International Sakharov Environmental Institute of Belarusian State University

Chair of Environmental Chemistry and Biochemistry of ISEI BSU has a rich history dating back to the past. It was created to study the interaction of chemical processes with the environment and biological systems. The chair has actively involved in scientific research in ecology, chemistry, and biochemistry since its creation. Researchers and students analyzed water, soil, air, studied various pollutant impact on the environment as well as developed the methods to combat environmental problems. Over the years the chair has significantly succeeded in scientific inventions and their practical applications. The chair’s research promotes the development of modern environmental science and practice as well as influences on the solutions in environmental protection. The history of the chair testifies to its important role in the development of environmental science and specialist training who can solve current environmental problems. The history of the chair as an independent division of ISEI BSU began in October,1995 when the department of radiobiology was created. The department was transformed into the chair of biochemistry and biophysics in 2000 during the structural reorganization of the faculty of environmental medicine and radiobiology and then it was transformed into the chair of environmental chemistry and biochemistry in September 1, 2017. Associate Professor Bokut S.B. was the first head of the radiobiology department, and then the chair of biochemistry and biopohysics. Sysa Alexei G., Associate Professor, PhD in Chemistry took this position in 2017. Shahab Siyamak N., Professor, Doctor in Chemistry headed the chair in 2019.

The main activity of the chair is to organize and implement educational process in chemical disciplines at all levels:

-bachelor’s degree in the specialty “Medical and Biological Science”,

-master’s degree in the specialties “General Bioinformatics”, “Medical and Biological Science” (major in medical biochemistry),

-postgraduate course in the specialty 03.01.04 Biochemistry.

The curricula, implemented by the chair, are developed following the latest achievements in chemistry and pedagogy. Highly-qualified and experienced teachers work at the chair of environmental chemistry and biochemistry among them: 3 Doctors of Sciences, 5 Associate Professors and 5 senior teachers.

The chair of environmental chemistry and biochemistry of ISEI BSU is famous for its significant scientific achievements. Among the scientific research are the study of various chemical compound impact on the environment, analysis of biochemical processes in natural ecosystems, development of methods to clean contaminated water and soil as well as the study of biodiversity and sustainable development. These works contribute a lot into ecology, chemistry and biochemistry and promote environment preservation and life quality improvement.

Main research directions: 

• Molecular markers of negative chemical and physical environmental factor impact on the human body.
• Non-enzymatic carbohydrate modifications of transport proteins of blood.
• Preparation and characterization of low-and high-molecular compounds, including markers of environmental impacts that have diagnostic and therapeutic significance.
• Enzymatic transformation of nucleic acids and their components.
• Synthesis and determination of the structure of low-molecular biologically active compounds.

Partners:

1. State Research Institution «Institute of Microbiology of the National Academy of Sciences of Belarus»;
2. State Research Institution «Institute of Bioorganic Chemistry of the National Academy of Sciences of Belarus»;
3. Healthcare Institution «National Anti-Doping Laboratory»;
4. Republican Unitary Enterprise «Research and Practical Hygiene Center»;
5. State Enterprise SPC LOTHIOS, Department of Industrial Biotechnology;
6. State Research Institution «B. I. Stepanov Institute of Physics of the National Academy of Sciences of Belarus.