It has been shown that the partial substitution of NaHCO3 with NaOH in the culture medium of Spirulina platensis does not lead to a change in productivity of the algal culture. Substitution of 25 to 50 % of sodium bicarbonate with sodium hydroxide makes it possible to obtain biomass with a similar content of key pigments as compared to the control (standard Zarrouk medium) while allowing for a significant reduction in the cost of reagents for the preparation of culture medium. 

The effect of the combination of amyloid fibrils and lead acetate derived from lysozyme on human erythrocytes was studied. It was established that the complex effect of these two components on erythrocytes leads to a decrease in the activity of membrane-bound enzymes of acetylcholinesterase and NADH-methemoglobinreductase, a change in the microviscosity of the lipid bilayer of membranes, and an increase in the vesiculation of erythrocytes. The results indicate a more significant modification of the structural and functional state of erythrocyte membranes under the combined action of amyloid fibrils and lead ions on human erythrocytes compared with the control. 

Influence of exogenous 5-aminolevulinic acid (ALA) on the algae Haematococcus pluvialis productivity – dry weight, number and size of cells as well as proteins and photosynthetic pigment content has been studied. Growing of algae cells in Rudic’s medium with supplementation of ALA (0.5; 5; 10; 20 and 30 mg/l) stimulated accumulation of cell dry weight during active algae growth as compared with control cells as well as with initial algae culture. So, for two days of algae incubation with ALA 10 mg/l the dry weight increased by an average of 31 % in relation to initial culture and by 17 % in relation to control. A dose-dependent increase in content of cell number by an average of 26 % and decrease of cell diameter by 15 % was registered in “ALA” variants as compared with these characteristics in control. After 7 days of incubation with ALA content of the photosynthetic pigments and proteins increased. So, content of chlorophylls a, b and β-carotene per g of dry matter exceeded the control values by 37, 37 and 58 %, respectively. For xanthophylls such as neoxanthin, violaxanthin and lutein – by 31, 30 and 47 %, respectively. While the protein content on average increased by 20–73 %. After 12 days of incubation, the effectiveness of ALA decreased while maintaining the above trend. The results are discussed from the position of using exogenous ALA in the synthesis of endogenous cytokinins that stimulated the growth and development of algal cells, as well as the formation of the pigmentary apparatus of photosynthesis. 

Native for the water bodies of the Baltic Sea basin, the circumpolar fish species – the ninespine stickleback Pungitius pungitius (Linnaeus, 1758) – penetrated into the Black Sea basin’s water bodies on the territory of Belarus, was naturalized and in recent years is widely distributed in the Pripyat River basin. The morphometric characteristics of the ninespine stickleback from the Pripyat River basin’s water bodies (a new sea basin for this species – Black Sea basin) are given for the first time in present paper. It is shown that individuals of the ninespine stickleback from the Krechet River and Tur River don’t have bone plates on the each side of the body. However, variation in the meristic features obtained for the ninespine stickleback coincide with values in the range and make up: D1 8–11, D2 8–12, A 7–11, P 9–11, vert. 29–34, sp. br. 7–13. The materials presented in this article are the first description of the morphometric characteristics of the ninespine stickleback not only in new habitats (water bodies of the Black Sea basin – the Pripyat River basin), but also for the water bodies of Belarus in general. 

Using the example of three decorative forms, with different regenerative potential, the influence of five isolating substances on the grafts survival was studied. It has been established that decorative forms with a high regeneration potential (Salix caprea ‘Pendula’ and Caragana arborescens ‘Lorbergii’), the substance used to isolate the site of grafting does not have a significant effect on survival. At the same time, in plants with a low regeneration potential (Acer platanoides ‘Globosum’), the high survival rate of grafts is provided by creating a sealed isolation of the site of grafting.

When grafting Salix caprea ‘Pendula’ to isolate the place of grafting it is recommended to use garden putty with the addition of Kornevin (5.6 mg IBA per 1 g of mixture), at which the survival rate reaches 100%; Caragana arborescens ‘Lorbergii’ – medical paraffin, PVC insulating tape and a mixture of ozocerite and paraffin (2:1 v/v) (90.0% suvirval at all means), Acer platanoides ‘Globosum’ – medical paraffin and a mixture of ozocerite and paraffin that provide survival rate of 62.5% and 75.0% respectively.

The description of monitoring a technique of a condition of flower-decorative collection bulbous plants is given. The methodology is based on a scoring system for evaluating information biological indicators that characterize the state of plants. As the evaluated indicators, 9 were determined: winter hardiness of plants, damage to spring frosts, plants damage by bacterial or fungal diseases, infection with viral infection, pest population, preservation of decorative parameters and reproductive capacity inherent in this variety, general physiological state, dynamics of the number of varieties. The general condition of a single variety is “estimated” by the totality of all indicators and is considered excellent for the sum of the estimated parameters of 85–100 %, of the maximum possible total score; “good” at 70–84 %, “satisfactory” at 55–69 %, “critical” at 50 %.

Results of the assessment of varieties are used to monitor the status of the collection as a whole. With the excellent stats of the collection, the proportion of varieties with “satisfactory” and “critical” ratings is less then 10 %, with a “good” 11–20 %, with a “satisfactory” 21–30 %, with a “poor” whiter 30 %.

The results of approbation of a technique of monitoring on the example of a collection of split-daffodils are given. 

The integral toxic effect of zinc nitrate on the quantitative population-based test model was evaluated. In the model experiment, a biomarker and a bioindicator for evaluating the biological effect of the contaminant are substantiated. It was shown that zinc salts in the studied concentration range inhibited the dehydrogenase activity of test cultures, while the dependence was negative with a strong correlation. The toxic effect of zinc nitrate led to an increase in the lag-phase test cultures population duration in the periodic system, with a strong positive correlation. The coefficients of determination of these parameters were the highest for the test model of Rhodococcus sp. СG 4, which confirms the adequacy of the test model, which can be used to predict the content of zinc in the soil by changing bioindikators and biomarkers. 

In this study we analyzed the amino acid content of alpha helices from proteins that belong to four structural classes in nonhomologous sets of 3D structures. Comparison of probability scales revealed that lysine, arginine and histidine show high probabilities to be included in alpha helices only in certain structural classes of proteins, unlike the constant formers of alpha helices: alanine, leucine, glutamic acid, glutamine and methionine. Alpha helices of beta structural proteins show lower usage of leucine and higher usage of glutamine, as well as the elevated usage of combinations of hydrophilic and hydrophobic amino acids that are characteristic to beta strands, relative to alpha helices from alpha helical proteins. The properties of amino acid content of alpha helices situated between two beta strands in beta structural and mixed proteins show that they are protected from the shift to beta strands. Obtained data are important in the process of the selection of antigenic fragments of proteins that contain alpha helices with highly stabilized secondary structure, with the aim to use them in vaccine design studies. 

Surfactants of microbial origin are widely used in different industries. The application of microbial surfactants is promising in biology and medicine as an alternative to synthetic disinfectants or drugs due to their antimicrobial and antiadhesive properties. The key enzyme biosynthesis of surface active aminolipids (effective antimicrobials preperations) in Acinetobacter calcoaceticus IMV B-7241, Rhodococcus erythropolis IMV Ac-5017 and Nocardia vaccinii IMV B-7405 is NADP+-dependent glutamate dehydrogenase.

Aim – to study the effect of mono- and divalent cations on the activity of NADP+-dependent glutamate dehydrogenase in Acinetobacter calcoaceticus IMV B-7241, Rhodococcus erythropolis IMV Ac-5017and Nocardia vaccinii IMV B-7405.

The activity of NADP+ -dependent glutamate dehydrogenase (EC 1.4.1.4) in the cell-free extract was analyzed for the formation of glutamate in the oxidation of NADPH at 340 nm.

It was found that activators of this enzyme in A. calcoaceticus ІMV B-7241 were calcium cations (5 mM), magnesium (10 mM) and zinc (0.001–0.01mM), R. erythropolis ІMV Ac-5017 − calcium (5 mM), N. vaccinii IMV B-7405 − calcium (5 and 10 mM), sodium (25−100 mM), potassium (50 and 100 mM). Additional introduction or increase the content of enzyme activators in cultivation medium of studied strains was accompanied by increasing activity of NADP+-dependent glutamate dehydrogenase in 1.5-3 times compared with that in the base medium.

The possibility of regulating biological properties of final product during cultivation of surfactants producer are discussed. The obtained results suppose modification of microbial surfactants characteristics with the change in cultivation medium of cations content − activators and/or inhibitors of key enzymes biosynthesis of component surfactants responsible for specific biological properties. 

The inhibiting influence of salicylic acid on percentage of rooted microplants of rootstock 54-118 was revealed (negative effect increase with increase of salicylic acid concentration). When using salicylic acid in concentration 2.0 and 3.0 mg/l, percentage of rooted microplants was 9.71 ± 2.29 and 4.17 ± 2.08 % respectively. Negative effect of high dose of salicylic acid on root number, root growth and root system development coefficient for 54-118 was found out after first 3 week of cultivation.

There was no similar inhibiting influence on percentage of rooted microplants of 106-13. Percentage of rooted microplants varied from 78.21 ± 3.81 (without salicylic acid) to 90.47 ± 4.76 % (1.5 mg/l of salicylic acid). In all studied concentrations salicylic acid didn’t influence on number of roots, on root system development coefficient of 106-13 microplants. In high concentration (3.0 mg/l) salicylic acid inhibited root growth of 106-13 microplants. 

A comparative study of the biochemical composition of the tubers of 5 varieties of Jerusalem artichoke from the collection of Central botanical garden in the autumn and spring was conducted. The content of dry substances, free organic and ascorbic acids, soluble sugars, pectin substances, inulin, bioflavonoids and the index of the sugar-acid index were measured. It has been established that the integral level of nutritional and vitamin values by totality of eight determined characteristics was 1.1-4.9 times higher in the autumn than in spring with the most essential differences in the variety Skorospelka. The study unequivocally attests the greater expediency of the autumn term of harvesting of tubers, in comparison with spring.

The characteristics of water exchange of leaves of Arabidopsis thaliana plants, genetically modified on PIP aquaporins, at different substrate water potential. It is assumed that aquaporins PIP1 subgroup have a significant impact on the rate of stomatal water loss, the contribution of PIP2 aquaporins subgroup in a more significant flow of water into the mesophyll cells.

It is shown that the modified plants are less resistant to water stress than the wild-type plant. Increased expression of PIP aquaporins increases hygromorphic leaf structure, less resistant to water stress were overexpressor pip2; 2-23. Under the conditions of water stress in plants knockout pip2; 1-2 increases resistance to mesophyll tissue dehydration.

Bacterial DNA (including plasmids) and synthetic oligo-2ʹ-deoxynucleotides containing non-methylated CpGdinucleotides (CpG-ODN) upon introduction into human or animal body stimulate both innate and adaptive immune responses. In this regard bright prospects open up for therapeutic application of CpG-ODN to cope with infectious, allergic diseases and cancer. However, CpG-ODN molecules are negatively charged and hence can hardly penetrate through cell membrane bearing the equipolar surface charge. Moreover, native CpG-ODN are easily cleaved by nucleases. One of the effective methods to counter CpG-ODN nuclease attack is chemical modification of their sugar-phosphate skeleton. Yet some cases have been reported when supply of modified molecules caused grave side-effects. All these circumstances restrain considerably therapeutic prospects of CpG-ODN and spur-up the interest in search of efficient systems for CpG-ODN delivery to target tissues and cells. Lately progress of nanobiotechnologies provided unprecedented opportunities for encapsulation of active drug substances (including CpG-ODN) into various nanosize transport vehicles and synthesis of multiform nanostructures from CpG-ODN. The use of such delivery systems raises significantly both CpG-ODN stability and extent of their internalization into target cells. It is plausible that development of nanotransporters will enable to get rid of chemical CpG-ODN modification provoking adverse effects. 

The review examines the role of long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) in the regulation of gene networks with a high degree of complexity. There are such divisions as the role of lncRNAs in: the genome and transcriptome organization; the regulation of a gene specific transcription; the post-transcriptional regulation; X chromosome inactivation; the development of oncopathology and some other diseases; the regulation of telomere length; the expression in tissues of the nervous system. We discuss the literature data on several kinds of non-coding RNA, the participation of lncRNAs in the transmission and coordination of information flows in the epigenetic, transcriptional and post-transcriptional processes. For example, there is a list of noncoding RNAs including both long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) and other RNA types (micro RNAs (miRNA), small interfering RNAs (siRNA), piwi-interacting RNAs (piRNA), small nucleolar RNAs (snoRNA), etc.) Our article also deals with the role of such RNAs as HOTAIR – RNA reprogramming chromatin state, Xist, which causes an inactivation of X chromosome genes, or TelRNA involved in replicative aging. Some features of lncRNA expression in tissues of the nervous system are discussed on example of such an evolutionary conservative molecule as TUNA, probably involved in the development of Huntington’s disease. In addition, we consider the probable role of lncRNAs in the development of a number of diseases, including cancer and cardiovascular ones (PCGEM1 – prostate tumor, MALAT1 – non-small cell lung cancer; Miat – myocardial infarction, ANRIL – atherosclerosis, etc.). 

Herbarium is the main tool in the study of biological diversity and reliable source of information for systematic processing species of any territory. In this regard, the inventory Belarusian herbarium specimens of the first quarter of the 20th century, will allow to start and complement the fundamental work «Flora of lichens Belarus»

The objects of study were Belarusian herbarium specimens stored in the collections of lichens laboratory lichenology and bryology BIN RAS. A result of processing in herbarium specimens lichenological herbarium (LE) found that the total number of samples is 1502, relating to 260 the lichen species and closely related fungi. On the territory of Belarus species collected from 67 localities, 4 regions and 31 administrative districts. The largest number of samples collected V. P. Savic – 839. For the first time Belarus are 4 new taxons, lichens: Biatora helvola and Leptogium teretiusculum, lichenicolous fungi: Abrothallus peyritschii and Plectocarpon lichenum. During the inventory of lichens first quarter of the 20th century herbarium collections found 25 new localities of 11 species of lichens recorded in the 4-th edition of the Red Book of Belarus. The data obtained clarify distribution of species within Belarus.