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For laboratory cultures of microorganisms, conditions of a habitat or cultivation which are set by the experimenter, concepts “ecological physiology” and “laboratory ecology” are identical. Experiments on cultures microscopic procariotic and eucariotic cells in overwhelming majority of cases represent registration and the analysis of physiological responses to changes of cultivation factors, i.e. inhabitancies in is artificial the created laboratory conditions. This type of research works also makes the basic subject experimental ecophysiology of microphototrophes. In such understanding “ecophysiology” — the fundamental direction of the microbiology formulated by professor M.V. Gusev and developed on him created department.

In the light of the serious challenges facing human civilization, it is imperative that measures should be taken to eradicate global bio-illiteracy and spread biological education for nonbiologists worldwide. This was one of the main goals of Prof M.V. Gusev’s efforts in the capacity of a member of the Commission for Biological Education. Conceptual underpinnings for his practical activities were provided by the biocentric doctrine that in Gusev’s view implied understanding and appreciating the absolute value of life in all its forms, advocating an ethical attitude towards biodiversity, and considering humankind as part and parcel to planetary bios (life). Biocentrism also provides the philosophical foundations for a more specific research direction, biopolitics, that is construed herein as encompassing all social and political implications of modern life sciences from genetics to neurophysiology to ecology to primatology. Currently, biopolitics represents an interdisciplinary area of research that actively develops on the global scale and includes philosophical (quasi-ideological), political science-related (theoretical), and practical dimensions. Biopolitics forms part of a wider area referred to as humanities-centered biology that incorporates all possible contributions of life sciences to social sciences and humanities. Apart from biopolitics, humanities-centered biology also includes bioethics, biophilosophy, biosemiotics, etc.

The article is dedicated to the views of Prof. M.V. Gusev on the problems of biology — ecological literacy and education. The article includes the practical results of introducing the ideas of Prof. Gusev into the biological and ecological education for pupils of secondary school, future teachers and students of non-biological professions.

The article is concerned with the reminiscences of Prof. M.V. Gusev’s disciples. It deals with the development and promotion of the physiological approach as the methodology to study the life-sustaining activities of microorganisms. The paper emphasizes that microbial physiology was one of the focal points of Prof. M.V. Gusev’s scientific activity.

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Different aspects of microorganisms interaction with gold compaunds: auriferous minerals destruction in environment, purification of industrial waste-water, gold accumulation by cells were exemined. Significant attention to the gold ions effects on the structure and biochemical reactions of microbial cells, and also microorganism? detoxication from heavy metals including gold was given.

Controlled cell death, along with cell proliferation and differentiation, is essential for the life-sustaining activities of an organism. Programmed cell death (PCD) is involved in individual developmental program and the maintenance of tissue homeostasis. It is also prerequisite for the operation of the immunity system and interactions with abiogenic factors.

PCD in animals and humans is sufficiently well understood. Less information is available concerning the mechanisms of cell death in plants. However, the data obtained up to now suggest that the signal-transducing pathways in animal, plants, and fungi are general. This paper discusses the PSD-triggering signals in plants and the systems involved in their transduction. Mitochondria perform an important function in the apoptosis of animal cells. Chloroplasts are structurally, functionally, and phylogenetically related to mitochondria, and they are apparently involved in plant PCD.

The results of researches of distribution and photosynthetic activity of phytoplankton in a southern part of the Baltic Sea received in the scientific cruise on board of r/v “Oceania’’ in April, 2004 with use flowing and submersible fluorometers are given. The methodology of use of parameters of chlorophyll fluorescence for monitoring phytoplankton of seawater areas is discussed.