The extension of human life, the need for new pharmaceutical technologies and redefining the problem of metabolic programming were the basis for defining the Priority Research Areas at Poznan University of Medical Sciences.
It may seem strange, but one of the most important perspectives of Poznan University of Medical Sciences to develop its research capacity are current demographic trends. Ageing population will require not only a specific attention but also complex actions and solutions from EU countries that PUMS can partially provide. For this reason, one of the three priority research areas, which are recognized, is "healthy and active aging", i.e. the implementation of comprehensive actions primarily focused on (1) primary and secondary prevention of civilization diseases (i.e. cardio-vascular diseases and cancer) and their coexistence in the process of aging, (2) introducing of hybrid care over seniors (combining the involvement of physicians, pharmacists, nurses, social care workers and innovative technology, that can develop i.e. some of the robotic solutions in the care of seniors). In 2035 (according to the forecasts of the Polish Central Statistical Office), approximately 2.5 million people aged over 80 will live in Poland. Within this group, up to 800,000 elderly people will run an independent (lonely) household. This means that the scale of the challenge is huge, not limited to Poland only, and there is very little time left for conceptual and implementation activities.
The growing demand for innovative drugs is driving the development of new chemical technologies. It should be noted, at present, the expectations of the pharmaceutical industry are not so much directed at the search (synthesis, extraction) of new active molecules, but rather modifications of existing ones. And that means, that on the basis of PUMS human capacity and research infrastructure, various pharmaceutical technologies can be developed. Therefore, "innovative pharmaceutical technologies" were recognized as the following priority research areas. The development of this area is possible thanks to the Center for Innovative Pharmaceutical Technology - built in 2021 on our campus, which offers the possibility of conducting joint application research in a public-private partnership.
Finally, active aging cannot be limited solely to activities targeting a generations of seventy- or eighty-year-olds. The first 1000 days of human life (starting from conception) determines the functional state of our body for the rest of our life. This phenomenon is called "metabolic programming" - the last but certainly not least PUMS priority research area. Referring to the assumptions of above mention programming, we identify the factors (not only related to the diet) which are responsible for epigenetic reprogramming of germ cells.
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