In prof. C. Schmitt’s laboratory, molecular mechanisms of cell’s response on stress are studies.
In prof. C. Schmitt’s laboratory, molecular mechanisms of cell’s response on stress are studies.
In the laboratory headed by K. Khrapko, particular interest is paid to the role of mtDNA somatic mutations in human aging. Scientists investigate the amount of mtDNA mutations in individual cells. Using such approach — evaluating the amount of mtDNA mutations in individual cells — it was found that the level of mtDNA deletions in human pigmented neurons was very high. Among other research guidelines of the laboratory, there are studies focused on mtDNA recombination and studies of mtDNA using microarrays. It is generally assumed that mtDNA mutations are created in the cells where those mutations are currently found. However, it was shown that cells with a particular mtDNA mutation tended to «cluster». Cells of those clusters are usually descendants of the single sell. Thus, mutations in mtDNA do not appear the cells of a cluster, but in progenitor cells, such as stem cells, or even earlier in the development. MtDNA mutatios in progenitor cells may be one of the major sources of mtDNA mutations in healthy aging tissue.
Many mitochondrial diseases are provoked by structural and functional changes in the complex I. Therefore, the major aim of the studies, T. Yagi’s team conducts, is to develop a therapy for compensation of the complex I defect. The most promising method is transfection with NADH gene of yeasts (Saccharomyces cerevisiae). That gene consist of one subunit (Ndi1) responsible for the NADH to
The main guideline of R. Freitas work is development of medical nanorobots for the diagnostics, the repair of damaged tissues, cells and organs (including those after cryopreservation), DNA analysis and correction, and elimination of bacteria and viruses. Using modern technologies, the manufacturing of nanorobots may start in the next 15–20 years. R. Freitas believes that the size of the device should not exceed 1×1×3 µm (without locomotor flagellums). Molecular manufacturing that uses nanotechnologies will enable to solve the problem of any organ treatment and restoration at the molecular level. Moreover, this technology will help to create artificial blood cells and cells with new functionality (for example, respirocytes that will help the human to breath underwater). In addition, it will help to stop the use of antibiotics in the treatment of any infectious diseases, cure cancer and heal any wounds, it will help to replace chromosomes and so, it will deliver people from genetic diseases. Nanorobots will enable to remove defects that have accumulated in the organism and cause aging. As the result, nanorobots may considerably prolong human youth and life span.
G. Forgacs is one of the leading scientists in the Organ Printing Project. Considerable part of his papers is devoted to study of physical mechanisms which underlie biological
The major research area of O. Srivastava’s laboratory is the study on the role of
It has been known long ago that inhibition of TOR enlarges life span of invertebrates, particularly yeasts, nematodes and fruit flies. However, it has remained undecided for a long time whether inhibition of TOR enlarges life span of mammals. In the experiments carried out by D. Harrison’s team, TOR was inhibited by rapamycin. Three groups of genetically heterogeneous mice were used in the study. It was found that the life span considerably increased in the mice of all three groups: females showed 14 % increase, while males showed 9 % rise. As far as we now know, inhibition of TOR activates macroautophagy. That study has shown for the first time that inhibition of TOR enlarges life span of mammals, not only that of invertebrates.
The major research area of prof. A. Ryazanov is signaling molecules and protein synthesis, and their connection to cell growth, differentiation and aging. The scientist examines certified medicines only. If compounds having positive effect on life extension are found, the researcher won’t have to certify them again as they are already used in clinical practice. Finding of this study have not been published yet. In the future, this scientific project will probably be expanded. Clinical and histological analysis, as well as postmortem examination will be conducted in order to reveal how different compounds affect pathogenesis of cancer and age-related diseases. At the moment, A. Ryazanov leads the project on the large-scale screening of more than a thousand of medicines allowing to analyze their life extension effect in mice.
Prof. A. Hollander and his team have taken part in the creation of the world’s first bioengineered trachea as they have prepared autological chondrocytes. Monolayer culture of mesenchymal stem cell obtained from the patient’s bone marrow (BMSC), was grown in the chondrogenic medium where the cells differentiated into chondrocytes. Then the cells were plated at the decellularized donor framework using a bioreactor. A. Hollander and his colleagues have shown for the first time that chondrogenesis of adult stem cells can be induced by synthetic retinoic acid receptor inhibitor LE135, so pharmacological regulation of chondrogenesis is possible. According to A. Hollander’s hypothesis,
A. Moskalev’s team carries out investigation in the field of radiation genetics and gerontology. A. Moskalev’s team has studied an adaptive response (changes in the life span) to