Genome editing for the treatment of genetic disorders. Led production of viral-based vectors for a gene therapy drug intended to treat an ophthalmologic disorder.

I am a Product Owner (Team Leader) in the Department of Gene Therapy Research (DGTR) at BIOCAD biotech company. My team is leading research and development projects with a goal to produce laboratory prototypes of cutting edge gene therapy products. Recently under my supervision we have successfully finished developing of a gene therapy drug for spinal muscular atrophy, and currently we are working on an even more exciting gene therapy project.As a Product Owner, I am fully responsible for all aspects of research and development of projects intended to produce laboratory prototypes of gene therapy drugs. From an idea to a lab scale production, from in vitro tests to pilot efficacy testing in lab animals – all that happens under my guidance and supervision. I allocate resources of my team and constantly interact with various core facilities, other departments and stake holders of the project. As a result of our work, we finished a very ambitious project and provided a prototype for a gene therapy of spinal muscular atrophy. The prototype is now transferred to other departments for production scale-up, pre-clinical and clinical testing. We are now working on a new, even more ambitious project that originated from an idea provided by me and that was supported by our market and medical experts and approved by the CEO.

I am a Head of Department of Molecular Genetics (DMG) at BIOCAD biotech company. My division serves several main functions:1. Design and development of genetic constructs that may be used for production of therapeutic viruses for gene therapy approaches, including AAV and LV. Constant improvement of expression cassettes in order to increase transgene expression and/or tune specificity.2. Design of new AAV serotypes together with our bioinformaticians. We use both rational design and library screening approaches in order to improve stability, change tropism of the AAV particles, etc.3. Development of new methods of genome editing both in vitro and in vivo with novel genome nucleases.4. Lab scale production of GMP grade plasmids to support AAV and LV bioprocess from in vitro testing up to preclinical studies. Development of methods that allow faster plasmid DNA isolation with less impurities. is at the cutting edge of the advanced research projects of our company.

I am a principal investigator at a Laboratory of Molecular Genetics (LMG) at BIOCAD biotech company. My lab is at the cutting edge of the advanced research projects of our company. I personally manage my staff, determine and set up aims and goals for LMG, plan future development of our studies. Currently, my lab and I are involved in several projects: allogenic transplantation of universal CAR-T cells, directed evolution of viral vector systems, AAV-based gene therapy, targeting TGF pathway to prevent caxehia are among the major ones.

Based on our successful Master’s program with SPCPU (see below), BIOCAD established a Master’s program in bioinformatics together with HSE, a renowned educational center recognized not only in Russia but also internationally. As a senior instructor (under a temporary contract), I teach a class on molecular genetics to the program’s students.

BIOCAD and SPCPU joined their efforts to produce high quality specialists in the field of biotechnology. As a result, we created a Master’s educational program on a basis of SPCPU providing students with fundamental aspects of biology and biotechnology, as well as hands-on experience at BIOCAD research and production facilities. As a senior instructor for the educational program, I completely designed a course on molecular genetics with an emphasis on practical use of the theoretical principles. Now I teach the molecular genetics class as well as some other lectures and lab studies to the first and second year Master’s program students. I was awarded with internal awards by BIOCAD for my important contributions to the joint educational program in recognition of my leading role in its establishing and continuous operation.

Working as part of an excellent team of scientists, I study translational and basic aspects of HNSCC and KS. Most of my work is concerned with anti-cancer properties of an approved anti-diabetic drug metformin and a closely related drug phenformin. I analyzed effects of the drugs on molecular pathways, proliferation and growth of cells in culture. I also analyzed effects of the drugs on tumor development in vivo using xenograft mouse models. Several in vivo tumor models were designed and implemented by me. In cooperation with MD Anderson Cancer Center, we are currently working to implement a wide clinical trial assessing efficacy of these drugs in prevention of HNSCC in patients that have high risk for HNSCC (HIV+, HPV+, smokers).

During my Ph.D. program I was studying AML development using both in vitro and in vivo approaches. My main effort was focused on investigating whether overexpression of wild type genes could serve as a genetic event facilitating AML progression. I have shown that wild type Mpl when overexpressed in leukocytes carrying an oncogene CBFB-MYH11 confers signaling changes that allow AML to fully progress. Our study also showed that rapamycin, an mTOR inhibitor, partially prevents development of AML caused by Mpl overexpression.

I studied general biology, molecular biology, biochemistry, immunology, virology and other biological disciplines. I specialized in genetics (and was a student at the Department of Genetics) where I received a strong background in molecular, cellular, classical and population genetics.

During my diploma project I was investigating the role of Presenilins and their homologs in processing of b-amyloid and the role of this process in Alzheimer's disease.

During my diploma project I was investigating the role of Presenilins and their homologs in processing of b-amyloid and the role of this process in Alzheimer's disease.