Our scientific interest focuses on the molecular aspects of the optic neuropathies, especially glaucoma, including mechanisms of neurodegeneration as well as neuroprotection and neuroregeneration of retinal ganglion cells. Our special area of expertise involves experimental neuroprotective therapies in glaucoma, where we are authors of cell and gene therapies, currently tested in experimental settings in our lab.

From: Smedowski A. et al. Increased intraocular pressure alters the cellular distribution of HuR protein in retinal ganglion cells - A possible sign of endogenous neuroprotection failure. Biochim Biophys Acta Mol Basis Dis. 2018 Jan;1864(1):296-306.

Research conducted in our Department for many years focused on attempts to stimulate regeneration in the central and peripheral nervous system, devotes special attention to the visual pathway. By conducting experiments in this field, we have extensive experience in microsurgical techniques within the eye and optic nerve in rats and mice.    
Experimental therapies for glaucoma using the glaucoma hypertensive rat model are the area of interest of our department since 2011. We have developed original glaucoma model that has become the base of several ocular delivery and glaucoma pathogenesis studies.

 From: Smedowski A. et al. A rat experimental model of glaucoma incorporating rapid-onset elevation of intraocular pressure. Sci Rep. 2014 Aug 1;4:5910.

We described, for the first time, synaptic coupling of retinal ganglion cell axons in optic nerve head, which is an innovative contribution to the understanding of the structure and function of the optic nerve.

 From: Smedowski A. et al. Electrical synapses interconnecting axons revealed in the optic nerve head - a novel model of gap junctions' involvement in optic nerve function. Acta Ophthalmol. 2019 Oct 10. doi: 10.1111/aos.14272.

Together with collaborators, we proposed a new theory for the pathogenesis of glaucoma, based on the dysfunction of endogenous neuroprotective mechanisms of retinal ganglion related to RNA-binding protein HuR.

From: Pietrucha-Dutczak M. et al. The Role of Endogenous Neuroprotective Mechanisms in the Prevention of Retinal Ganglion Cells Degeneration. Front Neurosci. 2018 Nov 15;12:834.