Laboratory of Comparative Cytology

HEAD Igor Yu. DOLMATOV, Dr. Sci. Biol.

STAFF numbers 9, including 5 Cand. Sci.

RESEARCH OBJECTIVES: Study of cellular mechanisms of the regeneration and growth processes, their dynamics and regulation in the somatic tissues of marine invertebrates in relation to life cycles, ecology and taxonomy.

A new approach to the study of the processes of physiological and reparative regeneration, cell proliferation and differentiation in the marine invertebrate tissues has been developed in the course of many-year research under the leadership of Dr. N.L.Leibson. Among various taxa, species and natural states have been found as well as experimental models (holothurians) developed which are promising for analysis of the mechanisms and cell sources of regeneration. Some renewing systems have described for molluscs and echinoderms. Most of the intestinal epithelia of the animals have diffuse cell reproduction and are devoid of topographically separated cambial zones. The evolutionary significance of this initial organization of the epithelial layer is substantiated. Dr. Le terocoelodermal tissue type) in holothurians and, probably, some other animals. Annual cyclic changes in the physiological regeneration and deep structural reorganizations of the tissues have been discovered.

The seasonal dynamics of proliferation in a number of molluscs and echinoderms have been studied for the first time for marine invertebrate tissues. Studies have begun on the use of marine invertebrate tissues as promising sources and targets (test objects) of growth factors and some possible agents for the medicinal purposes.

Phone: 31-11-78