The International Society for Optics and Photonics (SPIE) published the winners of the 2019 prestigious Optics and Photonics Education Scholarship contest. Daria Spireva, a fourth-year student at the NSU Physics Department, was among the winners. Spireva was working under the Head of the NSU Optics and Dynamics of Biological Systems Laboratory.
This scholarship is awarded to scientists whose research involves optics, photonics, lasers, and their use. The competition is open to anyone. To be eligible for a scholarship, you must be a SPIE member, which also provides access to online courses, conferences, specialized journals, and books for a year. The competition applicant must submit a questionnaire and two scientific reviews of their work. The scholarship is $ 3,000.
Spireva described her research concerning calcium excretion in floating platelets using photo-labile compounds,
The activation of platelets is a process associated with a change in the form of a platelet, as well as the release of calcium into the cytoplasm of a living cell. This reaction occurs with the help of activators such as ADP (adenosine diphosphate). If the reaction takes place outside a living organism, under a microscope, then ADP has to be added and this displaces the platelets. Therefore, we are now trying to use a photo-labile compound. Under the light, this substance disintegrates onto the active part and the protected group that lowers the activation threshold and helps us add the proper amount of ADP. As a result, the cells remain calm, and we can see the activation process with a short flash.
According to the student, the scholarship will give her the opportunity to attend conferences, including those related to biomedicine, where she will be able to talk about her work, get advice from world-class scientists, and learn about the work of other researchers.
