The M.M.Shemyakin-Yu.A.Ovchinnikov Institute of Bioorganic Chemistry
of the Russian Academy of Sciences
and its Pushchino Branch
The M.M.Shemyakin-Yu.A.Ovchinnikov Institute of Bioorganic Chemistry
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The foundation of the Institute and its further development are inseparably linked with the names of outstanding scientists Professor M.M.Shemyakin and Professor Yu.A.Ovchinnikov. M.M.Shemyakin was the organizer of the Institute and headed it up to 1970. From 1970 till 1988 his disciple and successor Professor Ovchinnikov, well-known for his important contribution to the development of physico-chemical biology and biotechnology in Russia, was its director. In 1970 the Institute was named after M.M.Shemyakin and in 1992 was also named after Yu.A.Ovchinnikov in recognition of their services to bioorganic chemistry in this country. Since 1988 the Institute is under the directorship of Professor Vadim T. Ivanov famous for his investigations of the structure and function of peptides - the ubiquitous bioregulators, playing key roles in a number of biochemical processes.
Today the M.M.Shemyakin-Yu.A.Ovchinnikov Institute of Bioorganic Chemistry of the Russian Academy of Sciences is one of the leading centres of physico-chemical biology. As a part of the Academy's Division of Physico-Chemical Biology, the Institute heads investigations of the chemical nature of living matter.
The Institute is a unique complex of buildings designed and equipped for basic studies on physico-chemical biology including genetic engineering and isotope laboratories as well as a modern pilot plant for chemical and microbiological synthesis of biochemical reagents and pharmaceutical products.
The town of Pushchino, Moscow region, houses the Institute's Branch with numerous laboratories including a unique station of artificial climate, laboratories of plant monoclonal reproduction "BIOTRON" and ones for pre-clinic studies of potential drugs "BIOCENTER". In addition, it accommodates a pilot plant for thermic destruction of chemical and biochemical waste products.
The Institute and its Branch employ 1300 people including 450 researchers (280 persons with Ph.D. and D.Sc. degrees).
Its major trends and activities are:
The Laboratory of Peptide Chemistry devotes its main attention to: study of peptide bioregulators (studies on the structure-functional relationship in the family of the delta-sleep peptide and its analogs and biochemical mechanisms of their antistress action); studies on the structure-functional relationship in the family of muramylpeptides (GMDP's); synthetic peptide antigens (hepatitus A virus, lymphotropic viruses).
The Laboratory of Chemistry of Proteolytic Enzymes studies proteases that participate in regulation of systems of intercellular proteolysis (ATP-dependent Lon proteases) and protein processing (enterokinase, duodenase, HIV-1 protease, KEX2 protease). The studies are focused on the mechanisms of substrate recognition and the role of intermolecular (particularly, interdomain) interactions in the functioning enzymes. Special emphasis is placed on the use of the enzymes in biotechnology (proinsulin processing, immobilization of proteases, deglycosylation of proteins). Molecular biology approaches are widely used along with methods of protein and enzymatic chemistry and methods of theoretical conformational analysis.
The Laboratory of Hormonal Regulation Proteins dedicates its main attention to the structure-functional investigation of effector proteins belonging to systems of hormonal and visual regulation and to the search for and investigation of new peptide and protein factors responsible for differentiation and proliferation of the hematopoietic system.
The Laboratory of Neuropeptide Receptors focuses its main interest on elucidation of principles of interactions between nicotinic acetylcholine receptors and various neurotoxins.
The Laboratory's of Neuroreceptors and Neuroregulators main area of research is the study of molecular mechanisms of neuromediator secretion and reception as well as identification and investigation of new neurotoxins modulating the activity of various receptor systems and ionic channels.
The Laboratory's of Regulatory Peptides activity is focused on formatting of biologically active fragments of functional proteins examplified by the products of endogenous proteolytic degradation of hemoglobin.
The Laboratory of Synthetic Vaccines is mimicking the antiviral and antimicrobial immune response with synthetic peptides.
The Laboratory's of Membrane Bioenergetic Systems studies on gene expression, protein structure and protein-protein interactions are directed towards understanding of physiological importance of diverse ion-transporting membrane proteins and their isoforms. Current research projects include plasma membrane Ca2+-ATPase, non-gastric H+,K+-ATPase, Na+,K+-ATPase and proton-pumping nicotinamide nucleotide transhydrogenase.
The Laboratory of Biologically Active Substances Design pays its main attention to research of synthesis of high active and high selective substances - cyclic peptides, peptides modified with artificial amino acids possessing conformationally restricted side chains and mini-analogs (about 5-15 amino acid residues) of such high molecular weight peptides as insulin, parathyroid hormone, leptin et al.
The Laboratory of Molecular Bioengineering works at elucidating of the mechanisms of protein folding inside of the living cell. Other goal is to develop novel protein engineering methods for medicine.
The Laboratory's of Biocatalysis main fields are new biocatalysts, catalytic antibodies towards biopolymers; DNA-hydrolyzing autoantibodies, antibody engineering antibody proteases; enzymes of nucleic acids metabolism; investigation of kinetics of DNA supercoiling; enzymes of amino acid metabolism; changes of reaction pathways; molecular basis of autoimmunity.
The Laboratory's of Structure and Functions of Human Genes main areas of research are: studies of the human chromosome coding regions and structures of functional domains; human endogenous retroviruses roles in genome regulation and evolution; molecular and genetic mechanisms of reparative regeneration in planaria; synthesis of modified oligonucleotides and their use in biomedical investigations; computer analysis of human genome; structure-functional analysis of mRNA; study of destabilase, a thrombolytic enzyme from medicinal leech.
The Laboratory of Gene Chemistry studies structure-function relationship in human cytokines and colony-stimulating factors and their bacterial expression; synthesis of modified oligodeoxyribonucleotides for reversible immobilization on polymer supports.
The Laboratory of Gene Bioengineering is working at developing of methods for the synthesis of nucleic acids fragments and their analogues, as well as the construction of recombinant peptides and proteins and investigation of their properties.
The Laboratory's of Mechanisms of Gene Expression main areas of research are synthesis and expression of genetic determinants; nonradioactive labeling of nucleic acids; study of transcription apparatus in yeast.
The Laboratory of Molecular Bases of Embryogenesis focuses its activity on investigation of a novel subfamily of homeobox genes controlling early development of forebrain; investigation of a novel epidermis specific secreted factor, XEp-1; searching and investigation of novel genes regulating development of the primary embryonic inductor (Spemann organizer); identification and investigation of genes coding for gap junction proteins, connexins, in early zebrafish embryo.
The Laboratory of Transgenesis creates and studies transgenic animals producing biologically active proteins in the mammary gland.
The Laboratory of Carbohydrate Chemistry studies fundamental problems of glycobiology with the emphasis on a potential medical output, particularly, in diagnostics and therapy. The main directions are the oligosaccharide and glycoconjugate syntheses, carbohydrate-protein and carbohydrate-carbohydrate interactions, structure elucidation of glycoproteins carbohydrate chains, immunomodulating action of carbohydrate chains, search for and study of carbohydrate receptors on human cells, rational design of viral and bacterial adhesion inhibitors, study of selectins, monoclonal antibodies to biologically important carbohydrate antigens, and animal lectins.
The Laboratory of Lipid Chemistry deals with the synthesis of fluorescent and photoaffine lipid probes and their use in membrane studies; synthesis of antiviral and antitumor lipid compounds; studies of the influence of sphingolipids on the cancerogenesis processes.
The Laboratory of Oxylypins investigates oxylypins - lipid bioregulators originated from polyunsaturated fatty acids through at least one step of enzymic oxygenation. Synthesis of natural and modified oxylypins, development of new analytical procedures, investigation of the arachidonic acid cascade and structure-activity relationships in the field of bioeffector lipids are the primary goals.
The Laboratory of Organic Synthesis is engaged in the syntheses of monocyclic and polycyclic aromatic and heterocyclic compounds, as well as macrocyclic ones; the recent works are in the field of organoboron compounds.
The Laboratory of Mediators of Immune System performs an investigation of myelopeptides (MPs), bioregulatory molecules of the marrow origin. At present the main goal is isolation and structure-functional characterization of individual MPs, study of mechanism of their biological action, and selection, on their basis, of compounds prospective for creating drugs of the endogenous nature having directed correctional action without any side effects.
The Laboratory of Immunochemistry makes an investigation of molecular and cellular mechanisms of the biological activity of glucosaminylmuramyl peptides (in collaboration with the Laboratory of Peptide Chemistry); study of memory T-cells in infection; production and use of monoclonal antibodies for research and biotechnology.
The Laboratory of Biotechnology is working out technology of preparing low-molecular bioregulators; development of methods of the identification of biologically active compounds of the plant origin and the cell culture of plants; technology of chemical synthesis of peptides and nucleotides; biotechnology of recombinant proteins and factors determining the gene expression level in E.coli; studies antigenic properties of viruses of luteo and gordei groups using monoclonal antibodies (MA) in various immunoassay systems and develops highly sensitive test-systems on the basis of the MA obtained.
The Laboratory's of Polymers for Biology activity is focused on development of new chromatographic materials and efficient bioseparation processes; polymeric systems containing immobilized proteins and cells for medicine and biotechnology; systems for biochemical analyses, immunodiagnostics, nucleic acid hybridization analysis, cell receptor marking, and cell separation; polymeric monolayers and Langmuir films this photosensitive proteins and surface-active substances.
The Laboratory of Spectral Analysis.
NMR spectroscopy group's key areas of the research include:
development of methods for studying the spatial structure and molecular
dynamics of the membrane and water-soluble proteins; determination of basic
principles underlying formation of the protein structure and relationship
between the protein spatial structure, dynamics, and function.
Optical spectroscopy group's research is mainly directed to the development of new techniques basing on such methods of optical spectroscopy as circular dichroism, Raman scattering, fluorescence, resonance Raman spectroscopy (including UVRR), and surface-enhanced Raman scattering (SERS). Their applications to the determination of structure-functional properties of biological molecules and their complexes both in vitro and in living cells are being studied.
Protein engineering group studies interrelations between structure, function and stability of protein molecules as well as molecular mechanisms of protein folding and protein-protein recognition. The major techniques are the gene cloning, directed mutagenesis, bacterial expression and biochemical analysis of protein molecules.
Molecular modeling group workes at molecular modeling of globular and membrane proteins (force field simulations, homology building, structure predictions and threading), studies of protein solvation with a special accent on membrane-mimicking models, quantitative analysis of hydrophobic properties of proteins.
The Laboratory of X-Ray Analysis studies three-dimensional organization and structure-functional relations in proteins as well as low molecular biologically active compounds by the X-ray technique and computational and molecular graphics methods; theoretically conformational analysis of biologically active peptides.
The Laboratory of Electron Microscopy studies biopolymer structures
by electron microscopy methods at a molecular resolution level and by atomic
force microscopy.
Pushchino Branch
The Laboratory's of Protein Chemistry main fields of research are: studies of structure-function relationships of the proteins participating in visual signal transduction system, viz., cGMP phosphodiesterase, recoverin and rhodopsin kinase from bovine rods; isolation, identification, and structural investigation of an antiadhesion factor from the blood serum; structural features and functional role of the acute phase serum proteins.
The Laboratory of Peptide Chemistry deals with practical evaluation and fundamental studies of the swellographic monitoring technique; new synthetic approaches to variously constrained peptidemimetics.
The Laboratory of Neurochemistry studies molecular mechanism of neurosecretion in mammalian neural cells.
The Laboratory's of Plant Biotechnology main trends of the research are: structural and functional investigation of enzymatic methylation of plant DNA; development of artificial programs for expression of foreign genes in transgenic plants; development of methods for genetic transformation of various plant species; production of transgenic plants with novel, commercially valuable properties.
The Laboratory of Protein Structure Organisation studies processes of the polypeptide chains folding in the course their synthesis on the ribosomes and renaturation in the process of expression gene construction in different expressing systems and also development of the technology synthesis of polypeptides in the cell-free translation system and using it in biotechnology and applied scientific investigations.
The Laboratory of Molecular Aspects of Reproductive Immunology aims its research work at isolation and investigation of cytokinin-binding proteins from ethiolated maize coleoptiles.
The Laboratory's of Pharmacology main directions of studies are: mechanisms of action of pharmaceuticals; screening of biological activity of natural and synthetic compounds; preclinical studies of general and specific toxicity of biologically active substances in accordance with the GLP (Good Laboratory Practice) requirements.
The main research directions and production activities of Research and Production Section "BIOCENTER" are biotechnology in vitro and in vivo of experimental biomodels (EBM) of animal origin and methodology of nonclinical biomedical investigations, including screening of biological activity of new preparations important for medicine and veterinary, and their safety tests.
The main research tasks of Artificial Climate Station "BIOTRON" are the plant biotechnology together with high-quality virus-free planting material production and its use in industry, as well as modern technologies for plant cultivation in greenhouses. The efficient transformation methods have been developed for apple, pear, sour-cherry, strawberry, actinidia, carrot, chrysanthemum and carnation commercial cultivars. Some genes of different commercial traits were introduced in these horticultural crops: biotic (insects, fungi pathogenes), abiotic (frost, herbicide) stress resistance, improving yield quality (plant architecture, fruit taste, flower colour). The plant hormons function and antisense RNA technology usage for plant metabolism regulation are also the research subject of "Biotron"'.
The Institute envisages fundamental research of structure and function of biopolymers and low molecular bioregulators developing novel trends in bioorganic chemistry and molecular biology as well as in closely related fields of biochemistry, molecular genetics, neurobiology, immunology, cellular biology, etc. The Institute pays special attention to problems of vital importance for medicine, agriculture and certain industries. The basic studies performed at the Institute provided ground for introduction of modern biotechnologies in Russia such as production of recombinant proteins and other hightech products for medicine and agriculture. These include technologies of medical immunocorrecting preparations "Likopid" and "Myelopid", recombinant human insulin, genetically engineered "Reaferon" and many others.
The research performed at the Institute enjoys broad recognition both at home and abroad. Friendly ties and beneficial contracts are successfully developing with foreign scientists and academies, scientific institutions in the USA, Great Britain, France, Japan, Sweden and others. Over years the Institute carries out joint scientific projects in close contact with colleagues abroad. The young scientists of the Institute often visit leading international centres. Many investigations of the Institute are sponsored by international scientific foundations. In recent years, the Institute has extensively collaborated with foreign commercial organisations. There are agreements about joint investigations, and common laboratories are founded.
The leading scientists of the Institute are elected honorary members of academies, honoris causa doctors of foreign universities, members of international scientific societies and editorial boards.
The Institute and its Branch are actively engaged in training young specialists. In their science-educational centres leading scientists deliver lectures on such major problems of modern physico-chemical biology as structure and function of biopolymers (first of all proteins and nucleic acids), genetic and protein engineering and biotechnology, molecular bases of immunology, as well as membranology and applied informatics. Advances in molecular structure studies and mechanisms of their biological action are also of big attention. Computers and automated systems for research are widely applied in the training course. In modern laboratories of the centres students not only master their knowledge in the experiment but also participate in research, the scientific seminars and colloquia, the best - in annual competitions of young scientists and specialists. Their facilities provide a research basis for some departments and chairs of various higher schools: M.V.Lomonosov Moscow State University, Moscow Institute of Physics and Technology, M.V.Lomonosov Moscow State Academy of Fine Organic Compounds, I.M.Sechenov Moscow Medical Academy and others. In the Science-Educational Centre of the Institute more than 1000 students and graduate students have been trained.
Constantly developing, striving for renovation and perfection, the Institute tries to keep pace with the times, and although still faced with numerous problems, never ceases in its search.