He entered the Institute in 1976 as student preparing his Master work. In 1981 he received his PhD and in 1996 his DSc degrees. In 1993-94 Dr. Topunov worked as Invited Scientist in the Institute of Bioorganic Chemistry of Polish Academy of Sciences in Poznan, and in 1993-94 as Invited Professor in Queen’s University in Kingston (Canada). He was chief of many Russian and International scientific projects. Dr. Topunov is author of more than 130 scientific papers. He was awarded with Bronze Medal of the Exhibition of USSR Economic Achievements. Dr. Topunov is active in pedagogies. He is Professor of Moscow State University of Food Industry and head of joint Scientific-Teaching Center “Biochemistry and Biotechnology”. He is responsible for work with young scientists in Bach Institute of Biochemistry. Dr. Topunov is author of several textbooks for students.

Primary fields of activity for laboratory are studying biochemistry and energetics of symbiotic and free-living nitrogen-fixing organisms, including influence of environmental factors on organisms with different genomes. Lab is also interested in such aspects of nitrogen metabolism as connection between nitrogen fixation and nitrate reduction and metabolism of active nitrogen species. The main directions of studies are: Peculiarities of oxygen metabolism in nitrogen-fixing nodules of legume plants and functioning of leghemoglobin – hemoglobin of legumes. Effect of stress factors on symbiotic nitrogen-fixing system of legumes. Use of knowledge of specificity of legume metabolism for selection and breeding of legume plants in different climate and soil conditions. Regulation of metabolism of free-living nitrogen-fixing bacteria Azotobacter, including synthesis of polyhydroxybutyric acid. Elaboration and modification of production technology of biocompatible polymer - polyhydroxybutyrate and its practical use.