Novosibirsk-American Laboratory of Biomedical Chemistry

The laboratory of the Nobel laureate from the USA opened in Novosibirsk

Maria Kormiltseva, RIA Novosti

The Russian-American Laboratory of Biomedical Chemistry, headed by American scientist Sidney Altman, who was awarded the Nobel Prize in 1989, has started work at the Institute of Chemical Biology and Fundamental Medicine (IHBFM) of the Siberian Branch of the Russian Academy of Sciences, a new scientific unit will develop antibacterial and antiviral drugs, Director of the Institute Valentin Vlasov told reporters on Friday.

"We are now, apparently, the strongest team in Russia for the study of nucleic acids. This year we received a mega–grant, and we have a new head of the laboratory – Nobel Prize laureate Sidney Altman," he said.

According to Vlasov, the laboratory is being formed now, he met with Altman in the USA, the new head himself has already come to Novosibirsk, met with the team. Funding for the grant for the creation of the laboratory was received three weeks ago.

"She's working. And, it seems to me, there will be very good chances of success here," said the director of the institute.

He also said that Dmitry Statsenko, a scientist from the UK who previously worked in Moscow, will work under this grant.

The project to create this laboratory at the IHBFM became one of the winners of the third competition for mega grants from the Government of the Russian Federation for state support of scientific research conducted under the guidance of leading scientists in Russian educational and scientific institutions.

Portal "Eternal youth" http://vechnayamolodost.ru14.10.2013