{"id":31124,"date":"2026-10-26T14:25:27","date_gmt":"2026-10-26T11:25:27","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/physiology.med.sumdu.edu.ua\/?p=31124"},"modified":"2026-10-27T14:29:59","modified_gmt":"2026-10-27T11:29:59","slug":"october-meeting-of-the-student-research-group","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/physiology.med.sumdu.edu.ua\/en\/october-meeting-of-the-student-research-group\/","title":{"rendered":"October Meeting of the Student Research Group"},"content":{"rendered":"\t\t
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The Nobel Prize is one of the world\u2019s most prestigious international awards, presented annually in recognition of outstanding scientific discoveries, revolutionary inventions, and significant contributions to culture and the development of society. Every October, the Department of Physiology and Pathophysiology holds a meeting of its student research group dedicated to this important event.<\/p>

On 26 October 2026, the group held a meeting featuring presentations on the 2026 Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine. The Nobel Assembly announced Karl Deisseroth, Peter Hegemann and Georg Nagel\u00a0as this year\u2019s laureates for their groundbreaking discoveries concerning light-gated ion channels and optogenetics.<\/p>

The first presentation was delivered by Alina Maloviana\u00a0(group SM-501), who spoke on the topic \u201cThe Nobel Peace Center: Oslo, Norway.\u201d\u00a0She shared her personal experience of visiting the Nobel Peace Center. The presentation also highlighted how advances in science\u2014from the discovery of microRNA and the fine-tuning of immune responses through regulatory T cells to the optical control of neurons using optogenetics\u2014offer new opportunities to address diseases that were considered incurable just a few decades ago.<\/p>

Olha Khalymonenko, a fourth-year student (group MC.m-310), presented \u201cOptogenetics as a Method for Studying the Human Brain.\u201d\u00a0Her presentation outlined the fundamental principles of this biotechnological method, which uses light to control cellular activity. Optogenetic control of nerve cell activity has led to numerous discoveries, deepening our understanding of the functions of neural circuits in the brain. It also opens up new possibilities for developing therapeutic approaches for Parkinson\u2019s disease, epilepsy, severe depression and the restoration of lost vision.<\/p>

Karina Soloshchenko, a second-year student (group MC-502), delivered a presentation entitled \u201cLight as a Switch for Neurons: Channelrhodopsin.\u201d\u00a0To understand how memory, emotions and behaviour work, it is not enough to know which brain regions are responsible for particular functions. It is also essential to identify the specific nerve cells involved and understand how their activity influences brain function.<\/p>

A decisive step towards achieving this goal was made by Peter Hegemann and Georg Nagel, who studied light-sensitive proteins in single-celled green algae. Karl Deisseroth subsequently built on these discoveries to control neuronal activity using light. This led to the development of optogenetics, a method that enables researchers to activate or inhibit specific nerve cells using light.<\/p>

Sixth-year students Iryna Makei and Sonia Korcheva\u00a0presented \u201cNew Medicines and Vaccines: Advances in Modern Medicine in 2026.\u201d\u00a0Their presentation explored major developments in pharmacotherapy and emerging trends in drug development.<\/p>

One of the key trends highlighted was the shift from symptomatic treatment towards pathogenetically targeted, molecularly guided and personalised therapies. As of 28 September 2026, the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) had approved 45 novel drugs\u00a0during the year.<\/p>

The presentation covered advances in obesity treatment, new medicines for diabetes and kidney diseases, novel anti-infective drugs, innovations in haematology, the development of mRNA vaccines against influenza, and HPV vaccination in Ukraine.<\/p>

The participants\u2019 presentations are now available on the Department\u2019s YouTube channel:<\/p>

Alina Maloviana:<\/b><\/strong>\u00a0https:\/\/youtu.be\/JgQtQ404hsc<\/u><\/a><\/p>

Olha Khalymonenko:<\/b><\/strong>\u00a0https:\/\/youtu.be\/d3TTqY7wvtk<\/u><\/a><\/p>

Karina Soloshchenko:<\/b><\/strong>\u00a0https:\/\/youtu.be\/ieNtnXCnxqo<\/u><\/a><\/p>

Iryna Makei and Sonia Korcheva:<\/b><\/strong>\u00a0https:\/\/youtu.be\/U-GGox5SPX4<\/u><\/a><\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t

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