Laboratory of Cytophysiology and Pharmacology

HEAD Yuri S. KHOTIMCHENKO, Dr. Sci. Biol.

STAFF numbers 26, including 3 Drs. Sci., 11 Cand. Sci.

RESEARCH OBJECTIVES: Study of the molecular and cellular mechanisms that regulate the proliferation, growth and maturation of the gametes and of the processes of deterioration of the somatic and sex cells under the influence of heavy metals, petroleum hydrocarbons and radionuclides; primary pharmacological assessment of biologically active substances from animals and plants; development of new food additives and medicinal preparations.

It has been established that the monoaminergic, cholinergic and peptidergic neurosecretory systems are involved in regulating the reproduction in echinoderms and bivalve molluscs. The properties of the adenylate cyclase system in oogenesis and early embryonic development of sea urchins and starfishes have been described.

A biotechnology for obtainig of the mature sex cells of sea urchins and bivalve molluscs under artificial conditions has been worked out. Methods for toxicological assessment of soils, bottom sediments and sea water has been developed using the embryonic development of sea urchin as a model.

Phone: 31-09-06; 31-09-34; 31-09-91; 31-11-86; 25-34-18