The Department consists of:
The Department of Medical Biotechnology of the Institute of Experimental Medicine was established in 2013. The main goal of the Department is to create a scientific and experimental base for the development of innovative medicines using genetic engineering technologies. The department’s research is aimed at identifying promising molecular targets, designing candidate molecules based on experimental and bioinformation data, synthesizing genes, creating producer strains, developing protein isolation and purification technologies, developing pharmaceutical substances, and developing finished dosage forms. The department organizes preclinical and clinical studies of developed drugs.
The Department of Medical Biotechnology works closely with other departments of the Institute, implementing joint projects. The department works on the development of vaccines based on recombinant antigens, monoclonal antibodies, interferons, peptide drugs, preparations based on plasmid DNA using non-viral delivery systems, defensins and drugs for the regeneration of various body tissues. The development of new drugs is carried out on the basis of bacterial synthesis (polypeptides, preparations based on plasmid DNA), as well as on the basis of eukaryotic synthesis (monoclonal antibodies, glycosylated proteins).
Specialists in the field of pharmaceuticals, genetic engineering, biochemistry, biotechnology, design and deployment of pharmaceutical industries, medicine, medical genetics are among of the research assistants of the Department. The research team has a big experience in the development, studying of biochemical and immunological properties of drugs based on recombinant DNA, proteins, monoclonal antibodies, and experience in preclinical studies. Research assistants of the Department developed highly effective vector systems for creating targeted gene therapy drugs and recombinant proteins.
The Department is involved in the development, optimization of production and preclinical studies of the following innovative drugs:
- a drug based on a peptide antagonist to the orexin receptor to suppress alcohol dependence (in conjunction with the Department of General Pathology and Pathological Physiology);
- candidate recombinant vaccine against pneumococcal infection (together with the Department of Molecular Microbiology);
- a candidate polyvalent vaccine based on conservative proteins for the prevention of infections caused by group B streptococci (together with the Department of Molecular Microbiology);
- drugs based on monoclonal antibodies for therapy with carcinomas;
- a drug candidate for the prevention of tuberculosis based on recombinant proteins and DNA.
The results of the research activities of the department are reflected in a large number of scientific articles, and are also protected by copyright certificates and patents of the Russian Federation. The department has modern equipment necessary for carrying out biotechnological developments: fermenters, “cell factories”, centrifuges, analytical and preparative chromatographs, laminar boxes, freeze drying, etc.
The activities of the Department of Medical Biotechnology are supported by the programs of the Russian Academy of Sciences and the Federal Target Program ‘Development of the pharmaceutical and medical industries of the Russian Federation for the period up to 2020 and beyond’, by external investors, including pharmaceutical companies ‘Usolye-Sibirsky Chemical-Pharmaceutical Factory’, ‘Groteks’, ‘Pharma VAM’, ‘Pharma Gene.’