Scientific research aimed at improving the effectiveness of anti-cancer drugs

The expected results will make it possible to develop new and safe chemotherapy regimens that will prevent the growth of tumors and at the same time will leave the least possible negative side effects on healthy tissues and organs.

The research on "Combined effect of anti-cancer alkylating drugs on the activity of enzymes regulating the structure and packaging of DNA" carried out in the interfaculty research laboratory of structural biophysics of the YSU Biology Research Institute is funded by the Committee of Higher Education and Science of the RA ESCS Ministry for a period of three years.

The research project implemented in 2021 is aimed at studying the combined effect of bleomycin and cisplatin on the structure of cytosolic DNA, chromatin packaging, and ADP-ribose polymerization, which the latter regulates.

Referring to the importance of the research topic, head of the research group, Assistant Professor of YSU Biophysics Chair, Ph.D. Anush Asatryan, emphasized, "Based on the studies we have done, we can say which combination should be used, as well as how and in what concentration to have the maximum positive and healing effect with the least possible side effects."

Within the framework of the project, two scientific articles were published in high-ranking international periodicals. Now the research team is working on another article.

The members of the research group are the senior researcher of the YSU Interfaculty Research Laboratory of Structural Biophysics Irina Artsruni, the researcher of the YSU Subcellular Structures Biophysics Research Laboratory Marieta Mikaelyan, and the senior laboratory assistant of the YSU Molecular Physics Chair, Master’s degree student Lusine Aslanyan. The foreign consultant of the project is the graduate of the Faculty of Biology of YSU, a Science Assistant to the Professor at the Medical College of the University of Illinois (USA), Ph.D. Lusine Demirkhanyan.

As part of the grant program, Lusine Demirkhanyan visited the YSU Faculty of Biology for two weeks to personally be acquainted with the ongoing scientific processes, professional discussions, exchange of experience, and outline the perspectives of cooperation.

Highlighting this cooperation, L. Demirkhanyan mentioned, "I have very good memories from the years of studying and working at YSU, and after 13 years, carrying out scientific activities again with my colleagues from the faculty and introducing the new methods used abroad to develop the field in Armenia is extremely happy and expected for me."

Anush Asatryan mentioned that the team plans to deepen the cooperation by giving young researchers and post-graduate students the opportunity to visit the University of Illinois and conduct research there. Lusine Demirkhanyan also emphasized that the possibilities of applying for other grants and developing new research directions in the near future were discussed with YSU colleagues.

It should be noted that during the visit to YSU, L. Demirkhanyan gave a lecture on "Possibilities of pancreatic cancer research and treatment. Regional genomics technique as a reliable method for studying the structure and microenvironment of pancreatic colloid carcinoma", which was attended by representatives of YSU Faculty of Biology faculty, graduates and students.