Search by tag «SCAMT» 39 results

  • Living Science: Inside ITMO’s Infochemistry Center

    ITMO University’s Infochemistry Center grew from an eponymous research group led by professor Ekaterina Skorb, formerly a group leader at the Max Planck Institute and Harvard researcher working under one of today’s most cited chemistry experts. Among the Center’s priority areas are interdisciplinary research at the intersection of mathematics and chemistry, experimental chemistry, and the introduction of hi-tech approaches into the industry. But its staff collaborates not only with mathematicians, biologists and IT specialists, but also artists. ITMO.NEWS spoke to Ekaterina Skorb about the Center’s tasks and projects.

    12.11.2019

  • Russian and Swedish Scientists Work Together on New Biomedical Product

    ITMO University scientists in collaboration with their colleagues from the Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences (SLU University), Uppsala, Sweden, have developed biocomposites made of proteins based on natural spider silk and optically active nanoparticles. What is remarkable about the new material is that it combines the properties of natural silk fiber and synthetic particles. The biocomposite has unique mechanical characteristics and can give a detectable optical response when exposed to infrared radiation, which makes it a potential candidate for biomedical applications. This article was published in ACS Applied Materials & Interfaces.

    23.08.2019

  • Gold Nanoparticles and Canadian Science: ITMO Student’s Internship at University of Waterloo

    Ksenia Mosina, a Master’s student at ITMO University’s SCAMT Laboratory, went to Canada as part of her student exchange program to participate in research on the synthesis of gold core-shell nanoparticles for biosensing and photocatalysis. The results of the research were published in Nanoscale. In this interview with ITMO.NEWS, Ksenia shares about her experiences and the skills she acquired in the Canadian laboratory.

    19.03.2019

  • Scientists Designed Nanocontainers for Bacterial Metabolism Control

    Researchers from ITMO University developed special nanocontainers that can translate the light signal into metabolic changes in bacteria. The containers consist of titanium dioxide nanoparticles coated with silver and polymers. Once the particles are heated with laser irradiation, the polymer conformation changes and the container opens, releasing the contents. Scientists tested the new system’s performance using a model enzyme, arabinose. However, it can be replaced with other active substances in order to use the containers for drug delivery. The research was published in Bioconjugate Chemistry.

    22.11.2018

  • Biochemistry Twins on Creating their Own Lab

    The Vinogradov twins are leading a large structural division at ITMO University called the Biochemistry cluster. Once upon a time, they were just two ordinary brothers, who secretly studied chemistry, with a dream of creating their own laboratory. They arrive at the interview together, but Vladimir is forced to leave for business, so we talk only with Alexander. This is not unusual for them – one for two and two for one.

    01.11.2018

  • Building A New Generation of Drugs: SCAMT Laboratory Scientists On Rational Chemical Design Using Metal-Organic Frameworks

    Aimed at creating materials with pre-planned properties, rational design has become one of the most prevalent research trends in chemistry. Its advocates postulate that instead of going through the exhaustive search of random combinations, a better strategy for finding the right material would be to start with analysing the structural elements and the interactions that occur between them. This will lead to significant reductions in the effort, time, and money needed for creating new drugs or purification systems. Following their paper on framework materials that was published in Russian Chemical Reviews, ITMO University’s SCAMT Laboratory scientists met with ITMO.NEWS to talk about their research.

    03.08.2018

  • The Results of Workshop Week at SCAMT Lab

    SCAMT Workshop Week is a summer school in a unique new format. Over the course of a week, its participants work on one of the six research projects and hone their practical skills. This year’s students have synthesized a nanopharmaceutical drug and magnetic bacteria, printed an optical sensor, built a nanobot and worked on other hi-tech inventions. 40 students were selected from among 200 applicants from Russia and neighboring countries. ITMO.NEWS met with the students to learn more about their projects.

    02.08.2018

  • Scientists Describe Oxidants' Effect on Metal-Organic Frameworks for Drug Delivery

    A team of chemists-theoreticians modeled the interaction of a metal-organic framework (MOF) for drug delivery with oxidants. The model showed that the MOF is stable in water, but degrades in the presence of active forms of oxygen. As such oxidants emerge in inflammatory tissues, MOFs can be used in the design of systems for targeted delivery of anti-inflammatory agents. The research results were published in The Royal Society of Chemistry (PCCP) magazine.

    27.06.2018

  • New Blockchain-Based System Will Control Quality of Medical and Chemical Products

    Scientists from ITMO University’s international research laboratory SCAMT, together with developers from Aira and information security experts, are developing a system for end-to-end monitoring of the manufacturing of medical and chemical products. The system is based on the lab’s “Nanodoctor” – a chlorine dioxide-based drug capable of neutralizing nearly all viruses and bacteria. Among its advantages are an improved structure that prevents the accumulation of harmful substances during manufacturing, and a new quality control system based on blockchain technology. The project’s concept allows end customers to learn about each of the production stages using a QR code printed on the packaging and make sure that the process occurred without any infractions and the active ingredient content is within the stated amount.

    25.05.2018

  • SCAMT Lab's Anna Fakhardo Talks Nanobots and Cancer Research

    How does the nation’s top IT university develop biotechnologies? By bringing in the right researchers! Anna Fakhardo, a second-year PhD student at ITMO’s International Laboratory “Solution Chemistry of Advanced Materials and Technologies” (SCAMT), is one of the first to initiate biological research at the lab. The young scientist also oversees two projects as part of the Pharma 2020 federal program, which both include pre-clinical trials. In late 2017, she became the recipient of the SCAMT Achievement Award. ITMO.NEWS spoke to Anna about her research.

    16.02.2018