Project ID No: 1161

SEARCH OF THE MOST EFFECTIVE PRODUCENT OF MELANIN IN ANTARCTICA AND INVESTIGATION OF ITS FUNCTIONAL ACTIVITY

The aims of the project and methods of researches: - by the topographic mao of the biogeographical polygon of i. Galindez and GPS positioning to perform the screening of vicroorganisms with aim to detect the melanin producers; - to establish the species diversity of melanin producing microorganisms; - the search the most potent producent of melanin; - the study of functional activity of melanins obtained from different species; - comparison of functional activity of melanins depend on climatic conditions during 2007 and 2008 years. For investigation of the species diversity and functional characteristic of melanin producing microorganisms it will use the methods of cultivation of Antarctic microbial associations on selective nutrient media to isolate melanin producing microorganisms; the methods of experimental ulcerogenesis and biochemical methods of determination of lipid peroxidation and antioxidant activity in gastric mucosa in rats.

Executive Organization:
Kyiv National Taras Shevchenko University (KNTSU)
2, Akademik Glushkov Ave, bd. 12, Biology faculty, 03680, Kyiv, Ukraine

Project Leader:
Dr., prof. Ludmila Ostapchenko
Tel: +38-044-5221795
Fax: +38-044-5262276
Email: tberegova@univ.kiev.ua

Other project members and their affiliation:
Beregova Tetyana (KNTSU);
Tsyryuk Olena (KNTSU);
Kukharskyy Vitaliy (KNTSU);
Shtanova Lidiya (KNTSU);
Tashyrev Oleksandr (NASC);
Butusova Ludmila  (NASC).

Joining IPY endorsed project:
№ 137 EVOLUTION AND BIODIVERSITY IN THE ANTARCTIC: THE RESPONSE OF LIFE TO CHANGE
Principal Organisations: SCAR, OBIS, CCAMLR
Principal Investigator: Prof. Guido di Prisco, Institute of Protein Biochemistry, ITALY