Laboratory of Cell Technologies

Laboratory of Cell Technologies

Head of the Laboratory: Denis Silachev, Doctor of Biological Sciences

E-mail: d_silachev@oparina4.ru

FOCUS AREA 

The Laboratory is focused on the study of the biology of mesenchymal multipotent stromal cells (MSCs) and MSC-derived extracellular vesicles (MSC-EVs), as well аs deciphering the cellular and molecular mechanisms of regeneration and immunoregulation carried out by MSCs and outer vesicles; and translation into clinical practice of new achievements in regenerative medicine.

ACHIEVEMENTS 

A method to isolate and culture the unique population of MSCs from the area of the umbilical cord attachment to the placenta was developed in the laboratory. This type of MSCs was characterized and its therapeutic effects were studied.

The laboratory has developed and introduced into practice a method of isolation of MSC-EVs, as well as from other biological fluids (blood plasma, amniotic fluids and a number of other fluids).

The procoagulant properties of MSCs and outer vesicles were discovered, as well as the mechanism of action was deciphered, including participation of phosphatidylserine and tissue factor on the surface of MSCs and MSCs-EVs that trigger this process.

In collaboration with A.N. Belozersky Research Institute for Physical and Chemical Biology of the State Moscow University, the Laboratory conducts the studies of the neuroprotective effects of MSCs and MSC-EVs on animal models with severe brain injury.

The Laboratory has experience in application of the method for assessment of extracellular vesicles using nanoparticle tracking analysis (NTA). This method makes possible to evaluate population structure, the size and quantity of extracellular vesicles in various biological samples, as well as to assess the difference between normal and pathological parameters.

The Laboratory has developed an in vitro model of injury to human lung epithelium by activated leukocytes, which allows to simulate the microenvironmental conditions during acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS).  This model is used to study the mechanisms of ARDS, as well as the effectiveness of various therapeutic approaches to treat the consequences of ARDS and the mechanisms of lung epithelial repair.

The studies are carried out on both in vitro and in vivo models using a high range of methods including culture-based and cell cytometry, light and confocal microscopy, enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA), NTA.

All researchers in the Laboratory are highly qualified specialists in the field of cell biology. For the recent 5 years they have conducted researches in the frames of 3 State assignments in the field of neonatology, as well as 4 research works supported by the Russian Foundation for Basic Research (RFBR) and the Russian Science Foundation (RSF).

EQUIPMENT

The Laboratory possess the following equipment:

• CO₂ incubators
• Class II Laminar Flow Cabinets
• Light Microscope
• Eppendorf microcentrifuge
• Eppendorf centrifuge with rotary knobs
• Avanti high-speed centrifuge (Beckman Coulter)
• NanoSight LM10 System used for Nanoparticle Tracking Analysis (NTA)
• VICTOR Nivo F Microplate reader
• SELENA Cell Imaging System