Professor Maria Anna Ciemerych-Litwinienko was one of the University of Warsaw representatives in the “Top 1000 Innovators of Poland in Silicon Valley” programme

09 01 2026

On 9–12 December, researchers from the University of Warsaw took part in a study visit to Silicon Valley in the United States, organised within the Top 1000 Innovators of Poland in Silicon Valley programme in cooperation with Poland in Silicon Valley, the Centre for Science, Innovation and Entrepreneurship (PolSV). The delegation included both researchers and specialists responsible for technology transfer and cooperation with the social and economic environment.

The visit programme included, among others, meetings at Stanford University, the University of California, Berkeley, Triple Ring Technologies innovation labs, and California Institute of Regenerative Medicine. During these meetings, participants presented selected research projects, University of Warsaw patents and spin-off companies, while also working on building long-term relationships with partners in Silicon Valley.

Prof. Maria Anna Ciemerych-Litwinienko from the Department of Cytology at the Institute of Developmental Biology and Biomedical Sciences, Faculty of Biology, University of Warsaw, presented results of a National Science Centre project carried by herself and the team including: dr. hab. Karolina Archacka, dr. hab. Edyta Brzóska-Wójtowicz, dr. hab. Iwona Grabowska-Kowalik, Katarzyna Jańczyk Ilach, dr. Zuzanna Michalska, mgr. Anna Ostaszewska, mgr. Władysława Stremińska, dr. hab. Małgorzata Zimowska-Wypych, in collaboration with prof. Sylwia Rodziewicz-Motowidło team of Faculty of Chemistry University of Gdansk, as well as B.Sc. and M.Sc. students. Project aimed at the development of hydrogels that support skeletal muscle regeneration.

Hydrogels create a “scaffold” at the injury site, supporting cell settlement in the damaged area and tissue repair. They could also serve as a carrier of tissue-specific progenitor cells. Realization of the project resulted in the synthesis of peptide hydrogels modified with factors crucial for regeneration, such as the SDF-1, which supports the migration of cells to the injury site, and IL-4, which is involved in the formation of new muscle fibres. Detailed tests proved that these biomaterials support skeletal muscle regeneration in mouse model of injury. This approach may improve therapy outcomes in extensive muscle injuries and in diseases where regeneration is weakened, for example Duchenne muscular dystrophy.

The Top 1000 Innovators of Poland in Silicon Valley programme brought together the largest Polish scientific and technical delegation in the history of Silicon Valley, with 200 researchers and staff from 12 Polish universities. During four days of intensive workshops and meetings, over 100 projects and technologies with high application and market potential were presented. The event was a unique opportunity to promote Polish scientific and technological achievements, patents and spin-off companies in a global centre of innovation and entrepreneurship.

The visit was part of the ScalePL project implemented in November–December. It is the first stage of a multi-year programme supporting the internationalisation of Polish universities and the promotion of their scientific and technological achievements in Silicon Valley.

The planned outcome of the initiative is to deepen scientific and technological cooperation with partners in Silicon Valley, especially by developing links between science and business and promoting research projects, patents and spin-off companies created at Polish universities.

Details:
www.uw.edu.pl/przedstawiciele-uw-z-wizyta-w-dolinie-krzemowej
www.polsv.org