Dr Aleksander Grabiec from the Faculty of Biochemistry, Biophysics and Biotechnology of the Jagiellonian University (UJ) became the winner of the Polish Intelligent Development Award 2020 from the Jagiellonian University. The jury appreciated his innovative research into periodontitis.

The award ceremony will take place at the end of November during the 5th Intelligent Development Forum. The winners of the Polish Intelligent Development Award 2020 include also Dr Anna Dobrut from the Department of Microbiology at the Jagiellonian University Medical College and Dr Anna Jagusiak from the Department of Medical Biochemistry at the Jagiellonian University Medical College.

The jury awarded Dr Aleksandra Grabca in the future scientist category for 2 projects: Epigenetics of periodontitis: DNA methylation in disease development and as a potential therapeutic target and Epigenetics of periodontitis: alterations in the host protein acetylation system as a potentially fundamental mechanism for disease development. The winner and his team are investigating the role of epigenetic mechanisms in the pathogenesis of periodontitis – a chronic inflammation of the gums caused by bacterial infection, leading to the destruction of tissues supporting teeth and their loss.