Academician of RAMS
 Vladimir I.Ioffe
(1898-1974)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

  

Head of the Department
Artem A. Totolian,
prof., Academician RAMS

E-mail:  totolian@labtech.spb.ru
 

The Department of molecular microbiology was founded in 1985 in the process of reorganization of the Laboratory of the microbial genetics set up earlier in 1975. The microbiological science at the Institute was started at its very first days. It should be borne in mind that essentially the Institute of Experimental Medicine was created first of all as a microbiological research institution.

The Department of molecular microbiology represents a center on studying the genetics of pathogenic streptococci and pathogenesis of the diseases caused by them. The significance of streptococci is determined by their role in the genesis of mixed infections, allergic complications, septic processes, total infectious morbidity and invalidization of population. In the whole world there is not a country with a low streptococcal pathology as well as there is no field of medicine free of this infection. However, the social-economic damage caused by it is higher than that caused by intestinal infections and virus hepatitis taken together.

On its basis a scientific school was created taking into account the necessity of a long-term development of this field of science on the basis of the traditions of scientific creative work, succession of generations of scientists, development of new technologies and training young scientific personnel of the highest level of proficiency. The school in question originated from another school of a well-known microbiologist and immunologist, academician of the USSR Academy of Medical Sciences V. I. Ioffe, who developed problems of infections in children. For a short period of time the Department has entered into the international (USA, Sweden, Germany, Czech Republic, Slovakia, China) association on studying streptococci.

In September 1993 the Department organized the XII-th Lancefield International Symposium on Streptococci and Streptococcal Diseases (LISSSD) in St-Petersburg. About 300 scientists from 37 countries  were present.

In the Department there are two laboratories:

  • laboratory of molecular biology and genetics of microbes — head academician A. A. Totolyan;

  • laboratory of genetics of pathogenic microorganisms — head doctor of medical sciences, professor A. N. Suvorov.

The school created by academician A. A. Totolyan on studying molecular genetics and mechanisms of streptococci as pathogens of a widely spread pathology of man is the only national and one of the recognized in the world schools for studying the problem at the molecular-genetic level. Artem Totolyan is an Honorary member of the society of microbiologists of Czech Republic and Slovakia (1995), rewarded with a Silver medal of the Russian Academy of natural sciences (1998); awarded to a title "Honored science worker of the Russian Federation" (1999), Diploma of the Oklahoma University (2002); elected Honoris doctor of IEM (2004), rewarded with the "Order of Friendship" (2004).

Results of applied investigation during last years:

  • by use of original recombinant domain of streptococcal G protein, binding only human serum albumin, new rapid quantitative method (as sensitive as immunological one) for microalbuminuria measuring at diabetic nephropatia have been developed;

  • by use of original recombinant domain of streptococcal G protein, binding only human IgG1-4, new quantitative method of IgG titration, where anti-IgG antibodies were substituted by IgG Fc receptor protein, have been developed; with this technique highly purified human IgG preparations were obtained;

  • the similar approach was used for IgA titration in materials (biopsy and secreted fluids) taken from patients;

  • the variants of polymerase chain reaction to reveal Mycobacterium tuberculosis, Helicobacter pylori, and Coxiella burnetii in biological materials have been developed.

The Department has vast international links with the scientists from USA, Sweden, China and Slovakia on general and particular genetics of pathogenic streptococces, on molecular diagnostics, on investigation of the mechanisms of streptococcal diseases and it's complications. These interactions are based on the scientists exchange and is supported with grants.

The main directions of research are :

  • general and particular genetics of pathogenic streptococcs of different groups

  • immunologic consequances of streptococcal pathology

  • mechanisms of host-parasit interactions

  • characteristics of streptococcal cell wall proteins,their interaction with serum proteins

  • production and research of biological activity of microbial cell products by means of gene engineering and biotechnology

  • elaboration of genetic and serological methods of pathogenica microorganisms diagnostics