Contact

natalia.cwilichowska@pwr.edu.pl 
L-1, room 29
LinkedIn

Research

My research focuses on the application of highly multiparametric analytical techniques, such as mass cytometry, imaging mass cytometry, and Luminex, to study various diseases. I have extensive experience in processing patient samples, including blood, plasma, and amniotic fluid. My work has encompassed a wide range of conditions, including breast cancer, SARS-CoV-2, leukemia, CAR-T therapy, ovarian cancer, neutropenia, and neuropathic pain. In my projects, I primarily concentrate on immunology, with particular emphasis on rare immune cell populations. Additionally, I investigate the distribution of proteolytic enzymes within cellular compartments and employ activity-based probes on OCT tissue sections to identify active enzymes. The analysis of specific cell populations is complemented by multiplexed cytokine and chemokine profiling using the Luminex platform.

Beyond my primary research area, I have a strong interest in space science, particularly in the context of spaceflight, microgravity, and their effects on human physiology. I gained experience in this field during my studies as a member of a student space association, through involvement in a space-related start-up, and by participating in workshops at NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory (JPL).

Education and research internships

2013-2017 Bachelor’s studies at the Faculty of Chemistry, Wrocław University of Science and Technology,
2017-2019 Master’s studies at the Faculty of Chemistry, Wrocław University of Science and Technology,
07-09.2018 - Erasmus internship at TU Wien, Research Division of Biochemical Engineering, in the Integrated Bioprocess Development group
2018-2020 Master’s studies at the Faculty of Chemistry, Wrocław University of Science and Technology,
2020-2025 Doctoral School at Wrocław University of Science and Technology, Faculty of Chemistry, Department of Chemical Biology and Bioimaging
2020-2022 - Doctoral fellow within the NCN-funded project Proteolytic profiling of breast cancer by mass cytometry for personalized oncology, 2018/31/D/NZ5/02406
2020-2022 - Doctoral fellow within the NCBiR Mass cytometry-based multiparametric analysis of convalescent COVID-19 blood to investigate immune dynamics and identify optimal plasma donors, SZPITALE-JEDNOIMIENNE/63/2020, As4/W3/03/2021
2023-2024 - Doctoral fellow within the NCN-funded project Tumor activome profiling for the design of next-generation antibody–drug conjugates, 2020/39/I/NZ5/03104

Publications and patents

1. Mintus A, Orzechowski L, Ćwilichowska N, LunAres Analog Research Station–Overview of updated design and research potential, Acta Astronautica, vol.193(8), 2021, doi: 10.1016/j.actaastro.2021.10.046
2. Ćwilichowska N, Świderska KW, Dobrzyń A, Drąg M, Poręba M. Diagnostic and therapeutic potential of protease inhibition. Mol Aspects Med. vol.88, 2022; doi: 10.1016/j.mam.2022.101144
3. Ćwilichowska-Puślecka N, Makowiecka A, Kalinka M, Groborz KM, Puślecki T, Drąg M, Simon K, Dąbrowska K, Pazgan-Simon M, Poręba M. Understanding the long-term interplay of SARS-CoV-2 immune and inflammatory responses with proteases in COVID-19 recovery: a longitudinal study. Front Immunol. vol.16 2025; doi: 10.3389/fimmu.2025.1517933
4. Oszer A, Pawlik B, Crawford JC, Nevitt C, Marschollek P, Ćwilichowska N, Mazurek M, Kalwak K, Janczar S, Thomas P, Poręba M, Velasquez P, Młynarski M. Immunophenotypic CAR-T cells heterogeneity of pre- and post-infusion of tisagenlecleucel in pediatric patients with BCP-ALL. Transplant Cell Ther. 2024;30(Suppl). doi:10.1016/j.jtct.2023.12.266
5. Oszer A, Kołodrubiec J, Pawlik B, Marschollek P, Ćwilichowska N, Jakubowska J, Bukowska-Strakova K, Surman M, Trelińska J, Miarka-Walczyk K, Haze N, Liszka K, Mielcarek-Siedziuk M, Kalwak K, Poręba M, Pastorczak A, Janczar S, Młynarski W. CD19-CAR T-cell therapy with sorafenib in post-HSCT relapse of mixed phenotype acute leukaemia (MPAL) with phenotypic myeloid to lymphoid lineage switch: a case report and review of the literature. Br J Haematol. vol.205(3), 2024, doi: 10.1111/bjh.19608
6. Skrabalak IU, Rajtak A, Skrzypczak N, Ćwilichowska N, Zając A, Piet M, Poręba M, Kotarski J, Okła K. HSF1 as a novel prognostic factor and therapeutic target in ovarian cancer. Int J Gynecol Cancer. vol35(Suppl)., 2025, doi: 10.1016/j.ijgc.2024.100313
7. Horbach N, Kalinka M, Ćwilichowska-Puślecka N, Al Mamun A, Mikołajczyk-Martinez A, Turk B, Snipas SJ, Kasperkiewicz P, Groborz KM, Poręba M. Visualization and functional analysis of calpain-1 activation during cell death and its significance in
   GSDMD cleavage using targeted chemical probes. Cell Chem Biol. vol.32(4), 2025; doi: 10.1016/j.chembiol.2025.03.002

Conferences

1. Ćwilichowska N, Poręba M, "Detekcja markerów nowotworowych w liniach komórkowych raka piersi z wykorzystaniem cytometrii masowej", 63 Zjazd Naukowy Polskiego Towarzystwa Chemicznego, Łódź, Polska, 13–16.09.2021
   oral presentation
2. Ćwilichowska N, Matkowski R, Poręba M, "Detection of tumor markers in breast cancer using mass cytometry", 39th Winter School on Proteinases and Inhibitors (online), Tiers, Italy, 16–18.02.2022
   oral presentation
3. Ćwilichowska N, Matkowski R, Poręba M, "Detection of tumor markers in breast cancer using mass cytometry", Gordon Research Seminar: The Regulation of Proteolysis in Health, Disease and Treatment, Lucca (Barga), Italy, 4–5.06.2022
   oral presentation
4. Ćwilichowska N, Groborz K, Okołotowicz K, Łoś D, Matkowski R, Poręba M, "Dissecting the proteolytic fingerprint of breast cancer tissues using mass cytometry for personalized oncology", Gordon Research Conference: The Regulation of Proteolysis in Health, Disease and Treatment, Lucca (Barga), Italy, 5–10.06.2022
   poster presentation
5. Ćwilichowska N, Groborz K, Okołotowicz K, Łoś D, Matkowski R, Poręba M, "Dissecting the proteolytic fingerprint of breast cancer patients using mass cytometry for personalized oncology", XVIII Seminarium Na pograniczu chemii i biologii, Smardzewice, Polska, 12–15.06.2022
   oral presentation
6. Ćwilichowska N, Okołotowicz K, Łoś D, Matkowski R, Puślecki T, Poręba M, "Analysis of proteolytic correlations in breast cancer patients using mass cytometry", 40th Winter School on Proteinases and Their Inhibitors, Tiers, Italy, 1–5.03.2023
   oral presentation
7. Ćwilichowska N, Mamun A, Okołotowicz K, Łoś D, Matkowski R, Poręba M, "The application of metal-tagged activity-based probes (TOF-probes) targeting proteases in
   breast cancer by imaging mass cytometry (IMC)", 12th General Meeting of the International Proteolysis Society, Singapore, 23–29.06.2023
   poster presentation
8. Ćwilichowska-Puślecka N, Mamun A, Okołotowicz K, Łoś D, Matkowski R, Poręba M, "Application of metal-tagged TOF probes for proteases in breast cancer using imaging mass cytometry", FEBS 2024 Proteolysis: At the Interface Between Health and Disease, 14–18.09.2024, Bled, Slovenia
   poster presentation and flash talk

Awards

1. Scholarship awarded to doctoral students for significant research achievements, 2022, Wroclaw University of Science and Technology
2. Travel Award, Gordon Research Seminar: The Regulation of Proteolysis in Health, Disease and Treatment, Lucca (Barga), Italy, 4-5.06.2022
3. Travel Award, conference "12th General Meeting of the International Proteolysis Society, 23-29.06.2023, Singapur" International Proteolysis Society, 2023
4. Nagroda za najlepszy poster i flash talk, konferencja FEBS 2024 Proteolysis: At the interface between health and disease, 14-18.09.2024, Bled, Slovenia