The Polish Academy of Sciences against COVID-19

The Polish Academy of Sciences (PAS) is actively engaged in the fight against COVID-19 pandemic. Our researchers perform advisory role for the Ministry of Science and Higher Education.

They are involved in international endeavours aimed at inventing effective medical treatment. Our researchers perform a significant number of tests for the presence for coronavirus SARS-CoV-2, thus helping the State Sanitary Inspectorate. Additionally, they have created a prototype of  a test for the presence for SARS-CoV-2. Also, one of PAS institutes has invented a device that allows to ventilate two patients using a single respirator. Furthermore, a number of PAS laboratories deliver personal protection equipment to hospitals.

Scientific advice

On 25 March Polish Ministry of Science and Higher Education appointed a special group of expert advisors. Their main goal is to deliver recommendations for the fight against coronavirus SARS-CoV-2. Among the members of the above group there are researchers affiliated with the Polish Academy of Sciences. Their activities include:

  • producing reports about epidemic situation,
  • delivering information about most recent research on coronavirus SARS-CoV-2 and COVID-19,
  • analysing the needs of Polish scientists who are engaged in the fight against pandemic.

Support in testing

The institutes of the PAS provide access to their specialised equipment. Our scientists and PhD students carry out tests on the presence of coronavirus, thus supporting State Sanitary Inspectorate. Such activities have been undertaken by the following units of the Academy:

  • in Wrocław – the Institute of Immunology and Experimental Therapy;
  • in Łódź – the Institute of Medical Biology;
  • in Poznań – the Institute of Bioorganic Chemistry.

Also, it should be mentioned that the latter created a prototype of test for the presence of coronavirus, based on reagents of own production and on reagents available from Polish producers.

One respirator for two patients

The production ofVentil device connected to the respirator has also been launched. This device, invented in the Institute of Biocybernetics and Biomedical Engineering of the Polish Academy of Sciences, allows to ventilate in classical system two patients using single respirator.

The work on drugs

Scientists all over the world work on a vaccine and on effective drugs. The International Institute of Molecular and Cell Biology (IIMCB) associated with the PAS is heavily involved in research in this area. The IIMCB carries out the project “Exscalate4CoV”, financed by the European Commission, which is aimed at carrying out a therapy for patients suffering from COVID-19. A public-private consortium led by biopharmaceutical Italian company Dompé with a participation of 18 institutions from Italy, Switzerland, Belgium, Germany, Sweden, Spain and Poland is responsible for the implementation of this project.

Personal protection equipment for medical service

Surgical masks, latex and nitrile gloves, fleece aprons, pads for shoes and caps. Parcels with these articles were sent by the Institute of Pharmacology of the PAS to the University Hospital and Stefan Żeromski Specialised Hospital in Cracow.

The Kórnik Library of the Polish Academy of Sciences delivered surgical masks to the Karol Jonscher Clinical Hospital in Poznań. It was a gift from curators who look after the historical library. The parcel also included the booklets “Skarby Biblioteki Kórnickiej” [The treasures of the Kórnik Library] dedicated to the youngest patients.

Source of information: institutes of the Polish Academy of Sciences, Kórnik Library of the Polish Academy of Sciences

Vaccination and Vaccines

Vaccination is the only rational solution which will help us defeat the pandemic

Evaluation of the vaccine from Pfizer and BioNTech – called Comirnaty

 

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