The current studies of the Department of Biotechnology are listed below.
1. The role of cell bathing medium as a sensor for biological effect of weak signals on cells.
Methods:
· Conductometric recording of specific electrical conductivity (SEC) of water solutions,
· Cryoscopy method of recording heat fusion of water solutions (Biophys- 1);
· Micro-calorimetric method for determination of specific heat capacity of water solutions (Biophys-1);
· X-ray Rontgen diffraction method (Computerized recording of DRON-4);
· Potenciometric method for determination of CO and O solubility in water;
· Luminescent method for determination of reactive oxygen species in water solution;
· Photometric determination of intracellular ionic concentration;
· Specific drying method for determination of cell hydration;
· Isotope method fro recording ionic fluxes through cell membrane;
· Current and Voltage Clamp Computerized recording of plant cell electrical activity (Biophys-4);
· In vivo recording of intracellular ionic composition by intracellular ion-selective microelectrodes;
· Patch-clump recording of electrical activity of E.Coli membrane (in the process of elaboration);
2. The Study of the Role of Cell Hydration in Regulation of Microbes sensitivity to toxic effect of chemical factors (Microbiology).
3. The Study of the mechanism of non-thermal effect of MMW on plant seeds' germination potentials
4. The study of the nature of metabolic pathway responsible for mechanical sensitivity of sperm membrane (Reproductive cells).
Projects:
· Observation of the Changes of the Water Structure in the Magnetic Field by the Use of X-Ray Diffraction Method.
· The comparative study of low intensity Millimeter Wave Terahertz and Infrared effects on physicochemical properties of water and water solutions.
· The Application of Hydrogel as a Non-Ionizing Radiation Sensor.
· Molecular and cellular mechanisms of possible non-thermal biological effect of extremely high-power microwave pulses (EHPP)
· Synthesis of new organic semi conducting polymer materials having high radiowave absorption rate.
Methods:
· Conductometric method for recording specific electrical conductivity of water solutions (Conductometer ‘’Biophys-1’’ elaborated by the Institute of Radiophysics and Electronics of Armenian NAS, Yerevan, Armenia),
· Cryoscopic method for recording heat fusion of water solutions (thermometer Byiophys- TT, production of LSIPEC, Armenia),
· Micro-calorimetric method for determination of specific heat capacity of water solutions (Biophys- MWD-001, Yerevan Armenia),
· X-ray Rontgen diffraction method (Computerized recording of DRON-4),
· Potenciometric method for determination of CO2 and O2 solubility in water (for determination of CO2 solubility, Dissolved Oxygen Meter ‘’World Precision Instruments Inc.’’ Barasota, USA),
· Luminescent method for determination of reactive oxygen species in water solution (1450Micro- Beta liquid scintillation counter ‘’Wallac Og, Turku, Finland)
· Photometric determination of intracellular ionic concentration (PFM Y 42)
Projects:
· The molecular and cellular study of ELF EMF effect on the functional activity and biotechnological properties of industrial microbes.
· Investigation of the mechanisms of CO2/H2O2 on growth inhibition of Escherichia coli and the possibility of using these phenomena as an innovative tool for water purification.
· The study of the effects of cell hydration increase as a potential factor able to elevate sensitivity of Escherichia coli K-12 biofilm to toxins and a novel method for water purification from microbial pollution.
Methods:
· Isotope method for recording ionic fluxes through the cell membrane
· Isotope method for counting the number of agonist receptors on membrane
· Standard microbiological methods
· Immunoassay method for determination of intracellular messengers
· Patch-clump method for recording electrical activity of E. Coli membrane (in the process of elaboration).
Projects:
· On the Modulation Effect of Pulsing and Static Magnetic Fields and Mechanical Vibrations on Barley Seed Hydration
· The Study of the Activation Effect of Low Frequency of EMF On Barley and Wheat Seeds Germination Potential
· The effect of low frequency of modulated MMW on plant seeds' germination.
Methods:
· Specific drying method for determination of cell hydration
· In vivo recording of intracellular ionic composition by intracellular ion-selective microelectrodes
· Isotope method for recording ionic fluxes through the cell membrane
· Current and Voltage Clamp Computerized recording of electrical activity of plant cell (Biopsys-1)
Projects:
· The comparative study of mechanical vibration-induced activation of rabbit, pig and bovine sperm velocities.
· The study of the nature of infrasound effect on bull sperm motility
· Patch-clamp study of Ca2+ turnover in mechanical vibration-induced activated bovine sperm cells.
Methods:
· Current and Voltage Clamp method for Computerized recording of oocytes' activity;
· Patch-clump recording of neuronal and sperm membrane activity;
· In vivo recording of intracellular ionic composition by intracellular ion-selective microelectrodes;
· Luminescent microscopic method for recording intracellular concentration of Ca ions;
· Photometric determination of intracellular ionic concentration;
· Specific drying method for determination of cell hydration;
· Isotope method for recording of ionic fluxes through the cell membrane;
· Isotope method for counting the number of agonist receptors on membrane;
· Immunoassay method for determination of intracellular messengers.