Bacteriophage Laboratory is engaged in phage isolation for therapeutic purposes, as well as biological, morphological and genetic characteristics of procured phages. Our research includes the development of new bacteriophage preparations, focusing on the optimization of phage amplification conditions, purification, and assessment phage stability under various storage conditions. We also study the immune response to bacteriophages, including the determination of serum antiphage antibody levels in patients undergoing phage therapy, and investigate possible interactions between phages and immune cells and their consequences. Our team selects phages for therapeutic purposes based on bacterial susceptibility and monitors the effects of phage therapy, including the potential development of phage resistance. Additionally, we conduct preclinical studies of bacteriophage preparations, examining tissue penetration, pharmacokinetics, effectiveness in animal models, and toxicity. Other research topics include experimental phage therapy in animals and the use of phages for food safety and environmental protection.
Current research:
Studies on Enterococcus phages isolated from patients with urinary tract infections involving its anti-biofilm action.
Optimalization of isolation and amplification of Acinetobacter baumannii The development of methodology allowing for their extended stability in phage preparations.
Studies on phage ability to induce defensin production by epithelial cells (especially hBD-2).
Head: Prof. dr hab. n. med. Andrzej Górski, specialty: internal medicine; subspecialty: clinical immunology. (0000-0002-0863-6041)
Prof. Andrzej Górski has been associated with the Institute initially as a member of its scientific council, then as it chair in 1999. After his first term as rector of the Medical Academy in Warsaw he decided to apply for directorship of the Institute. As a head of Bacteriophage Laboratory he leads the team engaged in research on bacteriophages. The results have been published in reputed journals opening new perspectives for the therapeutic applications of phages not only as anti-bacterials but also as immunomodulators. His initiative led to the establishment in 2005 of Phage Therapy Center treating patients with antibiotics-resistant infections with experimental phage therapy. Prof. A. Górski is also editor in chief of AITE, an Institute’s journal that became one of the leading scientific journal in Poland. Prof. A. Górski has also been active in the field of ethics in science that led to his election as chair, Commission for Ethics in Science (since 2019).
Demonstration that bacteriophages exhibit immunomodulatory activities, while different phages may mediate different effects – which could possibly be used in the treatment of autoimmune diseases and in transplantation (Górski A. et al. Therapeutic phages as modulators of the immune response: practical implications. Clin Infect Dis., Volume 77, Issue Supplement_5, 1 November 2023, Pages S433–S439, https://doi.org/10.1093/cid/ciad483; Górski A. et al.: Phages and immunomodulation. Future Microbiology, 2017, 12: 905-914, http://doi.org/10.2217/fmb-2017-0049).
Colorimetric method (assessment of the presence of phages in the tested sample)
ELISA assay (determining the level of bacterial endotoxins, detecting the presence of antiphage antibodies, detecting biologically active particles in the tested material)
light microscope DM 750 with digital camera (Leica)
chromatography system UFLC (Shimadzu)
device for embedding ampoules
Main research projects
„Non-commercial clinical trial to confirm the safety and effectiveness of phage therapy in the treatment of chronic rhinosinusitis – RHINOPHAGE”, Medical Research Agency, ABM/2022/1, 2022/ABM/01/00036, date of implementation: 01.10.2022 r. – 30.09.2028, Head: dr hab. Tomasz Zatoński (Medical University in Wrocław), Administrative manager: dr hab. Ryszard Międzybrodzki (Hirszfeld Institute of Immunology and Experimental Therapy). The project budget: 15 405 394,71 zł
“Study of the composition of a bacteriophage preparation specific to multi-drug resistant Acinetobacter baumannii clinical strains”, The National Centre for Research and Development, Small Grant Scheme, NOR/SGS/ACIPHAGE/0192/2020, date of implementation: 01.06.2021 – 31.05.2023, Head: mgr inż. Natalia Bagińska. The project budget: 800 000 zł
“Studies on the immunomodulatory effects of bacteriophages on functions of immune cells”, National Science Centre, 2018/31/B/NZ6/03999 OPUS 16, date of implementation:09.2019 – 11.09.2022, Head: Dr hab. Ryszard Międzybrodzki. The project budget: 1 499 000 zł.
„Database of Scientific Information Supporting Innovative Therapies (BINWIT)”, European Funds Digital Poland, 02.03.01-IP.01-00-006/17, date of implementation: 01.08.2018 – 31.07.2021, Head: dr Krzysztof Jakub Pawlik, Head of the Bacteriophages Team – Prof. Andrzej Górski. The project budget: 18 867 895 zł.
„Antiviral effects of phages”, National Science Centre, 2013/11/B/NZ1/02107, OPUS 6, date of implementation :20.08.2014 – 19.08.2018, Head: Prof. Andrzej Górski. The project budget: 929 600 zł.
„Optimization of the characteristics and preparation of phage preparations for therapeutic purposes”, The National Centre for Research and Development, Operational Programme Innovative Economy, POIG.01.03.01-02-003/08, date of implementation: 01.09.2007 – 31.08.2014, Head: Andrzej Górski. The project budget: 13 660 000 zł.
„Innovative bacteriophage protective preparation for use in the diabetic foot syndrome”, The National Centre for Research and Development, Operational Programme Innovative Economy, POIG.01.03.01-02-048/12, date of implementation:04.2013 – 31.12.2015, Head: Dr Beata Weber-Dąbrowska. The project budget: 9 137 820 zł
“The development and implementation of a bacteriophage preparation intended to use in the treatment and prevention of the American and European foulbrood of honey bee”, The National Centre for Research and Development, 04.01.04-00-0126/16, date of implementation: 01.03.2017- 31.12. 2019, Head: Dr Ewa Jończyk-Matysiak. The project budget: 4 868 154,72 zł.
Selected publications
Górski A, Międzybrodzki R, Jończyk-Matysiak E, Kniotek M, Letkiewicz S. Therapeutic phages as modulators of the immune response: practical implications. Clin Infect Dis., in press.
Międzybrodzki R , Kasprzak H, Letkiewicz S , Rogóż P, Żaczek M, Jamon T, Górski A. Pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamic obstacles for phage therapy from the perspective of clinical practices. Clin Infect Dis., in press.
Bagińska N, Harhala M, Cieślik M, Orwat F, Weber-Dąbrowska B, Dąbrowska K, Górski A, Jończyk-Matysiak E. Biological Properties of 12 Newly Isolated Acinetobacter baumannii-Specific Bacteriophages. Viruses. 2023;15(1):231. doi: 10.3390/v15010231.
Żaczek M, Górski A, Grzybowski A, Pasternak E, Weber-Dąbrowska B, Międzybrodzki R. How Interest in Phages Has Bloomed into a Leading Medical Research Activity in Poland. Viruses 2022, 14, 2617. https://doi.org/10.3390/v14122617
Górski A, Borysowski J, Międzybrodzki R. The contribution of phage therapy to medical knowledge. J Glob Antimicrob Resist. 2022;28:238-240. doi: 10.1016/j.jgar.2022.01.019.
Łobocka M, Dąbrowska K, Górski A. Engineered Bacteriophage Therapeutics: Rationale, Challenges and Future. BioDrugs. 2021;35(3):255-280. doi: 10.1007/s40259-021-00480-z.
Borysowski J, Górski A. ClinicalTrials.gov as a Source of Information About Expanded Access Programs: Cohort Study. J Med Internet Res. 2021;23(10):e26890. doi: 10.2196/26890.
Borysowski J, Górski A. Public availability of results of ClinicalTrials.gov-registered expanded access studies. Br J Clin Pharmacol. 2021;87(12):4701-4708. doi: 10.1111/bcp.14890.
Górski A, Międzybrodzki R, Węgrzyn G, Jończyk-Matysiak E, Borysowski J, Weber-Dąbrowska B. Phage therapy: Current status and perspectives. Res. Rev. 2020; 40(1):459-463. doi: 10.1002/med.21593.
Górski A, Bollyky PL, Przybylski M, Borysowski J, Międzybrodzki R, Jończyk-Matysiak E, Weber-Dąbrowska B. Perspectives of Phage Therapy in Non-bacterial Infections. Front Microbiol. 2019;9:3306. doi: 10.3389/fmicb.2018.03306.
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