On May 24, 2024, the Jagiellonian University celebrated the 10th anniversary of the Małopolska Centre of Biotechnology (MCB). The event marked a vibrant decade since the centre's establishment on May 13, 2014, by former Rector Professor Wojciech Nowak
The celebrations included the inauguration of the expanded MCB headquarters, which now boasts a third more usable space, including new laboratories, a conference hall, and office areas designed to foster interdisciplinary research and collaboration.
The official part of the ceremony was led by Vice-Rector for Development, Professor Jarosław Górniak, representing the current Rector, Professor Jacek Popiel. First, Professor Kazimierz Strzałka, the first director of MCB, recounted the centre's origins, inspired by the research institutes of the Polish Academy of Sciences and international examples. Then, current Director Dr. Danuta Earnshaw-Mossakowska – Prof. UJ highlighted recent MCB's achievements and research culture, noting that in 2023, 45% of our publications appeared in the Scopus top 10% journals.
Next, we had pleasure to listen to members of International Advisory Board, who through annual evaluations, ensure a high scientific level at the institute. Professor Ryszard Frąckowiak discussed the evolution of MCB's research, and Sir Leszek Borysiewicz concluded the event with a lecture on the development of biological sciences in Poland over the past 30 years.
Then there was a ceremonial ribbon-cutting and the opening of the new part of MCB. Our guests had the opportunity to visit the new part of the building and see our research laboratories. The official part ended with refreshments and long conversations about the past, present, and future of our unit. After a short lunch break, the scientific part of the event started. We had the pleasure of listening to MCB scientists, namely Dr. hab. Sebastian Glatt, Prof. Dr. hab. Krzysztof Pyrć, Dr. Mateusz Sikora, Dr. hab. Magda Masłoń, and Dr. Curtis Davey, Prof. UJ, presenting exciting scientific stories. We hope that in 10 years we will meet in a similar group, celebrating an even more fruitful decade full of exciting scientific events.
