Laboratory of Cell Biophysics

Scientific Head: Dyachuk V.A., leading researcher, Cand. Sci. Biol.

The general field of research of the Laboratory of Cell Biophysics is aimed at elucidating the mechanism of the unique ability of bivalve adductor muscle to be in the contracted state for a significant period of time without energy expenditures. As part of the general field, a study is currently carried out on the properties and functions of all proteins of thick and thin filaments in the adductor muscle contractile apparatus.

The approaches and methods used include the latest and classical methods of biochemistry and biophysics: biochemical methods for obtaining tissues, isolation, purification and identification of proteins (homogenization, selective extraction, analytical sedimentation, liquid chromatography, urea and SDS polyacrylamide gel (PAGE) electrophoresis, PCR, and western blot); biophysical and biochemical techniques for studying the properties of isolated proteins and their complexes (colorimetry, fluorimetry, densitometry, viscometry, measurement of ATPase activity by the Hers method, as well as determination of size and optical density of protein polymers).

The object of research is the contractile apparatus of the adductor muscle in bivalves such as Gray's mussel and Yesso scallop. The main location of studies is the Vostok Marine Biological Station on the coast of picturesque Vostok Bay, Sea of Japan/East Sea, near the city of Nakhodka.

Information provided by the senior researcher I.G. Vyatchin.