English page
Laboratory of Optics & Dynamics of biological systems is a part of the Department of Physics of Novosibirsk State University, Novosibirsk, Russian Federation. We are also a part of the "Nonlinear Photonics and Quantum Technologies" research unit.
The lab was created in November 2016 in order to advance research in biophotonics. Head of lab is Alexander Moskalensky, PhD in biophysics (2015). The lab gather together professionals in chemistry, medicine and biology. Here we are.
Our main goal is to advance biophotonics for research and therapy.
Research areas
- We develop and apply photolabile ("caged") compounds to study dynamics of cell reaction
For instance, we study activation of blood platelets. It is necessary to trigger activation with high precision in time and space because it is a rapid process and intercellular communication is also of interest. Optical triggering using caged agonists satisfies these requirements. Read more about our study of platelet activation.
- We perform biophysical simulations to understand complex processes, from the mechanics of platelet shape change during activation to the light scattering by biological cells.
- We develop novel optical nitric oxide donors to be used for therapy (photopharmacology).
This direction was originally intended for treatment of diabetic microvascular complications because it may provide otically controlled local vasodilation and thereby improve blood flow in, e.g., lower extremities. However, nitric oxide is a common mediator in biology; therefore, these photoactivatable NO donors may be also useful for research of living organisms, including plants.
Our Trello board
Projects
- Grant of the President of Russian Fedaration for state support of young Russian scientists МК-4020.2021.1.2: "New photoactive compounds to combat novel coronavirus disease (COVID-19) using methods of biophotonics" - RUB 1.2M, 2021-2022
- Russian Science Foundation grant #18-15-00049: "Dynamic study of platelets and leukocytes activation to reveal cellular mechanisms of microvascular diabetes complications and develop novel non-invasive therapy strategies" - RUB 18M, 2018-2020; prolongation - RUB 12M, 2021-2022
- Grant of the President of Russian Fedaration for state support of young Russian scientists МК-1715.2018.2: "Development of photonic technologies to manage status and properties of biological cells" - RUB 1.2M, 2018-2019
- The laboratory was kindly supported by the NSU in frames of Russian 5-Top 100 project from 2016 to 2020.
Key publications
See our full publication list.
