Plant physiology

Research interests Structural and genetic mechanisms of adaptive regulation of plant growth and development in evolution of root systems and nitrogen-fixing nodules. Plant meristem identities and cell differentiation. Phytohormone signaling. Basic principles and ancestral molecular-genetic mechanisms of plant morphogenesis. Adaptive developmental strategies of plants. The laboratory conducts comprehensive research in the field of cell biology and molecular genetics of development: - modern methods of light, fluorescent and confocal laser scanning microscopy; - analysis of gene expression by PCR in real time; - cloning of genes of interest and localization of their expression at the cellular level; - obtaining transgenic plants using agrobacterial transformation; - genetic editing of CRISPR/Cas9.

The OBK of the IGF RAS provides comprehensive scientific research in the field of biotechnology of higher plants. The OBK of the IGF RAS includes three sections: preparatory, production and finished product receiving section, equipped with both domestic and imported equipment.

The main focus of the laboratory is the creation of technologies for optical imaging, the development of new approaches and algorithms for automating the analysis of imaging data, as well as the creation of fluorescent and luminescent reporter tools based on genetic technologies. Imaging plays an important role in visualizing the physiological and pathological processes of cells in normal conditions, as well as their response to drug prototypes being developed, including antiviral ones. The platform includes the development of genetically encoded biomolecular sensors used to study protein-protein interactions in living cells.

Microclonal reproduction of rare plant species of the Kaliningrad region and reintroduction, cell and tissue culture in vitro, study of secondary metabolites in in vitro cultures.

The main area of research is related to the study of secondary metabolites of plants and their antioxidant properties.

The laboratory preserves the traditions of classical embryology, saturating them with new directions, methods and approaches. Much attention is paid to the mechanisms of regulation of the development of reproductive structures and the solution of questions about the morphogenetic potentials of their cells and the possibility of switching development programs. The emphasis is on the analysis of various phenomena in reproduction such as the cenospory of the female gametophyte, apomixis, polyembryonia, genetic heterogeneity of seeds, monocotyly and their role in the evolution of reproductive structures. Research is underway in the field of conservation of biological diversity and the creation of biotechnological foundations for the reproduction of rare and resource-rich plant species.