Department of isotopic analysis is a service division, it supports researches of scientific divisions of the Institute in biochemistry and molecular biology. The division help becomes inevitable when radioactive substances and novel radiation measuring techniques (from low-energy β-radiators like 3Н, 14С, 32Р, 33Р, 35S etc.) are essential. Unique instruments and acquisition systems developed by department's staff make measurements the radiation from complicated biological objects and macromolecules possible.
Own research work of the Department is linked to investigation of chromatin structure and its modification under effect of different chemical and physical agents. Important features of apoptosis process in the model plant system were described as well as the role of H1 histone in epigenetic regulation of major processes in the cell.
Physicochemical properties of desoxyribonucleoproteid which mimic DNA-histone interaction were described in different environmental conditions. DNA-protein contacts in the chromatin were studied and some of them were identified with the help of cross-linking agents (UV-light, γ-radiation and heavy metals). The behavior of preformed cross-links was observed after a cross-linking agent was removed. For the case of ionizing radiation it was shown that speed and efficiency of reparation of DNA crosslinks depend on tissue kind, stage of cell cycle and radiation properties.
Novel phenomenon was discovered: decrease in amount of DNA-protein crosslinks when mice were exposed to both Zn2+-cations and chronic γ-radiation in comparison to effect of distinct agents. Nonlinear kind of modifying of different biochemical characteristics under prolonged chronic radiation (model of low-dose effect), in several evidences of hormesis-effect was found.
Structure of chromatin and RNA-polimerase II content were determined in Physarum polycephalum culture in exponential phase of growth at different stages of cell cycle. Naturally synchronous culture appeared to demonstrate specific phenomenology having traits of apoptosis.
Recent studies focus at behavior of H1 histone upon apoptotic aging of сoleoptiles of wheat seeds; specific features of this object as compared with animals were described.
Grants and projectsOwn scientific researches of the department were supported by RFBR.
PrizesAdvances of the Department were marked with awards of GKNT (USSR), Minvuz (USSR) and different research contests (scientific and methodological).