On the basis of ITRL, TNMU scientists conduct research in the following priority areas:

• study of the fundamental mechanisms (molecular, biochemical, morphological) of the development of pathological processes in the clinical and experimental conditions;

• development of new and improvement of existing methods and means of prevention, diagnosis and treatment of the most common and socially significant diseases.

The laboratory is a basic facility in functioning of the “Centre for the study of Lyme borreliosis and other tick-borne infections”, which operates at TNMU. It is the only Centre in Ukraine that provides a comprehensive study of epidemiology, etiological factors, pathogenesis, diagnosis and treatment of Lyme borreliosis and other infections transmitted by tick bites. Researchers at the Centre conducted a screening study for the presence of Lyme disease in more than 1,200 foresters from seven regions of Ukraine and nearly 1,000 patients who presented after tick bites. Research is conducted at various levels: identification of ticks using stereomicroscopic SEO system, identification of transmissible infections in ticks and humans by PCR, determination of antibodies to pathogens by ELISA and fluorescence microscopy, the use of immune blotting, which allows to isolate antigens. Researchers of the Centre have established international cooperation with laboratories in Europe (Poland, France, Finland, Spain, Ireland) and the United States.

An important area of ​the work of ITRL is the study of the endothelial system in COVID-19. And although there is a lot of information about endothelial dysfunction during coronavirus infection, there is almost no data on post-Covid patients and the course of the recovery period, which in the light of information about the long haul COVID-19 - is extremely relevant. The main purpose of the study is to establish the molecular mechanisms of endothelial dysfunction, hypercoagulation and vascular thrombosis in persons with COVID-19 of varying severity, by a comprehensive study of endothelial cell production of vasorelaxant and vasoconstrictor factors, the degree of damage to vascular wall characterize the presence of coagulopathy and thrombophilia, oxidative stress intensity parameters and, as a result, the development of recommendations for risk assessment and prevention as well as prognostic and diagnostic criteria for thrombosis and endothelial dysfunction in patients with COVID-19.

A pilot study on neonatal screening of primary immunodeficiencies by TRECs- and KRECs-determination of T- and B-lymphopenias is conducted on the basis of ITRL. This study allowed for the first time in Ukraine to test these latest techniques, determine the reference values ​​of TRECs and KRECs for the diagnosis of severe comorbid immunodeficiencies and other congenital malformations with T-lymphopenia, which will allow early detection of severe comorbid and other immunodeficiencies, reduce mortality and improve the quality of life of children with congenital malformations.

An important area of ​​research conducted by scientists with the participation of laboratory staff is early diagnosis of cardiovascular and metabolic disorders in school-age children. The urgency of this issue is due to the steady increase in childhood obesity, which results in increased risk of cardiometabolic disorders. For timely diagnosis and development of preventive measures, models for predicting the development of pathologies are extremely important. Thus, the authors aim to develop a model for predicting the development of cardiometabolic disorders with different levels of vitamin D and different patterns of eating behaviour. The obtained results will allow to work out prognostic criteria for the development of cardiovascular disorders in children, as well as to suggest methods for their prevention.

The Cell Cultures Unit produces primary cultures of human and laboratory animal mesenchymal stem cells and fibroblasts, scales cell populations and performs their karyotyping to detect cytogenetic abnormalities that may occur during long-term cultivation and cryopreservation of cells. In vitro experiments are performed to determine the cytotoxicity of nanoparticles; the stimulating (mitogenic) effects of platelet-rich blood plasma (PRP – platelet rich plasma) are studied, and bioengineered structures are developed (in particular, artificial skin as an effective wound dressing). A cryobank of cell cultures has been created, which stores samples of stem cells derived from the umbilical cord, amnion, placenta, human adipose tissue and laboratory rats, myogenic progenitor cells and skin fibroblasts.

The Morphology Section of ITRL studies the toxic, sorption and antimicrobial effects of lyophilized xenodermatografts after exposure to physical factors (singlet oxygen and biogalvanization). The efficiency and expediency of these grafts in the complex treatment of burn patients are morphologically substantiated. The physical and biological properties of the crushed substrate of cryophilized xenoskin (pigs), its influence on the course of regenerative processes in the skin and organs of the body after thermal injury have been studied. The conducted complex morphological researches have substantiated expediency of new methods of correction of a burn injury.

State budget research carried out on the basis of ITRL

Mono- and mixed tick-borne infections, improvement of medical and diagnostic technologies and biosafety measures. State registration number 0120U104348. Head: Academician of the National Academy of Medical Sciences of Ukraine, M. A. Andreichyn.

Pilot study on neonatal screening of primary immunodeficiencies by TRECs and KRECs for T- and B-lymphopenia. State registration number 0120U104282. Head: Prof. O. R. Boiarchuk.

Early diagnosis of cardiovascular and metabolic disorders in school children. State registration number 0120U104283. Head: Prof. M. I. Marushchak.

Investigation of the regenerative potential of cellular therapy agents in acute respiratory distress syndrome. State registration number 0121U100159. Head: MD, Prof. I. Ya. Krynytska.

Endothelial dysfunction, hypercoagulation and microvascular thrombosis in COVID-19: risk assessment, pathogenesis and diagnosis. State registration number 0121U100305. Head: MD, Prof. M. M. Korda.

Grant projects implemented on the basis of ITRL

RECOOP # 020 “Development of test kits for enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay of antibodies to SARS-CoV-2 in saliva”.

RECOOP # 021 “Gender-based differences in chronic stress in students due to limited mobility in the COVID-19 pandemic”.

RECOOP # 022 “Study of chronic stress in SARS-CoV 2 infected seropositive patients and healthcare professionals”.

RECOOP # 023 “Effect of COVID-19 on hypertension in patients receiving angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitors and angiotensin receptor antagonists (ARAII)”.

RECOOP # 024 “Endothelial dysfunction and hypercoagulation in patients with COVID-19”.

RECOOP Grant # 25 “Study of cross-humoral immunity between coronaviruses that cause seasonal colds and SARS-CoV-2”.

RECOOP FUS Grant # 26 Fusion Grant “Study of changes in the haemostasis system and glycosylation of coagulation factors after COVID-19”.

RECOOP # 027 “Use of fluorescent optical sensors for determination of salivary cortisol in acute and chronic stress caused by COVID-19”.

RECOOP Grant # 028 “COVID-19 and comorbid pathology in pregnant women”.