HSE Faculties of Chemistry and Biology and Biotechnologies to Open Joint Departments with RAS
The HSE Academic Council has approved the establishment of joint departments with five institutes of the Russian Academy of Sciences (RAS) at the new Faculties of Chemistry and Biology and Biotechnologies of HSE. Students will gain access to laboratory equipment and learn how to conduct modern research and develop new technology and medicines.
A joint department with the Shemyakin–Ovchinnikov Institute of Bioorganic Chemistry of the RAS will open at the HSE Faculty of Biology and Biotechnologies. Alexander Gabibov, RAS member, will head the department.
At a meeting of the HSE Academic Council, Alexander Gabibov said that the Institute carries out large biotechnological production and has a license from the Ministry of Industry and Trade for the development of genetically engineered medicines. The Institute specializes in computer biology and the creation of antidotes, the study of human and animal microbiota (development of new antibiotics), engineering of T-cells and so on. ‘We pay special attention to the institute laboratory equipment — we have modern systems of bioimaging,’ adds Gabibov. ‘In my view, students and doctoral students should learn by using modern equipment.’
Joint departments with four RAS institutions will open at HSE Faculty of Chemistry.
Andrey Yaroslavtsev, RAS Corresponding Member, will head the Joint Department of Inorganic Chemistry and Material Science with the RAS Kurnakov Institute of General and Inorganic Chemistry. He stresses that the department is going to involve junior students in the department’s work and organize internships for them.
The Joint Department of Organoelement Chemistry with the Nesmeyanov Institute of Organoelement Compounds of Russian Academy of Sciences will be led by Denis Chusov, Leader of the Effective Catalysis Group at the Institute. He notes that he will draw upon his personal experience while organising students’ training. ‘The educational path I took led me from chemical lyceum to university to RAS, and I experienced all the advantages and disadvantages of this sequence,’ explains Chusov.
The Joint Department of Petrochemistry and Polymers of the Topchiev Institute of Petrochemical Synthesis of the Russian Academy of Sciences will be headed by Albert Kulikov, Deputy Director of the Institute. ‘We have various equipment,’ he says. ‘And most importantly, we hope students of our department acquire not only knowledge, but publications in peer-reviewing journals and patents as well.’
Professor Igor Svitanko will head the Joint Department of Organic Chemistry with the RAS Zelinsky Institute of Organic Chemistry. ‘There are two institutes of the highest international rank at the Academy of Sciences — the Institute of Bioorganic Chemistry and the Institute of Organic Chemistry,’ he says. ‘Both institutes cooperate with HSE, and this is definitely a positive thing.’
Admission to the Faculty of Chemistry and the Faculty of Biology and Biotechnologies will begin in 2019. The Bachelor’s programmes in Chemistry and Cellular and Molecular Biotechnologies offer 30 state-funded places for each programme.
See also:
Biologists at HSE University Warn of Potential Errors in MicroRNA Overexpression Method
Researchers at HSE University and the RAS Institute of Bioorganic Chemistry have discovered that a common method of studying genes, which relies on the overexpression of microRNAs, can produce inaccurate results. This method is widely used in the study of various pathologies, in particular cancers. Errors in experiments can lead to incorrect conclusions, affecting the diagnosis and treatment of the disease. The study findings have been published in BBA.
Ruthenium Complexes Can Accelerate the Development of New Medicines
A group of scientists at INEOS RAS, HSE University, and MIPT have synthesised catalysts containing a ruthenium atom and an aromatic ring. The scientists have isolated the mirror forms of these catalysts and investigated their effectiveness in producing heterocycles, which are commonly found in the structures of drugs. The research findings have been published in Chemical Communications.
Researchers Discover Genetic Bridge between Ancient and Modern Populations of North Caucasus
Although the North Caucasus played a crucial role in the ancient colonisation of Eurasia and the shaping of its cultural and genetic heritage, the genetic history of its indigenous cultures has not yet been fully explored. Scientists have, for the first time, conducted deep sequencing of ancient DNA from members of the Koban culture that emerged in the late Bronze Age in the North Caucasus and compared this genetic data with that of modern populations of the Caucasus. Their findings confirm the role of Koban culture carriers as an ancient genetic bridge between the Bronze and Iron Ages in the North Caucasus. The study has been published in the European Journal of Human Genetics.
Russian Chemists Develop Luminous Pseudosandwich Composed of Rare Earth Metals
A team of Russian researchers has successfully synthesised a new class of complex compounds of rare earth elements. Unlike other lanthanide compounds, the resulting substances are highly soluble in most organic solvents. These novel compounds can find application in organic and organometallic synthesis, as well as in the production of new luminescent materials. The study has been published in Inorganic Chemistry.
Scientists Devise Cheaper and Easier Method for Synthesising Layered Rare Earth Hydroxides—'Chemical Sandwiches’
Researchers at HSE University and the RAS Kurnakov Institute of General and Inorganic Chemistry have developed a simplified and cost-effective method for synthesising layered rare earth hydroxides using propylene oxide. This reagent helps streamline the process and reduce its duration by several hours. In the future, this method is expected to facilitate the synthesis of various hydroxide-based hybrid materials, including photocatalysts for water purification and luminescent materials for solid-phase thermometers. The paper has been published in the Russian Journal of Inorganic Chemistry.
‘Digital Chemistry Is the Cutting Edge of Science’
In 2024, a new track ‘Digital Chemistry and Artificial Intelligence Technologies’ will open within the Bachelor’s programme in Chemistry. This track will offer courses in digital engineering, multi-scale modelling, chemometrics, and chemoinformatics, as well as big data and artificial intelligence technologies. Specialists from HSE University, Zelinsky Institute of Organic Chemistry, Moscow Institute of Physics and Technology, and Peter the Great St Petersburg Polytechnic University will be among the lecturers.
Chemists Improve Membranes for Water Treatment and Desalination
Chemists at HSE University, Kurnakov Institute of General and Inorganic Chemistry, and the University of Science and Technology of China have developed membranes with enhanced properties. The researchers experimentally revealed the impact of various factors on the desalination process and on the selectivity of ion separation. According to the study authors, their research will enable a more precise prediction of the properties of new ion-exchange membranes used in water treatment and desalination. The study findings have been published in Desalination.
Early Molecular Diagnosis of Cancer Proven More Cost-Effective Than Subsequent Treatment of Advanced Disease
Applying expensive diagnostic methods in clinical practice will ultimately cost society 5 to 10 times less than the expenditures associated with late-stage cancer treatment, including subsequent disability pensions and sick leave payments—these are the findings from a study conducted by researchers at the HSE Faculty of Economic Sciences Marina Kolosnitsyna and Anastasia Vladimirskaya in collaboration with colleagues at EVOGEN, a medical genetic laboratory, and the Department of Health of the Yamalo-Nenets Autonomous Okrug. The study results have been published in Social Aspects of Population Health.
Scientists Discover Cause of Metastasis Formation in Patients with Colorectal Cancer
An international team of researchers including scientists at the HSE Faculty of Biology and Biotechnology has identified factors which can increase the aggressiveness of tumours in patients with colorectal cancer. An isoform of CD44 protein has been found to play a pivotal role in the development of metastases. The study findings have been published in Molecular Oncology.
Scientists Have Developed a Model of Malignant Prostate Tumour and Used It to Test Drug Efficacy
Researchers from HSE University and the Russian Ministry of Health National Medical Research Radiological Centre have successfully generated a three-dimensional laboratory model of prostate cancer and used the model for testing an anti-tumour drug. In the future, this approach has the potential to significantly enhance the efficacy of cancer treatment for patients. The study’s findings have been published in Cancer Urology.