16TH INTERNATIONAL RESEARCH SCHOOL
Bioindicator Plants: What Can They Tell Us About the Ecology of the North?
Experimental plant biology, physical and chemical biology
The Republic of Sakha (Yakutia) is the largest administrative region in the world, with a total area of over 3 million square kilometers. And across this vast territory, 2,000 species of higher plants grow.
Many plants in Yakutia have developed a range of physiological and biochemical adaptations that allow them to survive in harsh conditions. Examples include the production of essential oils, the synthesis of cold-shock proteins, and changes in the expression of resistance genes.
Many plants in Yakutia have developed a range of physiological and biochemical adaptations that allow them to survive in harsh conditions. Examples include the production of essential oils, the synthesis of cold-shock proteins, and changes in the expression of resistance genes.
Figure 1. The relationship between environmental conditions and industrial pollution and the biochemical and physiological adaptations of plants
One such biological marker is lipids—a group of diverse organic compounds that perform a wide variety of functions in the organism. These include triacylglycerides, waxes, phospholipids, sterols, and many others.
Figure 2. Modern classification of lipids
Many lipids alter their fatty acid composition in response to changes in environmental factors, including those resulting from human activity (environmental pollution caused by waste and industrial emissions).
That is why our project will focus on studying changes in the composition of pigments and fatty acids in potential bioindicator plants growing in natural environments and near industrial facilities in the Central Yakutia region, to enable rapid assessment of the ecological condition of this territory. It is also necessary to identify the relationship between visual signs of stress and changes in biochemical indicators (qualitative and quantitative content of lipids and pigments).
That is why our project will focus on studying changes in the composition of pigments and fatty acids in potential bioindicator plants growing in natural environments and near industrial facilities in the Central Yakutia region, to enable rapid assessment of the ecological condition of this territory. It is also necessary to identify the relationship between visual signs of stress and changes in biochemical indicators (qualitative and quantitative content of lipids and pigments).
Figure 3. Steps in sample preparation prior to chromatographic analysis
The experimental work plan will include:
- Collection of plant material representing 3–4 plant species;
- Preparation of samples for analysis. At this stage, dried plant samples will be extracted in chloroform and methanol, evaporated, and methylated in a 1% H₂SO₄ solution in CH₃OH.
- Conducting analyses (gas chromatography, thin-layer chromatography, and spectrophotometry).
Figure 4. Analytical methods: A – Gas chromatography (Perkin Elmer Clarus 590GC gas chromatograph); B – Spectrophotometry (Perkin Elmer FL 6500 spectrophotometer).
The final stage of the project will involve processing the analysis results using UniChrom software (for gas chromatography results) and performing statistical analysis in Excel. Following this, a presentation summarizing the entire project will be created and presented at the final defense before a panel of experts.
Participants Requirements:
Prospective project participants must be students in grades 8–11 (ages 14–18), have a basic understanding of botany and biochemistry, be familiar with environmental concepts, and be able to work with laboratory equipment. Experience in research and public speaking is encouraged.
If you are interested in participating, we look forward to seeing you at the international research school!
Participants Requirements:
Prospective project participants must be students in grades 8–11 (ages 14–18), have a basic understanding of botany and biochemistry, be familiar with environmental concepts, and be able to work with laboratory equipment. Experience in research and public speaking is encouraged.
If you are interested in participating, we look forward to seeing you at the international research school!
Tutors
Venedikt Kudrin
Yakutsk, Russia
Yakutsk, Russia
Venedikt is a graduate of the biology and chemistry class at the Republican Boarding Lyceum. He developed a passion for biology in high school and achieved great success in academic competitions, winning the regional biology competition. He actively participates in organizing science-oriented educational projects in Yakutia.
Methodologist at the Department of Science Education at the Junior Academy of Sciences of the Republic of Sakha (Yakutia). Olympiad coach preparing students for the regional round of the All-Russian School Olympiad in Biology. Member of the subject-methodological commission for the regional stage of the All-Russian School Olympiad in Yakutia. Currently interning at the Institute of Biological Problems of the Siberian Branch of the Russian Academy of Sciences.
His research interests include plant physiology and biochemistry; he studies the lipid metabolism of cereal crops (Avena sativa L.) under the influence of low temperatures. Mentor of the project “Study of the Phytochemical Composition of Medicinal Plants of Central Yakutia” in the All-Russian educational program “Sirius. Summer: Create Your Own Project!”
Methodologist at the Department of Science Education at the Junior Academy of Sciences of the Republic of Sakha (Yakutia). Olympiad coach preparing students for the regional round of the All-Russian School Olympiad in Biology. Member of the subject-methodological commission for the regional stage of the All-Russian School Olympiad in Yakutia. Currently interning at the Institute of Biological Problems of the Siberian Branch of the Russian Academy of Sciences.
His research interests include plant physiology and biochemistry; he studies the lipid metabolism of cereal crops (Avena sativa L.) under the influence of low temperatures. Mentor of the project “Study of the Phytochemical Composition of Medicinal Plants of Central Yakutia” in the All-Russian educational program “Sirius. Summer: Create Your Own Project!”
Alexander Semenov
Yakutsk, Russia
Yakutsk, Russia
Alexander has been interested in studying biology since his school days, and having achieved significant success in his studies, he enrolled in and successfully graduated from the Faculty of Biology at Lomonosov Moscow State University, successfully defending his thesis in the Department of Biological Evolution. He subsequently earned a bachelor’s degree from the K.A. Timiryazev Russian State Agrarian University (RSAU-MSHA) and a master’s degree from the M.K. Ammosov North-Eastern Federal University (NEFU). He is currently pursuing a Ph.D. at the Institute of Biological Problems of the Cryolithozone.
His research interests include vertebrate zoology, evolutionary biology, and comparative morphology. He has participated in several paleontological expeditions and is a co-author of two scientific articles.
His research interests include vertebrate zoology, evolutionary biology, and comparative morphology. He has participated in several paleontological expeditions and is a co-author of two scientific articles.
