University of Salford
I am an enthusiastic molecular modeller and have over 10 years of academic and industrial experience in molecular modelling and simulation applied to problems in life sciences. I study the interactions between the molecules, preferably bio-molecules. I have worked in the fields of food colloids, liquid crystals, protein interactions and bio membranes. My current research interests are in the area of topical drug delivery: how do molecules permeate into and through skin?
Nowadays I mainly use molecular dynamics (atomistic and coarse-grained) for my research but previously I’ve used Monte Carlo and Self-Consistent Field methods.
I graduated as a biophysicist from St. Petersburg State University, St. Petersburg, Russia. After that I obtained a PhD degree in Physical Chemistry at the Division of Physical Chemistry, Lund University, Sweden where I study interactions between polyelectrolytes and charged nanoparticles. I have moved to England in 2006 and prior joining the University of Salford in December 2016, I have worked at the School of Food Science & Nutrition, University of Leeds, Unilever R&D Port Sunlight, the School of Chemical Engineering & Analytical Sciences, University of Manchester and The Institute of Skin Integrity and Infection Prevention, School of Human and Health Sciences, University of Huddersfield.
“We try to figure out how small molecules (like oxygen, hydrogen peroxide, terpenes) affect cell membranes. We study model cell membranes composed of different lipids – to see how lipid composition affect the permeation.
We do this because recent studies show that cancer cells should have different lipid composition comparing to normal cells and therefore trying to find a way to target cancer cells mostly, not healthy ones. My research is done on computer – I do molecular dynamics simulations of lipid membranes. Step by step we develop models for cancer and healthy cell membranes and look at permeability by different molecules.
We aim to find a way to lessen active concentration of toxic chemotherapy drugs by combining them with other, less cytotoxic molecules that also have anticancer properties. I see this as one way to provide cancer treatment for children and decrease side effects by using less amounts of drugs.”
Areas of research
Computational Chemistry, Molecular Modelling, Skin Structure and Properties, Permeation of Bio Membranes, Self Assembly Phenomena, Skin structure and properties
Qualifications
1996: BSc in Physics, St. Petersburg State University, St. Petersburg, Russia
1999: MSc in Physics, Department of Molecular Biophysics, St. Petersburg State University, St. Petersburg, Russia
2005: PhD in Physical Chemistry, Lund University, Sweden
Memberships
Member of CCP5 (Collaborative Computational Project for simulations of condensed phases (since 2015)
Applied for RSC membership
0161 295 3864 