Research Laboratory of Bioprosthetics and Cardiac Protection

Yana Toropova, PhD in Biological Sciences
Head of Laboratory

The Research Laboratory of Bioprosthetics and Cardiac Protection closely works with other laboratories of the Experimental Medicine Institute as well as with scientific and clinical units of Almazov Centre in the following areas:

• Developing the technologies for magnetic targeted delivery of drugs of various pharmacological classes to the affected area, namely to the ischemic myocardium, skeletal muscle, and to malignant neoplasms of hollow organs.

• Assessing the hemodynamic significance of stenosis of the great vessels based on clinical ultrasound scans, physical and numerical modeling.
• Developing the technologies for contact hemomodulation and low-volume hemoperfusion for the treatment of patients with various conditions.
• Studying the systemic effects of the gastrointestinal hormone profile following various types of bariatric surgery.

Key achievements

As part of the Translational Medicine Cluster, the Research Laboratory of Bioprosthetics and Cardiac Protection collaborates with St. Petersburg Electrotechnical University (LETI) on the development of technologies for magnetic targeted drug delivery to the ischemic myocardium and tumors. In 2015–2016, the researchers investigated the potential of magnetic nanoparticles for targeted drug delivery. Together with the specialists of the Institute of Molecular Biology and Genetics, they studied the cytotoxicity of various types of magnetic nanoparticles. Data on the biocompatibility and biodistribution of magnetic nanoparticles synthesized in various ways were obtained and published. Together with the specialists of Nanotechnology Laboratory, the researchers developed the concept of magnetic drug delivery to the ischemic myocardium and adapted the methods for perfusion of the isolated rat heart according to Langendorff and in vivo simulation of ischemia/reperfusion to study the effectiveness of magnetic drug delivery.

Jointly with the Research Department of Microcirculation and Myocardial Metabolism, studies are being conducted to investigate the systemic effects of various types of bariatric surgery. A number of experiments have been performed to study the cardioprotective and endothelial protective effects of gastrointestinal hormone profile following various types of bariatric surgery.

Jointly with the Research Department of Microcirculation and Myocardial Metabolism and Laboratory for Surgery of Metabolic Disorders, a technology is being developed for the prevention of mechanical suture failure in surgery in rats.

Major tasks for the development of low-volume perfusion methods include:

— developing the solid-phase blood-contact drugs of certain specificity,
— designing blood-contact devices,
— studying the action of these blood-contact drugs,
— assessing the scope of their blood modulating activity,
— creating low-volume hemoperfusion methods.

Advanced training

In 2016, the specialists of the Department received training at the Scientific Centre for Expert Evaluation of Medical Products as part of the continuing education programme “Rules for Organizing and Conducting Preclinical Studies of Drugs – GLP.”

In 2017, the specialists received training at the Institute of Toxicology under the Federal Medical and Biological Agency: “Organizing and conducting the preclinical studies in accordance with the OECD principles of good laboratory practice (GLP).”

Participation in State Assignments

The specialists of the Department are involved in the performance of the following topics:

• Assessing the hemodynamic significance of stenosis of the great vessels based on clinical ultrasound scans, physical and numerical modeling.

• Development and preclinical study of drugs and medical devices for magnetic targeted delivery to the affected area.