D.Sc. Anhelina Kyrychenko

Senior research associate, Head of Plant Viruses Laboratory at the Institute of Microbiology and Virology, National Academy of Sciences of Ukraine, Assistant professor of National University of Kyiv-Mohyla Academy (Kyiv, Ukraine).

I have over 20 years of experience in plant virology, with an interest in molecular epidemiology and evolution of viruses, focusing on epidemiological and evolutional characteristics of the viruses infecting cultivated and wild plants. I carry out in-field monitoring of viruses, identifications and molecular characterization of plant viruses distributed in Ukraine. My research effort is concentrated on understanding mechanisms of the infection process, virus-host interactions and disease development, plant anti-virus defense mechanisms, development of approaches to enhance plant resistance and making virus-free plant germplasm. The current research spans around Molecular Virology/Genomics of plant viruses with much attention to the computer-assisted analysis of signal- and regulatory elements in the genomic sequences of RNA-containing viruses.

Our laboratory is engaged in the development and implementation of molecular technologies for the diagnostics of plant virus diseases and effective virus identification, in the study of biological diversity of viral strains circulating in Ukraine as well as in investigation of biologically active substances with antiviral properties. In addition, we provide advisory services to agricultural producers/farmers on effective approaches to phytosanitary control of viral crop pathogens and actively collaborate with national stakeholders to to increase the efficiency of plant virus and agriculture managements of agribusiness in Ukraine.