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.