Biography
Prof. Sylwia Rodziewicz-Motowidło is a professor of chemistry and head of the Department of Biomedical Chemistry at the University of Gdańsk, a position she has held since 2012. Her scientific interests focus on understanding the structure–activity relationships of biologically active peptides and proteins, with particular emphasis on the mechanisms of amyloid fibril formation and the design of functionalized peptides for therapeutic applications. Throughout her career, she has conducted extensive research on peptides with anticancer, antibacterial, and regenerative properties, as well as on the development of peptide-based nanostructures that can serve as innovative materials for tissue engineering and regenerative medicine. A major focus of her work has been the design of functionalized peptide fibrils and hydrogels capable of stimulating wound healing, supporting muscle regeneration, and acting as carriers for active substances in pharmacological therapies. .
Prof. Rodziewicz-Motowidło has been the principal investigator of numerous national and international research projects funded by NCN, NCBR, STRATEGMED, ERA-Net, and HORIZON programs. These include studies on immune checkpoint inhibitors targeting PD-1/PD-L1, molecularly targeted bionanoparticles for cancer therapy, and peptide-based hydrogels enhancing muscle cell regeneration. More recently, her research has also explored blocking TNF–TNFR2 interactions as a potential new strategy for ovarian cancer treatment. She is the author of around 150 peer-reviewed scientific publications, cited over 2300 times, with an h-index of 26. Her scientific achievements also include seven patents and twelve patent applications in the fields of biomedicine and pharmaceutical sciences. Her work has been recognized with numerous awards, including the Foundation for Polish Science Scholarship, the Grzegorz Białkowski Award, and the prestigious L’Oréal Poland for Women in Science Fellowship. Beyond her research activities, Prof. Rodziewicz-Motowidło has played an important role in academic leadership and research evaluation. From 2012 to 2016, she served as Vice-Dean for Science at the Faculty of Chemistry, University of Gdańsk, and since 2025 she has chaired the Gdańsk Branch of the Polish Chemical Society. She is also a member of expert panels evaluating scientific projects and fellowships for leading national institutions.
Title of presentation:
Healing Waves from Gdańsk: Peptides in Regenerative Medicine
Prof. Sylwia Rodziewicz-Motowidło
Sylwia Rodziewicz-Motowidło, Ph.D., D.Sc. is a Professor at the Faculty of Chemistry, University of Gdańsk, in which she is head of the Department of Biomedical Chemistry. She completed her M.Sc., Ph.D., and D.Sc. at the University of Gdańsk. She is a Professor of biological sciences (title, 2021).