Ekaterina Shchapova, a master-program student and researcher of the ISU Research Institute of Biology, has become a winner of Singapore International Pre-Graduate Award (SIPGA).

Under financial support of IPGA Ekaterina Shchapova is planning to study at the Institute of Materials Research and Engineering of Singapore’s Agency for Science, Technology and Research (IMRE A*STAR). The research activities under the program are to contribute to the collaboration project conducted by the ISU Research Institute of Biology and IMRE A*STAR in the sphere of developing new technologies of the monitoring and assessment of water organisms under the impact with the help of biosensors.

– At the initial stage of our project we studied a standard lab object that is an aquarium fish danio, – Ekaterina Shchapova tells. – At present, we are testing the optical sensor technology on Baikal endemics at the biosensor and eco-photonics laboratory. This survey can lead to significant results in Baikal and other lakes ecological monitoring.

The research task is to elaborate new biosensor technologies for ecological monitoring of environment. The research is unique in a number of features, one of which is that the scientists are trying to work out the sensors that could be responsive to a number of biochemical parameters, but not harmful to organisms. To achieve this goal, the research group applies to optical nano- and microsensors to conduct qualitative and quantitative analysis. Baikal endemics having special characteristics are the study object.  

– Although we are at the first stage of the research, we have already managed to achieve some positive results, – Ekaterina Shchapova emphasizes. – The research experience in one of the leading laboratories of Singapore is supposed to help to find out nuances linked with optical sensors encystment technologies. This can also help us to make a new step toward the main target – to work out an easily applied technology for assessing the state of various animals.

A study trip starts on October 1 and lasts up to the end of 2015.