Chair of Biochemistry

Established in 1923.
Head of Chair Michail Aghajanov, honoured scientist, Academician of the Academy of Medical Sciences of RA, PhD, Doctor of biology, Professor.
History
The chair was established in 1923 within the Faculty of Medicine as the chair of physiological chemistry. The first Head of the chair was rector of Yerevan State University (YSU) Professor Hakob Ioannisyan. In 1930 after foundation of Yerevan State Medical Institute (YSMI) the Chair of physiological chemistry was moved to YSMI and renamed in Chair of Biochemistry. The Head of the Chair was the founder and the rector of the YSMI Professor Hakob Ioannisyan. During the years that he headed the chair several investigations of semiacetal synthesis, catalysts were performed such as antioxidant properties of some vitamins and oxypurins were studied.
In 1937 Hrachia Buniatyan became head the chair. He was among the prominent scientists who established the National Academy of Sciences in 1943 (NAS)in ASSR.
During the years he headed following large scale studies successfully train performed in the chair:
• Biochemical processes responsible for exciting and inhibition of brain, as well for biochemical processes which are in in the base of conditional reflexes development(Gabriel S. Khachatryan-the member of the Neurocounsil of USSR)
• Invention of biochemical bases of adaptational trophical impact of sympathicoadrenal system(Emil E. Mkheyan et al.).
Within the Chair the Laboratory of Brain Biosynthetic Reactions was established by Gabriel Khachatryan. The Laboratory focused on peculiarities of carbohydrates metabolism alternative pathways in brain as well as on the role of various nucleic acids and in memory mechanisms et conditional reflexes initiations.
Since 1961 the Chair was headed by Professor Vahan Mkhitaryan, honoured scientist, the Corresponding member of NAS of ASSR. He leaded the studies on mechanisms of chloropren intoxication. These studies served as a bases for studies on chain free radicals reactions of lipid peroxidation, as well as for studies on this process regulating antioxidant system in future. This direction which was called “Oxidative Stress” further was elaborated by the current Head of Chair, by honoured scientist, Academician of Academy of Medical Sciences of RA, PhD of biologica sciences, Professor M. I. Aghajanov. His doctoral thesis was devoted to study of above mentioned processes during combustion disease.The role of lipid peroxidation in different states was studied in other doctoral thesises in the chair too(E. M. Mikayelyan, D.M. Gevorkyan, and M.M. Melkonyan).
Since 1986 Professor Aghajanov headed the Chair. Under his leadership the investigations of lipid peroxidation mechanisms at the various pathologies were continued.
In 2008-2011 the Chair was headed by Professor H. G. Vahradyan.
Staring 2011 till present the Chair is headed again Professor M. I. Aghajanov.

The students of all the faculties of YSMU are taught biochemistry during the second year of study. Teaching is performed in three languages – Armenian, Russian and English. The subject is presented to students in lectures by using Power Point computer programm, practical classes and seminars.
Current assessment of students’ knowledge is done by combination of oral and test examinations. The test bank in Armenian, Russian and English involving more than several thousand constantly updated tests is created at the Chair.
The final examination of students knowledge at the end of programm is done by computer tests.
Within the Chair a Student Scientific Group is created, where students have opportunity to make their scientific presentations. The most succesfull students are included in the scientific works of the Char.
3 textbooks are published at the Chair in Armenian:
• G.S. Khachatryan, M.I. Aghajanov – “Biochemistry”, Yerevan 2001
• M.I. Aghajanov ,A.L.Shaljyan – “Biochemistry of oral cavity” , textbook, Yerevan 2015.

• M.I. Aghajanov ,A.L.Shaljyan – “Biochemistry of oral cavity” , textbook, in Russian Yerevan 2019.
• Edited by M.I. Aghajanov – “Biochemistry” , textbook, Yerevan 2022.

The manuals on all topics of biochemistry were prepared by all the members of the chair which are summarized into a two teaching manuals (2013,2015).
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Scientific research at the Chair is performed in three directions.
The major direction is investigations of “Biochemical mechanisms of pathogenesis of Alzheimer disease and other neurodegenerative diseases, the ways of their prevention and treatment”. Research is led by Professor M. I. Aghajanov. The results of these investigations are summarized in the several doctoral and candidacy theses.
In 2002 under the leadership of Professor M. I.Aghajanov the Armenian Association of Alzheimer disease was established.

The second direction is “Astroglia-mediated immune impairments and behavioural changes at experimental model of autism”. Research is led by Professor K. B. Enkoyan.

The third direction is “Study of the role of opioid receptors in neurochemical mechanisms of obesity”. Research is led by Professor G. S. Vardanyan.

The Chair of Biochemistry collaborates with:
• The chairs of pathophysiology,pathanatomy of YSMU.
• <<COBRAIN>> Scientific Center, YSMU
• “Muratsan” University Clinics ,
• Institute of Biochemistry after H. Buniatyan of NAS RA,
• Institute of Physiology by NAS RA,
• “Erebuni” and “Armenia” Medical Centers,
• “Armenicum” Closed Joint Stock Company,
• Laboratory of Prion Diseases of MH RA,
• Stockholm Caroline Institute (Sweden),
• Alzheimer International Association (London).