History and Scientific School
The Department of Pathological physiology was established in 1965 at the Tselinograd State Medical Institute — now Astana Medical University (JSC AMU). For six decades, the Department has remained one of the most significant intellectual centres of fundamental medicine at AMU. Its history is inextricably linked with the development of both Kazakhstani and global experimental medical science. Over the years, it has been led by prominent scholars who made notable contributions to the advancement of pathophysiology in Kazakhstan.
The period during which academician V.G. Korpachev headed the department is regarded as one of the most distinguished and productive; members of his research school who formed the core of the department successfully defended their dissertations.
V.G. Korpachev made an enormous contribution to the training of the country’s academic and teaching staff; under his leadership, seven doctoral and more than 50 candidate dissertations were defended. In tribute to their teacher, the department staff organised three national conferences, the ‘Korpachev Readings’ (2005–2007).
Since 2002, the Department has been led by professor D.S. Tazhibayeva, who has initiated new research directions, including the pathogenetic rationale for cellular therapy in post-resuscitation disease and other forms of critical illness.
Research Activities
For more than 30 years, the core scientific focus of the Department has been the study of pathogenesis and experimental therapy of extreme and terminal states, as well as the mechanisms underlying post-traumatic stress disorders caused by chronic, combined, and unavoidable exposure to stressors of various origins. Scientific projects were carried out at the Department, and graduates of postgraduate and doctoral programmes successfully defended 4 doctoral and 50 PhD dissertations. Many of them continue their careers in medical and educational institutions both within Kazakhstan and abroad.
Key research findings:
– the trigger mechanisms of post-hypoxic encephalopathy and immunological disorders in post-resuscitation syndrome have been identified for the first time;
– the application of antihypoxants, antioxidants, neuropeptides, and membrane protectors for the correction of psychoneurological disorders has been experimentally substantiated.
– approaches to the use of foetal cell therapy in cases of hypoxic hypoxia and immobilisation stress have been developed;
– the functional activity of the brain under the combined effects of gamma radiation and chronic stress has been studied;
- the role of an enriched environment in the correction of psychoneurological disorders in organisms that have undergone chronic combined exposure to stressors of various origins has been investigated.
Republican Programme «Experimental and сlinical кationale for the use of foetal cells» (State Registration No. F.0395): 2 doctoral and 7 PhD dissertations were defended, more than 100 scientific papers were published, and 2 innovation patents were obtained. The Department holds more than 10 copyright certificates and 9 protection documents in total.
Educational Activities
The Department is recognised as one of the most innovative at JSC AMU: more than 40 active learning methods have been integrated into the educational process — PBL, TBL, CBL, flipped lectures, the Six Thinking Hats, mind mapping, the denotational graph, and others.
Systemic achievements:
– the first in Kazakhstan to introduce computer-based testing in pathophysiology — a bank of approximately 7000 questions;
– authors of 14 model curricula on pathological physiology and one on clinical pathophysiology (Russian/Kazakh);
– first to publish subject-specific glossaries in three languages — the approach has been adopted by other departments;
– organised the first subject-specific competitions, KVN and ‘Brain Ring’ contests on pathophysiology in Kazakhstan;
– based on the results of independent assessments in 2004–2006 and 2024–2025 — leading positions among universities in Kazakhstan Master of Medicine programme since 2010 (graduates: Krupina E.A., Niyazbekova K.K., Zaripova L.N., Sengaliy M.Zh., Sapanova M.A.).
Recognition and Awards
Four department members — D.S.Tazhibayeva, N.B.Kabdualiyeva, Zh.B.Aitbayeva, G.E.Beglarova — have received corporate awards for «Best Lecturer», «Best Teacher». Since 2013 the V.G.Korpachev named Scholarship has been awarded annually; it has been conferred on more than 30 students, including the international student Muzaffar Bhat.
Mission and Strategic Priorities
Contacts
Nur-Sultan, 49a Beibitshilik str., 8th floor
8(7172)53-95-74
