group
Our Team
We are a group of young enthusiasts actively involved in a research aimed at understanding the mechanisms of chronic pain. These mechanisms are focused on pain modulation processes and characteristics of endogenous system involved in the transmission of pain stimuli with particular attention to the endocannabinoid system.
Enthusiasm is absolutely necessary if you ever want to accomplish anything of value and it just so happens that PAIN LAB members are young, enthusiastic scientists, combining a good understanding of the research ideas with a solid university experience and very strong motivation for scientific work.
PAIN LAB was established in June 2013 by the IF PAN Scientific Council thanks to the National Science Centre (NCN) funding.
OUR MODELS AND RESEARCH TECHNIQUES
The Head of the Pain Lab is a neuropharmacologist leading a research group based at the Institute of Pharmacology Polish Academy of Sciences (www.if-pan.krakow.pl). Katarzyna (see full CV) has a longstanding interest in the area of pain and analgesia, particularly in understanding the functional significance of endovanilloid involvement in nociceptive transmission at the supraspinal and spinal levels. Her interests focus on bridging large gaps in the field of pain neurobiology concerning the pathomechanisms of chronic pain with the aim to pinpoint novel targets for the development of new pain therapies.
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Katarzyna Starowicz
Katarzyna Popiołek-Barczyk
Katarzyna Popiołek-Barczyk is a renowned neuropharmacologist at the Maj Institute of Pharmacology, Polish Academy of Sciences in Krakow. Her research is focused on unraveling the complex mechanisms of chronic and neuropathic pain, with a special emphasis on proteasome subunits, glial cells, and receptor systems like histamine H3 and H4 receptors, all of which play important roles in pain modulation and hypersensitivity. She actively contributes to projects funded by Poland’s National Science Centre, including the OPUS grant, collaborating with researchers from institutions like Wrocław University of Science and Technology. Katarzyna innovative work seeks to bridge gaps in pain neurobiology to discover new therapeutic targets for pain relief. In addition to her research, she is deeply committed to mentoring young scientists, leading the dynamic PainLab team where postdoctoral researchers and PhD students explore cutting-edge questions in neurobiology. Outside of her professional life, she is known for her approachable nature and balanced lifestyle, finding relaxation through outdoor activities such as hiking and reading. Her dedication to both science and mentorship continues to shape the future of pain research.
Marta is a post-doc researcher in the Pain Lab team. She prepared her PhD Thesis on the mechanism and pharmacotherapy of osteoarthritis with a particular emphasis on endocannabinoid system targeting. In OPUS projects, Marta performs experiments in order to understand the role of the endocannabinoid regulation of the motivational tone at the mesolimbic system driven by inflammation. She is also a Principal Investigator of the PRELUDIUM grant, where she studies the anti-inflammatory potential of novel polymers for osteoarthritis treatment in the in vitro cell cultures. Apart from laboratory work, she prefers to spend her free time active, especially enjoys cycling and long-distance walking excursions.
Marta Kędziora
Magdalena Białoń
Magda is a post-doc researcher in the Pain Lab team. She defended her PhD Thesis on 1MeTIQ – an endogenous compound – and its antipsychotic action in animal schizophrenia model. Magda is a Principal Investigator of the PRELUDIUM grant, in which she evaluates the antipsychotic potential of the phytocannabinoid β-caryophyllene in an animal model of schizophrenia and tries to shed more light on the engagement of the endocannabinoid system in psychiatric disorders. She is also involved in the implementation of OPUS grants (PI in both: prof. Katarzyna Starowicz), she conducts experiments in order to assess depressive symptoms, anxiety behaviors and cognitive decline occurring in animal models of chronic pain, focusing on the role of the endocannabinoid system. Besides scientific life, she enjoys spending her free time reading a good book, doing puzzles or forest walking.
Magda is a dedicated postdoctoral researcher in the Pain Lab team, with a strong background in macrophage biology and chronic pain research. She completed her PhD at the Institute of Zoology and Biomedical Sciences, Faculty of Biology, Jagiellonian University, where her thesis focused on “Studies on the mechanisms regulating the polarization of fish macrophages.” Currently, she is involved in the OPUS 25 grant project, collaborating with Dr. Natalia Małek-Chudzik from Wrocław University of Science and Technology, under the guidance of Dr. Katarzyna Popiołek-Barczyk from the Institute of Pharmacology (IF PAN). Her research within this project aims to explore the role of proteasome subunits in the onset, progression, and underlying mechanisms of neuropathic pain. She performs both behavioral experiments to model pain hypersensitivity and biochemical analyses on collected tissues to investigate the molecular pathways involved in chronic pain. Outside of the lab, Magda enjoys immersing herself in literature and exploring nature, particularly through hiking in the Beskidy Mountains, where she finds solace and inspiration.
Magdalena Maciuszek
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Żaneta Broniowska
Karolina Noworyta
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Maciej Degutis
Maciej Degutis is a PhD student at the Department of Neurochemistry, Institute of Pharmacology of the Polish Academy of Sciences, and a member of the Kraków Interdisciplinary Doctoral School (KISD).
His research focuses on the intersection of neuropharmacology and regenerative medicine. In the Pain Lab, Maciej contributes his expertise to understanding the molecular pathways of the central nervous system, particularly in the context of:
Neurogenesis and Oligodendrogenesis: Investigating how selective receptor modulation can trigger the production of new neurons and myelin-forming cells.
Histamine H3 Receptor: Evaluating its role as a potential target for innovative therapies in neurodegenerative and demyelinating disorders.
Chronic Pain & Neuroimmunology: Supporting research on the mechanisms of chronic pain and its impact on cognitive functions.
Maciej’s scientific curiosity is driven by a dedication to discovering treatments that go beyond symptomatic relief, focusing instead on neurorestoration.
Mateusz is a technician at the Maj Institute of Pharmacology, part of the Polish Academy of Sciences in Krakow, where he works within the renowned PainLab team. He defend his master „Abnormalities in Hippocampal Functioning with Persistent Pain in Osteoarthritis” at University of Agriculture in Krakow. Mateusz contributes to uncovering new molecular pathways that could lead to novel pain-relief therapies. PainLab is known for its deep investigation into how biological systems, such as the endocannabinoid system, influence pain modulation, and Mateusz is involved in advancing these studies. His research includes designing and conducting experiments to understand the persistence of pain and its development. By examining the molecular and cellular mechanisms involved, he works towards identifying potential therapeutic targets to better manage chronic pain conditions. Beyond his research, Mateusz is actively engaged in mentoring and collaborating with postdoctoral researchers and students, fostering a productive and collaborative atmosphere within PainLab. His dedication to pain research and scientific curiosity drives his ongoing contributions to this innovative field. After work he’s enjoying reading books, watching football matches and playing games.
Mateusz Królewski
Former Members
Jakub Mlost (2015-2022)
Jakub Chwastek (2018-2021)
Magdalena Kostrzewa (2013-2017)
Natalia Małek (2011-2017)
Agnieszka Pająk (2013-2016)
Mateusz Kucharczyk (2013-2015)
Undergraduate
Aleksandra Pędracka, Faculty of Biology and Earth Sciences, Jagiellonian University (The academic year 2019/2020)
Przemysław Kac, Faculty of Biology and Earth Sciences, Jagiellonian University (The academic year 2018/2019)
Katarzyna Dudek, Faculty of Biology and Earth Sciences, Jagiellonian University (The academic year 2015/2016)
Visiting Students
Nicolo Bittoni, Insubria University of Varese, (2024)
Nicole Stone, University of Nottingham (Fall Semester 2019).
Pilar Martinez Albaladejo, University of Murcia (Fall Semester 2018/2019)
Adrian Kobiela, University College London (Summer 2015)
