Professor Aleksander Świątecki and Dr Dorota Górniak from the Department of Microbiology and Mycology at the University of Warmia and Mazury in Olsztyn set out in January 2019 for Antarctica, where they will conduct microbiological research in the Polish Antarctic Station for 4 months.

– We will investigate the bacteria in Antarctic lichens. This is an interesting topic, so far we know little about these microorganisms – says Dr Dorota Górniak.

Scientists hope that some Arctic microorganisms have biochemical potential and can be used in medicine – for the production of antibiotics or in the production of biopolymers.