International Research Centre «Piezo- and Magnetoelectric Materials»

As a result of the implementation of the project, we expect to achieve breakthrough research results determining a significant scientific groundwork for the Russian researchers in the field of the development of unique materials that, by virtue of direct physical impacts or their combination or a combination of those with targeted drug delivery, can be used for the control of the growth and differentiation of various types of cells;

The obtained fundamental knowledge will, at the next stage, allow to use these effects for the treatment of diseases that require the recovery of nervous and smooth muscle tissue and the inhibition of tumour development.

As a result, we will produce new hybrid piezoactive materials with enhance electrophysical and physico-mechanical characteristics for stem cell differentiation control and/or somatic cell transdifferentiation (for instance, into nerve or soft muscle cells) using physical effects (piezoelectric charge, ultrasound impact, temperature) generated by developed materials.

The impact of an external magnetic field on piezoelectric hybrid materials in the form of nano-particles and scaffolds will be studied. We will also identify the laws of the impact of the surface charge and polarity on cell differentiation and the delivery of medications to cells in in vitro experiments;

We will conduct a genome-wide study of the influence of physical impact on the gene expression profile, which will allow not only to describe the effects observed in biochemical systems in detail but also to determine the mechanisms of those effects.

We will propose new types of materials and structures for targeted drug delivery to cells, organs, and tissues of the organism as well as for controlled dosage drug delivery.

It is expected that the laboratory will patent the developed technologies as well as register know-hows not only for the methods of their production but also for means of targeted drug delivery and controlled release of pharmaceuticals with parameters exceeding the known counterparts.

The creation of the laboratory will aid the formation of a cluster that is currently non-existent in the Siberian Federal District whose main objective is conducting world-class studies in the domain of the development of piezo- and magnetoelectric materials for biomedical applications.