Research 033306-3-000. “Analysis of samples obtained from the external surface of the International Space Station (ISS) for the presence of biological macromolecules (DNA, RNA of microorganisms) on the basis of molecular analysis using specific primers of particle-size and elemental chemical composition of space dust. Molecular-biological and phylogenetic analysis of DNA detected in samples from the outer surface of the ISS”. The research was carried out on the premises of Pharmaceutical and Toxicological Chemistry Department of RUDN Medical Institute.
The elemental analysis of the test samples was carried out on the basis of X-ray fluorescence spectrometry. The works were made on EDX-7000 Shimadzu energy dispersive X-ray fluorescence spectrophotometer (Japan) based on a silicon-based drift detector with thermoelectric cooling.
Thus specified elemental composition of the sample was compared with that obtained by an accredited elemental composition analysis method i.e. the atomic absorption spectrometry. The analysis was made on Specter AA-800 spectrometer with electrothermal atomization and Zeeman background correction with acidic cinefaction in a microwave oven.
The results have suggested for the first time the presence of holmium in significant concentrations in extraterrestrial dust. Given the fact that this lanthanide is very rare on Earth, its unexpectedly high presence in the sample can be only accounted for by an assumption that the ISS surface collects some interplanetary space dust and "coarse interplanetary cosmic dust" i.e. the meteoroid substance.
The following methods have been introduced in the curriculum as part of the discipline "Environmental Toxicology" and included in "Chemical Toxicology" textbook:
- application of cellular bio-sensors to determine xenobiotics toxicity;
- use of deuterium depleted water as a controlling factor in pharmacokinetics and toxicokinetics of xenobiotics;
- use of PCR (polymerase chain reaction) in diagnostics and treatment monitoring;
- physico-chemical monitoring of aerosols in the assessment of sanitary-and-hygienic state of the environment.
A General Pharmacopoeia entry 1.2.1.0008.15 Determination of Particle Size Distribution Using Laser Light Diffraction Method included in the new edition of the State Pharmacopoeia of the Russian Federation – SP XIII, 2016.
A new pharmaceutical composition for the prevention and treatment of tuberculosis.
Introduction into clinical and veterinary practice of over thirty diagnostic systems for molecular diagnostics of infectious agents endemic for Russia and tropical countries, including those of the whole range of hemorrhagic fevers.
Method for conclusive identification of aqueous solutions of medicinal drugs, mineral waters and spirits without opening the package. This method has found an unexpected application in the industry in the detection of ultra-low concentrations.
Research into a unique systemic property of living matter – the emission of thermal neutrons by biomass with species-specific daily cycle.
Methods for identification of ultra-low quantities of substances, in particular, bacterial DNA and RNA elemental composition.