Head of the laboratory - D.Sc. in Biol., Professor Mosse Irma Borisovna.

Tel.: 375 (17) 2841942; fax 375 (17) 2841917. E-mail: I.Mosse@igc.bas-net.by

The laboratory was founded in 1965 by academician P.F. Rokitsky as the laboratory of theoretical genetics. The Chernobyl accident has resulted in studying genetic consequences of radiation impact, therefore in 1992 the laboratory was renamed as follows: the laboratory of radiation genetics. The present name was given in 2005. P.F. Rokitsky was at the head of the laboratory to the last days of his life (to 1977), Dr. V.K. Savchenko became his successor (now corresponding member of the National Academy of Sciences of Belarus) and since 1990, after V.K.Savchenko started to work at UNESCO (Paris), Dr. I.B. Mosse is at the head of the laboratory.

Major scientific trends of the laboratory

• The research work of the laboratory is being carried out within the framwork of State and International scientific programs in the following trends:

• estimation of remote consequences of Chernobyl accident;

• study on genetic effects of combined actions of ionizing radiation and chemical technogenic substances;

• search for means of heredity protection against radiation mutagenic effect;

• study on radioadaptive response and mechanisms of its modification.

Basic results of theoretical and applied investigations

Sodium nitrite and nitrate in maximum permissible concentrations were not shown to have mutagenic activity in drosophila and mice but they intensified genetic effects of ionizing radiation of different types (X-radiation, gamma – neutron irradiation). The research work was decorated with Silver Medal of the Exhibition of National Economic Achievements of the USSR in 1989, was transfered to the State Committee of Nature of BSSR and was a cause for reducing permissible levels of nitrates in agricultural produce.

Pesticide zenkor was revealed to exhibit mutagenic effect on animal and human cells, when combined with ionizing radiation, antagonism effect manifested itself – reduction in the mutation frequency was observed due to increased death of cells and organisms. These facts point to danger of agriculture chemicalization in radiocontaminated regions.

For the first time in world practice was shown the possibility of reducing genetic consequence of low-dose chronic irradiation by melanin pigment in mice (jointly with Medical Radiological Scientific Centre of Russian Academy of Sciences). Study on radioprotective melanin effect was carried out jointly with Naples University “Federiko II” (Italy) within the framework of NATO Grant. The patent of Russian Federation SU 1787032 AS with the priority of 6.12.1990 for melanin application as radioprotector, as well as diploma of the All-Union Society of Inventors and Rationalizers “For the best elaboration aimed at elimination of Chernobyl accident consequences” (1990) were issued. The model of clinical test of genoprotector agent with melan base was developed. The required documentation for developing preparation or food additives of melanin reducing detrimental consequences of long-term irradiation was transfered to Pharmacologic Committee of the Ministry of Public Health of Belarus.

The phenomenon of radioadaptive response was investigated in germ- and somatic cells of mice in vivo. It is shown that the adaptive response can be prevented by an effective radioprotector (e.g. melanin or tocopherol). These findings corroborate the phenomenon of reducing adaptation of populations to long-term irradiation under antimutagen protection conditions, revealed earlier in the laboratory, and demonstrate the melanin ability to prevent completely low-dose radiation impact (10-20cGy) on organism.

Main publications