Armen Trchounian was born on 29 April 1956, in Yerevan, Armenian SSR, USSR. He graduated from Yerevan State University with an honor diploma (1978), was awarded a PhD (1982), and D.Sc. (1990) from the USSR Supreme Certifying Commission, Moscow.[3]
Career and research
In 1981, Trchounian started work at the Department of Biophysics of YSU as a Junior Researcher, then continued as a senior researcher until 1990. He was a Leading Researcher (Research Professor) (1990–1994) and Professor at the same department (1993–2011).[3]
Trchounian's works are dedicated to Bioenergetic aspects of fermentingMicroorganisms and biohydrogen production by fermenting and Phototrophic bacteria. His research mainly concentrated on proton and other ion transport across the membrane, relationship with the proton-translocating two-sector ATPase (EC 7.1.2.2, FoF1-ATPase), and its role in particular molecular hydrogen production by various Hydrogenases. Trchounian's research focused on the application of microbial hydrogenase systems in industrial hydrogen gas production.[1][3] He also contributed to the research of metal nanoparticles and study of their properties.[4][5]
In 2001–2002 he worked at the Ministry of Education and Science as the head of the Department of training of scientific and pedagogical personnel. In 2002–2010 he was the president of the Supreme Certifying Commission of RA.
Since 2006, he was a professor at the Russian-Armenian University in Yerevan, Armenia. In 2011–2016, he was the Head of the Department of Microbiology and Plant and Microbial Biotechnologies of YSU, then the Head of Department of Biochemistry, Microbiology, and Biotechnology (2016–2020).
He had a Class rank of state counselor of the 2nd class of the civil service of the Republic of Armenia (the RA President's decree, 2006).
In 2006, he was elected as a Corresponding Member of the National Academy of Sciences of Armenia; was a laureate of the Armenian President's Prize for Development in Natural Sciences and other national and international prizes and awards. He has been a member of the American Society for Microbiology (ASM) since 1999, was awarded Leadership Grant for International Educators by UNESCO and ASM (2009), and has been recognized for Outstanding service in ASM Minority Mentoring Program (2011).
Scientific career
1981–1994 – Junior, Senior, then Leading Researcher at the Department of Biophysics of Yerevan State University, Armenia
1993–2011 – Professor at the Department of Biophysics of Yerevan State University, Armenia
1988 – Fellow at the Institute of Biophysics of the USSR Academy of Sciences, Pushchino, Moscow, Russia
Since 2015 – Principal investigator and Head of the Laboratory of Microbiology, Bioenergetics and Biotechnology of Institute of Biology of Yerevan State University
2011–2016 – Head of the Department of Microbiology, Plant and Microbial Biotechnologies of Yerevan State University, Armenia
2016–2020 – Head of Department of Biochemistry, Microbiology and Biotechnology of Yerevan State University, Armenia
Memberships
2009 – Armenian Microbiological Association (FEMS Member Society)
2009 – International Academy for National Security Problems, Russia
2008 – International Engineering Academy, Russia
2007 – Armenian Engineering Academy, Armenia
2007 – Member of Bureau of the Division of Natural Sciences of the NAS RA
2006 – European Academy of Natural Sciences, Germany
2006 – Academy of Medical Technical Sciences of Russian Federation, Russia
2006 – International Union of Science Knights, Germany
2010 – Award of the National Academy of Sciences of RA, Ministry of Diaspora of RA, and Armenians Union of Russia for the best scientific paper in Natural Sciences in 2008
2003 – Prize of the President of RA for the Achievement in Natural sciences
2020 – 1st degree Medal "For Services provided to the Motherland" for his contribution to the field of science and education and many years of dedicated work in Armenia (awarded posthumously), Decree of the President of RA[10]
He published over 300 peer-reviewed papers and reviews in leading international journals, and attended >80 international conferences giving keynote lectures and oral presentations. He was an Editor of peer-reviewed international journals (Elsevier, Frontiers, Hindawi) and Editorial member of numerous international journals.
Books
Trchounian A, Bioenergetics, Book, YSU publishing, 2019, 292 p. (in Armenian)[12]
Trchounian A, Gabrielyan L, Mnatsakanyan N, Metal Nanoparticles (eds. Y. Saylor, V. Irby): Chapter 4. Nanoparticles of Various Transition Metals and Their Applications as Antimicrobial Agents | Nova Science Publishers. 2018, 161–211 pp.
Aghajanyan A, Trchounian A, Plant Biochemistry: Laboratory Practicals, YSU publishing 2017, 152p. (in Armenian)[13]
Trchounian A, Petrosyan M, Sahakyan N, Redox State as a Central Regulator of Plant-Cell Stress Responses. Chapter 2. Plant Cell Redox Homeostasis and Reactive Oxygen Species (Ed. D.K. Gupta et al.) | Springer International. 2016, 25 p.
Trchounian A, Panosyan H, Bazukyan I, Margaryan A, Popov Y, (2014) Microbiology Laboratory Practicals, YSU publishing 2014, 316 p. (in Armenian)[14]
Petrosyan M, Azaryan K, Trchounian A, (2013) Plant Physiology Laboratory Practicals (in Armenian), Yerevan, YSU Publishing, 126 p.[15]
Gevorgyan E, Danielyan F, Essayan A, Grigoryan K, Trchounian A, Nerkararyan A, Sevoyan G, Vardevanyan P, Biology: 2222 test-book, Yerevan, Astghik publishing house, 2009, 428 p. (in Armenian)
Trchounian A, Potassium transport by bacteria: electrochemical approach, energetics and mechanisms, 2009, Chapter of book | In Bacterial Membranes. A. Trchounian (ed.). Res. Signpost: Kerala (India), pp. 65–111
Poladyan A, Trchounian A, Production of molecular hydrogen by mixed-acid fermentation in bacteria and its energetics, 2009, Chapter of book | In Bacterial Membranes. A. Trchounian (ed.). Res. Signpost: Kerala (India), pp. 197–231
Gabrielyan L, Trchounian A, Purple bacteria and cyanobacteria as potential producers of molecular hydrogen: an electrochemical and bioenergetics approach, 2009, Chapter of book | In Bacterial Membranes. A. Trchounian (ed.). Res. Signpost: Kerala (India), pp. 233–273
Akopyan K, Trchounian A, Proton conductance of bacterial membrane and its role in cell functional activity, 2009, Chapter of book | In Bacterial Membranes. A. Trchounian (ed.). Res. Signpost: Kerala (India), pp. 37–63
Trchounian A, Surface charge and other physical properties of bacterial membranes, 2009, Chapter of book | In Bacterial Membranes. A. Trchounian (ed.). Res. Signpost: Kerala (India), pp. 23–35
Hovnanyan K, Trchounian A, Cell wall and cytoplasmic membrane structures of some bacteria: novel data and role in pathology, 2009, Chapter of Book, In Bacterial Membranes. A. Trchounian (ed.). Res. Signpost: Kerala (India), pp. 1–21
Vassilian A, Trchounian A, Environment oxidation-reduction potential and redox sensing by bacteria, 2009, Chapter of Book, In Bacterial Membranes. A. Trchounian (ed.). Res. Signpost: Kerala (India), pp. 163–195
Trchounian A., Current State and Development Trends in the Highest Scientific Certification, Monography, Yerevan, 60 p. (in Armenian and Russian, English Summary)[16]
Trchounian A (2001) Biological Membranes, Yerevan, Zangak-97, 192 pages (in Armenian – Թռչունյան Ա.Հ., Կենսաբանական թաղանթներ, Դասագիրք, Երևան̦, Զանգակ-97̦, 2001)[16]
Selected publications
Bagramyan K, Mnatsakanyan N, Poladian A, Vassilian A, Trchounian A. The roles of hydrogenases 3 and 4, and the F0F1-ATPase, in H2 production by Escherichia coli at alkaline and acidic pH. FEBS letters. 2002 Apr 10;516(1–3):172-8.
Trchounian A. Escherichia coli proton-translocating F0F1-ATP synthase and its association with solute secondary transporters and/or enzymes of anaerobic oxidation–reduction under fermentation. Biochemical and biophysical research communications. 2004 Mar 19;315(4):1051-7.
Trchounian K, Trchounian A. Hydrogenase 2 is most and hydrogenase 1 is less responsible for H2 production by Escherichia coli under glycerol fermentation at neutral and slightly alkaline pH. International Journal of Hydrogen Energy. 2009 Nov 1;34(21):8839–45.
Trchounian K, Poladyan A, Vassilian A, Trchounian A. Multiple and reversible hydrogenases for hydrogen production by Escherichia coli: dependence on fermentation substrate, pH and the F0F1-ATPase. Critical Reviews in Biochemistry and Molecular Biology. 2012 Jun 1;47(3):236-49.
Trchounian A. Mechanisms for hydrogen production by different bacteria during mixed-acid and photo-fermentation and perspectives of hydrogen production biotechnology. Critical reviews in biotechnology. 2015 Jan 2;35(1):103-13.
Trchounian K, Sawers RG, Trchounian A. Improving biohydrogen productivity by microbial dark-and photo-fermentations: novel data and future approaches. Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews. 2017 Dec 1;80:1201–16.
Trchounian A, Trchounian K. Fermentation revisited: how do microorganisms survive under energy-limited conditions?. Trends in biochemical sciences. 2019 May 1;44(5):391–400.
Theses
Трчунян А.А., Дрожжевый экстракт как источник азота при росте и выделении молекулярного водорода пурпурной бактерией Rhodobacter sphaeroides, “Проблемы биохимии, радиационной и космической биологии”, Алушта, 5–9 сентября, с. 61–64 (co-author)
Trchounyan A., Creation of new ferments with lactic acid bacteria from dairy products of different regions of Armenia | ISTC Conference «Modern State of Biotechnological Developments and Ways of Their Commercialization», Yerevan, Armenia, 2012, pp. 59–60 (co-author)
Trchounyan A., Some properties of lactic acidnbacteria isolated in Armenia | ISTC International conference: «Bacteriophages and Probiotics–Alternatives to Antibiotics», Tbilisi, Georgia, 2012, p. 106 (co-author)
Trchounian A., Is the high potassium ion concentration requested for the E. coli growth and metabolic activity? | Sov. Biotechnology 1, 55 (co-author)
^Gabrielyan, L; Trchounian, A (2019). "Antibacterial activities of transient metals nanoparticles and membranous mechanisms of action". World Journal of Microbiology and Biotechnology. 35:162 (10): 162. doi:10.1007/s11274-019-2742-6. PMID31612285. S2CID204702161.