A Guide to the Russian Academy of Sciences - University of Texas ...

RESEARCH OBJECTIVES: Study of the composition, distribution, pathways of
biosynthesis, and biological activity of lipids of marine organisms and
development of methods for lipid separation. A micro technique for lipid analysis
has been developed, which is now widely applicable in different laboratories of
Russia and abroad. General patterns of the distribution of polar lipids and fatty
acids in main types of marine invertebrates and divisions of marine macrophytes
have been elucidated. Methods of the separation of polyenoic fatty acids and some
other physiologically active lipids from sea raw matter have been worked out.
16. LABORATORY OF CELL BIOPHYSICS
HEAD Nikolai S. SHELUDKO, Dr. Sci. Biol.
STAFF numbers 11, including 1 Dr. Sci., 5 Cand. Sci.
RESEARCH OBJECTIVES: Investigation of the mechanisms of functional specialization
of contraction systems by modeling; development of methods of marine invertebrate
cell culture that can be useful for the production of biologically active substances.
Optic characteristics of the molecular contraction models, myofibrils, natural and
synthetic actomyosin, and their changes in the process of functioning of models
have been investigated. Conditions of the long-term cultivation of some cells of
marine invertebrates have been developed on the basis of optimization of the
composition of culture media.
17. LABORATORY OF WATER PLANT PHYSIOLOGY
HEAD Eduard A. TITLYANOV, Dr. Sci. Biol., Professor.
STAFF numbers 14, including 1 Dr. Sci, 4 Cand. Sci.
RESEARCH OBJECTIVES: Study of photosynthesis in marine plants and reef-building
corals with the aim of controlling their productivity. Research into the mechanism
of light adaptation of aquatic plants and corals is being carried out. The primary
production of photosynthesizing organisms in various ecological conditions and
the utilization of primary production in the processes of growth, life
maintenance and excretion are estimated. The donor-acceptor relationships
between the general life function and photosynthesis are examined at different
stages of the life cycle of algae. Considerable attention is paid to the physiology
and ecology of commercially valuable algae species producing agar and alginic
acid. Recommendations have been given with respect to the rational exploitation of
the natural commercial fields of agar-producing alga Ahnfeltia. In Vietnam, research
on the physiology and improvement of the techniques for growing of agarproducing
algae Gracilaria is being conducted and the dynamic structure and
production characteristics of natural Sargassum growths are being studied. Marine
expeditions to the South China Sea and other areas of the Pacific and Indian Oceans
have been organized to study the production ecology in various species of
photosynthesizing plants and reef-building corals.
18. LABORATORY OF SYSTEM ANALYSIS
HEAD Aleksandr M. BRONEVSKY (SKII) , Cand. Sci. Biol.
STAFF numbers 7, including 2 Cand. Sci.
RESEARCH OBJECTIVES: Investigation of the structure and dynamics of biological
systems with the use of the methods of system analysis and automation of scientific
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