Curriculum Vitae (in brief)

I graduated at the Faculty of Biological Sciences, Jagiellonian University, Krakow, Poland (MSc in Zoology, 1974 - Supervisor: Prof. Wincenty Kilarski; DSc, 1988) and the Medical Research Centre, Polish Academy of Sciences, Warsaw, Poland (PhD, 1980). Between 1975-1992 I worked at the Department of the Ultrastructure of the Nervous System, Medical Research Centre, Polish Academy of Sciences, Warsaw (from postgraduate assistant to associate professor). My research, some of which was carried out in collaboration with clinicians, was concentrated on the reactions and pathology of the hypothalamo-neurohypophysial system (paraventricular and supraoptic neurosecretory nuclei and the neurohypophysis) in various conditions, for example cerebral ischaemia, dehydration, hyperthermia or diabetes. In 1989 I joined the Department of Anatomy and Developmental Biology, University College London, UK. Prior to that I had made several research visits to the UCL Anatomy department (first visit 1983-4 as a Wellcome Trust Overseas Visiting Fellow), to work with Prof. Geoffrey Burnstock. Initially I investigated the fine structure and immunocytochemistry of the peptide-containing nerves of the central and autonomic nervous systems, including enteric nerves. Further studies were directed to the detection and localisation of vasoactive substances in vascular beds, which may play a substantial role in regulation of blood flow. I also am an associate of the Autonomic Neuroscience Centre, Royal Free and University College Medical School, London, of which Prof. Burnstock is Director.

My current research focuses particularly on the electron-immunocytochemistry of vasoactive agents in vascular endothelium and perivascular nerves in various conditions (e.g. hypertension, cancer, hibernation, vascular angioplasty). The questions being asked are if there is a shift of antigenic properties, and if so whether this can be related to function in physiological and pathophysiological circumstances. Recent investigations of mechanical trauma associated with the preparation of grafts for treatment of diseased coronary artery, the role of the vasa vasorum in the grafts and effects of deficiency of nitric oxide synthase (the enzyme producing a potent vasorelaxant, NO) are of particular relevance to clinical medicine (see the Research page).

Among the findings of my research are demonstrations of a variety of vasoactive substances in the vascular endothelial cells in vascular beds, and recently endothelin 1 (ET-1, a potent vasoconstrictor) in human cerebrovascular nerves (see e.g. Loesch & Burnstock 1998 in: JM Polak ed. Modern Visualisation of the Endothelium, Harwood Acad Publ, Amsterdam, pp 3-44; Loesch & Burnstock 2002 Clinical Science 102 Suppl, 404S-407S). These findings could have important implications concerning dual control of vascular tone by endothelial cells and perivascular nerves in health and disease. Relevant images are presented in Gallery 1, Gallery 2 and Gallery 4.

I am author or co-author of 113 (at 2009) research articles, 6 book chapters, 10 reviews and over 60 abstracts and 50 presentations at various conferences on medical sciences.

See the Publications page for a selected list of reviews, book chapters and papers.

Professional Body Memberships

2012 -    Fellow of the Royal Society of Biology
2004-08 Member (Biomedical Sciences) of the Academic Board, UCL
2002 -    Member of the Anatomical Society of Great Britain and Ireland
1987-89 Member of the Scientific Council, Polish Academy of Sciences Medical Research Centre

Peer Review Committees

2009-present - Editor, Current Neurobiology (India)
2008-present - Editorial Board, The Open Atherosclerosis & Thrombosis Journal (UK)
2007-present - Editorial Board, The Open Cardiovascular Medicine Journal (UK)
2005-present - Editorial Board, Acta Neurobiologiae Experimentalis (Poland)
2004-present - Editorial Board, Biomedical Research (India)
2003-present - Editorial Board, Vascular Disease Prevention (UK)
2003-present - Editorial Board, Brazilian Journal of Morphological Sciences (Brazil)
2002-present - Editorial Board, Current Vascular Pharmacology (UK)