YSU biologists expand knowledge, collaborations, and opportunities on international scientific platforms

Representatives of the Faculty of Biology recently participated in research programs and presented their findings at international scientific conferences, further expanding their presence on international scientific platforms. These developments mark new prospects for the advancement of biological sciences in Armenia.

YSU Researcher’s Experience in Belgium

Liana Vanyan, a junior researcher at the Laboratory of Microbiology, Bioenergetics, and Biotechnology at YSU Biology Research Institute, recently completed a three-month research visit to KU Leuven (Belgium) within the framework of the "Professional Training-2025" program of the Armenian Higher Education and Science Committee. Her main goal was to gain in-depth knowledge of modern methods in genetic engineering, with a focus on CRISPR technology. 

The laboratory, led by Professor Jan Michiels, is well known for its innovative approaches. Thanks to the developed methodology there, it is possible to quickly generate various mutations of Escherichia coli. This is facilitated by a specialized toolkit that includes all the necessary plasmids and materials. 

"In Leuven, I not only mastered the method but also successfully obtained the specific mutations I had planned. Moreover, I brought the resulting mutant strains and required plasmids back to Armenia. They are now being used in ongoing research at our lab," said Liana Vanyan.

According to her, the greatest value was not just in gaining technical knowledge, but in experiencing a new research environment.

"Our lab mainly focuses on biochemistry and bioenergetics, while theirs is entirely centered on molecular biology. This allowed me to acquire new knowledge, observe different approaches, and adapt them to our context," she added.

Currently, biochemical and bioenergetic studies using the obtained mutant strains are underway at YSU. After the experimental phase, the results will be presented in a co-authored scientific publication with KU Leuven colleagues.

YSU at 49th FEBS Congress

Another significant international engagement came through the participation of seven YSU staff members — including Nikolay Avtandilyan, Head of the Laboratory of Fundamental and Pathological Biochemistry at YSU Biology Research Institute — in the 49th Congress of the Federation of European Biochemical Societies (FEBS), held in Istanbul, Turkey.

The participants presented their research in the form of poster presentations, with abstracts published in the Q2-ranked journal FEBS Open Bio. The congress provided a valuable opportunity not only to present the research being conducted in Armenia but also to receive feedback from leading experts and establish new collaborations.

"The congress gave us a platform to present our work to an international audience. Many participants were surprised to learn we were from YSU — they were impressed by how much progress we’ve made in a short time. Compared to five years ago, our labs and equipment have significantly improved. Today, our research environment fully aligns with international standards," said Nikolay Avtandilyan.

He also emphasized the importance of the event's structure, noting that participants had the chance to attend lectures by leading scientists, join thematic sessions, and acquire new professional skills.