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Jan Potempa (born in 1955, Tarnów, Poland) is one of the most cited polish biochemists and microbiologists. Hi is famous from periodontal research, especially research on bacteria Porphyromonas gingivalis and its role in oral inflammation. He is currently a professor at the Jagiellonian University in Carcow, Poland, as well as the University of Louisville in United States.

1. Education and Career

Prof. Potempa earned his magister degree (M.Sc.), doctorate (Ph.D.) and habilitation (D.Sc.) in 1979, 1982 and 1993, respectively, from Jagiellonian University, Krakow, Poland. In 1985-1988 he conducted postdoctoral research at the University of Georgia and from 1989 to 2008, he worked there as a Senior Research Scientist. From January 2009, Prof. Potempa was recruited to the University of Louisville Dental School as a Professor and Academic Scholar. Hi is also still profesor at the Faculty of Biochemistry, Biotechnology and Biophysics at Jagiellonian University in Carcow, Poland.

2. Research

Professor Potempa's research concerns the role of Porphyromonas gingivalis in the formation and development of periodontitis. Prof. Potempa and his associates isolated and characterized 7 protein-degrading enzymes produced by this bacterium - including the so-called gingipain. He also proved that gingipains are the key factor facilitating the development of periodontitis, showing that they are responsible, inter alia, for disturbing the body's defensive reaction, which instead of eliminating bacteria turns against its own tissues. This leads to chronic inflammation of the periodontal tissues and, as a result, to the loss of the alveolar bone and the exposure of tooth necks.

Professor Potempa's discoveries changed the basis of thinking about the genesis of periodontitis. Their therapeutic potential is also highly valued - the results of his research may lead to the development of more effective drugs to combat periodontitis, and thus - to lower the risk of developing heart and joint diseases.

In recent years, Professor Potempa has focused on the role of PG bacteria in other diseases of the body. In 2019, he managed to show that the PG bacterium can be a decisive factor causing inflammation in the brain, which causes neurodegenerative processes leading to Alzheimer's disease.

3. Honors and Awards

2011 Foundation for Polish Science Prize for discovery and characterization of gingipains as virulence factors and targets for drug development to treat periodontitis (the most prestigious award for scientific achievements in Poland) (FNP, Warsaw, 2011) 2012 Honorary Doctorate from University of Warimia and Mazury, Olsztyn, Poland 2012 Honorary Doctorate from Lund University, Sweden 2020 Honorary Doctorate from University of Amsterdam, The Netherlands 2020 Clinical Research Award (The American Academy of Periodontology, USA