Degrees:
2018 Prof, Nencki Institute of Experimental Biology, PAS
2005 DSc Habil, Nencki Institute of Experimental Biology, PAS
1996 PhD in Neurophysiology, Nencki Institute of Experimental Biology, PAS
1989 MSc in Biology, Department of Embryology, University of Warsaw

Research trainings:
1995 KBN/British Council British-Polish Joint Research Program Grant; Neurobiology Unit, Royal Free Hospital, London, UK
1994 Fellowship of UNESCO Global Network for Molecular and Cell Biology, Neurobiology Unit, Royal Free Hospital, London, UK
1993 Fellowship of Trans-European Mobility Scheme for University Studies TEMPUS; Institute of Biochemistry, University of Catania, Italy
1991 Fellowship of Trans-European Mobility Scheme for University Studies TEMPUS; Institute of Biochemistry, University of Catania, Italy

Professional employments:
2006-present Head of the Epileptogenesis Lab, Nencki Institute of Experimental Biology, Warsaw, PAS
2003-2005 Adjunct, Laboratory of Transcription Regulation, Nencki Institute of Experimental Biology, Warsaw, PAS, Poland
1996-2002 Researcher, Epilepsy Research Group, A. I. Virtanen Institute for Molecular Sciences, Kuopio, Finland
1989-1999 Tissue Culture Unit and Molecular Neurobiology Group, Nencki Institute of Experimental Biology, Warsaw, PAS

Honors and fellowships:

2016-2019 Secretary of the Committee for Neurobiology, Polish Academy of Sciences
2015-2018 Scientific Council of the Nencki Institute
2015-2018 Secretary of the Scientific Council of the Nencki Institute
2012-2015 Secretary of  the Committee for Neurobiology, Polish Academy of Sciences
2011-2014 Scientific Council of the Nencki Institute
2011-present Member of the editorial  boards of Epilepsy Research (board member)

Staff: Ilke Guntan (PhD student), Małgorzata Górniak-Walas (PhD student), Anna Gręda (PhD student), Karolina Nizińska (PhD student), Aleksandra Stępniak (PhD student), Dorota Nowicka, Maciej Olszewski, Kinga Szydłowska

Research profile:

Our research interests concentrate on molecular events resulting from brain damage and molecular basis of epileptogenesis. Our research projects aim at the description of transcriptome changes in experimental models of epileptogenesis and epilepsy in vivo, deciphering the role of candidate epileptogenesis and epilepsy genes and mechanisms of regulation of gene expression. In particular we are interested in epigenetic mechanisms of gene regulation, including the role of microRNA. Another field of research conducted in our lab is search for noninvasive biomarkers of epileptogenesis and epilepsy: circulating microRNA and behavior. Finally, we work on creating new and the improvement of existing models of epilepsy.

Current research activities:

• role of epiegenetic mechanisms of regulation of gene expression in epileptogenesis
• search for noninvasive biomarkers of epileptogenesis and epilepsy and for new targets of antiepileptogenic therapies
• creating new experimental epilepsy models in vivo
• role of perineuronal nets in animal model of stroke.

Selected publications:

Lapinlampi N, Melin E, Aronica E, Bankstahl JP, Becker A, Bernard C, Gorter JA, Gröhn O, Lipsanen A, Lukasiuk K, Löscher W, Paananen J, Ravizza T, Roncon P, Simonato M, Vezzani A, Kokaia M, Pitkänen A. Common data elements and data management: Remedy to cure underpowered preclinical studies. Epilepsy Res. 2017 Jan;129:87-90.

Bednarczyk J., Dębski K.J., Bot A.M., Łukasiuk K. (2016) MBD3 expression and DNA binding patterns are altered in a rat model of temporal lobe epilepsy. Sci Rep, 6: 33736. 

Dębski K.J., Pitkanen A., Puhakka N., Bot A.M., Khurana I., Harikrishnan K.N., Ziemann M., Kaspi A., El-Osta A., Łukasiuk K., Kobow K. (2016) Etiology matters – Genomic DNA Methylation Patterns in Three Rat Models of Acquired Epilepsy. Sci Rep, 6: 25668.

Miszczuk D., Dębski K.J., Tanila H., Lukasiuk K., Pitkänen A. (2016) Traumatic Brain Injury Increases the Expression of Nos1, Aβ Clearance, and Epileptogenesis in APP/PS1 Mouse Model of Alzheimer's Disease. Mol Neurobiol, 53(10): 7010-7027.

Pitkänen A., Roivainen R., Łukasiuk K. (2015) Development of epilepsy after ischaemic stroke. Lancet Neurol, pii: S1474-4422(15)00248-3. Bot A.M., Dębski K.J., Lukasiuk K. (2013) Alterations in miRNA levels in the dentate gyrus in epileptic rats. PLoS One, 11;8(10):e76051.