Russian University creates a bank of biomolecules for new drugs

Print 25 September 2017
GMP News

The research activities of Genomic and Regenerative Medicine Center established at the School of Biomedicine in the Far Eastern Federal University (FEFU) will be based on unique natural resources of the Russian Far East. The scientists will study the biodiversity of the region, including marine organisms, create a bank of biomolecules for new drugs, and introduce innovative diagnostic and treatment methods into routine medical practice.

“Health care is closely linked to biodiversity, as different species contain molecules that serve as the basis for potential drugs. With diminishing biodiversity, we lose several important medications every year; this is why we need to study as many species as possible in terms of their medical use. We have already started collecting samples of microorganisms, studying their impact on human health, and creating a bank of biomolecules for designing and introducing new drugs,” said Alexander Kagansky.

Currently, the Center conducts research on the effects produced by the extracts of several little-studied Far Eastern organisms on the development of cancer cells in human brain. The samples of tumors obtained at the FEFU Medical Center will be adapted for growth as a cell cultures in laboratory and exposed to the drugs. The study will demonstrate how the chemical compounds found in the natural extracts affect the molecular mechanisms in tumor cells. Alexander Kagansky noted that these studies are largely unique and, in Russia, such scientific experiments are conducted for the first time.

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