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Yuri V. Griko

Yuri V. Griko

Senior Scientist

Phone: (650) 604-0519
Email: Yuri.V.Griko@nasa.gov
Affiliation: NASA Ames Space Biosciences Research Branch

Yuri Griko Ph.D. in Biophysics, Moscow State University, Institute of Physics and Technology. Subject matter expert for NASA’s Human Research Program in the metabolic control, radiation countermeasure development, and pharmaceutical product characterization.

Professional Background

Biography

  • 2005 – Present, Lead Radiobiologist, Biomedical Studies, Director of the Laboratory of Countermeasures Development, Space Biosciences Research Branch, NASA Ames Research Center
  • 2001 – 2005, Director of Biophysics, Clearant Inc., Gaithersburg, MD
  • 1999 – 2001, Director of Research at Biolinx Inc. Hagerstown, MD
  • 1991 – 1999, Research Faculty, Department of Biology, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD
  • 1990 – 1991, Director of Protein Thermodynamics Laboratory (acting), Institute of Protein Research, Moscow Region, Pushchino (Russia)
  • 1990 – 1991, Visiting Faculty, Cambridge University, Chemical laboratory, Cambridge, UK
  • 1989 – 1990, Visiting Faculty, Institute of Molecular Biology, Berlin, Germany
  • 1988 – 1989, Senior Research Scientist, Institute of Protein Research, Pushchino (Russia)
  • 1987 – 1988, Research Scientist, Institute of Protein Research, Pushchino (Russia)
  • 1983 – 1986, Research Associate, Institute of Protein Research, Pushchino (Russia)
  • 1981 – 1983, Research Assistant, Institute of Protein Research, Pushchino (Russia)

Education

  • B.A. Genetic Engineering & Biochemistry, 1979, Saint Petersburg Tech. University, Saint Petersburg (Russia)
  • M.S. Biophysics, 1981, Saint Petersburg Tech. University, Saint Petersburg (Russia)
  • Ph.D. Biophysics, 1986, Moscow State University, Institute of Physics and Technology, Moscow (Russia)

Research Interests

Dr. Griko’s research interests and research project management activities primarily focus on the development of biomedical countermeasures against potential medical conditions induced by the spaceflight environment and related emergency situations that may arise. These include methodologies, pre-treatments, drugs, and diagnostics that respond to conditions of weightlessness in the spaceflight environment as well as chemical, biological, and radiological threats during spaceflight missions.

Dr. Griko’s professional experience combines scientific expertise and research program management in the following areas: molecular biology, biophysics, protein-based drug design, stability and pharmaceutical product characterization, radiation countermeasure development, bioanalytics and bioassay development. Particular emphases are on:

  • Development of novel metabolic control technology that enable reversible induction of a state of suspended animation.
  • Characterization of radiation damage and development of optimized, protective formulations and countermeasures.
  • Development and optimization of pathogen inactivation processes for biological products.
  • Evaluation of the structural integrity and stability of human tissues and protein-based biopharmaceuticals.
  • Physicochemical characterization of biological macromolecules.
  • Structure-based protein modeling and design of protein derivatives with improved functional and pharmaceutical properties.
  • Protein folding and recognition. Analysis and characterization of protein/biological ligand interactions (DNA, RNA, lipids, proteins, small ligands).
  • Multiple preparative and analytical biochemistry methods for purification, characterization, and comparability of natural, recombinant, and chimerical proteins.
  • Protein and genetic engineering utilizing recombinant DNA/RNA technology and protein structural modifications (fusion, dissection, chemical and enzymatic modification).

Dr. Griko has over 160 research articles and conference presentations on biophysics and molecular biology, and is a co-inventor on 4 US patents involving biotechnology.

Select Publications

(from 120+papers)

  1. Yuri Griko, David Loftus, Viktor Stolc, Elena Peletskaya.  “Private Spaceflight: A New Landscape for Dealing with Medical Risk”. Life Sciences in Space Research 33 (2022) 41–47.
  2. Yuri Griko, Ervin Palma, Eugene Galicia, Florian Selch. “Factors limiting duration of artificially induced torpor in mice”. Life Sciences in Space Research, v.24, 34-41, 2020.
  3. Matthew D. Regan, Erin E. Flynn-Evans, Yuri V. Griko, Thomas Kilduff, Jon C. Rittenberger, Keith Ruskin, C. Loren Buck “Shallow metabolic depression and human spaceflight: A feasible first step”. Journal of Applied Physiology, 2019.
  4. Yuri Griko and Matthew D. Regan. “Synthetic torpor: A method for safely and practically transporting experimental animals aboard spaceflight missions to deep space”. Life Sciences in Space Research. 16, 101–107, 2018.
  5. Ervin Palma and Yuri Griko. “Effect of UV-and Gamma Irradiation on Human Hair. Biophysical Journal, 114(3), p.175, 2018.
  6. Sophie Orr, Rhonda Weigand, Tanner Adams, Raycho Raychev, Yuri Griko, “Environmental Enrichment in the ISS Rodent Habitat Hardware System”. International Journal of Bioscience and Medicine, 1:6. DOI: 10.28933/ijbm-2017-10-2601, 2018.
  7. Richard Chen, Daniel Nemeth, Jason Mora, Mohan Muvvala, Derek Wu, and Yuri Griko. Changes in Differential Expression of Genes in Normal and Metabolically Suppressed Mice in Response to Radiation”. Proceedings of the IEEE (July, 2018, TN 52542).
  8. Yuri V. Griko, Jon C. Rask, Raycho Raychev. “Advantage of animal models with metabolic flexibility for space research beyond Low Earth Orbit”. New Space, v.5 No. 3, p.110-120, 2017.
  9. E. Palma, L. Ellison, J. Mora, E. Meza, and Y. Griko, “Calorimetric study of amoxicillin stability in aqueous solutions,” M. Journal of Pharmaceutical Sciences. 1(2): 008, 2016 (published)
  10. Ervin Palma, David Gomez, Eugene Galicia, Viktor Stolc, Yuri Griko. “Changes in Human Hair Induced by UV- and Gamma Irradiation”. Advance in Bioscience and Biotechnology, 7, 19-27, 2016
  11. Yuri V. Griko, Jon C. Rask, Raycho Raychev. “Advantage of animal models with metabolic flexibility for space research beyond Low Earth Orbit”. New Space. September 2017, 5(3): 110-120.
  12. Palma E, Ellison L, Meza E and Griko Y. Calorimetric Evaluation of Amoxicillin Stability in Aqueous Solutions. M J Phar. 1(2), 008, 2016.
  13. Miekka S., Burgess W., Drohan W., Griko Y, MacPhee M., – Methods for Sterilizing Biological Materials, US patent 6946098, 2003.
  14. Ervin Palma, David Gomez, Eugene Galicia, Yuri Griko. Changes in fluorescence of human hair induced by UV- and gamma irradiation. Advances in Bioscience and Biotechnology, 7, 19-27, 2016.
  15. Abraham Salois, Iris Perez, Ervin Palma, Ethan Goolish, Yuri Griko. Evaluation of the chemical integrity of beta-lactam antibiotics by iodine-based assay. Journal of Bioscience and Medicine, 3, 91-99, 2015.
  16. Claudia C. Smeltzer, Nina I. Lukinova, Nicole D. Towcimak, David M. Mann, William N. Drohan, and Yuri V. Griko.  Effect of gamma irradiation on the structural stability and functional activity of plasma-derived IgG. Biologics 43, 242- 249, 2015.
  17. Stolc V., Shmygelska A., and Griko Y. Adaptation of Organisms by Resonance of RNA Transcription with the Cellular Redox Cycle. PLOS One v. 6(9), e 25270, 2011.
  18. Eugene Galicia, Ervin Palma, Florian Selch, David Gomez and Yuri Griko.  Metabolic control as a strategy for payload cost reduction and mitigation of negative space environmental factors. Gravitational and Space Biology Journal v. 25, 0. 54-56, 2011.
  19. Brandon J. Bairda, Jennifer S. Dickeya, Asako J. Nakamuraa, Christophe E. Redona, Palak Parekha, Yuri V. Griko, Khaled Azizc, Alexandros G. Georgakilasc, William M. Bonnera, Olga A. Sedelnikova.  Hypothermia postpones DNA damage repair in irradiated cells and protects against cell killing”.  Journal Mutation Research/Fundamental and Molecular Mechanisms of Mutagenesis), 711(1-2):142-9, (2011).
  20. Palma E., Gomez, D., Galicia E., Griko, Y. V. Comparative Study of the Effect of UV- vs. Gamma Radiation on Human Hair. Biophysical Journal, vol. 98, issue 3, pp. 46a-46, (2010)
  21. Drohan WN, Miekka SI, Griko YV, Forng RY, Stafford RE, Hill CR, Mann DM,  Burgess  WN., – Gamma irradiation of intravenous immunoglobulin. Dev Biology, 118; 133-138, (2004).
  22. Mann D., Burgess W., Drohan W., Griko Y., MacPhee M.,Methods for Sterilizing Biological Materials. US patent # 6946098, 2003.
  23. Tran H., Marlowe K., McKenny K., Petrosian G., Griko, Yu.V., Burgess W.H. Drohan W.N. Imboden M.A., Boschetti N. Mann D. – Functional integrity of intravenous immunoglobulin following irradiation with a virucidal dose of gamma irradiation. – Biologics., 10(4), (2003).
  24. Griko, Yu.V., Sreerama, N., Osumi-Davis, P., Woody, R.W., Woody, A.Y. – Structural changes in T7  RNAP induced by solvent conditions. Calorimetric and optical study. – Protein Science.,  10(4), (2001).
  25. Griko Yu. V. – Energetic bases of structural stability in the molten globule state: a- lactalbumin. – J. Mol. Biol., 297, 1259-1268, (2000).
  26. Griko Yu.V., Zakharov, S.D., Cramer, W.A. – Structural stability and domain organization  of colicin E1. – J. Mol. Biol., 302, 941-953, (2000).
  27. Kamen, D., Griko, Yu.V. and Woody, R. – Examination of the stability, structural     organization and the denaturation of Pectate Lyase C, a parallel a -helix protein. – Biochemistry, 39, 15932-15943, (2000).
  28. Griko Yu.V.  – Energetics of Ca2+-EDTA interactions.- Biophysical Chemistry 79, 117-127 (1999).
  29. Griko, Yu.V.– Denaturation versus unfolding: Thermodynamic characteristics of residual structure in denatured a-lactalbumin.  – J. Protein Chem., v. 18, 361-369 (1999).
  30. Griko, Yu.V. – Conformational changes in a-lactalbumin induced by solvent conditions and ligand binding.  – Protein Science, 8, 554-561 (1999).
  31. Hendrix, T., Griko, Yu.V., and Privalov, P.L. – A calorimetric study of the influence of calcium on the stability of bovine a-lactalbumin.– Biophysical Chemistry 84, 27-34, (1999).
  32. Griko, Yu.V., Sreerama, N., Osumi-Davis, P., Woody, R.W., Woody, A.Y. – Structural changes in T7 RNAP induced by solvent conditions.  Calorimetric and optical study. – J. Mol. Biol., submitted (1999).
  33. Zakharov, S.D.,Lindeberg, M., Griko, Yu.V., Salamon, Z., Tollin, G., Prendergast, F.G., Cramer, W.A. – Membrane-bound state of the colicin E1 channel domain as an extended two-dimensional helical array. –  Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. USA, v.95, 4282-4287 (1998).
  34. Griko, Yu.V. – Comparative study of cold and heat denaturation of a-lactalbumin.  – Protein Science, submitted (1998).
  35. Hendrix. T.M. Griko, Y.V and Privalov P.L. – Energetics of structural domains in -lactalbumin. – Protein Science, 5, 923-932 (1996).
  36. Griko, Yu.V., Freire, E., Privalov, G.P., Van Dael, H. & Privalov, P.L. – Thermodynamics of equine lysozyme unfolding. Calorimetric study. – J. Mol. Biol. 252, 447-459 (1995).
  37. Griko, Yu.V. and Kapanadze, M.D. – Purification and characterization of  human pancreatic polypeptide expressed in E.coli. – Biochem. Biophys. Res. Com., 213, 239-248 (1995).
  38. Windrode, P.L., Griko, Yu.V., and Privalov, P.L. – Structural energetics of barstar studied by differential scanning microcalorimetry. – Protein Science, 4, 1528-1534 (1995).
  39. Griko, Yu.V., Gittis, A., Lattman, E.E., Privalov, P.L. – Residual structure in a Staphylococcal nuclease Fragment. Is it a molten globule and is its unfolding a first-order phase transition? – J. Mol. Biol., 243, 93-99 (1994).
  40. Griko, Yu.V. & Kutyshenko, V.P. – Differences in the processes of lactoglobulin cold and heat denaturations. –  Biophysical Journal, 67, 356-363 (1994).
  41. Griko, Yu.V., Makhatadze, G.I, Privalov, P.L. – Thermodynamic of barnase unfolding. Protein Science, 3, 669-676 (1994).
  42. Griko, Yu.V. & Privalov, P.L. – Thermodynamic puzzle of apomyoglobin unfolding – J. Mol. Biol., 235, 1318-1325 (1994).
  43. Griko, Yu.V., Freire, E., Privalov, P.L. – Energetics of the -lactalbumin states: A calorimetric and statistical thermodynamic study – Biochemistry, 33, 1889-1899 (1994).
  44. Laderman, K.A., Davis, B.R., Krutzsch, H.C., Griko, Yu.V., Privalov, P.L., Anfinsen, C.B. – The purification and characterization of an extremely thermostable -amylase from the hyperthermophilic archaebacterirum – J. Biol. Chem., 268, 24394-24401 (1993).
  45. Rogov, V.V., & Griko, Yu.V.Calorimetric study of the substitution G16L and Y26D on the structural organization and stability of Cro repressor of bacteriophage – Mol. Biol. (Russian), 26, 4, 798-804 (1993).
  46. Kapanadze, M.Z., Griko, Yu.V.Isolation and purification of human pancreatic polypeptide        Bulletin of Georgian Academy of Sciences, 6, 24-28 (1992).
  47. Griko, Yu.V. and Privalov, P.L. Calorimetric study of the heat and cold denaturation of b lactoglobulin.- Biochemistry, 31, 8810-8815 (1992).
  48. Griko, Yu.V., Rogov, V.V., and Privalov, P.L. – Domains in Cro repressor. A calorimetric study – Biochemistry, 31, 12701-12705 (1992).
  49. Griko, Yu.V., Venjaminov, S.Yu., Privalov, P.L. – Comparative thermodynamic study of the -lactoglobulin heat and cold denaturation. – Mol. Biol. (Russia) 26, 211-217 (1991).
  50. Griko, Yu.V., & Privalov, P.L. – Calorimetric study of the -lactoglobulin heat denaturation in urea and phosphate containing solutions. – Mol. Biol.(Russia) 26, 121-127 (1991).
  51. Gitelson, G.I., Griko, Yu.V., Kurochkin, A.V., Rogov, V.V., Kutyshenko, V.P., Kirpichnikov, M.P., Privalov, P.L. – Two-stage thermal unfolding of [Cys55]-substituted Cro repressor of bacteriophage . – FEBS Lett., 289, 201-204 (1991).
  52. Griko, Yu.V. Privalov, P.L. Venyaminov, S.Yu. – Cold denaturation of staphylococcal nuclease –  Biofizika, 34, 940-945 (1989).
  53. Griko, Yu.V., Venyaminov, S.Yu., Privalov, P.L. – Heat and cold denaturation of phosphoglycerate kinase ( Interaction of domains ) – FEBS Lett., 244, 276-278. (1989).
  54. Privalov, P.L., Tiktopulo, E.I., Veniaminov, S.Yu., Griko, Yu.V., Makhatadze, G.I. &  Khechinashvili, N.N. – Heat capacity and conformation of proteins in the denatured state. – J. Mol. Biol., 205, 737-750 (1989).
  55. Griko, Yu.V., Privalov, P.L., Venyaminov, S.Yu. – Interaction of PGK domains by the data of heat and cold denaturation studies – Dokl. Akad. Nauk SSSR, vol.303, pp.990-991 (1988).
  56. Griko, Yu.V., Privalov, P.L., Sturtevant, J.M., Venyaminov, S.Yu., – Cold denaturation of staphylococcal nuclease – Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. USA, 85, 3343-3347 (1988).
  57. Griko, Yu.V. Privalov, P.L., Venyaminov, S.Yu., Kutyshenko, V.P. – Thermodynamic study of apomyoglobin structure – J. Mol. Biol., 202, 127-138 (1988).
  58. Griko Yu.V., Privalov P.L., Venyaminov S.Yu., Kutyshenko V.P. – Thermodynamic study of the apomyoglobin structure – Biofizika, 33, 18-26 (1988).
  59. Griko Yu.V., Privalov, P.L., – Cold denaturation of myoglobin in alkaline solutions – Dokl. Acad. Nauk SSSR, 291, 709-711 (1986).
  60. Privalov P.L., Griko Yu.V., Venyaminov S.Yu., Kutyshenko V.P. – Cold denaturation of myoglobin.  – J. Mol. Biol., 190, 487-498 (1986).
  61. Griko Yu.V., Privalov P.L., – Study of structural organization of ovomucoid  – Biofizika, 29, 194-198 (1984).

Other Information

Awards and Activities

  • 2015 – NASA KSC Group Achievement Award
  • 2007 – NASA URSP program Award
  • 1990 – EMBO Award, Cambridge, UK
  • 1989 – Award of Excellence in Biophysics, Academy of Science, USSR
  • 1986 – Young Investigator Award, Academy of Science of USSR

COTR Grants/Contracts

  • 2003-2007 University of California, Riverside NASA Award (NAG2-1638)
  • 2003-2007 Thomas Jefferson University NASA Award (NAG2-1628)
  • 2004-2008 Lawrence Berkeley National Lab. NASA Award (NNA04CL69I)
  • 2005-2005 InSilicor Inc. NASA SBIR Award (05-X11.02-9077)
  • 2005-2009 Univ. of Texas Southwestern Medical Center NASA Award (NNA05CS97G)
  • 2005-2008 Cleveland BioLabs Inc. NASA STTR Award (NNA 06AA26C)
  • 2007- Boston Applied Technology Inc. NASA NSBR Award (07-1 X14.03-8559)
  • 2007- Pinyon Photonics Inc. NASA SBIR Award (07-1 X14.03-9188)
  • 2007- Small Business Inc. NASA SBIR Award
  • 2007-2010 Carnegie Melon NASA Ames Research Center Cooperative Space Agreement (N07-5661)
  • 2009-2011 Massachusetts General Hospital, NASA SBIR Award (NNX07AE40G)
  • 2010-2013 Univ. of Texas Southwestern Medical Center NASA Award (NNA05CS97G)

Laboratory Of Countermeasures Development

The Laboratory of Countermeasures Development is addressing key challenges associated with the use of pharmaceutical medications during spaceflight. The laboratory also aims to advance metabolic control technology that may radically reduce astronaut needs for life support and solve many medical problems including diseases and physical injury over a long period in space.

Learn more about our research: Laboratory Of Countermeasures Development, Current Projects.

Lab Team Members

Dominic Pasquali
Dominic Pasquali M.S. in Physics from San Francisco State University. Project: Interactions between bovine serum Albumin and lidocaine and its relation to a radioactive space-like environment
Ervin Palma
Ervin Palma M.S. in biomedical engineering from the California State University, East Bay, Hayward, CA. Research Associate in space biosciences research of the Griko’s lab since 2008. Projects: The use of human hair as a non-invasive biomarker of radiation exposure; Evaluation of structural and thermodynamic stability of Amoxicilin; Intentionally – induced hypometabolic stasis in rodents
Hilda Ruiz
Hilda Ruiz M.S. in Biology from the California State University, East Bay, Hayward, CA. Project: Assessment of the chemical and structural integrity of the amoxicillin.

Past Lab Members:
Lindsay Nichols
Oscar Ramos
Dominic Pasquali
Lauren McKeown
Sadaf Esteaneh
Ethan Goolish
Jamie Lyn Pacada
Afshin Khan
Hilda Ruiz
Olga Kritova