History of the department

Department of General Biology was among the first of 10 departments established at the Medical Institute April 21, 1931. The first head of the department was Professor Zakhvatkin VA.

1933-1941 years was head of the department, Doctor of Biological Sciences, Professor Alexander Bartenev. The whole department was located in two rooms (the office of the head of the department and one classroom). Bartenev A.N. was a prominent scientist of his time, an outstanding well known zoologist not only in the USSR but also abroad, was a member of the Russian entomological society, the Society of Naturalists at Kazan University, the Ural Society of Natural Science and the Don Society of Naturalists. Simultaneously with the management of the Department of Biology at the Kazakh State Medical Institute from 1935 to 1937, he headed as a dean of the biological faculty of the Kazakh State University. He was organizer and participant of 24 expeditions on the study of subpopulations of a number of regions of the USSR, including Kazakhstan. He had about 104 printed scientific publications. In between 1941 to 1954, characterized by an increase in number of students, staff and premises of the department. Already by 1943 the collective was replenished with 1 assistant professor, 2 assistants and laboratory assistant. In 1950, the department employs 14 staff: 1 professor, 4 assistant, 3 graduate students, 5 senior and jun
ior technicians. The department has replenished microscopes, magnifying glasses, drugs, tables, and many other tools. The head of the department was Honored Science Worker Professor A.Voitkevich. Under his leadership, the scientific activity of the department has been activated. In 1948 for the first time the postgraduate study was opened and 2 post-graduate students were accepted. All the staff of the department actively participated in the scientific work on the topics: “Biological changes in the animal’s body caused by various substances with antithyroid action” and “The role of thyroid hormones in the resistance of the whole organism to pathogens.”

The scientific theme concerning the study of the role of the central nervous system in the development processes was expanded. The results of the research were summarized in two publication sets (1952-1953), as well as a monograph by A. Voitkevich. “Thyroid hormone and antithyroid substances.” The staff of the department published 74 scientific articles. According to the results of investigation, 1 doctorate thesis (Zakharov VI) and 4 candidate dissertations (Khomullo GV, Gordina SN, Feigin AA, Munaytbasova GA) were protected. At the department regularly works 2 scientific student circle: biological and zoological. 10 students published the results of their research in scientific journals.

In between 1954 to 1956 years, the department was headed by V. Zakharov, doctor of biological sciences. Zakharov V.I. successfully conducted a study of the biological properties of the secretary galnds of frogs. Based on the results of these studies, he published about 40 scientific articles, received a copyright certificate for a biological active substance. For many years he was the head of the zoological student’s scientific association. He was in the field of medical parasitology and bacteriology. Under his leadership, the four epidemic detachments were organized to combat helminthiases in East Kazakhstan, the extensive scientific material was collected and a great deal of the organizational, health and preventive work was carried out. Zakharov V.I. he was engaged in active social and political activity, read popular science lectures on general biological topics to the population of Alma-Ata. He is the author of a number of popular science brochures on parasitology. In between 1956 to 1961 years, the department was headed by Doctor of Biological Sciences, Professor Aleev Matveyevich Aleev, an alumni of the Dnepropetrovsk Medical Institute. The staff of the department in these years was 13 people (1 assistant professor, 5 assistants, 2 post-graduate students, 4 laboratory assistants). Research work was conducted on the theme “Morbidity of helminthiases in the population of Almaty city and measures for its improvement”. During this period two post-graduate students were admitted to the department: Gagarina RN (1957) and Namitokov AA (1959), with which candidate’s dissertations were defended. More than 22 scientific articles were published.

In the next 12 years, from 1961 to 1974 years. The chair was headed by the associate professor Elena V. Elantseva, who began her career as a young assistant at the Department of Biology in 1946. Elantseva VR, led an active social and scientific activity. She was a member of the scientific council on the problem “Natural focality of human and agricultural animal diseases”, a member of the board of the Republican Society of Genetics and Society of Parasitologists of Kazakhstan, a member of the Republican Biological Council of the “Znanie” Society. She was the author of more than 30 scientific papers. The main theme of the research work of faculty in those years was the study of “Toxoplasmosis of animals and humans”.

The candidate’s thesis was defended by Kh. Musabayev, associate professor. (1962). The staff was replenished with young teachers who worked at the department for 30 years or more: Posunko LL, Ishmukhamedova NM, Amanzholova LE, Nurtayev KS. From 1976 to 1986 the department was headed by associate professor Sahibzadaev Kalen Sapargaliyevich. Sakhibzadaev K.S. was a member of the council of the republican society “Knowledge” on the problems of medical and biological disciplines, a member of the Control Commission for Parasitology of the Ministry of Health of the Kazakh SSR. By this time, the staff of the department was consisted from 17 employees. The department was located on the second floor of Building №2 and occupied 8 rooms. In 1979, under the leadership of Professor Shevchenko V.V. and associate professor Sahibzadayev K.S. studies were initiated on “Morphology and biology of bloodsucking horseflies of Kazakhstan.”

The staff of the department with the head of the department, Assoc. KS Sahibzadayev 1982

During the next three years (1986-1989), the department was headed by Sarsenov Abdikadir Sarsenovich, Doctor of Biology, a specialist in the field of genetics. Scientific researches Sarsenov made a significant contribution to the knowledge of the molecular genetic mechanisms of the effect of crossing various types of genetic forms. They were recognized by a broad biological scientific community: its main theoretical provisions were included in textbooks for universities, a number of works were published abroad. During this period the staff of the department consisted of 16 people, the faculty was 100%. At the department, research work was started on the problem of the biology of human life expectancy.

Prof. Sarsenov A.S. with the staff of the department, 1987.

1990 -1991 the head of the department of biology was Associate Professor Posun’ko Lyudmila Lukinichna, who started working at the department since 1965. For many years Posunko LL was the head teacher of the department. For the years of work at the department she was awarded with the awards “The Drummer of Communist Labor” (1983), the badge “For Excellent Success in Work” (1989), the medal “Veteran of Labor” (1990). 22 people, including: 5 associate professors, 2 senior teachers, 8 assistants, 6 laboratory assistants.

Docent. Polunko L.L. with the staff of the department

From 1991 to 2001 the department was headed by the doctor of medical sciences, professor Kazymbet Polat Kazymbetovich, a graduate of the medical faculty of the ASMI, a prominent scientist, a student of Academician Balmukhanov SB. and academician SP Yarmonenko. Under the guidance of Professor Kazymbet P.K. at the department was re-opened postgraduate study (in the specialty of radiobiology). Scientific research work at the department was carried out jointly with the Kazakh Scientific Research Institute of Oncology and Radiology on the topic: “Development of methods for selective protection of normal tissues in radiation therapy of tumors”, from 1994 to 1996 the topic was funded by the Ministry of Science and New Technologies of the Republic of Kazakhstan. For the first time, on the basis of the Republican Scientific Research Institute of Oncology and Radiology, a specialized council on the specialty “radiobiology” was opened to protect doctoral and candidate dissertations. Under the guidance of Professor Kazymbet P.K. 1 doctoral and four candidate dissertations were defended (Kim VB, 1994 and Espaeva RN, 1998, Tungushbaeva ZB, 2003, Nuralieva UA 2003). Results of research introduced in medical practice as a 3 guidelines obtained 2 patents for the invention “Method of prophylaxis of systemic radiotherapy complications of refractory Hodgkin forms” and “Method of treating malignant lymphoma.” In addition, together with the department of faculty therapy with the course of exercise therapy and physiotherapy, the scientific topic “Hypoxirradiotherapy in prevention and treatment” was developed (the scientific leaders of the topic Kazimbet PK and Mazakov A.Zh.). On this topic 1 candidate’s thesis is defended (Sharipova ST), 20 scientific works are published. To help health authorities published and implemented 3 guidelines on the organization of health insurance. During this period, the department moved to a new classroom, where it is located to the present. The staff of the department in those years was 14 people (4 associate professors, 1 senior lecturer, 6 assistants, 2 laboratory assistants). Under the guidance of Professor P.K. Kazymbet in 1998 for the first time developed a model program for medical biology, genetics and radiobiology. In connection with the fact that during this period the university began to teach students in the state language, the staff of the department carried out a huge work on the introduction of the Kazakh language into the educational process. Methodical instructions for the students “Cell biology of genetics”, “Adam biologysi”, “Medicine genetics men, parasitology, typology of situations, ester”, “Genetics of epidemiological zhina” and others were published. The result of this work was also the publication of the first textbook on medical biology in the Kazakh language “Medicine Biology” (authors Kazymbet PK, Nurtayev KS, Amanzholova LE, 2000).

For the first time, the first year students of the Faculty of Pharmacy began their studies, for which the associate professor of the chair, Ph.D. Irzhanova Kh.Sh. worked out a working program.

During these years, I started teaching radiobiology course for students of medical and pediatric departments. a work program has been created, developed and published guidelines for Radiobiology (prof. Kazymbet PK, Assoc. Dzhumasheva RT), textbook “Radiation Ecology” (Dzhumasheva RT .. Mazhrenova NR).

The staff of the department, 1999.

A huge scientific and educational work was done: in total for the period from 1991 to 2001 the collective of the department published more than 40 methodical manuals for students, more than 200 scientific articles. In these years teachers actively worked Posunko LL, Ishmukhambetova NM, Begimbetova D.Zh., Irzhanova H.Sh., Amanzholova LE, Nurtayev KS, Zakharchenko GN, Kaidaulova N. V., Almuhambetova S.K. and others.

Kazymbet PK skillfully combined scientific, pedagogical and social activities. He was dean of the medical faculty (1992-1995), chairman of the scientific and methodological commission of natural science disciplines of higher educational institutions of higher medical schools of the Republic of Kazakhstan, a member of the Academic Council of the University, a member of the cycle methodological commission of the university. In 2001 he was appointed to the post of rector of the Akmola Medical Academy.

In between 2001 to 2017 years, the department was headed by Doctor of Medical Sciences, Professor Kuandykov Esengeldy Userbaevich, who, along with the strengthening of previous achievements of the department, made a great contribution to the further developments. Kuandykov E.U. is author of more than 100 scientific and methodical works, 8 textbooks and the Russian-Kazakh dictionary of basic genetic and biological terminologies. In 2004, under the editorship of Professor Kuandykov, E.U. the staff of the department published a textbook “Medical Biology and Genetics” in two languages with an expanded information block and illustrated with colored pictures for all topics. A textbook on medical biology and genetics was reissued in the Kazakh language (authors Abilayev SA, Kuandykov E.U.).

During this period, the department developed working programs for new specialties “Oriental Medicine”, “Medico-biological case” (Dzhumasheva RT, Tarakova KA), on medical parasitology for 3rd year students of the Faculty of Medicine and Prevention (Nurtayev K.S.). They published a manual named “Individual and historical development” (Almuhambetova SK Dzhumasheva RT). For the fisrt time, international students were admitted and education in English was started.

In connection with the introduction of the new standard of education, since 2007, the teaching of molecular biology subject has started, as a result the department was renamed as the Department of Molecular Biology and Medical Genetics. At this time, Professor E. Kuandykov. Together with colleagues, the textbooks “Fundamentals of Molecular Biology”, “Fundamentals of Medical Genetics” in Kazakh and Russian were prepared and published, which are used as basic textbooks in all medical universities in Kazakhstan. Employees of the department published more than 100 scientific and methodical articles, theses, teaching facilities. The subjects were conducted in Kazakh, Russian, English with the use of modern innovative technologies. More than 20 certificates of introduction on active methods of education were used.

On September 29-30, 2023, the I International Congress “Modern Aspects of Prenatal Medicine” was held in Astana.

Professor Kuandykov E.U., the founder of the medical genetic service in Kazakhstan, being invited as an honored guest, made a welcoming speech and wished success in holding the first international congress of specialists working in the field of prenatal medicine, taking an active part in the prevention of hereditary diseases, in which prenatal diagnosis plays an important role.

As part of the scientific program of the Congress, the following main thematic areas were discussed:

– ultrasound markers of chromosomal abnormalities in the 1st and 2nd semesters of pregnancy;

– new ultrasound markers of chromosomal pathology;

– modern aspects of prenatal screening of genetic diseases;

– the cytogenetic basis of invasive diagnostics;

– genetic factors of interaction between mother and fetus.

The staff of the department, 2006 г.

The staff of the department was recognized by the administration of the university, the Ministry of Health, Education and the government of the Republic of Kazakhstan: Professor Kuandykov E.U. He was awarded the Order “Kurmet” and the badge “Excellence in Education”, Associate Professor KS Nurtaeva – award of “High achiever of Public Health”, associate professor Almuhambetova SK – an award of “Honorary Worker of Education”.

Since 2017-2018 academic year, the department is headed by Doctor of Biological Sciences, Professor Dzhumasheva Rakhima Tazhibaevna. Dzhumasheva R.T. author of 121 scientific and methodical works, including 1 monograph, 3 teaching facilities, 3 patents for invention. She took part in the work of govermental and international scientific conferences and congresses in Germany, Korea, Japan, Spain, China, Russia and other countries. Dzhumasheva R.T. was dean of the Faculty of General Medicine, vice rector for educational work, social issues and international cooperation. For fruitful work and contribution to medical education and science Dzhumashev R.T. was awarded with special award of the Ministry of Health of the Republic of Kazakhstan “Kazakhstan Dansaluyқ saқtau ісіне қосқан үлесі үшін” (2013г.), medal of the independent national rating of the Republic of Kazakhstan “For efficiency in labor activity” (2013г.). As a result of the 2014-2015 academic year, she was the winner in the nomination “Talent of KazNMU”. Awarded the Louis Pasteur medal (2015).

Currently, the department is one of the leading departments of the university. The staff of the department consists of 21 employees: 3 professors, 3 associate professors, 3 senior lecturers, 9 junior lecturers, 2 senior laboratory assistants, 1 technician.

Since the beginning of the academic year 2017-18, 10 lecturers simultenously with their regular work have passed courses of advanced training on the field “Active methods of teaching in large and small groups” and “Evaluation and examination in a medical college.” Teachers Nugumanova NI, Moldakaryzova A.Zh. have passed training on a specialty in KazNU named after AlFarabi.

The department adequately presented its achievements during examination of a visit to the commission with the Ministry of Health of the Republic of Kazakhstan to verify the implementation of the State Educational Establishment 2017 in the educational process, representatives of the NKAOO during the accreditation of the educational program in the specialty “pediatrics” for the the level of teaching discipline, the provision of the educational process with textbooks, etc.

Currently, the department employs highly qualified professors, associate professors, lecturers, who generously transfer their knowledge and experience to their students. For decades, employees of several generations of the Department of Molecular Biology and Medical Genetics have been carrying out a huge work in all directions to train quality specialists for the healthcare of Kazakhstan.

From January 8, 2019 manages the Department PhD on a specialty “Genetics” Kudiyarova Zhanar Syrlybaikhanovna.

Kudiyarova Zh.S. has more than 50 publications, including 1 monograph and 2 manuals. She participated in many National and International scientific conferences- «Nitrogen 2007″ in Lancaster (UK), «WASET» in Venice (Italy), «FEBS» in Athens (Greece), «SEB» in London. Also she made a very important research at the Free University of Amsterdam, where she received a number of priority outcomes for the study of Signal transduction processes.

Kudiyarova Zh.S. was awarded the prestigious scholarship for a research project. October 2010- October 2011 on the held Post-doctoral Internship at Rothamsted Research Center of the genetic improvement of cereals in Harpenden (United Kingdom). During this internship, she attended a presentation at the conference «Joint meeting of the British Ecological Society, the Biochemical Society and the Society for Experimental Biology, Stress responses: molecules, organisms and environments», as well as the exhibition Naturejobs Career EXPO – London 2011.

From 2012 to 2019 she worked as a senior lecturer, and then acting an assistant professor at the Almaty Technological University. In 2013 he held the position of Head of the Department of Science, where she attended courses “Management of Higher Education” conference and INTERUV «Joint programs of internationalization of universities” in Warsaw, organized by the ERASMUS program and the System for the development of education in Poland. Also in 2011-2014 to combine work in the Institute of Biology and Plant Biotechnology as a researcher on the project “Creation of new barley varieties with high resistance to drought.”

Since 2014 Kudiyarova Zh.S. taught in English foreign students on the Molecular Biology and Medical Genetics, and from 2019 Acting Head of Molecular Biology and Medical Genetics Department of the Kazakh National Medical University named after S.D. Asfendiyarov.

Staff of the department, in 2021

Currently, the department is one of the leading departments of the university. The department staff consists of 16 employees: 1 Acting Head of Dept, 1 professor, 1 professor, 4 lecturer 8 assistants. 40% of teachers of the department speak English.

All members of the department have been trained and are certified in the specialty and in pedagogy.

Over the last two years, the department members have written and published 31 articles and 7 abstracts.

Currently, the department has highly qualified professors, associate professors, lecturers and assistants, who pass on their knowledge and experience to their students. For decades, members of several generations of the Department of Molecular Biology and Medical Genetics, held a lot of work in all directions for the preparation of qualified specialists for the Health of Kazakhstan.

Since 09/07/2021, the department is headed by Candidate of Biological Sciences, Associate Professor Moldakaryzova Aizhan Zhanarbekovna.

Moldakaryzova Aizhan Zhanarbekovna has a total experience of 33 years, including 21 years of teaching work, 20 years of work in a higher educational institution. She published about 55 scientific articles, 8 educational and methodical works. Participant of international scientific and practical conferences, international scientific and practical conferences with the scientific guidance of students and the author of 3 acts of implementation.

2014-2015 – Head of the project “Assessment of the impact of school supplies on the health of students” on an intra-university grant.

In 2018, she was one of the responsible members of the organizers of the first International Student Congress “Health Sciences”.

The department developed syllabuses for the following specialties:

2 courses “General Medicine”, “Pediatrics”, “Pharmacy”, “Public Health”,

1st course “General Medicine”, “Pediatrics” and “Public Health”,

1st and 2nd year master’s degree “Biomedicine” and 1st year residency,

3 courses “Public Health”

In addition, information and didactic blocks for students in all disciplines were re-prepared and uploaded to Sirius;

Employees of the department underwent advanced training at KazNMU named after. S.D. Asfendiyarova, Kazakh National University. Al-Farabi.

As part of international cooperation and exchange of experience between universities – partners in the academic mobility program in the 2021-2022 academic year, online lectures were given under the academic mobility program for 1st year students of the medical and pediatric faculties of the Bukhara State Medical Institute named after Abu Ali ibn Sino (lecturer: Taneeva G .T., Kydyrbaeva A.K., Zhuzzhan K.E.).

From March 2020 to September 2021, due to the epidemiological situation, classes were held online.

To ensure quality education in distance learning, the university organized training seminars and webinars. All employees of the department have been trained to conduct classes on the platforms Moodle, Zoom, Ms.Teams.

On the Moodle dis.kaznmu.kz platform, students were downloaded educational and methodological materials in all disciplines and specialties to prepare for classes.

In 2022, the assistant Aubakirova A.B. graduated from the master’s program. (supervisor: Ph.D., Associate Professor Moldakaryzova A.Zh.), thesis topic: “Darіlіk өsіmdіk substance kөmegіmen alloxan diabetі kezіndegi ұyқy bezіnіn morpho-functionaldy ozgerіsterіn tүzetu zholdary”, was approved on 02.11.2020.

In 2022, the department moved to the building at st. Zheltoksan, 37A.

Staff of the department, 2022

In 2022, the assistant Dosmaganbet Zh.M. entered the magistracy. (supervisor: candidate of biological sciences, associate professor Moldakaryzova A.Zh.), thesis topic: “Genetic typing of SARS-CoV-2 virus strains during a pandemic in Almaty”, was approved on 02.11.2022.

On March 13, 2023, the Republican Conference “Prospects for the development of biomedical and genetic research in Kazakhstan” was organized at Nazarbayev University in Astana, in which the head of the department, candidate of biological sciences Moldakaryzova A.Zh.

Currently, the department is working:

Head of Department, 1- doctor of medical sciences, professor, 2 – candidate of biological sciences, associate professor; 6 – master lecturers; 8 – assistant masters; 1 – laboratory assistant.