Laboratory of Immunogetics

Head A.V.Taranin, Ph.D.
taranin@bionet.nsc.ru

Schematic representation of the domain structure of the newly defined by the group human and mouse FcR-like proteins (a) in comparison with the known leukocyte receptors (b).
Designations: circle - IgSF domain; square - Scavenger receptor-like domain, triangle - mucin-like domain. Shaded bar - cell membrane. Patterns show structural homology

The Laboratory maintains the largest pool of normal and mutant lines of Drosophila melanogaster, as well as a collection of other species of the Drosophila genus.

The group studies molecular evolution of the immune system with the particular emphasis on the evolution of the leukocyte receptors belonging to the immunoglobulin superfamily (IgSF). Three main approaches are  
(1) assembling of a comprehensive IgSF database and phylogenetic analysis of the structural and functional relationships of the known IgSF members;  
(2) cloning of the most important leukocyte antigen genes in lower vertebrates (agnathans and chondrostean fishes);  
(3) identification, cloning and characterization of the novel mammalian IgSF members. The longterm goal of the studies is reconstruction of the molecular events underlying origin and phylogenetic development of the immune system.