INSTITUTE
OF GENETICS & CYTOLOGY

National Academy of Sciences of Belarus

The Reception: +375 17 378 18 56; E-mail: office@igc.by
Medical services: +375 33 380 50 40

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LABORATORY OF MOLECULAR BASES FOR GENOME STABILITY

Historical Background:

The Laboratory was established in 1992 by R.I. Goncharova (PhD in Biology, Professor) on the basis of the thematic group on antimutagenesis and environmental mutagens. In 2005, it was renamed the Genetic Safety Laboratory and in 2017 ― the Laboratory of Molecular Bases for Genome Stability. Since December 2020, the Laboratory has been under the direction of N.I. Ryabokon, PhD in Biology, Associate Professor.

Head: Nadezhda I. RYABOKON

PhD in Biology, Associate Professor Tel.: +375 17 252 71 35

E-mail: N.Ryabokon@igc.by

Laboratory members:

N.I. Ryabokon, Head of the Laboratory, PhD in Biology, Associate Professor

R.I. Goncharova, Chief Research Scientist, PhD in Biology, Professor

A.A. Yatskiv, Senior Research Scientist, PhD in Biology., Associate Professor

N.V. Nikitchenko, Research Scientist

E.S. Sinyavskaya, Junior Research Scientist

V.A. Shimanovich, Senior Research Scientist

V.A. Sidorovich, Junior Research Scientist, master’s student

Main directions of scientific research:

  • Study of molecular genetic bases for human and animal genome integrity and stability in the norm, in pathologic states and under the influence of various factors;
  • Analysis of the effect of genomic and epigenomic variation on the general and reproductive health. Oncogenomics: a complex analysis of the mutational and epigenetic variation of malignant tumours;
  • Development of molecular genetic methods for the diagnostics and identification of disease subtypes, as well as the prognosis of their emergence and clinical course;
  • Antimutagenesis as an important way to maintain the integrity of a genome, stimulate viability and reduce the risk of morbidity.

Main results:

  • Transgenerational genome instability in a number of mammal generations under the influence of chronic radiation exposure has been described for the first time.
  • The effect of poly(ADP-ribose) on the rate and efficiency of DNA base excision repair (BER) after genotoxic exposure has been established.
  • A hypothesis about antimutagens as the modulators of organisms’ defense processes and, as a consequence, the stimulators of animal fitness and productivity has been experimentally substantiated.
  • “A Method for Determining the Genome Integrity of Human Blood Lymphocytes by Single Cell Comet Testing” has been developed.
  • New data obtained show that in patient groups the homozygous carriage of wild-type alleles of the ERCC2/XPD and ERCC6/CSB nucleotide excision repair genes promotes longevity, reduces susceptibility to bladder cancer in older age and reduces the aggressiveness of this disease.
  • The key molecular genetic changes characterizing various subtypes of bladder cancer have been identified, and their effect on the development of remote treatment results has been established. Potential diagnostic markers that make it possible to discriminate between the tumor and the normal bladder tissue with the highest sensitivity and specificity. The markers to bladder cancer progression and cancer-specific patient survival have been identified.
  • Using next-generation sequencing (NGS), a spectrum of germline mutations and the polymorphic variants of DNA repair genes responsible for homologous recombination (BRCA1, BRCA2, ATM, CHEK2 and PALB2) have been described in patients with metastatic prostate cancer. Independent prognostic factors related to the overall survival and a response of patients with this disease to treatment have been identified.
  • A complex of DNA markers to a predisposition to juvenile autoimmune rheumatic diseases (juvenile idiopathic arthritis, juvenile systemic lupus erythematosus, and Kawasaki disease) have been identified.
  • Using NGS, an analysis of complete sequences of the nephrin (NPHS1) and podocin (NPHS2) genes has been performed in pediatric patients with various forms of nephrotic syndrome. The mutational and polymorphic variation of these genes in the Belarusian population has been described. DNA markers to an unfavorable prognosis of nephrotic syndrome have been identified.
  • The levels of various DNA damage types (single and double strand breaks, oxidized DNA bases) in male sperm in norm and in the case of low fertility have been studied.
  • Molecular genetic technologies and algorithms, which form the basis of the instructions for use, have been developed:
    • Method for predicting therapy outcomes for a primary metastatic prostate cancer based on the analysis of germline mutations in DNA repair genes. Instruction for use. I. Muradkhanov, E.S. Sinyavskaya, A.I. Rolevich, R.I. Goncharova, L.N. Suslov, Yu.A. Poddubny, S.A. Krasny / Ministry of Health of the Republic of Belarus, Regulation of June 24, 2024, No. 161-1223.
    • A method for determining the probable development of juvenile autoimmune rheumatic diseases. Instruction for Use. A.M. Chichko, G.M. Batyan, E.V. Sechko, I.A. Kozyro, I.Yu. Bakutenko, I.D. Kuzhel, A.V. Sukalo, N.I. Ryabokon. The Ministry of Health of the Republic of Belarus, Regulation No. 082-0622 of November 24, 2022.
    • A method for predicting the survival rate and the risk of metastasis in the case of muscle-invasive bladder cancer M.P. Smal, A.I. Rolevich, D.V. Bolshakova, L.N. Suslov, T.I. Nabebina, S.A. Krasnyi, R.I. Goncharova. The Ministry of Health of the Republic of Belarus, Regulation No. 099-1021 of November 19, 2021.
    • An algorithm for predicting treatment outcomes in the case of non-muscle invasive bladder cancer. M.P. Smal, A.I. Rolevich, T.I. Nabebina, S.A. Krasnyi, S.L. Polyakov, R.I. Goncharova. The Ministry of Health of the Republic of Belarus, Regulation No. 012-0319 of April 25, 2019.
    • A method for diagnosing the genetically determined forms of male infertility. O.V. Pribushenya, E.I. Golovataya, A.L. Markevich, E.A. Trebka, I.V. Naumchik, N.I. Ryabokon, N.V. Nikitchenko. The Ministry of Health of the Republic of Belarus, Regulation No. 196-1115 of March 18, 2016.
    • A method for assessing the prognosis of the clinical course of bladder cancer based on a comprehensive analysis of clinical, morphological and genetic parameters of the tumour. A.I. Rolevich, M.P. Smal, T.I. Nabebina, S.A. Krasnyi, R.I. Goncharova, S.L. Polyakov. The Ministry of Health of the Republic of Belarus, Regulation No 121-1114 of November 27, 2014.

Publications (for the last 5 years):

Over 90 publications, including articles in high impact journals:

  1. Leonova, E., Ryabokon, N., Rostoka, E., Borisovs, V., Velena, A., Bisenieks, E., Dzintare, M., Goncharova, R., Sjakste, N. Genotoxic and genoprotective effects of 1,4-dihydropyridine derivatives: a brief review // Archives of Industrial Hygiene and Toxicology. – 2023. – V. 74. – P. 1–7 (Scopus: IF=2,6)
  2. Bakutenko, I.Y., Haurylchyk, I.D., Sechko, E.V., Tchitchko, A.M., Batyan, G.M., Sukalo, A.V., Ryabokon, N.I. AGER gene variant as a risk factor for juvenile idiopathic arthritis // J. Gene Medicine. – 2022. – V. 24, No. 2. – e3399 (Scopus: IF=4,2)
  3. Bakutenko, I.Y., Haurylchyk, I.D., Nikitchenko, N.V., Sechko, E.V., Kozyro, I.A., Tchitchko, A.M., Batyan, G.M., Sukalo, A.V., Ryabokon, N.I. Neutrophil cytosolic factor 2 (NCF2) gene polymorphism is associated with juvenile-onset systemic lupus erythematosus, but probably not with other autoimmune rheumatic diseases in children // Mol. Genet. Genomic Med. – 2022. – V. 10, No. 1. – e1859 (Scopus: IF=2,2)
  4. Shilkin, E.S., Gromova, A.S., Smal, M.P., Makarova, A.V. DNA Polymerase and dRP-lyase activities of polymorphic variants of human Pol ι // Biochem. J. – 2021. – V. 478, No. 7. – P. 1399–1412 (Scopus: IF=4,1)
  5. Arslan, M., Gulen, S., Tacer-Tanas, S., Yanik, T., Gurdal, A., Kocaman, M., Atasever, A., Slukvin, A., Goncharova, R. Long-term dietary diludine (diethyl 1,4-dihydro-2,6-dimethyl-3,5-pyridinedicarboxylate) intake and gamete storage affect α-tocopherol status and reproductive performance in female rainbow trout Oncorhynchus mykiss // Aquaculture. – 2021. – V. 533. – P. 1–6 (Scopus: IF=4,1)
  6. Shilkin, E.S., Boldinova, E.O., Stolyarenko, A.D., Goncharova, R.I., Chuprov-Netochin, R.N., Khairullin, R.F., Smal, M.P., Makarova, A.V. Translesion DNA synthesis and carcinogenesis // Biochemistry (Moscow). – 2020. – V. 85, No. 4. – P. 425–435 (Web of Science: IF=1,98)

Taking part in Conferences (for the last 5 years):

Participation in more than 50 international and national conferences, including 13 oral presentations, among them

  • 27th Republican Conference with International Participation “Topical Issues of Ophthalmology”

(13-14 December 2024, Minsk);

  • 28th Republican Scientific and Practical Conference with International Participation “Topical Issues of Nephrology, Renal Replacement Therapy and Kidney Transplantation»

(September 6, 2024, Minsk);

  • 5th International Scientific Conference “Genetics and Biotechnology of the 21st Century: Problems, Achievements and Prospects”

(November, 21-25, 2022, Minsk)

  • Joint EEMGS Meeting & International Comet Assay Workshop

(May 23-26, 2022, Maastricht, the Netherland);

  • International Scientific Workshop “The Role of Genetic Research in Modern Diagnostics and Treatment of Diseases”

(March 23, 2022, Minsk);

  • International Workshop “Next-generation Sequencing (NGS) Technologies: Experience and Possible Application in Medical Genetics”

(March 17, 2021, Minsk);

  • 4th International Scientific Conference “Genetics & Biotechnology of the 21st Century: Problems, Achievements and Prospects”

(November 3-4, 2020, Minsk);

  • 12th International Multiconference “Bioinformatics of Genome Regulation and Structural/Systems Biology”

(July 6-10, 2020, Novosibirsk, the Russian Federation);

  • 5th Russian Congress with International Participation “Molecular Foundations of Clinical Medicine ― Possible and Real”

(March 26-29, 2020, St. Petersburg, the Russian Federation);

Academic advising (for the last 5 years):

One PhD dissertation has been defended (2021); one master’s thesis (2025), one diploma (2021) and two student course papers (2020, 2025) have been completed.

Awards, grants:

  • Scholarship of the President of the Republic of Belarus for Talented Young Scientists (2023) – A.A. Yatskiv, PhD in Biology
  • Grant of the Union for International Cancer Control (2022) – M.P. Smal, PhD in Biology
  • Academician V.F. Kuprevich Prize of NAS of Belarus to young scientists of NAS of Belarus (2021) – A.A. Yatskiv, PhD in Biology for a series of works “Molecular variability of immune response genes in the case of juvenile idiopathic arthritis in the child population of the Republic of Belarus.”

Services to the population:

27 Akademicheskaya St.
220072 Minsk
Belarus