RUDN University biologists received nanogold for medicine and agronomy
Gold nanoparticles can be used in delivery systems for anticancer drugs, as biosensors, in the creation of muscle tissue, and in other areas of modern medicine. In addition, gold nanoparticles also have an antifungal effect. This may be useful in agriculture to combat pathogenic fungi that attack plant crops. However, the antifungal properties of nanogold have still been largely unexplored. RUDN University biologists, together with colleagues from Iran, obtained gold nanoparticles from endophytic fungi, that is, fungi that live on plants and do not interfere with their vital functions. The resulting particles turned out to be an effective remedy against pathogenic fungi.
“Endophytic fungi are potential sources of bioactive substances that are used in medicine, agriculture, industry, and biology. Their derivatives exhibit antitumor, immunomodulatory, antituberculosis, antiviral and antidiabetic activity. Therefore, the study of endophytes living on various plants will make it possible to discover new useful compounds. At the same time, endophytes are easier to cultivate than other microorganisms,” Meysam Zargar, Candidate of Agricultural Sciences, Associate Professor of the Department of Agrobiotechnology of RUDN University.
RUDN biologists made endophytes living on the peach tree the source of nanogold. Biologists studied the effect of the resulting nanoparticles against the pathogenic fungus Rhizoctonia solani, which affects, for example, rice and potatoes.
Nanogold was able to destroy up to 93% of the pathogen. The experiment showed a direct dependence of efficiency on the number of nanoparticles: the maximum is achieved at a concentration of 80 micrograms per milliliter, and a concentration 8 times less can destroy 15% of the pathogen.
“Fungal-assisted biosynthesis opens the door to the development of sustainable and environmentally friendly gold nanoparticles with antibacterial properties. Their influence on crops is of growing interest and requires careful study. Our results provide a basis for the development of nanoparticle-based agents. They can provide a platform for future research, commercialization of products and hopefully help take a step towards sustainable agriculture,” Maysam Zargar.
The results were published in the journal Molecules.
Imagine a world where everyone has enough food, clean water, access to education, and decent work. A world where nature is protected and the future of our planet is cared for. These are the Sustainable Development Goals—to achieve a sustainable future for all! To this end, in 2015, the United Nations (UN) defined 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). The SDGs are a global plan that helps countries and people work together towards a better future. All 193 UN member states have joined the plan.
Researchers from the Faculty of Artificial Intelligence at RUDN University conducted a large-scale study that revealed systemic errors in large language models (LLMs) when diagnosing depression based on text. This work, carried out in collaboration with colleagues from AIRI, Federal Research Center “Computer Science and Control” of the Russian Academy of Sciences, Ivannikov Institute for System Programming of the Russian Academy of Sciences, Moscow Institute of Physics and Technology, and MBZUAI, not only identifies the problem but also lays the foundation for the creation of more reliable and secure tools for detecting depression and anxiety.
Alexandra Sentyabreva, a junior researcher at the Laboratory of Cell Technologies and Tissue Engineering at RUDN Research Institute of Molecular and Cellular Medicine at the Russian University of People's Friendship, won the competition for young scientists at the All-Russian Scientific Conference “Topical Issues of Morphogenesis in Norm and Pathology.” She was awarded the Academician A.P. Avtsyn Prize.
Imagine a world where everyone has enough food, clean water, access to education, and decent work. A world where nature is protected and the future of our planet is cared for. These are the Sustainable Development Goals—to achieve a sustainable future for all! To this end, in 2015, the United Nations (UN) defined 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). The SDGs are a global plan that helps countries and people work together towards a better future. All 193 UN member states have joined the plan.
Researchers from the Faculty of Artificial Intelligence at RUDN University conducted a large-scale study that revealed systemic errors in large language models (LLMs) when diagnosing depression based on text. This work, carried out in collaboration with colleagues from AIRI, Federal Research Center “Computer Science and Control” of the Russian Academy of Sciences, Ivannikov Institute for System Programming of the Russian Academy of Sciences, Moscow Institute of Physics and Technology, and MBZUAI, not only identifies the problem but also lays the foundation for the creation of more reliable and secure tools for detecting depression and anxiety.
Alexandra Sentyabreva, a junior researcher at the Laboratory of Cell Technologies and Tissue Engineering at RUDN Research Institute of Molecular and Cellular Medicine at the Russian University of People's Friendship, won the competition for young scientists at the All-Russian Scientific Conference “Topical Issues of Morphogenesis in Norm and Pathology.” She was awarded the Academician A.P. Avtsyn Prize.