Moscow Institute of Physics and Technology

Laboratory for Molecular Cell Biology and Optogenetics

Biophysics Structural Biology Optogenetics

Head of Laboratory

Vlasov, Alexey Valeryevich

PhD in Physics and Mathematics

CoLab

Publications

Citations

215

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Lab website

We are engaged in optogenetics of cellular organelles, development of new optogenetic tools, structural and functional characterization of proteins and large protein complexes. We use methods of structural and cellular biology, bioinformatics and protein modeling to develop the most promising tools for controlling cell physiology and bioenergetics. Our team consists of young ambitious specialists, recently defended candidates of sciences, graduate students and students of MIPT, each of them complements the team with their unique talent and unwavering passion for discovery.

Isolation and purification of target proteins
Dynamic light scattering (DLS)
Protein crystallization
Small-angle X-ray scattering
Patch clamp
Work with eukaryotic cells: transfection, obtaining stable cell lines
Recombinant protein expression
Creation of genetically engineered structures for the expression of target proteins
Flash photolysis
Fluorescence microscopy
Protein crystallography

Alexey Vlasov 🥼 🤝

Head of Laboratory

Alexander Kuklin

Leading researcher

Anastasiia Vlasova

Senior Researcher

Fedor Tsybrov

Junior researcher

Anatolii Mikhailov

Junior researcher

Diana Bagaeva

PhD student

Siarhei Bukhalovich

PhD student

Stepan Osipov

PhD student

Alexandra Polyakova

PhD student

Vsevolod Sudarev

PhD student

Margarita Gette

Student

Oksana Tilinova

Student

Andronika Minaeva

Student

Anastasiia Gromova

Student

Sergey Ivashchenko

Student

Research directions

Optogenetics of cellular organelles

Development of new optogenetic tools for regulating the work of cellular organelles in a noninvasive way using light, characterization of physiological changes in cells using new optogenetic tools.

Structural and functional characterization of new rhodopsins

Rhodopsins are photosensitive membrane proteins, ion channels and pumps, which are actively used for optogenetics tasks. As part of this task, we carry out the search and characterization of new rhodopsin by methods of structural biology and biophysics (protein crystallography, small-angle X-ray scattering, patch clamp, flash photolysis, etc.).

Structural and functional studies of ATP synthase

ATP synthase is the most important protein complex that determines the bioenergetics of organisms. As part of this task, we are searching for ways to control the functioning of ATP synthase.

Self-assembling protein complexes based on ferritin

Ferritin is a globular protein complex responsible for the absorption of iron in many organisms. We are exploring the possibilities of using ferritin as a carrier for various applications such as drug delivery and the development of new recombinant medicines.