Jubilees

Soul and heart of radiobiological research of Russia

On 17 June, 20th anniversary of the Laboratory of Radiation Biology of JINR was celebrated, yet its history started much earlier.

"20 years is not yet an anniversary," LRB Director A.N.Bugay opened the seminar. "This is the age of majority but behind it, a deep scientific school lies and cooperation with many institutions whose representatives are with us today."

"The Laboratory of Radiation Biology is part of our family," Director of JINR Grigory Trubnikov emphasized. "And at the same time, the world centre, where they are engaged not only in radiobiology and genetics, but also in omix technologies, shed light on the mystery of the emergence of life on Earth, study the nature of neurodegenerative diseases. Today, we will hear about the glorious history that started in 1959 with the first investigations of biological objects on the synchrocyclotron of DLNP. In 1964, with the support of V.P.Dzhelepov, a branch of the newly developed Institute of Biomedical Problems started to function at DLNP. In 1978, on the initiative of Head of the Synchrocyclotron Department of DLNP V.I.Danilov, a Sector for Biological Research was established, which Professor V.I. Korogodin was invited to. In 1986, the Sector was headed by Professor E.A.Krasavin and without him it was hardly possible to assemble such a constellation of academic institutions and scientific centres of the JINR Member States.

Established in 1995, the Department of Radiation and Radiobiological Research attracts such well-known specialists as Academicians A.Yu.Rozanov, A.I.Grigoriev, O.G.Gazenko, Yu.B.Ushakov to Dubna. In 2005, the JINR Committee of Plenipotentiaries decided to establish the Laboratory of Radiation Biology. We are not taking stock today, 20 years is not an anniversary, but a springboard. LRB is the youngest, fastest developing laboratory today. It is harmoniously headed by two people - representatives of different generations and scientific schools Evgeny Krasavin and Alexander Bugay. I congratulate the Laboratory on behalf of Directorate, the checkpoint and the Member States on a wonderful date. Stay as bold, enthusiastic as you are. Bright scientific projects for you!" Director of the Institute wished.

The welcoming speech of E.A.Krasavin was read by the Scientific Secretary of LRB I.V.Koshlan. The outstanding role of V.P.Dzhelepov and Director of the Institute of Oncology N.N. Blokhin in the establishment of the laboratory that supported the research of Directors of DLNP G.N.Flerov and Yu.Ts.Oganessian providing many years of assistance to G.V.Trubnikov was highlighted in the speech.

The seminar participants watched a documentary about the history, employees and research of the laboratory, created in the department of Yu.A.Panebrattsev (UC). A.N.Bugay spoke about where the laboratory is today, where it moves to, about the strategy of its research and the main achievements in recent years.

President of the Radiobiological Society of the Russian Academy of Sciences I.B.Ushakov (A.I.Burnazyan Federal Medical and Biological Centre) highlighted that the Laboratory's significant scientific contribution, its annual major scientific conferences inspire the entire radiobiological community with bright hopes. Vice-President of the Council of the Russian Academy of Sciences for Radiobiology A.N.Grebenyuk emphasized the uniqueness of the Laboratory in its capabilities in simulation, biodosimetry, other research, in the potential of the team of physicists, engineers and biologists assembled here and in the preservation of traditions.

The Scientific Leader of the Space Research Institute L.M.Zeleny recalled that a new paradigm for space explorers has occurred in LRB. "In the film, we saw a fragment of Evgeny Alexandrovich's speech at the Space Council of the Russian Academy of Sciences, which we moved him to, saw how it shocked everyone. Indeed, a paradigm shift currently takes place: instead of an optimistic picture of cosmonaut squads marching briskly along Mars, as a result of your research, a picture of a robotic investigation of this planet increasingly emerges. So, whether Vladimir Voynovich's dream comes true that "our traces will remain on the dusty expanses of distant planets" or not - depends on you."

Congratulations of the pilot-cosmonaut of the Russian Federation, Hero of Russia S.V.Avdeev was not from the field of poetry about space, but from the practice of launches. He wished the Laboratory resistance to external influences, stability and high flights.

Acting Rector of Dubna University A.S.Denikin recalled how in 1998, with the active assistance of A.N.Sisakyan, the Department of Radiation Biophysics opened at the University and the staff that came to it brought academic seriousness to the walls of the new university. "Thanks to the high professionalism of the team of E.A.Krasavin, a galaxy of young scientists soon appeared at the University and JINR. The University and LRB are one family. We are going to maximize our cooperation not only in educational, but also in scientific activities - we have no other way."

The Laboratory received congratulatory addresses from colleagues from Bulgaria and JINR Vice Director L.Kostov highlighted that the most active cooperation of Bulgarian scientific centres with JINR is carried out precisely in the field of radiobiology. Today, relations with LRB are supported by the Bulgarian National Centre for Radiation Protection, the Institute of Molecular Biology, the Institute of Genetics and others. Congratulations from the Committee on Nuclear Energy of Mongolia and from the Plenipotentiary Representative of the Government of Mongolia in JINR S.Davaa were conveyed by the head of the national group G.Gurzhav. The nascent tradition of holding youth schools in radiobiology in Cuba was told by LRB Deputy Director I.D.Padron. Congratulations and hope for the development of cooperation were expressed by J.R.Zeevaart (South Africa), from a number of Armenian institutions - S.Harutyunyan, from Directorate of the Medical Unit 9 - N.V.Balashova.

The heroes of the day were also congratulated from neighboring laboratories. DLNP Director E.A.Yakushev emphasized that LRB is a very rapidly developing staff. Scientific Leader of MLIT V.V.Korenkov emphasized that the cooperation between the two laboratories becomes more active, both MLIT and LRB are becoming a symbol of the unification of different technologies and MLIT Director S.V.Shmatov highlighted the youth and scientific activity of the laboratory staff, wishing them to stay the same energetic and purposeful.

FLNP Director E.V.Lychagin recalled the much longer cooperation with LRB than 20 years, stating that the Laboratory today personifies the dream of many people to have 60 years of experience and to have the energy inherent in 20 years. JINR Scientific Leader V.A.Matveev conveyed congratulations from the colleagues in the Section of Nuclear Physics of the Department of Physical Sciences of the Russian Academy of Sciences: "I am grateful to fate for the fact that I had a chance to work closely with E.A.Krasavin and A.N.Bugay."

I.A.Zamulaeva (MRRC named after A.F.Tsyba, Obninsk) conveyed congratulations from Directorate of the Centre and on her own behalf added, "LRB is the soul and heart of radiobiological research in Russia. Everyone who has visited at least once felt the unique atmosphere created by the team of E.A.Krasavin." Head of the Department of Molecular and Radiation Biophysics of the PNPI Research Centre "Kurchatov Institute" A.L.Konevega emphasized that the life of biologists at a large institute is complex and interesting and in LRB it turns out well. A.S.Stemberg (IBMP) entrusted great hopes on the capabilities of the NICA Accelerator Complex under development, stating that "everything is ahead with you and with us." A.N.Osipov (FMBC named after A.I.Burnazyan) remarked that today, it is impossible to meet radiobiological tasks without the participation of LRB that has become a leader in this area. N.I.Sanzharova (Institute of Radiology and Agroecology, Obninsk) expressed hopes for future cooperation. A.V.Shafirkin (IBMP), recalling a unique long-term experiment to study the effects of charged particles on large laboratory animals, carried out in the 1970s at JINR, called on the youth of the laboratory to re-study the safety of long-range space flights.

Chairman of the RAS Council on Astrobiology A.Yu.Rozanov emphasized that Dubna is one of the few places in the country where fundamental science develops and it is fundamental science that gives rise to scientific paradigms. He also wished to publish his results not only in the form of scientific articles, but also books since they are more durable.

The anniversary celebrants were not left without gifts. And the first was made by G.V.Trubnikov, giving an olive tree and setting the task for the 50th anniversary of the Laboratory to harvest and treat everyone with olive oil. And there were also paintings, a crystal owl - a symbol of wisdom, a glass souvenir from glassblowers of DLNP (the best gift is that is made with your own hands - E.A.Yakushev reminded everyone the Soviet wisdom), the globe of Mars, poems generated by a neural network in the style of Vladimir Mayakovsky sounded.

At the anniversary seminar, a number of laboratory employees were awarded. JINR Letters of Thanks were awarded to I.S.Gordeev, R.A.Kozhina, N.A.Koshlan, Yu.S.Severyukhin, T.S.Khramko; the title "Honorary Employee of JINR" was awarded to N.A.Koltova, O.V.Komova, E.A.Nasonova. O.A.Bakerin, M.A.Kovalenko, I.Yu.Lesninova, E.N.Lesovaya, V.N.Chausov were awarded with the Gratitude of Head of the Dubna Urban District, V.Koshlan - with Honorary Diploma of Head of the Dubna Urban District. Memorable gifts from the Laboratory were presented to T.A.Fadeeva, T.N.Bazlova, S.S.Bezdetny, L.G.Beskrovnaya, E.B.Dushanov, I.A.Kolesnikova, O.Yu.Lesninova, O.A.Mashkova, S.S.Negovelov, T.V.Tyupikova.

The chamber atmosphere of the JINR Scientists' Club only strengthened the warm and cordial atmosphere of the seminar, the bright end of which was the virtuoso performance of the quartet of musicians of the Dubna Symphony Orchestra.

Olga TARANTINA,
photo by Elena PUZYNINA