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News 
- science news TLR2 and Zinc: A Surprising Partnership in Immune Signaling
March 31 A team of scientists from the Laboratory of Biomolecular NMR Spectroscopy at the Institute of Bioorganic Chemistry of the Russian Academy of Sciences, in collaboration with researchers from China, has made a breakthrough in understanding the function of Toll-like receptor 2 (TLR2), a key component of the innate immune system. Their study, published in FEBS Letters, reveals that TLR2 exhibits a previously unknown ability to bind zinc ions with high affinity and specificity. Toll-like receptors (TLRs) serve as the first line of defense in the immune system by recognizing pathogens and initiating immune responses. Despite extensive research, the precise molecular mechanisms governing TLR activation remain elusive. The newly identified zinc-binding capability of TLR2 provides fresh insights into its regulatory mechanisms. The researchers also identified specific amino acids essential for zinc coordination and TLR2 function, highlighting a potential link between zinc homeostasis and immune activation. These findings suggest that zinc plays a critical role in modulating TLR-mediated immune signaling, opening new avenues for research into immune system regulation and potential therapeutic applications.
- science news Potent painkiller from spider venom
March 6 A whole family of peptides with completely unexpected activity has been discovered in spider venom. These peptides inhibit mammalian purinergic receptors with high affinity and selectivity. A peptide called purotoxin-6 (PT6) from the venom of the crab spider Thomisus onustus inhibits P2X3 receptors, an important pharmacological target in a number of pain syndromes and chronic cough. PT6 has a compact fold and exhibits a potent analgesic effect in animal models of osteoarthritis and trigeminal neuralgia. At the same time, unlike small-molecule P2X3 ligands that are being developed as drugs, purotoxin does not cause dysgeusia, i.e., distortion of the sense of taste. Research on purotoxins began at the Institute of Bioorganic Chemistry some 20 years ago under the supervision of Academician Eugene Grishin and was successfully continued by Alexander Vassilevski. The results, unique on a global scale, were published in Molecular Therapy.
- science news On Selectivity of K+-channels: How Do Proteins Know About the Square Antiprism?
February 24 Potassium channels are one of the major players in the transduction of the nerve impulse, and mutations in their genes lead to neurological and cardiovascular diseases. The most important feature of K+-channels is their highest selectivity for K+ over Na+ and other cations. In the new work, members of the Group of in silico Analysis of Membrane Proteins Structure and the Laboratory of Molecular Instruments for Neurobiology analyzed all known 3D-structures of membrane proteins. As a result, the key principle of K+-channel selectivity filter architecture was confirmed: within it, oxygen atoms of the protein backbone are arranged in a chain of square antiprisms, replicating exactly the solvation geometry of the potassium ion. Distortion of the filter, for example during inactivation, is detected by the algorithm developed by the authors, which can be used for structural classification.
- science news Breakthrough in Preeclampsia Modeling: From 2D Cultures to Placenta-on-a-Chip
February 5 Preeclampsia is a serious pregnancy complication characterized by hypertension and multi-organ involvement in pregnant women. This condition occurs in 2–8% of all pregnancies and remains one of the leading causes of maternal and perinatal mortality. Despite decades of research, the exact mechanisms of its development are not fully understood, and existing therapeutic strategies remain only partially effective. A new study published by a team of Russian scientists led by Evgeny Knyazev, Polina Vishnyakova, Olga Lazareva, and Alexander Tonevitsky provides an overview of modern cellular models of preeclampsia and their potential in the search for new diagnostic and therapeutic approaches.
- science news Alexander Vassilevski is elected as the Chair of the European Section of the International Society on Toxinology
December 4, 2024 The International Society on Toxinology (IST) unites scientists and clinicians studying venoms, poisons, and toxins from all over the world. The society was founded in 1962. It organizes world and regional congresses, publishes the journal Toxicon, and sponsors the prestigious Redi Award.
- science news Upregulation of cholinergic modulators Lypd6 and Lypd6b associated with autism drives anxiety and cognitive decline
November 18, 2024 A duplication of the chromosomal region 2q23.q23.2, carrying LYPD6 and LYPD6B genes, leads to intellectual disability and autistic features. Researchers from the Neurotransmitter and Neuroreceptor Bioengineering Laboratory, Shemyakin-Ovchnnikov Institute of Bioorganic Chemistry of RAS together with colleagues from Lomonosov State University and Institute for Biomedical Problems of RAS, used a mouse model to study the consequences of overexpression of the Lypd6 and Lypd6b proteins in the brain, which is typical for patients with autism and other neuropsychiatric disorders.
- science news Origin, Evolution and Diversity of φ29-like Phages
October 11, 2024 The application of the definition of taxonomic species to the description of evolutionary history of biological objects with chimeric genomes is a difficult task. The limited period of the existence of species and the lability of viral genomes can also make attempts to reconstruct the evolutionary history almost pointless. The processes of genetic exchange seem to be especially pronounced in temperate phages, but genetic rearrangements between evolutionarily close groups of phages can also affect φ29-like phages. However, we can try to plot the evolutionary traits of genes encoding separate essential proteins and their stable complexes.
- science news Two-dimensional high-throughput on-cell screening of immunoglobulins against broad antigen repertoires
July 12, 2024 Identifying high-affinity antibodies in human blood serum is a non-trivial task due to the extremely small number of circulating B-cells with the specified specificity. A team of scientists from the IBCh RAS proposed an effective approach that allows for the identification of high-affinity antibodies against pathogen proteins while simultaneously mapping epitopes, even in the absence of information about the structure of the pathogen's immunogens. To screen therapeutic antibodies in the blood of recovered donors, only the pathogen's transcriptome is needed to create a polypeptide library of antigens displayed on the surface of a bacteriophage. The work was published in the journal Communications Biology.
- science news Synthesis of Substituted 1,2,4-Triazole-3-Thione Nucleosides Using E. coli Purine Nucleoside Phosphorylase
July 4, 2024 Scientists from the departments of biotechnology and structural biology (IBCH RAS) and Institute of the Chemistry of Plant Substances (Uzbekistan), and D. I. Ivanovsky Institute of Virology synthesized a series of substituted 1,2,4-triazole-3-thione nucleoside analogs and tested their antiviral activity against herpes simplex virus.
- science news “Molecular portraits” characterized functional states of TRPV ion channels
June 28, 2024 TRPV ion channels realize a huge variety of functions in the human body participating in the temperature and pain sensation, cell division, calcium uptake. Researchers from IBCh RAS and Columbia University analyzed the structure of the key TRPV domain – the ion conducting pore. Using the original “dynamic molecular portrait” approach, they identified three major states of the pore that are common for all TRPVs, called α-closed, π-closed, and π-open. It was shown that the α-closed state is the most hydrophobic and always nonconducting. While the π-closed one is less stable and can easily transit to the open state, which has favorable hydrophobic properties for the ion conduction. The results were published in Communications Chemistry.
Events 
- science news "Molecular Brain" seminar
September 8, 2023 (This event is over) The seminar will take place on 08 September at 15:00 in the Minor hall. Professor Naira Ayvazyan, Director of the Orbeli Institute of Physiology of NAS RA (Yerevan, Armenia), will talk about the research conducted at this center. In particular, she will touch on the mechanisms of poisoning with snake venom. Everyone is cordially invited.
- science news "Molecular Brain" seminar, Epilepsy and channelopathies: from molecular mechanisms to the clinic and back
September 22, 2022 (This event is over) The seminar will take place on September 22 at 16:00 in the Minor hall. Three presentations will focus on the current understanding of epilepsy and channelopathies and will consider various aspects: molecular and physiological mechanisms, as well as approaches to therapy. Everyone is cordially invited!
- science news Seminar “Molecular brain”: Allan Kalueff
May 12, 2022 (This event is over) Комментарии: 1Seminar “Molecular brain” resumes its work after the long delay caused by pandemic of new coronavirus infection. However, all the people who are liking to listen lectures on-line, can participate via zoom-translation (link). The seminar will be held on the 12th of May at 3 pm in the Small lecture hall (3rd floor, BON, IBCh). Everyone is welcome!
- science news Gene therapy 2.0: AAV beyond monogenic gene correction
February 4–5, 2022 (This event is over) Founding and managing partner of 4BIO Capital - Dmitry Kuzmin - will make a presentation in conference room 04 Februry 2022 at 15:00
- science news Lipids 2021 Conference
October 11–13, 2021 (This event is over) Lipids 2021 Conference, October 11-13, 2021, IBCH RAS, Moscow
- science news "Molecular Brain" seminar dedicated to Eugene Grishin’s 75th anniversary
April 27, 2021 (This event is over) The open seminar of the Department of Molecular Neurobiology will take place on April 27 at 11:00 in the Great Assembly Hall. The program includes presentations by colleagues, students, friends and associates of Eugene Grishin. We cordially invite everyone interested in modern work in the field of toxins, ion channels and neurobiology! Live broadcast in Zoom.
- conferences International School "Molecular mechanisms of neurodegenerative diseases"
November 26, 2020 (This event is over) Moscow Institute of Physics and Technology (MIPT) invites you to take part in the International school for young scientists "Molecular mechanisms of neurodegenerative diseases", which will be held on November 26, 2020 online.
- science news Lecture by Director-General of the ICGEB Lawrence Banks «Human Papillomaviruses: From Infectious Entry to Malignancy»
January 27, 2020 (This event is over) ICGEB Director-General Group Leader Lawrence Banks will deliver a lecture entitled «Human Papillomaviruses: From Infectious Entry to Malignancy». Date and time: Mon 27 January 2020 14:00. Location: Small conference hall at 3rd floor BON IBCh.
- science news LIGHTS ON: Molecular Imaging of disease dynamics in vivo
September 27 October 11, 2019 (This event is over) Abhijit De PhD Scientific Officer ‘F’ and Principal Investigator Head, Molecular Functional Imaging Lab Advanced Centre of Training Research and Education in Cancer, Tata Memorial Centre, Kharghar, Navi Mumbai, India.
- science news Seminar "Molecular Brain": Anton Maximov
October 8, 2019 (This event is over) The seminar will be held on the 8th of October at 3 pm in the Small lecture hall (3rd floor, BON, IBCh). Everyone is welcome!