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Three exon regions of the myoglobin gene of Baikal seal Phoca sibirica have been amplified and sequenced. The sequences have been found identical to those for the myoglobin gene of the North Atlantic seal Halichoerus grypus. Thus, these seal species have separated not earlier than 2.2 billion years before present.

The primary structure of myoglobin of the seal of Lake Baikal (East Siberia) Phoca siberica, determined by sequencing the whole protein and peptides obtained by the cyanogen bromide or proteinase cleavage and separated by the microcolumn liquid chromatography, was found to be identical to the primary structures of myoglobins of the harbour seal Phoca vitulina largha and the grey seal Halehoerus gryphus. It suggests that these species separated from a common ancestor less than seven million years ago.

Morbillivirus of Baikal seal (BSM) was isolated from organs of a dead animal during 1987-1988 epizootic of Baikal seal (Phoca sibirica). A method of cellular enzyme immunoassay for testing for virus-specific antibodies was developed using BSM. The method was used for antibody detection in sera of 115 apparently normal seals collected in the spring of 1989. Antibody to BSM were found in sera from 75 animals. Examinations of seropositive animals of different age and sex were carried out. The results obtained indicate a possible role of BSM in the epizootic.

A decrease in heavy carbon isotope 13C content has been detected in atherosclerotically-altered aortic tissues. An extent of the isotope shift is increased with the intensification of sclerotic process in different regions of the aorta and depends on the patient's age. To explain the observed effect of isotope 13C content decrease in the altered aortic tissues it was suggested that the rates of biochemical conversions become considerably higher in sclerotically-altered tissues.