Piotr Brzoza

Postdoctoral Researcher

Immunologist with background in biochemistry and bioinformatics, interested in applying novel omic and AI-assisted methods in scientific research. Worked on immunological mechanisms and epidermal pathophysiology in the context of bacterial infections and inflammatory diseases. Combines expertise in molecular biology, recombinant protein production, and genetic engineering with experience in transcriptomics (RNA-Seq, scRNA-Seq), mass cytometry (CyTOF), and multidimensional data analysis. Skilled in experimental design, statistical analysis, scientific programming, and visualization, with a strong track record of interdisciplinary research.

Educational Background

PhD in Biochemistry, Department of Immunology, Faculty of Biochemistry, Biophysics and Biotechnology, Jagiellonian University, Kraków (2015 – 2023)

Topic: Epidermis pathophysiology in atopic skin and staphylococci infections

MSc in Biotechnology, Department of Immunology, Faculty of Biochemistry, Biophysics and Biotechnology, Jagiellonian University, Kraków (2013 – 2015)

Topic: Chemerin gene promoter methylation status comparison in murine hepatocytes and adipocytes.

BSc in Biotechnology, Jagiellonian University, Faculty of Biochemistry, Biophysics and Biotechnology, Kraków (2010 – 2013)

Professional Experience

Senior Technical Clerk
Dioscuri Centre for Modelling of Posttranslational Modifications, Małopolska Centre of Biotechnology, Jagiellonian University Krakow (07/2026 – Present)

Researcher
University of Bergen, Broegelmann Research Laboratory, Bergen, Norway (04/2024 – 09/2024)

Independent Biologist
Jagiellonian University, FBBB, Department of Immunology, Kraków, Poland (2023 – 2024)

Teaching Assistant
Jagiellonian University, FBBB, Department of Computational Biophysics and Bioinformatics, Kraków, Poland (2021 – 2022)

Selected Publications

Brzoza, P., Tyshchenko, M., Kantyka, T., Bielecka, E., Majewski, P., Migaczewski, M., Zabel, B. A., & Cichy, J.

Kallikrein 14 activates the chemoattractant protein chemerin in human skin.

Journal of Biological Chemistry, 302(1), 111002 (2026)

DOI

Brzoza, P., Camacho, M., Tyshchenko, M., Morytko, A., Kwitniewski, M., Pastuszczak, M., Stepinska, P., Migaczewski, M., & Cichy, J.

3D Model of Human Epidermis Exposed to Staphylococci Reveals Keratinocyte Responses Unique to Atopy‐Associated S. aureus Challenge.

Allergy, 80(8), 2388 - 2391(2026)

DOI

Kwiecien, K., Majewski, P., Bak, M., Brzoza, P., Godlewska, U., Skulimowska, I., Cichy, J., & Kwitniewski, M.

Alternative splicing is not a key source of chemerin isoforms diversity.

Molecular Biology Reports, 50(3), 2521 - 2529 (2023)

DOI

Oleszycka, E., Kwiecien, K., Kwiecinska, P., Morytko, A., Pocalun, N., Camacho, M., Brzoza, P., Zabel, B. A., & Cichy, J.

Soluble mediators in the function of the epidermal-immune-neuro unit in the skin.

Frontiers in Immunology, 13 (October), 1 - 13 (2022)

DOI

Brzoza, P., Godlewska, U., Borek, A., Morytko, A., Zegar, A., Kwiecinska, P., Zabel, B. A., Osyczka, A., Kwitniewski, M., & Cichy, J.

Redox Active Antimicrobial Peptides in Controlling Growth of Microorganisms at Body Barriers.

Antioxidants, 10(3), 446 (2021)

DOI

Godlewska, U., Brzoza, P., Kwiecień, K., Kwitniewski, M., & Cichy, J.

Metagenomic Studies in Inflammatory Skin Diseases.

Current Microbiology, 77(11), 3201 - 3212 (2020)

DOI

Kwiecien, K., Brzoza, P., Bak, M., Majewski, P., Skulimowska, I., Bednarczyk, K., Cichy, J., & Kwitniewski, M.

The methylation status of the chemerin promoter region located from − 252 to + 258 bp regulates constitutive but not acute-phase cytokine-inducible chemerin expression levels.

Scientific Reports, 10(1), 13702 (2020)

DOI

Skrzeczynska-Moncznik, J., Zabieglo, K., Osiecka, O., Morytko, A., Brzoza, P., Drozdz, L., Kapinska-Mrowiecka, M., Korkmaz, B., Pastuszczak, M., Kosalka-Wegiel, J., Musial, J., & Cichy, J.

Differences in Staining for Neutrophil Elastase and its Controlling Inhibitor SLPI Reveal Heterogeneity among Neutrophils in Psoriasis.

Journal of Investigative Dermatology, 140(7), 1371 - 1378.e3 (2020)

DOI

Kwiecien, K., Zegar, A., Jung, J., Brzoza, P., Kwitniewski, M., Godlewska, U., Grygier, B., Kwiecinska, P., Morytko, A., & Cichy, J.

Architecture of antimicrobial skin defense.

Cytokine & Growth Factor Reviews, 49 (August), 1 - 15 (2019)

DOI

Godlewska, U., Bilska, B., Zegar, A., Brzoza, P., Borek, A., Murzyn, K., Bochenska, O., Morytko, A., Kuleta, P., Kozik, A., Pyza, E., Osyczka, A., Zabel, B. A. B. A., & Cichy, J.

The antimicrobial activity of chemerin-derived peptide p4 requires oxidative conditions.

Journal of Biological Chemistry, 294(4), 1267 - 1278 (2019)

DOI

Godlewska, U., Brzoza, P., Sroka, A., Majewski, P., Jentsch, H., Eckert, M., Eick, S., Potempa, J., Zabel, B. A., & Cichy, J.

Antimicrobial and Attractant Roles for Chemerin in the Oral Cavity during Inflammatory Gum Disease.

Frontiers in Immunology, 8 (March), 353 (2017)

DOI