Returnees: Boris Zhivotovsky, researcher of apoptosis
Professor of Karolinska University will deal with the problem of cancer at MSU
The article is published on the website "Izvestia Nauki"At the end of October, the Minister of Education and Science Andrei Fursenko announced the "first wave" of winners of the Russian megagrant competition.
40 foreign scientists will receive 150 million rubles each for conducting research in Russian universities. One of the winners, biochemist Boris Zhivotovsky was the first in the USSR to raise the topic of apoptosis – programmed cell death. Now the scientist works at the Karolinska University in Stockholm. Boris Davidovich told the correspondent of the "Week" Daria Varlamova about how he got to Sweden, why he decided to apply for a Russian grant and what he was going to do in the laboratory of Moscow State University.
A week: You are investigating the problem of programmed cell death – what is it, in a nutshell?
Boris Zhivotovsky: For many decades, researchers have been interested in how a cell divides, differentiates, and few people have been interested in how it dies. But in the 1970s, a group of scientists from Australia and Scotland published a scientific article where a detailed morphological analysis of dying cells was carried out. The authors called this phenomenon "apoptosis", which means "falling leaves" in Greek. Its essence is that a natural process of self-destruction can be started in a cell as a result of the implementation of a genetic program. A similar process can also be activated under the influence of external factors. This is common to all animal and plant cells. The simplest example is the postmenstrual period in women, when certain cells must die under the influence of hormones. I worked in Leningrad at the Central Research X-Ray Radiological Institute, studied the effects of radiation on the human body and animals. In 1978, my colleagues and I, under the guidance of the scientific supervisor Professor Kaido Paulovich Hanson, began to actively develop the idea that the death of cells of the lymphoid system from radiation is an example of apoptosis. "The delusional idea that a cell can be programmed to die is not supported by the state," we were told then. And only later, when there was a boom in research in this area around the world, we were recognized and awarded the USSR State Prize in 1987.
N: But were you looking for recognition abroad?
Zhivotovsky: Not really. We simply tried to publish the results of our research not only in the Soviet Union, but also as much as possible abroad. I was not going to emigrate, even when in 1991 I received an invitation from the Royal Swedish Academy of Sciences to conduct joint research in the laboratory at the Karolinska Institute. I was invited for six months, but I agreed to go only for three months to return to my laboratory. While in Sweden, I learned that the USSR had collapsed. My former supervisor and good friend Professor Hanson said: "Boris, don't do nonsense, sit and work if you have the opportunity." And I agreed to continue my research in Sweden, and then I won a competition for the position and title of professor. I took two graduate students with me.
N: Were the working conditions different from ours?
Zhivotovsky: The equipment is about the same, but the infrastructure is completely different. The ordered reagent could be received the next day. A luxurious library. The Karolinska Institute is generally an outstanding institution: there is a committee here that awards the Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine.
N.: At what level is modern Russian science, in your opinion?
Zhivotovsky: Would we be invited abroad if there were bad scientists in Russia? Another thing is that in modern Russian science there is an "old guard" that has the deepest fundamental knowledge, but does not have the opportunity to teach young people modern research methods. Unfortunately, the stratum of 40-50-year-olds with applied skills in Russia is very small, and it is their laboratories that work most successfully. For example, groups of professors Lukyanov and Nedospasov publish works in the world's best journals. Another problem is the lack of infrastructure and crazy bureaucracy.
Together with my younger colleagues working abroad, I periodically give lectures at Moscow State University and other universities. Young people are interested in our research. At the end of November, we come back to the traditional school of young scientists to share knowledge.
N.: Are you inspired by the idea of reviving science due to the influx of "fresh blood" from abroad?
Zhivotovsky: At first I was rather skeptical about her. But then I found out that the competition would be evaluated by a commission of international experts, and I believed that everything was serious.
N: What will you do at MSU?
Zhivotovsky: I plan to divide the research into two parts. The first is a fundamental study of the mechanisms of cell death by the type of apoptosis and autophagy. The second is the use of the acquired knowledge to fight diseases, in particular cancer. After all, one of the causes of cancer is a violation of the mechanism of cell death, they begin to multiply uncontrollably, accumulate in the body and degenerate into tumor cells.
We need to create a laboratory for these studies. On December 3, I invite young Russian scientists to an interview. In three days, 10 people have already applied to participate in the project. Some time will be spent on the purchase of equipment and reagents, on the arrangement. Also, my plans include the creation of a special course at Moscow State University, where there will be lectures and practical classes. I will invite the world's leading scientists to them. Of course, it will not do without overlays. According to the documents, the grant began to operate in 2010, although the contract has not been signed. At the same time, money for the grant is allocated annually, and it is necessary to have time to spend it, otherwise it will "burn out". But it is almost impossible to do anything in the remaining time. However, yesterday I received news that there is a possibility that the Ministry of Education will allow to transfer the amount of this year to the next. Professors Tkachuk and Sadovnichy are of great help to me in organizing the laboratory at Moscow State University. Obviously, it is impossible to do anything without such help.
N: What do you expect from returning to your homeland?
Zhivotovsky: I don't plan to leave my department at the Karolinska Institute and finally return. According to the contract – which, as you know, has not yet been signed – I must stay in Russia for at least four months a year. Until the equipment is purchased in Moscow and the laboratory does not work, I plan to conduct part of the research in Sweden. I will invite young Russian scientists there to study and gain experience, but I don't know if it will go at least partially to the account of those "four months". How I will live in Moscow is unknown, there have been no talks about providing housing under the grant. So far, on short trips, I stay in a hotel. But living in Moscow hotels is not enough for any grant! To be honest, I consider working in Moscow as a new interesting challenge of fate.
Portal "Eternal youth" http://vechnayamolodost.ru22.11.2010