Dr. Agata Motyka-Pomagruk received funding in the NCBR Leader XV competition
We are very pleased to announce that Dr. Agata Motyka-Pomagruk has received funding in the amount of PLN 1,799,985.00 for realisation of the project entitled “Project EcoAgroPlazm: innovative, high-throughput and pro-ecological cold atmospheric pressure plasma-based technology for decontamination of plant seeds“, which obtained founding from NCBR in the frames of Lider XV competition.
This interdisciplinary project will involve researchers from University of Gdańsk, Wrocław University of Science and Technology and the Institute of Horticulture in Skierniewice. Besides we also anticipate involvement of the entities from the socio-economic environment to increase the chances of implementation of the effects of this project.
Progress in realisation of the NCN OPUS 23 (2022/45/B/ST8/02410)
We would like to inform you about the progress made in the realisation of the Opus 23 (2022/45/B/ST8/02410) entitled: “Development of new processes for the production and sterilization of functional plant drinks with the use of cold atmospheric plasma technology”, which was granted by the National Science Center to Wroclaw University of Science and Technology (Leader) in a consortium with University of Gdańsk.
The head of the project is professor of WUST Anna Patrycja Dzimitrowicz, PhD from Wroclaw University of Science and Technology, and the head from the Partner’s side is professor of UG Magda Caban, PhD. Scientists from the Intercollegiate Faculty of Biotechnology of UG & GUMed are also involved in the project, i.e. PhD Wojciech Śledź and PhD Agata Motyka-Pomagruk. Other collaborators involved in realisation of the project include both experienced scientists, i.e. professor Paweł Pohl, professor of WUST Piotr Cyganowski, professor of WUST Piotr Jamróz, as well as young scientists, i.e. MSc, Eng Karina Lenard, MSc, Eng Angelika Nowak and PhD, Eng Dominik Terefinko.
from the left: professor of UG Magda Caban, MSc eng. Angelika Nowak and MSc eng. Karina Lenard, while preparing research material necessary to develop an innovative method for determining the content of vitamin C in freshly squeezed juices
Realisation of this project has so far led to dissemination of research results in the form of two scientific publications:
- Dzimitrowicz, A., Jamroz, P., Caban, M., Motyka-Pomagruk, A., Bielawska-Pohl, A., Sledz, W., Terefinko, D., Babinska-Wensierska, W., Lojkowska, E., Cyganowski, P., Kliczak, A. & Pohl, P. (2025). Physicochemical, nutritional, microbiological, and cytotoxic properties of freshly-squeezed raspberry fruit juice treated by cold atmospheric pressure plasma, operated in a flowing mode. Food Control, 111373.
- Pohl, P., Greda, K., Welna, M., Jamroz, P., Dzimitrowicz, A., & Szymczycha-Madeja, A. (2024). The development and validation of a new method for the fast determination of Al, Ba, Ca, Cu, Fe, K, Mg, Mn, Na, Sr and Zn in rice by inductively coupled plasma optical emission spectrometry. Analytical Methods, 16(25), 4187.
The outcomes of this project were also presented in the form of oral communications and posters, i.e.
Oral presentations:
- Dzimitrowicz et al. It is possible to use cold atmospheric pressure plasma for wastewater purification and functional food production? – case studies, invited lecture, Invited lecture, 04.2024, National Institute for Laser, Plasma and Radiation Physics, Bukareszt, Romania.
- Nowak, K. Lenard, P. Jamróz, M. Caban, A. Motyka-Pomagruk, W. Sledz, P. Pohl, D. Terefinko, P. Cyganowski, A. Dzimitrowicz, Applications of non-thermal plasma systems in the fresh apple juice processing, presentation, 24.10.24, Young Science Beyond Borders
Posters:
- Lenard, M. Caban, P. Jamroz, D. Terefinko, P. Pohl, W. Sledz, A. Motyka-Pomagruk, A. Dzimitrowicz, Development of new processes for the production and sterilization of functional plant drinks with the use of cold atmospheric plasma technology, 06.2024, poster, Doctoral Training School COST CA 19110 Lithuania.
- Nowak, P. Jamróz, P. Cyganowski, A. Dzimitrowicz, Influence of non-thermal plasma (NTP) on honey-based beverages properties, poster, 06.2024, Doctoral Training School COST CA19110 Lithuania.
from the left: Dr. Agata Motyka-Pomagruk, Prof. WUST Anna Dzimitrowicz, MSc Eng Karina Lenard, MSc Eng Angelika Nowak, Dr. Wojciech Śledź and Prof. UG Magda Caban – part of the team involved in the realisation of the Opus 23 project
We will inform you about the next successes in the course of the project realisation:)
R & D Laboratory team with the representatives of Univentum Labs at the Agrotech trade fairs in Kielce
The team of Research and Development Laboratory, represented by Dr. Natalia Kaczyńska, together with representatives of Univentum Labs special, had the pleasure of participating in the XXX International Fair of Agricultural Technology Agrotech held in Kielce on 14-16.03.25.
We had a unique opportunity to participate in interesting discussions about plant diseases, diagnostics molecular tools and modern methods of combating phytopathogenic microorganisms.
See you at the next events!:)
Realization of the NCN Opus 17 project led by Dr. Wojciech Śledź
We would like to keep you informed about the progress in realization of OPUS 17 project (2019/33/B/NZ9/00940) granted by the National Science Center in Poland.
Fruitful cooperation with the research team of Dr. eng. Anna Patrycja Dzimitrowicz Prof. PWr from Wrocław University of Science and Technology, contributed to dissemination of the research results in the form of 6 scientific publications:
Collaborators in the OPUS 17 project (from left): Prof. Paweł Pohl, Dr. eng. Anna Dzimitrowicz prof. PWr (head of the project from PWr), Dr. eng. Piotr Jamróz prof. PWr, Dr. Agata Motyka-Pomagruk, Dr. eng. Wojciech Śledź (head of the project).
→ Dzimitrowicz, Anna, Piotr Jamroz, Pawel Pohl, Weronika Babinska, Dominik Terefinko, Wojciech Sledz, and Agata Motyka-Pomagruk. “Multivariate optimization of the FLC-dc-APGD-based reaction-discharge system for continuous production of a plasma-activated liquid of defined physicochemical and anti-phytopathogenic properties.” International Journal of Molecular Sciences 22, no. 9 (2021): 4813.
→ Motyka-Pomagruk, Agata, Anna Dzimitrowicz, Jakub Orlowski, Weronika Babinska, Dominik Terefinko, Michal Rychlowski, Michal Prusinski et al. “Implementation of a non-thermal atmospheric pressure plasma for eradication of plant pathogens from a surface of economically important seeds.” International Journal of Molecular Sciences 22, no. 17 (2021): 9256.
→ Babinska, Weronika, Agata Motyka-Pomagruk, Wojciech Sledz, Agnieszka Kowalczyk, Zbigniew Kaczynski, and Ewa Lojkowska. “The first Polish isolate of a novel species Pectobacterium aquaticum originates from a Pomeranian Lake.” International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health 18, no. 9 (2021): 5041.
→ Dzimitrowicz, Anna, Pawel Pohl, Magda Caban, Piotr Jamroz, Piotr Cyganowski, Mateusz Bykowski, Aleksandra Klimczak, and Aleksandra Bielawska-Pohl. “How does direct current atmospheric pressure glow discharge application influence on physicochemical, nutritional, microbiological, and cytotoxic properties of orange juice?.” Food Chemistry 377 (2022): 131903.
→ Śledź Wojciech, Motyka-Pomagruk Agata, Żukowska Dominika, Babińska‑Wensierska Weronika, Żołędowska Sabina, Łojkowska Ewa. Genotypic and phenotypic uniformity among the population of Pectobacterium atrosepticum strains isolated during three growing seasons from potato fields in Poland. European Journal of Plant Pathology 2023, 167(1): 99-121 (doi: 10.1007/s10658-023-02687-y).
→ Orlowski Jakub, Motyka-Pomagruk Agata, Dzimitrowicz Anna, Pohl Paweł, Terefinko Dominik, Lojkowska Ewa, Jamroz Piotr & Sledz Wojciech. Application of Cold Atmospheric Pressure Plasma Jet Results in Achievement of Universal Antibacterial Properties on Various Plant Seeds. Applied Sciences 2025, 15(3), 1255. (doi: 10.3390/app15031255)
in addition to two patents and two patent applications:
→ ,,Sposób eradykacji bakteryjnych fitopatogenów oraz przepływowy układ reakcyjno-wykładowczy do realizacji tego sposobu”. Numer prawa wyłącznego Pat. 236055 z dnia 2020-07-24. Twórcy: Łojkowska Ewa, Śledź Wojciech, Motyka Agata, Anna Dzimitrowicz, Piotr Jamróz, Paweł Pohl. Zgłaszający: Politechnika Wrocławska i Uniwersytet Gdański.
→ ,,Sposób otrzymania preparatu do stymulacji wzrostu roślin, preparat otrzymany tym sposobem oraz zastosowanie preparatu do stymulacji wzrostu roślin, w szczególności tych istotnych gospodarczo”. Numer prawa wyłącznego Pat.236377 z dnia 2020-03-17. Twórcy: Agata Motyka-Pomagruk, Anna Dzimitrowicz, Weronika Babińska, Wojciech Śledź, Paweł Pohl, Piotr Jamróz, Dominik Terefinko, Ewa Łojkowska. Zgłaszający: Politechnika Wrocławska i Uniwersytet Gdański.
→ ,,Sposób ochrony roślin istotnych gospodarczo, zwłaszcza roślin naczyniowych, przed patogenami bakteryjnymi” Zgłoszenie patentowe (UP RP) nr P.438360 z dnia 2021-07-06. Twórcy: Dzimitrowicz Anna, Jamróz Piotr, Pohl Paweł, Terefinko Dominik, Motyka-Pomagruk Agata, Babińska Weronika, Śledź Wojciech, Łojkowska Ewa, Orłowski Jakub, Prusiński Michał. Zgłaszający: Politechnika Wrocławska i Uniwersytet Gdański.
→ ,,Method for producing a formulation of antibacterial properties, the formulation obtained by this method and its application in addition to a flow-through reaction-discharge system for implementing this method” Zgłoszenie patentowe (UP RP) nr P.447139 z 2023-12-18. Twórcy: Dzimitrowicz Anna, Motyka-Pomagruk Agata, Terefinko Dominik, Jamróz Piotr, Śledź Wojciech, Orłowski Jakub, Babińska-Wensierska Weronika, Paweł Pohl, Łojkowska Ewa. Zgłaszający: Politechnika Wrocławska i Uniwersytet Gdański.
It is worth emphasizing that Dr. Agata Motyka-Pomagruk, who presented the results of the OPUS 17 project in the Young Fahrenheit competition (2023), won the First Prize, which indicates the high commercialization potential of the collected research results.
We will inform you about the next successes
Dr. Agata Motyka-Pomagruk was chosen the head of Branch Gdańsk FEBS jr section
We are very pleased to announce that Dr. Agata Motyka-Pomagruk has been elected chairwoman of the FEBS jr section in the Gdańsk Branch
Below we present an invitation from the Founding Committee of FEBS jr Poland to join this initiative:
Dr. Agata Motyka-Pomagruk
the head of FEBS jr section in the Gdańsk Branch
Realisation of NCN Sonata 15 project (2019/35/D/ST8/04107)
We would like to inform you about the progress made in the realisation of the Sonata 15 project (2019/35/D/ST8/04107), which was granted by the National Science Center to Wroclaw University of Science and Technology (Leader) in a consortium with University of Gdańsk.
The head of the project from the Leader side is Dr. hab. Anna Patrycja Dzimitrowicz Prof. PWr from Wrocław University of Science and Technology, and from the partner part, Dr. Eng. Wojciech Śledź. Our fruitful cooperation has resulted in dissemination of the research results in the form of numerous conference reports and so far nine scientific publications:
Head of the Sonata 15 project Dr. hab. eng. Anna Dzimitrowicz (from the left) and Dr. Agata Motyka-Pomagruk (from the right)
→ Dzimitrowicz, Anna, Agata Motyka-Pomagruk, Piotr Cyganowski, Piotr Jamroz, Dominik Terefinko, Pawel Pohl, Tymoteusz Klis, and Magda Caban. “Cold atmospheric pressure plasmas as versatile tools for effective degradation of a mixture of hazardous and endocrine disturbing compounds from liquid wastes.” Journal of Environmental Chemical Engineering 9, no. 6 (2021): 106718.
→ Dzimitrowicz, Anna, Magda Caban, Dominik Terefinko, Pawel Pohl, Piotr Jamroz, Weronika Babinska, Piotr Cyganowski et al. “Application of pulse-modulated radio-frequency atmospheric pressure glow discharge for degradation of doxycycline from a flowing liquid solution.” Scientific reports 12, no. 1 (2022): 1-16.
→ Dzimitrowicz Anna, Terefinko Dominik, Babinska-Wensierska Weronika, Pohl Paweł, Jamroz Piotr, Sledz Wojciech, Lojkowska Ewa, Cyganowski Piotr, Caban Magda & Motyka-Pomagruk Agata. “Application of a pm-rf-APGD-type plasma brush for deactivation of antibiotics from liquid solutions leads to impaired development of drug resistance by bacterial pathogens.“ Separation and Purification Technology 2025, 354, 128543.
→ Cyganowski Piotr, Terefinko Dominik, Motyka-Pomagruk Agata, Babinska-Wensierska Weronika, Khan Mujahid Ameen, Klis Tymoteusz, Sledz Wojciech, Lojkowska Ewa, Jamroz Piotr, Pohl Pawel, Caban Magda, Magureanu Monica & Dzimitrowicz Anna. The potential of cold atmospheric pressure plasmas for the direct degradation of organic pollutants derived from the food production industry. Molecules 2024, 29(12), 2910.
→ Dzimitrowicz, Anna, Agata Motyka-Pomagruk, Piotr Cyganowski, Piotr Jamroz, Dominik Terefinko, Pawel Pohl, Tymoteusz Klis, and Magda Caban. “Cold atmospheric pressure plasmas as versatile tools for effective degradation of a mixture of hazardous and endocrine disturbing compounds from liquid wastes.” Journal of Environmental Chemical Engineering 9, no. 6 (2021): 106718.
→ Dzimitrowicz, Anna, Magda Caban, Dominik Terefinko, Pawel Pohl, Piotr Jamroz, Weronika Babinska, Piotr Cyganowski et al. “Application of pulse-modulated radio-frequency atmospheric pressure glow discharge for degradation of doxycycline from a flowing liquid solution.” Scientific reports 12, no. 1 (2022): 1-16.
→ Terefinko Dominik, Caban Magda, Motyka-Pomagruk Agata, Babińska Weronika, Pohl Paweł, Jamróz Piotr, Cyganowski Piotr, Śledź Wojciech, Łojkowska Ewa, Stepnowski Piotr, Dzimitrowicz Anna. Removal of clinically significant antibiotics from aqueous solutions by applying unique high-throughput continuous-flow plasma pencil and plasma brush systems. Chemical Engineering Journal 452 (2023): 139415. (doi: 10.1016/j.cej.2022.139415).
→ Dzimitrowicz Anna, Dominik Terefinko, Aleksandra Bielawska-Pohl, Agata Motyka-Pomagruk, Piotr Jamroz, Piotr Cyganowski, Karina Lenard, Pawel Pohl, Aleksandra Klimczak, and Magda Caban. Biosafe removal of diclofenac from wastewaters by a continuous-flow mode cold atmospheric pressure plasma system. Journal of Environmental Chemical Engineering 12, 1 (2024): 111598.
→ Mujahid Ameen Khan, Anna Dzimitrowicz, Magda Caban, Piotr Jamroz, Dominik Terefinko, Włodzimierz Tylus, Pawel Pohl Piotr Cyganowski. Catalytically enhanced direct degradation of nitro-based antibacterial agents using dielectric barrier discharge cold atmospheric pressure plasma and rhenium nanoparticles. Environmental Research (2023): 116297.
→ Cyganowski, Piotr, Magda Caban, Mujahid Ameen Khan, Mateusz M. Marzec, Andrzej Zak, Pawel Pohl, Piotr Jamroz, Andrzej Bernasik, and Anna Dzimitrowicz. The use of cold atmospheric pressure plasma for the synthesis of saccharide-stabilized Re nanostructures enabling effective deactivation of nitro-based antimicrobial agents. Plasma Chemistry and Plasma Processing 43, no. 1 (2023): 199-224.
→ Lenard Karina, Chawla Yash, Caban Magda, Terefinko Dominik, Motyka-Pomagruk Agata, Pohl Pawel, Cyganowski Piotr, Jamroz Piotr & Dzimitrowicz Anna. Removal of diclofenac from different pharmaceutical matrices using non-thermal plasma technology: ecotoxicity studies, cost-benefit analysis, and current market scenario. Journal of Water Process Engineering 2025, 72, 107477.
In the course of the project, we also prepared 6 patent applications, including 3 international in the PCT and EPO procedures:
→ „Method of degrading antibiotics from aqueous solutions by using cold atmospheric pressure plasma generated in a flowing plasma brush and a plasma brush intended for this method.” Zgłoszenie patentowe międzynarodowe tryb PCT nr PCT/PL2022/050027 z dnia 2022-05-06. Twórcy: Anna Dzimitrowicz, Agata Motyka-Pomagruk, Magda Caban, Weronika Babińska, Dominik Terefinko, Wojciech Śledź, Piotr Jamróz, Piotr Cyganowski, Ewa Łojkowska, Piotr Stepnowski, Paweł Pohl. Zgłaszający: Politechnika Wrocławska i Uniwersytet Gdański.
→ ,,Method for eradication of pathogenic microorganisms from flat surfaces or skin tissue and a system for carrying out this method” Zgłoszenie patentowe międzynarodowe tryb EPO nr. EP23169144.5. z 2023-04-21. Twórcy: Motyka-Pomagruk Agata, Śledź Wojciech, Prusiński Michał, Orłowski Jakub, Babińska Weronika, Łojkowska Ewa, Dzimitrowicz Anna, Jamróz Piotr, Pohl Paweł, Jerzy Dora. Zgłaszający: Wroclaw University of Science and Technology and University of Gdansk
→ ,,Sposób eradykacji drobnoustrojów chorobotwórczych z powierzchni płaskich lub tkanki skórnej oraz układ do realizacji tego sposobu” Zgłoszenie patentowe (UP RP) nr. P.441356 z dnia 2022-06-02. Twórcy: Motyka-Pomagruk Agata, Śledź Wojciech, Prusiński Michał, Orłowski Jakub, Babińska Weronika, Łojkowska Ewa, Dzimitrowicz Anna, Jamróz Piotr, Pohl Paweł. Zgłaszający: Politechnika Wrocławska i Uniwersytet Gdański.
→ ,,Sposób dezaktywacji związków endokrynnie czynnych z roztworów wodnych” Zgłoszenie patentowe (UP RP) nr P.438832 z dnia 2021-08-27. Twórcy: Dzimitrowicz Anna, Śledź Wojciech, Caban Magda, Jamróz Piotr, Motyka-Pomagruk Agata, Cyganowski Piotr, Terefinko Dominik, Stepnowski Piotr, Pohl Paweł. Zgłaszający: Politechnika Wrocławska i Uniwersytet Gdański.
→ ,,Sposób degradacji antybiotyków z roztworów wodnych z zastosowaniem nietermicznej plazmy atmosferycznej” Zgłoszenie patentowe (UP RP) nr P.437603 z dnia 2021-04-17. Twórcy: Dzimitrowicz Anna, Śledź Wojciech, Caban Magda, Jamróz Piotr, Motyka-Pomagruk Agata, Babińska Weronika, Cyganowski Piotr, Terefinko Dominik, Stepnowski Piotr, Pohl Paweł, Łojkowska Ewa. Zgłaszający: Politechnika Wrocławska i Uniwersytet Gdański.
→ „Sposób rozkładu antybiotyków z roztworów wodnych z zastosowaniem zimnej plazmy atmosferycznej, generowanej w przepływowej szczotce plazmowej oraz szczotka plazmowa do realizacji tego sposobu” Zgłoszenie patentowe (UP RP) nr P.440185 z dnia 2022-01-20. Twórcy: Anna Dzimitrowicz, Agata Motyka-Pomagruk, Magda Caban, Weronika Babińska, Dominik Terefinko, Wojciech Śledź, Piotr Jamróz, Piotr Cyganowski, Ewa Łojkowska, Piotr Stepnowski, Paweł Pohl. Zgłaszający: Politechnika Wrocławska i Uniwersytet Gdański.
It is worth noting that the idea of degradation of antibiotics with the use of cold atmospheric plasmas developed in the Sonata 15 project won the Main Prize in the Eureka! DGP competition (2022) and granted to Weronika Babińska-Wensierska 3rd Award in Young Fahrenheit competition (2024).
Dr. eng. Wojciech Śledź – head from the partner side of Sonata 15 (in front). Prof. Paweł Pohl (in the back).
Head of the Sonata 15 project Dr. hab. eng. Anna Dzimitrowicz (from the left) and Dr. Agata Motyka-Pomagruk (from the right)
We will inform you about the next successes in the course of the project realisation:)
Realization of the NCN Preludium 21 project (2022/45/N/NZ9/01923)
We are pleased to provide an update on the progress in realisation of the project funded by the National Science Centre Preludium 21 (2022/45/N/NZ9/01923) headed by Dr. Weronika Babińska-Wensierska.
The research conducted within this project focuses on a detailed analysis of the soil microbiome and its potential role in limiting the development of potato diseases such as blackleg and soft rot, caused by Dickeya and Pectobacterium spp.
Head of Preludium 21 project Dr. Weronika Babińska-Wensierska
Dissemination of research results:
The results obtained within the Preludium 21 project were presented in 2024 at three scientific conferences, both national and international:
- Eurobiotech 2024, Cracow, Poland, 27-28.06.2024. Babińska-Wensierska W. Exploring the role of soil microbiota in potato blackleg and soft rot incidences (oral presentation as a keynote speaker)
- Conference of the Polish Phytopathological Society (PTFiT) “Plant health in the era of current challenges”, Warsaw, Poland, 24-26.09.2024. Babińska-Wensierska W., Motyka-Pomagruk A., Kobierska S., Fondi M., Mengoni A., Łojkowska E. Application of metagenomic approach for analysis of taxonomic composition of soil microflora from seed potato fields (poster presentation).
- IV Young Science Congress, Gdansk, Poland, 11-13.07.2024 Kobierska S., Babińska-Wensierska W., Motyka-Pomagruk A., Łojkowska E.
The impact of soil bacterial microbiota on the occurrence of potato blackleg and soft rot diseases (co-authorship of poster presentation).
We continue to analyze the soil microbiome, focusing on soil bacteria-phytopathogen interactions. Our goal is to identify microbiological and environmental factors that may contribute to natural suppression of potato diseases.
We will keep you updated on further progress in realisation of the Preludium 21 project!
Participation of the team of R&D Laboratory in the conference “Agriculture of Tomorrow. Technology 4.0. Choice or Necessity?”
On 22.01.25, the team of Research and Development Laboratory had the pleasure of participating in the conference “Agriculture of Tomorrow. Technology 4.0. Choice or Necessity?” It was a highly interesting opportunity for discussions about plant diseases, diagnostics based on molecular tools, and modern methods of combating pathogenic microorganisms.
See you at the next events!
