On 4–6 December 2014, scholars from the JU Department of Medical Biotechnology and the Cell Recognition and Glycobiology research team (Centre of Molecular Biophysics of CNRS in Orléans) met in the JU Collegium Maius. It was the second meeting organised within the framework of the agreement establishing an associated laboratory (LIA – Laboratoire International Associé) led by Prof. Józef Dulak and Prof. Claudine Kieda, signed on 29 May 2014.

The workshops are organised for Polish and French research teams. This year's subject was MicroRNAs: mediators of differentiation and biomarkers of disease. During the meeting, the researchers presented the results of their work and discussed them with guests from other research centres. The organisational committee included Prof. Claudine Kieda, Prof. Józef Dulak, Prof. Alicja Józkowicz, Prof. Jean-Claude Michalski, Dr Catherine Grillon, Dr Agnieszka Łoboda and Ms. Joanna Uchto.

Prof. Stanisław Kistryn, JU Vice-Rector for Research and Structural Funds, Prof. Piotr Laidler, JU Vice-Rector for Medical College, Prof. Zbigniew Madeja, Dean of the Faculty of Biochemistry, Biophysics and Biotechnology, Prof. Karol Musioł, JU Rector in the years 2005–2012, Prof. Krzysztof Stopka, Director of the JU Collegium Maius Museum, and Ms. Yoann Arthaud from the French embassy in Poland.

Nearly 70 scholars took part in the workshops, including Prof. Barbara Jarząb (Maria Skłodowska-Curie Institute of Oncology), Prof. Krzysztof Selmaj and Dr hab. Marcin Mycko (Medical University of Lodz), Dr hab. Krystian Jażdżewski (Medical University of Warsaw), Prof. Artur Jarmołowski (Institute of Molecular Biology and Biotechnology in Poznań), Dr Eve Jakab-Toth (Director of the Centre de Biophysique Moléculaire, CNRS, Orléans), Dr Christophe Grosset (CNRS, Orléans), Dr David Israeli (CNRS, Orléans), Prof. Chantal Pichon (CNRS, Orléans), Dr Stefan Petoud and Dr Catherine Grillon (Centre de Biophysique Moléculaire, CNRS, Orléans), and many more. Over 30 lectures devoted to the subjects related to microRNA were delivered during the three days of the meeting. For the full programme, visit the Department of Medical Biotechnology website.

The Laboratoire International Associé is located at the Faculty of Biochemistry, Biophysics and Biotechnology and the Małopolska Centre  of Biotechnology. Its aim is to facilitate joint research on the mechanisms of cancer development and seeking new innovative and experimental methods of combating this type of disease.

The laboratory is the crowning achievement of ten-year cooperation between both research teams, which to this date has also resulted in several research projects, three PhD theses, numerous MA theses, many conferences and workshops as well and new research models and scientific papers published in prestigious international magazines.

Original text: Joanna Uchto

Photographs: Witold Nowak