban Planning, Polish Academy of Scienceswww.kaiu.pan.pl

Committee on Automatic Control and Robotics, Polish Academy of Scienceswww.kair.pan.pl

Committee on Biocybernetics and Biomedical Engineering, Polish Academy of Scienceswww.inzynieriabiomedyczna.pan.pl

Committee on Chemical and Process Engineering, Polish Academy of Scienceswww.kichip.pan.pl

Committee on Civil Engineering and Hydroengineering, Polish Academy of Scienceswww.kiliw.pan.pl

Committee on Electrical Engineering, Polish Academy of Scienceswww.kel.pan.pl

Institute of Geography and Spatial Organization, Polish Academy of Scienceswww.igipz.pan.pl

Institute of Hydroengineering, Polish Academy of Scienceswww.ibwpan.gda.pl

Institute of Metallurgy and Materials Science, Polish Academy of Scienceswww.imim.pl

Institute of Theoretical and Applied Informatics, Polish Academy of Scienceswww.iitis.pl

Mineral and Energy Economy Research Institute, Polish Academy of Scienceswww.min-pan.krakow.pl

Strata Mechanics Research Institute, Polish Academy of Scienceswww.img-pan.krakow.pl

Systems Research Institute, Polish Academy of Scienceswww.ibspan.waw.pl

Committee on Electronics and Telecommunication, Polish Academy of Scienceswww.keit.pan.pl

Committee on Environmental Engineering, Polish Academy of Scienceswww.kis.pan.pl

Committee on Geodesy, Polish Academy of Scienceswww.gik.pan.pl

Committee on Informatics, Polish Academy of Scienceswww.ki.pan.pl

Committee on Machine Building, Polish Academy of Scienceswww.kbm.pan.pl

Committee on Management of Mineral Resources, Polish Academy of Scienceswww.kgsm.pan.pl

Committee on Materials Science, Polish Academy of Scienceswww.knom.pan.pl

Committee on Mechanics, Polish Academy of Scienceswww.kmech.pan.pl

Committee on Metallurgy, Polish Academy of Scienceswww.kmetal.pan.pl

Committee on Metrology and Scientif ic Instrumentation, Polish Academy of Scienceswww.kmian.pan.pl

Committee on Mining, Polish Academy of Scienceswww.komgor.pan.pl

Committee on Production Engineering, Polish Academy of Scienceswww.kip.pan.pl

Committee on Thermodynamics and Combustion, Polish Academy of Scienceswww.ktis.pan.pl

Committee on Transport, Polish Academy of Scienceswww.ktransportu.pan.pl

TASK-FORCE COMMIT TEESCIENTIFIC COMMIT TEESRESEARCH UNITS

Committee on Water Management, Polish Academy of Scienceswww.kgw.pan.pl

Autophagy structures (red) in primary culture podocytes exposed to 20 mM glucose

Autophagy in development of diabetic kidney disease

Research conducted at the Clinical-Research Team for

Molecular and Cellular Nephrology of the Mossakowski Medical Research Centre, PAS, aims at getting to know the mechanisms underlying disturbed functioning of renal glomeruli in diabetic kidney disease, i.e. chronic renal function failure caused by diabetes. A key role in the development of this complication is assigned to abnormalities in the structure of podocytes – the renal glomerulus cells to be found in the filtration barrier. Their vitality and filtration function are maintained by constant removal of faulty proteins and non-functional intracellular organelles that can be produced during long-term exposing of podocytes to elevated glucose concentrations. This process, consisting in cell self-purification, is known as autophagy. Its fundamental significance for cell life was confirmed by awarding the Nobel Prize 2016 in medicine and physiology for discovering mechanisms of autophagy to Yoshinori Ohsumi.

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Professor Witold Rużyłło

Council of Division Provosts

Chair of the Council of Provosts Professor Tomasz Brzozowski Deputy chair of the Council of Provosts Professor Grzegorz Opolski

Attention switching test at psychopharmacology laboratory

Cognitive disturbances that accompany schizophrenia are

poorly elucidated and do not respond well to treatment. Pre-clinical tests play a vital role in the search for new effective therapies. The card sorting test, used in patients, has been adapted for laboratory rodents in the form an attentional set shifting task. It has been evidenced at the Institute of Pharmacology, PAS, that some compounds imitating symptoms of psychosis (e.g. ketamine) disturb attention shifting, while popular antipsychotic drugs and new compounds with such potential effects improve it. This may contribute to emergence of new therapies.

Phage therapy – fighting antibiotic immunity with bacterial viruses

The problem of bacteria’s increasing immunity to popular antibiotics

is one of the most important challenges faced by contemporary medicine. Discovered 100 years ago, bacteriophages, i.e. bacterial viruses, can effectively destroy dangerous bacteria (the photo presents a Petri plate with growing Staphylococcus aureus and the “bald patches” which result from multiplying a specific bacteriophage in bacteria and destroying those). For over 60 years, the Hirszfeld Institute of Immunology and Experimental Therapy, PAS, has been conducting intensive research on their biology and application in treating bacterial infections immune to antibiotic therapy. Based on one of the largest therapeutic bacteriophage collections in the world, the Institute conducts experimental treatments using those at the Phage Therapy Unit – the only such center in the European Union.

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Searching for new evaluation markers of invasiveness in colorectal and rectal cancer

Increased mortality in colorectal and rectal cancer results inter

alia from shortage of markers that would allow to decidedly evaluate the risk of potential metastases and to select relevant therapy in postoperative diagnostics, without putting unnecessary burdens on the patient. At the Institute of Medical Biology, PAS, in Łódź, as part of research on colorectal cancer cells, we have described the changes in the expression of genes in more invasive cells. Along with changes in the presence of known markers, we have observed elevated levels of neuromedin U (NMU), a protein that had not been previously associated with this type of cancer. We have provided evidence for NMU’s involvement in early stages of colorectal cancer cells becoming malignant. This opens up a path for research on evaluating the usefulness of NMU as a new marker of potential metastases, which may contribute to decisions on further therapy.

Leukemia cells (T-ALL Jurkat cell line, magnification: 200x)

Childhood acute lymphoblastic leukemia: studying the genetic origin to personalize treatment

The Institute of Human Genetics, PAS, conducts research on acute

lymphoblastic leukemia, which is the most common cancer in children. We focus predominantly on the T-ALL variety (derived from T-cells). This is an aggressive and highly heterogeneous type of leukemia of varied genetic origin, which translates into practical clinical problems (varied course of the disease and treatment combined with a lack of reliable genetic factors allowing to determine prognosis and adjust treatment). The goal of the research conducted at the Institute of Human Genetics, PAS, is to characterize this leukemia in detail by means of using inter alia next-generation sequencing (NGS) and in vitro functional studies on leukemia cell lines. Most importantly, our research is concerned with identifying mutations occurring in T-ALL and the expression profile for miRNA (small RNA molecules involved in regulating gene expression). The results of such research not only allow to learn about the genetic origin of this type of leukemia, but also to indicate potential genetic factors of prognostic significance that can contribute to personalizing its treatment.

Colorectal cancer cells line (left column) with the E-cadhedrin transmembrane protein dyed green. E-cadhedrin expression drops in more agile and invasive cancer cells (right column). Cell nuclei are dyed blue.Se

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Hirszfeld Institute of Immunology and Experimental Therapy, Polish Academy of Scienceswww.iitd.pan.wroc.pl

Institute of Human Genetics, Polish Academy of Scienceswww.igcz.poznan.pl

Institute of Medical Biology, Polish Academy of Scienceswww.ibmpan.pl

Institute of Pharmacology, Polish Academy of Scienceswww.if-pan.krakow.pl

Mossakowski Medical Research Centre, Polish Academy of Scienceswww.imdik.pan.pl

Committee on Clinical Sciences, Polish Academy of Scienceswww.kompat.pan.pl

Committee on Human Development, Polish Academy of Scienceswww.krc.pan.pl

Committee on Human Genetics and Molecular Pathology, Polish Academy of Scienceswww.komgen.pan.pl

Committee on Human Nutrition Science, Polish Academy of Scienceswww.knozc.pan.pl

Committee on Immunology and Etiology of Human Infections, Polish Academy of Scienceswww.immuno.pan.pl

Committee on Medical Physics, Radiobiology, and X-Ray Diagnosis, Polish Academy of Scienceswww.kfmrido.pan.pl

Committee on Neurobiology, Polish Academy of Scienceswww.kneurobiologii.pan.pl

Committee on Neurological Sciences, Polish Academy of Scienceswww.knn.pan.pl

Committee on Physiological and Pharmacological Sciences, Polish Academy of Scienceswww.knfi.pan.pl

Committee on Public Health, Polish Academy of Scienceswww.keizp.pan.pl

Committee on Rehabilitation, Physical Education and Social Integration, Polish Academy of Scienceskrkfis.pan.pl

Committee on Therapy and Drug Research, Polish Academy of Scienceswww.ktinol.pan.pl

RESEARCH UNITS SCIENTIFIC COMMIT TEES

Left: seat of the PAS Branch in Lublin, Czartoryski Palace, photo from the Branch’s archives,seat of the PAS Branch in Gdańsk, photo by J. Mizeraczyk,seat of the PAS Branch in Poznań, photo by M. Korbańska

Right: seat of the PAS Branch in Olsztyn and Białystok (with seat in Olsztyn), photo by A. Zięcik,

seat of the PAS Branch in Wrocław, photo from the Branch’s archives,seat of the PAS Branch in Katowice, photo by S. GajdaP

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Top: Gala presentation of City of Gdańsk’s Jan Heweliusz Scientific Awards in 2015. Address of Professor Jerzy Limon, President of the PAS Branch in Gdańsk, to the Winner, Professor Krzysztof Narkiewicz, photo by Ł. Unterschuets/www.trojmiasto.pl

Left: seat of the PAS Branch in Łódź, photo from the Branch’s archives,

Right: seat of the PAS Branch in Krakow, photo by A. Jajszczyk

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The Academy has territorial branches in Gdańsk, Katowice, Krakow, Lublin,

Łódź, Olsztyn and Białystok (with seat in Olsztyn) as well as Poznań and Wrocław. The Branches fulfill the Academy’s tasks in the region and perform integration functions for its scientific activity, in particular in the scope of supporting and conducting scientific research of vast significance for national economy and culture as well as initiating and conducting international cooperation with EU Member State regions and with other countries neighboring on Poland. National PAS members residing in a given area work at every branch. The newest one is the Branch in Olsztyn and Białystok (with seat in Olsztyn), which started its operations in 2015, while the Krakow Branch, active since 1957, is the oldest one.

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PAS TERRITORIAL BRANCHES

PAS Branch in Gdańsk www.gdansk.pan.pl

PAS Branch in Katowice www.katowice.pan.pl

PAS Branch in Krakow www.krakow.pan.pl

PAS Branch in Lublin www.pan-ol.lublin.pl

PAS Branch in Łódź www.lodz.pan.pl

PAS Branch in Olsztyn and Białystok (with seat in Olsztyn) www.olsztyn.pan.pl

PAS Branch in Poznań www.pan.poznan.pl

PAS Branch in Wrocław www.wroclaw.pan.pl

Commemorative stamps for the “Lublin: city and its people. On the eve of the 700th anniversary” conference, organized by the Historical Commission, PAS Branch in Lublin

“Lower Silesian Nature”, publication by the PAS Branch in Wrocław

16th scientific conference “City founders as well as patrons of science, culture and arts in the history of Katowice”, organized by the local PAS Branch in Katowice, September 2016

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From left to right: “NAUKA też SZTUKA!” [SCIENCE is ART!] Scientific Picnic in Olsztyn, June 2016, photo by Ł. Jakubowski

Gala presentation of Awards for Outstanding Achievements Contributing to the Development of Science for Young Scholars Working in the Territory of the Łódź Voivodship, 2016 edition, photo by J. Jurczakowski

Lecture by Joanna Śliwowska, PhD, DSc, during the 8th Brain Awareness Week in Poznań, 2016, photo by K. Sobkowska

Meeting of the Presidium of the PAS Branch in Krakow with heads of PAS Institutes, 24 November 2016, photo by A. Jajszczyk

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Tadeusz Kotarbiński Medal

Founded in 1997 by the Committee of Organization and Management Sciences,

PAS, and awarded yearly to people and institutions from Poland and abroad that have contributed vastly to progress in organization and management as well as those outstanding because of their practical achievements in the sphere of organization and management and manifesting high economic and social effectiveness.

In 2017, the Tadeusz Kotarbiński medal was presented to Professor Stanisław Sudoł, Ewa Błaszczyk, Adam Nawałka with the Polish national soccer team and Polskie Wydawnictwo Ekonomiczne S.A. publishing house, photo by J. Ostałowski

Polish Academy of Sciences Statuette

This Academy distinction is awarded by its President to PAS national members,

its longstanding employees as well as other persons and institutions that, by means of their organizational activity effected to the benefit of PAS, contributed to raising its scientific and social status.

PAS Medal

This Academy distinction is awarded by the President to outstanding

non-member representatives of the scientific circles and to representatives of other milieus and institutions for their particular contribution towards development of Polish and global science related to its social role.

Stefan Banach Medal

Awarded by the Presidium of the Academy to individuals in honor of

their contribution towards development of mathematical sciences.

Nicolaus Copernicus PAS Medal

Awarded by the Presidium of the Academy for outstanding scientific

achievements to researchers not being Academy members that have contributed vastly to science in Poland. In 2016, the medal was presented to the POLGRAW research team. The researchers, led by Professor Andrzej Królak from the Institute of Mathematics, PAS, were awarded for their contribution to discovering the first source of gravitational waves.

For 420 years, the PAS Library in Gdańsk has continuously collected valuable

hand-written and printed codes of law. In 2016, eight valuable volumes printed in the 15th century were returned to the library after a few dozen years of absence. Those include works by Jan Gerson from 1488, a Decretum Gratiani book from 1479 and theological works by Thomas Aquinas, published by a Nuremberg printing house in 1474.

Top: Gdańsk Library buildingBelow: visit by the Grand Master of the Teutonic Order, Bruno Platter, PhDRight: Teutonian prints presentation, October 2016, photo by M. Pawlik-Flisikowska

The PAS Library in Kórnik – 200 years ago home to the grand, renowned

Działyński and Zamoyski families, today – the Polish Academy of Sciences, with the unique historical bridge of the Museum and Popular University between them. These are parallel worlds where anyone can breathe in the atmosphere of 19th century elegance and opulence and where the treasury holds the manuscript of part III of Dziady by Adam Mickiewicz along with many other unique and priceless exhibits.

Top: Dinner Hall at Kórnik CastleRight: Kórnik Castle, where Kórnik Library is seatedBelow: Chained Book, photo by Z. Nowakowski

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PAS Archives in Warsaw have branches in Poznań and Katowice. They collect,

store, analyze and make available resources on the history of science in Poland. The Archives’ collection includes PAS files along with specialist scientific societies’ files and Polish scientists’ legacy, being organized on an ongoing basis. Other wide-scale activity aims at popularizing the collections gathered and the achievements of Polish science. PAS Archives participate in the Long Night of Museums, the Science Festival and Archival Picnic, and they are also a member institution of the International Council of Archives.

The Archive of Science of PAS and the Polish Academy of Arts and

Sciences in Krakow is a profiled scientific archive whose statutory goals include collecting, analyzing, making available and publishing resources on the history of science and culture. The Archive of Science collection includes inter alia Krakow Scientific Society (1815−1872), the Academy of Learning (1872−1918) and Polish Academy of Learning (since 1918) files. The Archive of Science collaborates with national and foreign archives as well as with institutions of a similar scientific profile, such as e.g. Archives of the Czech Academy of Sciences and of Charles University in Prague.

Construction of Kierbedź bridge, 1859, Julian Adam Majewski’s materials, PAS Archives, III–175, j. 33

Page (initial) from a commemorative volume (leather-bound) on the 25th professional anniversary of Professor Henryk Hoyer I. The book was a gift by thirty three physicians co-owning Gazeta lekarska magazine, presented on 20 December 1884 and issued in 145 copies by Karol Kowalewski’s printing house in Warsaw on 21 September 1884, photo by M. Włodek

Doctor of Medicine diploma from the University of Vienna with a relevant seal. The diploma was awarded to Józef Demetrykiewicz, Włodzimierz Demetrykiewicz’s father, Vienna, 21 April 1857, photo by R. Kalinowski

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Map of Krakow, before 1878, Zygmunt Wdowiszewski’s materials, PAS Archives, III–232, j. 106

Museum of the Earth, PAS, in Warsaw is a multidivisional museum unit

with the chief mission of gathering collections and protecting geological heritage. Its other activities include research and documentary work as well as versatile operations in the scope of popularizing Earth sciences and knowledge of nature. At present the museum collections encompass over 180 thousand exhibits. These include vast collections of minerals and rocks, meteorites as well as fossil flora and fauna originating from the territory of Poland and other regions of the world, along with precious archival resources on the subject of Earth sciences history. In particular, the Museum can boast vast collections of Baltic amber and other fossil resins, which are among the largest collections of this type in the world.

From top to bottom: Pniewski Villa – Museum of the Earth, photo by M. Wierzbicki

Pułtusk meteorite – second largest in the world, photo by M. WierzbickiWhite Palace – Museum of the Earth, photo by M. WierzbickiLeft: Ammonite, photo by D. Nast

Brachycera Prohercostomus noxialis, photo by J. Kupryjanowicz

Agate, photo by D. Nast

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PAS Scientific Centers in Moscow, Paris, Rome and Vienna, the Representative

Office in Kiev and the Center for Historical Studies, PAS, in Berlin as well as the PolSCA Science Promotion Office, PAS, in Brussels conduct versatile activities promoting the achievements of Polish science abroad. Their goal is predominantly to promote Polish researchers’ accomplishments, to initiate contacts with foreign partners and facilitate academic cooperation.

Left: Friendship for the sake of positive remembrance? 25 years of the Polish-German treaty of Good Neighbourship, meeting with Irena Lipowicz and Gesine Schwan, 27 June 2016, photo by O. Cinkajzl

Right: “Widening Participation in FP9” Conference, PolSCA Science Promotion Office, PAS, in Brussels, February 2017, photo by K. Tarnawska

Below: “Interaction of Applied Mathematics and Mechanics Conference”, dedicated to selected subjects in applied mathematics and mechanics, PAS Scientific Center in Paris, May 2017, photo from the archives of the PAS Scientific Center in Paris

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PAS SCIENTIFIC CENTERS ABROAD

PolSCA Science Promotion Office in Brussels, Polish Academy of Sciences www.polsca.pan.pl

Center for Historical Studies in Berlin, Polish Academy of Sciences www.cbh.pan.pl

Scientif ic Center in Moscow, Polish Academy of Sciences www.moskwa.pan.pl

Scientif ic Center in Paris, Polish Academy of Sciences www.academie-polonaise.org

Scientif ic Center in Rome, Polish Academy of Sciences www.rzym.pan.pl

Scientif ic Center in Vienna, Polish Academy of Sciences www.viennapan.org

Representative Office in Kiev, Polish Academy of Sciences www.panukraina.pl

Left: PAS Scientific Center in Rome

“Language, literature and culture of medieval Poland” – panel discussion (organized on the 1050th anniversary of the baptism of Mieszko I) participated in by Prof. Ch. Augustynowicz, historian, Prof. A. Woldan, expert on literature, P. Chojnowski, PhD, Polish philologist, Georg Holzer, linguist, and Prof. J. Doschek, historian of literature, PAS Scientific Center in Vienna, photo by A. Jaworsky

“Effects of transformation. The capitalism that we built” conference, PAS Scientific Center in Moscow, November 2016, photo by L. NowakP

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From left to right: photo 1 by Z. Gromadzki, photo 2 by Magdalena Stocka, photo 3 by Z. GromadzkiB

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The PAS Botanical Garden – Center for Biological Diversity

Conservation in Powsin is considered one of the leading gardens of this type in Europe. Its rich plant collections are used for research goals, protection of flora biodiversity as well as education and popularization of the knowledge of nature. Besides the section dedicated for visitors, almost 30 ha in space, the garden includes farming areas, field experiments spaces and nurseries used for plant propagation.

Polish Young Academy

Created by the Act of 30 April 2010 on the Polish Academy of Sciences

to promote scientific research and developmental works conducted by outstanding young representatives of Polish science. Polish Young Academy members are selected by the General Assembly of PAS. At the time of nomination they cannot be older than 38 years of age and they must hold a minimum scientific degree of a PhD. PYA includes 35 members, of whom 7 are women. The Academy’s tasks are concentrated on stimulating young scientist and researcher circles.

Excellence in Science

Winning an ERC grant constitutes one of the top individual achievements

for a researcher. In Poland this has happened only 21 times to date. The PAS Excellence in Science Department provides researchers with versatile support in the preparation and completion of ERC grants. It also assists potential applicants for ERC grants not only from the Polish Academy of Sciences but from all of Poland. The aid provided by the Department is free of charge and available to any researcher from the country. Workshops are organized in cooperation with foreign partners for persons interested in applying for a grant. Candidates that have successfully passed the first stage of Starting Grants competitions will secure participation in a trial panel for themselves.

Polish Institute of Advanced Studies

The chief goal of the Polish Institute of Advanced Studies (PIASt),

opened in March 2017, is to support the development of knowledge and innovation, and to promote scientific progress in Poland. The Institute’s activities are focused predominantly on completing a variety of projects in the sphere of humanities and social sciences, while remaining open to cross-sectional interdisciplinary projects. It also aids scientific and intellectual exchange while creating conditions for the emergence of an international and interdisciplinary community of researchers who would visit Poland to continue their own projects as well as provoke discussions and exchange views with other experts in their field.

Professor Przemysław Urbańczyk, head of the Polish Institute of Advanced Studies, photo by J. OstałowskiCo

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Top: Visit by the representatives of PAS to Sweden by the invitation of the Embassy of the Republic of Poland in Stockholm. One of the items on the visit agenda was a meeting with representatives of the Royal Swedish Academy of Engineering Sciences (IVA), photo from the PAS Archives

Right: “How to apply for ERC grants in humanities” workshop, October 2016, photo by J. Ostałowski

“DNA memory: how our cells store data”, meeting with Professor Monika Kaczmarek as part of the Polish Young Academy’s Flying Scientific Cafes cycle, November 2015, photo by Ż. Reliszko

International cooperation

Polish Academy of Sciences cooperates with foreign

academies of sciences and international research organizations. It also participates in 60 international organizations, cooperating with more than 70 partner institutions in Europe, Asia, Northern America and Africa. Polish Academy of Sciences fulfills its goals by means of classic bilateral agreements as well as multilateral contracts. Such collaboration results in a growing number of international research projects conducted at PAS institutes combined with increased presence of international research units in Poland. PAS research institutes cooperate with almost three thousand foreign partners, completing in excess of a thousand international research projects a year.

Polish Academy of Sciencespl. Defilad 100-901 Warszawawww.pan.pl

Edited by: Communications and Science Promotion Department, PAS, in cooperation with PAS Divisions, PAS Chancellery departments and other PAS organizational unitsGraphic design and preparation for printing: Joanna MuchoPrinting and binding: Centrum Poligrafii Sp. z o.o., ul. Łopuszańska 52, 02-232 Warszawa

ISBN 978-83-63305-39-0

© Polish Academy of Sciences 2017