Clinics, Laboratories

Karazin University scientists conduct liquid helium research.

Nitrogen and helium liquefaction stations were founded at the School of Physics in the late 1960s. These activities were related to the intensification of research in the field of low temperature physics. The main direction was the development of space research programs, a significant part of which was conducted in Kharkiv, in particular in the Problem Research Laboratory of Low Temperature Physics of Kharkiv State University.

At present, the School of Physics of V. N. Karazin Kharkiv National University has the only Ukrainian Department of Low Temperature Physics where students can conduct research at temperatures near absolute zero.

The cryogenic laboratory provides various Schools of the University with liquid nitrogen for research and conducts helium liquefaction using a G-45 device with a capacity of 40 liters of liquid helium per hour. Responsible person: Serhii Savich.

The innovative Medical Training Simulation Center was opened at the School of Medicine. The Center simulates the work of the departments of a modern hospital, including an emergency department, a delivery room with neonatal and pediatric units, a surgical operating unit, an intensive care unit, and others.
For teaching practical skills, the Center uses modern manikins and workstations of leading simulation equipment manufacturers Ambu, Gaumard, Simbionix, Simulab, etc. The Center also has an interactive (3D) anatomy table that makes it possible to study from all angles the systems and organs of the human body, both healthy and affected by various pathologies.

Ukraine has never before had a center with such state-of-the-art equipment and professional level of instructors. Not only undergraduate students, but also medical interns, postgraduate students, scientists and healthcare professionals can acquire new skills and improve their qualifications at the Medical Training Simulation Center.

The Laboratory of Embryonic (Germinal) and Stem Cells was organized by the order of the KhNU President on September 30, 2005, on the initiative of the Professor of the School of Biology, Doctor of Biology Viacheslav Klymenko.

The Laboratory was created for a comprehensive study of the nature of embryonic (germinal) and stem cells on model objects (mammals, amphibians, insects and other invertebrates) in order to experimentally substantiate the possibility of using their restorative potential in regenerative medicine. The basis of the Laboratory research is experimental and biological analysis of the properties and behavior of autologous germ and stem cells obtained by biopsy, propagated and induced in vitro, and then returned to the donor by one or another implantation to treat a particular disease or injury.

Ontogenetic connections between germ and stem cells, their regenerative potential are studied using biochemical, genetic and cytological methods, as well as methods of cultivating cells, tissues and organs in vivo and in vitro. Parthenocloning, discovered in 1935 by B. L Astaurov, is used in the study of the pluripotency and totipotency of germ and stem cells. The clones of the mulberry silkworm obtained by Astaurov are part of the unique collection of the Laboratory.

Among the Laboratory’s achievements are the solution of the problem of parthenocloning of inbred genotypes and the proof of variability of germ cells (mature oocytes of one female). New approaches to the induction of mammalian and insect stem cells are being developed. Cytological methods developed in the Laboratory are successfully used in research of the Department of Genetics, as well as the Department of Zoology and Ecology.

The Laboratory has contacts and fruitfully cooperates with scientists of several countries (Russia, Japan, France, Italy, China, the Czech Republic), and also develops joint projects with Kharkiv Medical University, Kharkiv Medical Academy of Postgraduate Education, and other medical institutions. The Laboratory has five employees (including one Doctor of Sciences and two PhDs) and three postgraduate students. During the operation of the Laboratory, its employees successfully defended one PhD dissertation (in 2009) and two dissertations are ready for defense. The Laboratory of Aquatic Ecology is located at the Pechenihy Reservoir in the village of Martova, Pechenihy district, Kharkiv region. Thanks to the Laboratory’s location in a unique forest-steppe complex, students can get acquainted with various biotopes and ecosystems of the northeast forest-steppe, conduct research in ichthyology, hydrobiology, ornithology, botany and plant taxonomy, biocenology. In addition, the Laboratory conducts classes on underwater research techniques.
The creation of two large artificial reservoirs in Kharkiv region made it possible to study the ecology of aquatic organisms in new conditions — artificially created large reservoirs of low-flow type.

In 1967, with the active assistance of Vice-President for Research I. I. Zaliubovskyi and under the guidance of V. S. Tvorovskyi, an ichthyological observation station was established. In the same year, scientists began to study environmental problems of the reservoir and surrounding biotypes, and their work continues today. Both specialists from Kharkiv University and scientists from all over the USSR took an active part in the work on various topics. At the same time, at the observation station, biology students started constant work on collecting material for their degree papers.

In 1988, the Laboratory was transferred from the research unit to the educational unit and became the “Educational Laboratory of Aquatic Ecology” at the Department of Zoology and Animal Ecology, headed by V. S. Tvorovskyi. After his death, hydrobiologist A. N. Kolesnyk took charge of the Laboratory and headed it until 2006. From 2006 to 2009, the Laboratory was headed by ichthyologist, Associate Professor H. A. Shandikov, who conducted faunal studies of ichthyofauna.

Currently, the main scientific areas of the Laboratory are the ecology of aquatic organisms, ichthyology, carcinology, ecology of commercial fish and crustaceans, parasitology.

Every year, the Laboratory is used for preparation of theses, practical training of biology students, stationary scientific research, development of recommendations on regulating industrial fishing and stocking of the reservoir.