Prof. Sergey Kozlov | Neuroscience | Best Researcher Award

Prof. Sergey Kozlov | Neuroscience | Best Researcher Award

Shemiakin-Ovchinnikov Institute of bioorganic chemistry RAS, Russia.

Dr. Sergey Kozlov is a DSc and Head of the Laboratory of Neuroreceptors and Neuroregulators at the Shemiakin-Ovchinnikov Institute of Bioorganic Chemistry. He also teaches at the Federal State Russian Biotechnological University. His research focuses on the rational search for active molecules and the analysis of their structure-function relationships, particularly for potential healthcare applications. His most notable contributions include discovering ligands for acid-sensitive ion channels, which have promising therapeutic potential for treating pain, inflammation, drug addiction, anxiety, and neurodegenerative conditions such as stroke.

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🎓 Education

Prof. Sergey Kozlov is a distinguished scientist and educator specializing in bioorganic chemistry and biotechnology. He earned his Doctor of Science (DSc) from the Shemiakin-Ovchinnikov Institute of Bioorganic Chemistry, where he conducted advanced research in biochemical processes and molecular interactions. Currently, he serves as a teaching faculty member at the Federal State Russian Biotechnological University, where he contributes to academic development and scientific research in biotechnology. With extensive expertise in biomolecular studies, Prof. Kozlov plays a crucial role in training future researchers and advancing innovation in bioorganic chemistry.

💼 Experience

Professor Sergey Kozlov is the Head of the Laboratory of Neuroreceptors and Neuroregulators at the Shemiakin-Ovchinnikov Institute of Bioorganic Chemistry. He is also a Professor & Researcher at the Federal State Russian Biotechnological University. Additionally, he collaborates with various Russian chemical laboratories on the functional testing of low molecular weight compounds.

His expertise likely involves bioorganic chemistry, neurobiology, and possibly pharmacology, with a focus on receptor interactions and the regulation of neurochemical processes in the brain.

🔬 Research Interests

Dr. Kozlov's research focuses on protein chemistry, including:

Separation of natural mixtures and structure determination

Activity analysis of compounds using imaging and electrophysiology

Development of animal models for testing new molecules

Production of recombinant proteins and receptor mutagenesis
His work has contributed significantly to understanding acid-sensitive ion channels, which play a role in pain management, inflammation, addiction, anxiety, and neurodegeneration.

🏆 Awards & Recognitions

Member – The International Society on Toxinology

Member – Federation of European Biochemical Societies (FEBS)

Hirsch Index: 28 (WoS)

Patents: 19 published, 2 under review

Consultancy/Industry Projects: 2 completed

Research Projects: 6 (4 completed, 2 ongoing)

📚 Selected Publications

Mutagenesis of the Peptide Inhibitor of ASIC3 Channel Introduces Binding to Thumb Domain of ASIC1a but Reduces Analgesic Activity
Marine Drugs, Aug 2024 | DOI: 10.3390/md22090382
🧬 Examines peptide inhibitors of ASIC3 channels and their effect on pain relief.

Opioid Analgesic as a Positive Allosteric Modulator of Acid-Sensing Ion Channels
Int. J. Mol. Sci., Jan 2024 | DOI: 10.3390/ijms25031413
💊 Investigates opioid analgesics as modulators of ASIC channels for potential pain management.

Venom-gland transcriptomics and proteomics of the Tibellus oblongus spider
Dataset, Oct 2023 | DOI: 10.6084/m9.figshare.21842034
🕷️ Provides genomic insights into spider venom composition.

Fifty Years of Animal Toxin Research at the Shemyakin–Ovchinnikov Institute of Bioorganic Chemistry RAS
Int. J. Mol. Sci., Sep 2023 | DOI: 10.3390/ijms241813884
🏛️ Reviews five decades of toxin research at IBCh RAS.

Dual Modulator of ASIC Channels and GABA<sub>A</sub> Receptors from Thyme Alters Fear-Related Hippocampal Activity
Int. J. Mol. Sci., Aug 2023 | DOI: 10.3390/ijms241713148
🌿 Explores a thyme-derived compound affecting ASIC and GABA receptors linked to anxiety.

 

 

 

Prof. Huasong Ai | Chemical Biology | Best Researcher Award

Prof. Huasong Ai | Chemical Biology | Best Researcher Award

Shanghai Jiao Tong University, China.

Prof. Huasong Ai is an Associate Professor at the School of Pharmaceutical Science, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, China. His research focuses on epigenetic mechanisms, chemical biology, and nucleosome modifications. With a strong background in organic chemistry and pharmacy, he has pioneered innovative methods in histone modification synthesis and chromatin ubiquitination studies. Prof. Ai has published 28 research papers, including 13 as the first or corresponding author in prestigious journals such as Nature Chemical Biology, Molecular Cell, and JACS. He is a recipient of multiple academic honors, including the Tsinghua University Excellent Doctoral Dissertation Award and Innovation Award.

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🎓 Education

Prof. Huasong Ai earned his Ph.D. in Organic Chemistry from Tsinghua University (2017–2022) under the mentorship of Prof. Lei Liu. His doctoral research focused on epigenetic mechanisms and chemical synthesis of post-translationally modified nucleosomes, contributing to advancements in histone modification studies. Prior to his Ph.D., he completed his Bachelor’s Degree in Pharmacy at Tsinghua University, School of Pharmacy (2013–2017), where he built a strong foundation in pharmaceutical sciences, drug development, and organic chemistry. His academic journey has equipped him with interdisciplinary expertise in chemical biology, molecular mechanisms, and structural biochemistry.

💼 Work Experience

Prof. Huasong Ai is currently an Associate Professor at Shanghai Jiao Tong University, where he leads cutting-edge research in epigenetics, chemical biology, and nucleosome modifications. Prior to this, he served as an Assistant Researcher and Postdoctoral Fellow at Tsinghua University (2022–Present), working under Prof. Lei Liu to develop novel chemical synthesis methods for studying post-translational modifications of histones and chromatin dynamics.

His research experience also includes international collaborations. In 2023, he was a Visiting Scholar at Shanghai Jiao Tong University, where he expanded his work on biochemical and structural mechanisms of epigenetic effectors. Additionally, in 2019, he conducted research as a Visiting Scholar at the University of Chicago, working with Prof. Minglei Zhao on advanced molecular biology techniques to study histone ubiquitination and its role in gene regulation.

🔍 Research Interests

Prof. Ai’s research focuses on epigenetic effectors and post-translational modifications of nucleosomes, particularly in:

🔬 Chemical synthesis of modified histones/nucleosomes

🧬 Chromatin ubiquitination mechanisms

⚛️ Structural and biochemical analysis of epigenetic regulators
His innovative work has led to breakthroughs in histone modification studies and protein regulation mechanisms.

🏆 Awards & Honors

Tsinghua University High-Level Young Talent Program "Shuimu Scholar"

Tsinghua University Excellent Doctoral Dissertation Award 🏅

Three-time recipient of Tsinghua University Postdoctoral Excellence Award 🎖️

China Postdoctoral Science Foundation (Special & General Funding)

Journal ReviewerNature Chemical Biology, Nature Structural & Molecular Biology

📚 Selected Publications

1️⃣ The Emerging Role of the Histone H2AK13/15 Ubiquitination: Mechanisms of Writing, Reading, and Erasing in DNA Damage Repair and Disease
📌 Cells, 2025-02-18

2️⃣ Promotion of RNF168-Mediated Nucleosomal H2A Ubiquitylation by Structurally Defined K63-Polyubiquitylated Linker Histone H1
📌 Angewandte Chemie International Edition, 2025-01-02

3️⃣ Promotion of RNF168-Mediated Nucleosomal H2A Ubiquitylation by Structurally Defined K63-Polyubiquitylated Linker Histone H1
📌 Angewandte Chemie, 2025-01-02

4️⃣ Structural and Mechanistic Basis for Nucleosomal H2AK119 Deubiquitination by Single-Subunit Deubiquitinase USP16
📌 Nature Structural & Molecular Biology, 2024-11

5️⃣ Mechanism of Nucleosomal H2A K13/15 Monoubiquitination and Adjacent Dual Monoubiquitination by RNF168
📌 Nature Chemical Biology, 2024-10-11