New fields of investigation (2021 – 2023).

1. Research of controlled magnetic nanocomplexes to rise the effective surface for loading with biologically active compounds and selecting the coating of magnetic nanoparticles to increase their biocompatibility. Headed by Dukhopelnikov E.V.
2. Using the molecular docking method to study the molecular mechanisms of the effect of a certain class of drugs on blood plasma proteins and SARS-CoV-2 coronavirus proteins (main protease and proteinase). Headed by Khmil N.V.
3. The use of machine learning and pattern recognition methods to analyze film textures to reveal the relationship between structural changes and biopolymer aggregation with quantitative characteristics of zigzag patterns. The results of this approach are necessary for research on the relationship between the structural and aggregation state of biopolymers and the quantitative characteristics of the textures of films formed during the drying of biopolymer solutions. Headed by Glibitskiy D.M.

At the present time several research groups are working on the following topics at the Department:

• investigation of the physical mechanisms of interaction of biologically active substances with biopolymers, which structures are formed with the participation of hydrate-ion environment using vibrational spectroscopy and piezogravimetry (headed by Semenov M.A., Maleev V.Ya.) and EHF dielectrometry (headed by Kashpur V.A., Maleev V.Ya.);
• study of the thermodynamics of complex formation of nucleic acids with biologically active substances using microcalorimetry (headed by Bereznyak E.G.) and spectrophotometry in the UV and visible regions (headed Gladkovskaya N.A.);
• computer modeling of the structure and energy of biologically active substances, biopolymers and their complexes (headed by Shestopalova A.V.).

In 2005-2014 new subjects emerged:

• study of the problem of protein-nucleic acid recognition (headed by Shestopalova A.V., carried out by Boriskina E.P., Zhitnikova (Tkachenko) M.Yu.);
• study the fractal properties of structures of biopolymers obtained from solutions with varying humidity, temperature and concentration of biologically active substances (headed by Glibitskiy G.M., carried out by Gasan A.I., Glibitskiy D.M.);
• investigation of the mechanisms of influence of GHz and THz electromagnetic fields on biological objects of various organization levels (headed by Kolesnikov V.G., carried out by Khmel N.V.)

New fields of investigation (2016 – 2020).

1. Surface modification of iron oxide nanoparticles with mediator coatings for giving them colloidal stability and functional properties. Creation of the protocol for obtaining stable nanoparticle-coating complexes (ultrasonic dispersion). Headed by Dukhopelnikov E.V.
2. Studying the properties of biosystems containing modified magnetic nanoparticles of iron oxide and biologically active ligands by UV-, visible spectrophotometry and IR spectroscopy. Headed by Bereznyak E.G.
3. Textures of films of biopolymer-salt systems: quantitative analysis of physical and chemical influences. Headed by Glibitskiy G.M.
4. Research of connection of vital activity of microalgae of open reservoirs of Kharkiv region with indicators of solar and geomagnetic activity and substantiation of expediency of use of the fulfilled lubricating and cooling liquids for development of a technique of their revitalization using methods of microwave dielectrometry (f = 37,7GHz) and acoustic “sweep” (f = 20¸19000 Hz). Headed by Kolesnikov V.G.
5. Computersimulationbymoleculardockingandmoleculardynamicsofthereceptor-bindingdomainoftheSARS-CoV-2 coronavirusS-proteincomplexeswiththeACE2 receptorinthepresenceofantiviralligands.Computer simulation by molecular docking and molecular dynamics ofbindingofligandsspecificfortheSARS-CoV-coronavirusS-proteinwithotherSARS-CoV-2 proteins. Headed by ShestopalovaG.V.