Laboratory for Chemical Synthesis and Catalysis

• We have produced new geroprotectors – substances capable of increasing lifespans of animals.
• With have synthesized macrocyclic substances with antibacterial properties.
• Our researchers have investigated a click reaction (i.e. the reaction that easily flows even in biological environments of organisms) that leads to formation of new links between various molecules and that is catalyzed by biological objects, in particular, bu the adenosine receptor.
• We have tested a number of substances synthesized at the Laboratory for their antifungal activity. The research has shown that criteria of sensibility to the Candida parapsilosis strain ATCC 22019 meet the requirements of GOST R ISO 16256-2015 and «A. fumigatus ATCC 46645 Clinical and Laboratory Standards Institute document M38-A2». Howevr, the clinical isolates of Microsporum canis VGNKI 19, Trichophyton rubrum VGNKI 2002 are resistive to fluconazole, but show activity towards ketoconazole. Comparative evaluation of the activity and the spectrum of active in vitro with respect to fungal strains including dermatophytes for new synthesized substances and agents for comparison of fluconazole and ketoconazole has shown that compounds showing activity with respect to Candida parapsilosis comparable to fluconazole are the most promising. Unlike fluconazole, new substances suppress growth of filamentous fungi.

Implemented results of research: Results of our research can be used for synthesis of new antibiotics, antifungal and other types of medications, producing biologically active supplements for extending lifespan.

Education and career development:

• Two candidate dissertations have been defended
• Four educational courses have been developed: «Synthesis of specialized heterocyclic compounds», «Cell-to-cell signaling systems», «Medical chemistry», «Basics of medical chemistry».
• Four members of the academic staff have been admitted to the postgraduate school. 
• We have organized career enhancement and occupational retraining. Four people have completed training at the courses.

Organizational and structural changes: The Laboratory is part of the Living Systems Center of the Moscow Institute of Physics and Technology. Molecules synthesized by the academic staff of the Laboratory that have been selected by medical chemists and bioinformaticians are now undergoing tests in bioscreening laboratories, development of innovative medications and laboratory pre-clinical tests at the Living Systems Center of the Moscow Institute of Physics and Technology.

Collaborations:

• Moscow State University (Russia), Institute of Bioorganic Chemistry of the Russian Academy of Sciences named after academicians M. M. Shemyakin and Yu. A. Ovchinnikov (Russia), University of Southern California (USA), Scripps Research Institute (USA): joint research and publications