Yuliia S. Pakhomova
PhD (Biology), Senior Researcher
History of the Laboratory
The Laboratory of Cryoprotectants of the IPC&C of the NAS of Ukraine was founded in 1973; >>learn more
Until 1984, it was headed by Dr. Maria I. Shrago, a prominent cryobiologist, founder of a scientific school engaged in profound study of various cryoprotectants, their features, in particular toxicity. From 1985 to 2000, the Department was headed by Prof. Volodymyr Lugovoy. Under his leadership, the Department of Cryoprotectants implemented the comprehensive studies of novel multicomponent cryopreservatives based on polyols and amides. From 2000 till 2024, the Department, later reorganized into the Laboratory, has been headed by Prof. Antonina M. Kompaniets. Under her supervision, the researches aimed at designing the cryopreservatives based on glycerol, 1,2-propanediol and polyvinyl alcohol for freezing human red blood cells have been carried out.
RESEARCH ACTIVITIES
A promising area for creating the novel, more efficient cryoprotective media is the use within it of synthetic compounds: recrystallization inhibitors, which have a specific effect on natural antifreeze proteins, reducing ice recrystallization during thawing. Polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) is currently recognized as one of these compounds.
A fundamentally new approach to the development of modern efficient cryopreservatives with amphiphilic and hydrophilic properties (1,2-PD and glycerol) and their enhanced effect on crystal formation due to the use of polyvinyl alcohol of 9 and 31 kDa within it for freezing human erythrocytes has been selected as the strategic direction of the laboratory’s activity for the next 4-5 years.
The phenomenon of cluster crystallization of cryoprotective solutions near their vitrification temperatures has been experimentally detected and theoretically described. It has been shown that under these low temperatures, ice microcrystals can be formed by a homogeneous mechanism without breaking hydrogen bonds between water molecules and cryoprotective substance. The state diagrams containing the domain of existence of the formed cluster phase were plotted. There was studied a potential contribution of cluster crystallization to the mechanisms of damage to biological objects during cryopreservation in aqueous solutions of cryoprotectants.
LABORATORY STAFF
Oleksandr I. Osetskyi, Doctor of Sciences (Physics and Mathematics), Prof., Leading Researcher. ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-1898-4808
Yuliia S. Pakhomova, PhD (Biology), Senior Researcher. ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0003-2682-3796
Valentyna Chekanova, PhD (Biology), Senior Researcher. ORCID: https://orcid.org/009-0007-3031-8974
Yuliia Danylenko, PhD (Engineering), Senior Researcher
Oleksii T. Hodko, Junior Researched. ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0003-2496-9150
Hanna Diakonenko, Ist Category Engineer
Contact information
Yuliia S. Pakhomova
Yu.S.Pakhomova@nas.gov.ua
+38 (057) 373-41-43
