The Electron Microscopy Group of the Laboratory of Pathological Anatomy and Electron Microscopy Studies at the SI V.P. Filatov Institute of Eye Diseases and Tissue Therapy of the NAMS of Ukraine was established in 1968 by Professor Nataliia Yevheniivna Dumbrova. Today, it is one of Ukraine’s leading research units, specialising in ultrastructural studies of ocular tissues and carrying out fundamental and applied research at the highest current standards.

The laboratory is equipped with a PEM-100-01 transmission electron microscope (TEM) with a resolution of 0.5 nm and an electron-optical magnification range from 50× to 200,000×, as well as modern equipment for biological specimen preparation.This enables to study the cell and tissue structures at the subcellular level, revealing changes that are not visible under a light microscope. The research is carried out by highly qualified specialists with many years’ experience in the field of electron microscopy: Natalia Ivanivna Molchanyuk, Candidate of Biological Sciences, Senior Research Fellow; Lyudmyla Fedorivna Volkova; and Olena Maksymivna Ivanova.

The main focus of the group is the investigation of the ultrastructural mechanisms underlying pathological processes in the eye, tissue regeneration, and the evaluation of the efficacy of the latest therapeutic technologies and pharmacological agents. All studies are conducted within the framework of the Institute's planned research programs and have direct practical significance for the advancement of modern ophthalmology.

One of the key areas of research is the study of the effect of an aqueous aloe extract on the morphofunctional state of the cornea in experimental models of corneal burns. Electron microscopy is used to study the processes of the inflammatory response, epithelial regeneration, restoration of the corneal stroma and ultrastructural changes in cells. The results obtained enable an assessment of the therapeutic potential of the preparation and provide a basis for its potential use in the treatment of corneal burn injuries.

Another important area of research is the investigation of the effects of different doses of the cytostatic agent topotecan following intravitreal administration on the structures of the chorioretinal complex. Analysis of dose-dependent ultrastructural changes in the retina, retinal pigment epithelium, and choroid allows determination of the safety limits of the drug, assessment of its potential toxic effects, and optimisation of local chemotherapy strategies in ocular oncology.

A significant  proportion of the laboratory's work is performed within the framework of doctoral and postgraduate dissertation projects. One of the most promising research directions is the investigation of the effects of low-intensity high-frequency electrocoagulation  of biological tissues using a new developed experimental device. The results obtained  are expected to provide the scientific basis for the introduction of minimally traumatic surgical technologies for the treatment of retinal detachment, contributing to shorter postoperative rehabilitation and improved functional outcomes.

A separate research direction is devoted to investigating the mechanisms underlying retrocorneal membrane formation in patients with severe combat-related ocular injuries. Electron microscopy enables the identification of the cellular mechanisms involved in this pathological process, determination of the factors contributing to membrane formation, and development of morphological criteria for predicting disease progression. These findings are essential for establishing new approaches to the prevention, early diagnosis, and treatment of post-traumatic ocular complications.

Another promising field of investigation focuses on the persistent pupillary membrane in children. The research aims to characterise its morphological characteristics, elucidate the causes of persistence of embryonic structures after birth, and clarify the mechanisms underlying this developmental anomaly.The findings of this work will contribute to improving early diagnosis, determining indications for treatment, and selecting the optimal management strategy for paediatric patients.

An important milestone in the development of the laboratory  was the implementation of a current methodology for quantitative morphometric analysis of electron microscopic images. This approach provides objective measurements of morphometric parameters of cells, organelles and subcellular structures; it allows the assessment of the extent of ultrastructural changes, the performance of statistically significant comparisons between study groups, and the establishment of a correlation between morphological changes and the functional state of tissues.

The integration of traditional qualitative ultrastructural assessment with contemporary quantitative morphometric techniques substantially enhances the accuracy, reproducibility, and scientific validity of research findings. This approach is fully consistent with the principles of evidence-based medicine and significantly expands the laboratory's capabilities in conducting both fundamental and applied research. It is precisely thanks to these advanced technologies, the Electron Microscopy Laboratory continues to serve as one of the leading scientific centers for elucidating the ultrastructural mechanisms of ophthalmic diseases and for establishing the scientific foundations for the development and implementation of innovative therapeutic approaches in ophthalmology.