Synthetic Biology

Leading specialist in the field of fundamental mechanisms of DNA damage, DNA reparation and cell response to genotoxic stress, the creation of molecular- biological tools using DNA reparation ferments, the design of ferments and multi-component complexes of biopolymers with given functions. He has discovered several ferments of human reparation, defined special structures of some DNA-glycosylases, and developed the theory of substrate specificity of ferments that recognize nucleic acids as dynamic multi-stage process.

Scientific area: DNA aptamers for bioanalytical and therapeutic applications, DNA nanocomposites.

Research interests include stable nitroxyl radicals, chemistry, nitrogen-containing organic compounds, including heterocyclic, chemistry of coordination compounds with paramagnetic ligands, the use of nitroxyl radicals for Molecular Biology and Biophysics (spin labels, probes, pH indicators, detection of NO in vivo, etc). A Laureate of the State Prize of Russia in the field of science and technology (1994).

One of leading Russian scientists in the field of physic-chemical biology. She has contributed a lot into the study of complex key ferment of protein biosynthesis – phenylalanyl-tRNA-synthetase (α2β2) not only with the help of affine modification methods but also X-ray diffraction analysis of high definition. Results of such experiments led to the understanding of tRNA recognition mechanisms. She has been awarded the USSR State prize in the field of chemical enzymology for the study of phenylalanyl-tRNA-synthetase. In the recent year as part of international cooperation professor Lavrik develops methods of atomic-powered microscopy that allow to investigate the interaction of proteins with DNA damages at single-molecule study level as well as methods of X-ray structural analysis to study the structures of supramolecular complexes of DNA reparation.

Well-known scientist in the field of virology, molecular biology and medical biotechnology. He has contributed a lot to the study of molecular diversity of a number of human and animal viruses genomes as well as into the development of diagnostics and preventive treatment of a number of viral infections. Under the supervision of professor Netesov nucleic acid sequences of such viruses genomes as Marburg, Ebola and Western horse brain fever have been defined for the first time in the world. The full-scale DNA-copy of VEE virus has been constructed and turned into a live virus. New genetically engineered variants of oncolytic viruses have been successfully obtained. Genetic variety of Russian strains of crucial for Russian health care viruses has been studied. The most important scientific results obtained by Sergei Netesov's team in the recent years are the following: the study of molecular diversity of A, B and C hepatitis, gastroviruses and enteroviruses that are widely spread in Russia; engineering oncolytic viruses of the new generation; development of a number of viral familias taxonomy using as a sample the filovirus familia.

One of leading Russian scientists in the field of physical chemistry and application of magnetic resonance techniques to study the mechanisms of chemical reaction including nitroxide mediated radical polymerization, structure and function of bioplolymers. Research interests during the last years include the study of functional properties of new spin probes and spin labels based on stable nitroxide and trytil radicals and their supramolecular complexes and development of new magnetic resonance approaches for investigation of the structure and functions of biopolymers. E. Bagryanskaya is the member of Editorial Board of "Applied Magnetic Resonance", the Russian representative in the International society of magnetic resonance committee, vice president of the International Society of Electron Paramagnetic Resonance , President of Asia-Pacific EPR Society , President of Russian EPR Society. She was awarded by President grant for young Doctor of Sciences (1996-1998), and by Russian Science Support Foundation for young Doctor of Sciences (2001-2002).

A prominent scientist in the field of human and animal cytogenetics and the evolution of mammals, authoring over 160 papers. The primary research interests are organization and evolution of mammalian karyotypes. He carried out the first Russian studies in human and animal genome mapping using in situ hybridization methods, including FISH.

Prof. Grafodatsky was a member of the scientific board of the Russian State and Technical Program "Human Genome". At present, he is a member of the Human Genome Organisation (HUGO) and the RAS Scientific Council on Genetics and Breeding. In 2009, Prof. Graphodatsky become one pf the founding members of Project Genome 10K.

World recognized specialist in the field of computer genomics, development of software to analyze data of high-performance genomic sequencing including ChIP-seq and ChIA-PET technology. He deals with interdisciplinary challenges of behavior neuro-informatics. Yuri Orlov is also the member of the international organization of human genome study HUGO.

World recognized specialist in the field of methods development to define structural polymorphism of genomes, design, cloning and expression of recombinant proteins, as well as in the field of system biology and genomic and transcriptomic data analysis. He is the active member of «The European Association for Predictive, Preventive & Personalised Medicine».

The main research interests include the investigation of protein function and structure relationships as well as
the design of molecules for medical and biotechnological applications.
Also of importance is bioinformatics support of experimental biologists.