During the visit, besides attending clinical sites, working meetings were held with Prof. Jiaming LI, and they resulted in the development of a roadmap toward preparing a joint application for a grant by the Association of Sino-Russian Medical Universities.
This year, application for participation in the international internships competition aimed at developing experimental models of myocardial infarction, transverse aortic constriction (TAC), and myocardial ischemia/reperfusion to intensify further scientific collaboration with Harbin Medical University (HMU) is scheduled. In accordance with the approved roadmap, experimental studies are planned for 2026 to evaluate the therapeutic performance of drugs based on Acanthopanax senticosus extracts in the post-traumatic period of cardiac contusion, as well as the drafting joint publications based on these studies.
Alexander N. ZOLOTOV, MD, PhD (in Medicine), Assoc. Prof. of the Pathophysiology Department of OSMU, visited the experimental laboratory of the HMU College of Pharmacology, where he mastered experimental models of myocardial infarction and TAC, and independently performed surgical interventions on mice to develop practical skills and validate the reproducibility of these models. Considering laboratory equipment , it should be noted that experimental research is primarily performed on mouse strains, including gene knockout strains. The methodological arsenal for studying structural and functional changes in the myocardium is modern and extensive, including Western blot, real-time PCR, patch clamp technique, assessment of aortic elastic properties, echocardiography in mice, immunohistochemical analysis of heart specimens, visualization of changes in the heart conduction system using fluorescent labels, and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA).
The laboratory employs 14 PhD students, each developing their own research topic. A key requirement for PhD student performance is the publication of a research article in a highly ranked journal in the Q1 or Q2 quartiles with a high impact factor. Such publications serve as the basis for defending PhD thesis and getting PhD degree. The research project takes three years to complete, with the first year devoted to mastering the methodology: the researcher independently performs all surgical interventions on animals and masters the necessary methods for analyzing pathological changes in the myocardium. The primary goal of each PhD student is to study the effects of the studied compounds on pathological changes in the myocardium of experimental animals against the background of simulated pathology. Notably, the studied drugs are synthesized and modified directly at the College: plant extracts undergo chemical modification, and delivery systems are developed to improve targeting of specific organs and tissues. To ensure a continuous and standardized laboratory process, a modern vivarium is in operation, equipped with air purification and air conditioning systems, as well as programmable artificial lighting simulating a day/night cycle (12/12 hours), with a centralized supply of feed and bedding material.
It is important to emphasize that all of the above describes only one laboratory, occupying one of the seven floors of a specialized research building. Last year, construction of a new building, designed to accommodate the expansion and relocation of research departments, was completed, demonstrating an impressive level of support for scientific activity. Favorable conditions currently exist for organizing and developing scientific collaboration between HMU and OSMU, and it is crucial to seize this opportunity to intensify bilateral cooperation.
Alexander N. ZOLOTOV, MD, PhD (in Medicine),
Assoc. Prof. of the Pathophysiology Department