Laboratory studies a relationship between a structure and a function of lipids – the main component of the cell membrane. Basing on the study researchers create lipid conjugates with biologically active molecules (including drugs), surfactants, lipids which have reporter groups (lipid probes are unique instruments for scientific research) etc.

Fluorescent and photoaffinity lipid probes, designed taking into account the properties of lipid membranes, are developing by use of effective synthetic schemes. Today researchers are creating advanced drug delivery systems for nanomedicine.

The laboratory is equipped with everything necessary for analysis (HPLC and GC) and chemical synthesis of lipids (including rare devices for oxidation by singlet oxygen and ozonation).

In the field of synthesis, isolation and purification, study, and most importantly - the use of substances derived Lipid Laboratory collaborates with other laboratories of the IBCh RAS, as well as with the Moscow Technological University (MTU), Moscow State University (MSU), The Pirogov Russian National Research Medical University  (RNRMU), Saratov and Nizhny Novgorod Universities, N.F. Gamaleya Research Institute for Epidemiology and Microbiology, Gel'mgol'ts Institute of Ocular Diseases, N.N. Blokhin Russian Cancer Research Center, University of Umea (Sweden), Hormel Institute (USA), University of Liège (Belgium) and others.

Laboratory was created in 1963, just four years after the founding of the Institute. Lev D. Bergelson headed a new Laboratory. He was able to hold a tremendous amount of work to systematize methods of isolation of lipids from natural sources, study the structure and develop the chemical synthesis of lipids and their analogues. He also made a serious progress in the field of studying the structure and function of biological membranes, the role of lipids in various pathologies. In 1991 the Laboratory was headed by Julian G. Molotkovsky who contributed greatly to the development of fluorescent lipid probes. Since 2009 the Laboratory headed by Elena L. Vodovozova is mainly engaged in a pharmaceutical development.

Experience accumulated over 50 years, in fact, created over the years a scientific school, allows to finding unconventional solutions in the field of lipid chemistry and successfully deal with the challenges.

• Creating nanoscale systems of targeted delivery drugs based on liposomes, lipophilic prodrugs and lipophilic glycoconjugates (Figs. 1 and 2). Targeted liposomes surpassed original drugs and liposomes free of a carbohydrate ligand, in the antitumor effect (Fig. 3).

• Synthesis of new fluorescent lipid probes; studying structure and functions of membranes, and patterns of excitation energy transfer between the fluorophores using these probes (Figs. 4 and 5).

• Was realized the synthesis of unsaturated natural fatty acid based on stereochemistry of the Wittig reaction.

• Was found the phenomenon of dedifferentiation the lipid composition of organelles of cancer cells (L.D. Bergelson, E.V. Dyatlovitskaya).

• Was studied a spread and a role of a new class of diol lipid (L.D. Bergelson and V.A. Wawer).

• Was synthesized and proven a structure of bacterial lipoamino acids and performed the synthesis of unsaturated phosphatidylinositol (L.D. Bergelson and J.G. Molotkovsky).

• Was studied topology of membranes using NMR-spectroscopy (L.D. Bergelson and L.I. Barsukov in collaboration with V.F. Bystrov).

• Was discovered and proved the structure of a new class of bacterial ornithine-containing lipids (L.D. Bergelson and S.G. Batrakov).

• Was synthesized and used in biological studies a large range of fluorescent and photoaffinity lipid probes (L.D. Bergelson, J.G. Molotkovsky, E.L. Vodovozova, I.I. Mikhalyov, I.A. Boldyrev).

• Was developed a targeted liposomal delivery to the tumor of lipid-modified anti-cancer agents (J.G. Molotkovsky, E.L. Vodovozova, G.P. Gayenko in cooperation with N.V. Bovin).

• Was shown that the developed liposomal drugs are hemocompatible (N.R. Kuznetsova, E.L. Vodovozova in collaboration with the University of Liège and Nanomedicine Center in Budapest).

• Was shown in vivo (in the model of Lewis lung carcinoma) that the antitumor effect of the 100 nm liposomes designed on the basis of natural phospholipids and lipophilic melphalan prodrug and bearing selectin ligand sialyl Lewis X (SiaLeX) tetrasaccharide, was caused by the specific antivasсular effect in tumor tissue (E.L. Vodovozova, N.R. Kuznetsova in cooperation with N.V. Bovin and N.N. Blokhin Russian Cancer Research Center).

• Was shown (on the model of human umbilical vein endothelial cells) that SiaLeX-liposomes loaded with a lipophilic melphalan prodrug selectively deliver drug to cells activated by tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-α) (A.S. Alekseev, E.L. Vodovozova in cooperation with the Institute N.F. Gamaleya Research Institute for Epidemiology and Microbiology).

• Was studied the function of the reopened ceramide-1-phosphate-transporting protein (C1P), widely distributed in mammalian tissues using a set of fluorescently-labeled phospholipids and glycolipids. Was shown that C1P modifies phospholipase A2 activity and mediates the biosynthesis of eicosanoids (J.G. Molotkovsky in collaboration with the Institute of Hormel and others).

Fig. 2. Electron micrographs of the replicas of freeze fracture surfaces of (A, a) MTX-DG- and (B, b) Mlph-DG-containing liposomes.

Fig. 3. Weekly survival dynamics of BLRB mice with grafted mammary adenocarcinoma in different experimental groups (n=10). Mice were treated iv on the 3^rd and 7^th days after tumor cells inoculation. Groups: 1 — merphalan (sarcolysine); 2 — empty liposomes; 3 — liposomes + prodrug; 4 — liposomes + prodrug + SiaLe^X-conjugate; 5 — liposomes + SiaLe^X-conjugate; Control — physiological solution.

Fig. 4. Set of fluorescent probes for membrane studies across the bilayer. Plots in grey — order parameter profiles for the set in bilayers of different composition.

Fig. 5. Structure of the BODIPY–FL–C3–GM1 ganglioside, the fluorescent raft marker.

Current Grants:

RNF № 14-15-00128 “«Gate» of blood-brain barrier: mechanisms of regulation, their dependence on the state of the body and age, methods of correction by supramolecular transport systems". Performers:  E.L. Vodovozova; leader institution: Saratov State University.

RFBR № 15-04-07415-a "Study of lipid-protein interactions in biological membranes and cells with a fluorescent lipid probes". Head: J.G. Molotkovsky.

RFBR № 16-04-01585-a "Studies of the fate of antitumor liposomes loaded in the bilayer with lipophilic prodrug of methotrexate in human plasma". Head: E.L. Vodovozova.

RFBR № 15-33-20523 "New fluorescent indicators of activity and substrate specificity of different types of phospholipase A2". Head: I.A. Boldyrev.

RFBR № 16-34-01237 "Study the mechanisms of penetration into cells and intracellular trafficking of liposomal forms of lipophilic methotrexate prodrug". Head: A.S. Alekseeva.

Selected publications (show all)

All publications (show selected)

Scientific projects

Elena Vodovozova

• Russia, Moscow, Ul. Miklukho-Maklaya 16/10 — On the map
• IBCh RAS, build. 34, office. 532
• Phone: +7(495)330-66-10
• E-mail: Elvod@ibch.ru