Genomic Instability and Molecular Mutagenesis Group

The main goal of the group is to study the effects of chemical, physical, and biological environmental mutagenic factors and to develop new molecular biomarkers for them in vitro and in vivo. For this purpose, both classical genotyping (e.g. DNA-comet method, micronucleus test) and molecular cytogenetics (fluorescence in situ hybridization - FISH, pod-FISH, Q-FISH) and molecular genetics methods (PCR, qPCR, and sequencing) are used. The CRISPR-Cas9 genome editing method is also used.

As biomarkers of genomic instability, the levels of DNA and chromosome damage, the number of oxidized DNA bases, changes in telomere size, mtDNA insertions in chromosomes, levels of extracellular nuclear and mitochondrial DNA, and mutations in various genes involved in DNA repair and cell cycle regulation are studied. Healthy and cancer human cell cultures (mainly 2D) and biological samples or cells from various patients are used.

The laboratory is equipped with a laminar flow cabinet and thermostat for working with cell cultures, fluorescence microscopes and image analysis systems, PCR and qPCR amplifiers, centrifuges, and other necessary equipment.

The group collaborates with various state and foreign partners. The results of the group's research are published in international peer-reviewed journals and books. Bachelor's theses, master's theses, and PhD research are prepared based on the work carried out by the group.1

Collaboration

The scientific group collaborates with the following institutions:

• Institute of Human Genetics, Friedrich Schiller University, Jena (Germany),

• United Institutes for Nuclear Research in Dubna (Russia),

• Russian Federal Medical Biological Agency named after A. I. Burnazyan Institute of Molecular Biology of the RA National Academy of Sciences,

• "Candle" Synchrotron Research Institute,

• Davidyans Laboratories,

• "Fertility Center" Human Fertility Center.

Staff:

1. Tigran Harutyunyan

2. Angela Sargsyan

3. Lili Kalashyan

4. Hovhannes Igityan