SCIENTIFIC SCHOOLS
OF NATIONAL SCIENTIFIC CENTER
"INSTITUTE OF EXPERIMENTAL AND CLINICAL VETERINARY MEDICINE"
Over almost 100 years of active diverse scientific activity, a number of scientific schools have been formed and are successfully developing at the NSC "IECVM".
The scientific school for the study of infectious poultry diseases was founded under the leadership of Professors M. T. Prokofieva and I. M. Doroshko, and successfully continued by their students — Corresponding Member of NAAS V. V. Herman, Academician of NAAS V. F. Babkin, PhD in Veterinary Sciences V. V. Kiprych, and P. P. Tsimokh.
Since 2001, it has been headed by Academician of NAAS B. T. Stehnii. He has supervised the preparation of Doctors of Veterinary Sciences such as D. V. Muzyka, T. I. Fotina, O. V. Obukhovska, L. I. Nalyvaiko, and A. P. Gerilovych. Under his guidance, several PhD theses have been defended, including those by L. P. Usova and N. M. Muzyka. The researchers have developed and implemented more than 40 effective biological preparations for the prevention and diagnosis of major viral and bacterial poultry diseases.
In particular, the active participation of the researchers from the Department for the Study of Poultry Diseases in nationwide efforts to prevent and eliminate highly pathogenic avian influenza in Ukraine in 2004–2005 served as confirmation of their authority and significant scientific potential. In accordance with the Decree of the President of Ukraine “On measures to improve the effectiveness of combating infectious diseases,” a draft Program for combating highly pathogenic avian influenza was developed, along with justifications for the development of a domestic vaccine and tools for monitoring and diagnosing this disease. In 2006, based on the department, a reference laboratory for avian influenza was established in accordance with the Decree of the President of Ukraine “On urgent measures to prevent the introduction and spread of highly pathogenic avian influenza and to minimize the consequences of a possible influenza pandemic,” as well as the decision of the State Emergency Anti-Epizootic Commission under the Cabinet of Ministers of Ukraine to prevent the spread of highly pathogenic avian influenza within the territory of Ukraine.
Reconstruction of the reference laboratory facilities was also carried out in accordance with international standards, and the laboratory was equipped with the necessary instruments and equipment. Significant attention is given to international scientific and technical cooperation, including collaboration with leading reference laboratories for infectious poultry diseases.
Particular attention is paid to monitoring the epizootic situation regarding highly pathogenic avian influenza and Newcastle disease among poultry populations in the industrial and private sectors, as well as among wild birds in the southern and eastern regions of Ukraine. The work also focuses on the development and testing of tools for specific prevention and diagnosis of these diseases. In particular, inactivated vaccines against highly pathogenic avian influenza derived from H5N1 and H5N3 strains have been developed, as well as a combined vaccine against highly pathogenic avian influenza (H5N1) and Newcastle disease. Additionally, test systems have been created for detecting antibodies to influenza A virus subtypes H1–H14 and H5N1 using the hemagglutination inhibition assay, for identifying RNA of the highly pathogenic avian influenza virus subtype H5N1 using polymerase chain reaction, and others.
At present, the efforts of the researchers are focused on studying the ecology of pathogens and sources of transboundary zoonotic viral and bacterial infections in wild birds, identifying new pathogens and their sources, tracing the routes of their introduction into other geographical regions, and developing a modern system for monitoring, forecasting, specific prevention, and control of virus-bacterial associations in poultry within the framework of the “One Health” concept in the context of climate change.
Among the successors of the proud traditions of this scientific school are PhD in Veterinary Sciences O. M. Rula, A. B. Stehnii, S. V. Tkachenko, and many other young researchers.
The importance of scientific achievements in veterinary support for poultry farming was confirmed in 2009, when a group of researchers from the NSC “IECVM” — Academician of NAAS B. T. Stehnii, Corresponding Member of NAAS A. P. Gerilovych, Doctor of Veterinary Sciences D. V. Muzyka, PhD in Biological Sciences M. Y. Stehnii, and PhD in Veterinary Sciences O. M. Rula — were awarded the State Prize of Ukraine in Science and Technology for the development and implementation of a national system of epizootiological monitoring, immunoprophylaxis, and diagnosis of highly pathogenic avian influenza.
The scientific school for the study of swine diseases was founded by Corresponding Member of VASKhNIL I. Y. Kulesko. Significant contributions to its development were made by scientists such as I. P. Lysenko, T. V. Pashov, A. I. Sobko, O. T. Shykov, O. M. Tsymbal, and K. Y. Konarzhevskyi. The major scientific achievements of this school include the creation of the crystal-violet vaccine against classical swine fever, for which Prof. I. Y. Kulesko was awarded the State Prize (1947), and the development of a unique system for the eradication of Aujeszky’s disease, which includes an inactivated vaccine and the diagnostic agent “Aulergin” for the intravital detection of pigs carrying the pathogen (O. M. Tsymbal, K. Y. Konarzhevskyi). Currently, in the Laboratory for the Study of Swine Diseases, headed by Associate Professor A. I. Buzun, work is being carried out to improve the biosecurity system of industrial pig farming concerning associated reproductive and neonatal infections (PRRS, circovirus, parvovirus, enzootic diarrhea of pigs, pasteurellosis) based on monitoring of the epizootic situation regarding the main infectious diseases of pigs and the development of original means of specific prevention and diagnosis of neonatal-reproductive viral and bacterial infections of pigs. The regularities of the spread and mechanisms of formation of enzootic foci of African swine fever in the Eurasian nosoareal are also being studied.
Scientific school for the study of bacterial diseases of cattle. The founder of the research direction on brucellosis was Prof. P. M. Zhovanik. A significant achievement of this school was the eradication of brucellosis in Ukraine (1976) — a disease common to both humans and animals. Substantial contributions to this work were made by scientists such as Prof. A. N. Pashkovskyi, Prof. A. F. Babkin, and others. In recent years, this direction has been successfully led by Candidate of Veterinary Sciences V. I. Bolotin. The scientists of the Laboratory for the Study of Brucellosis actively conduct monitoring and research on the molecular-genetic characteristics of brucellosis pathogens, chlamydiosis, yersiniosis, and campylobacteriosis, as well as the development of corresponding diagnostic and therapeutic-preventive tools, including the use of molecular-genetic methods and recombinant biotechnology.
The names of the founder of the tuberculosis research direction, Prof. O. M. Govorov, and other veterinary phthisiatrists — Prof. Y. Y. Kassich, Prof. A. F. Kochmarsky, Corresponding Member of NAAS A. I. Zavgorodny, Prof. A. P. Paliy — have gained recognition among a wide circle of veterinary medicine specialists. Technologies for the industrial-scale production of dry purified PPD tuberculins for mammals and birds, as well as an allergen from atypical mycobacteria (AAM) for differential diagnosis of tuberculosis, have been developed and implemented. Improved methods for diagnosing the disease have been proposed, and the significance and pathogenic properties of atypical mycobacteria have been established. The search for effective disinfectants for use in the system of combating this disease continues. Candidates of Veterinary Sciences S. A. Pozmogova, V. V. Bilushko, and M. V. Kalashnik actively participated in studying the immunobiological properties, eco-geographical features, and risks of spreading the paratuberculosis pathogen in cattle, as well as in determining genetic markers and phylogenetic relationships of mycobacterial populations in Ukraine.
The achievements of researchers in this field have been highly recognized by the state — in 2017, for the work "System of Epizootological Monitoring, Diagnosis, Prevention, and Improvement of Animal Husbandry in Ukraine from Tuberculosis," scientists of the NSC "IECVM" A. I. Zavgorodny, B. T. Stegniy, A. P. Herilovich, A. P. Paliy, and S. A. Pozmogova were awarded the Cabinet of Ministers of Ukraine Prize for the development and implementation of innovative technologies.
The founder of the bacterial diseases research direction at the NSC "IECVM" was Prof. V. A. Fortushny, under whose guidance, starting from the 1950s, studies began on the role of Escherichia coli and other opportunistic bacteria in the occurrence of mass gastrointestinal diseases in young farm animals. Factors of their pathogenicity were identified and studied, on the basis of which specific preventive measures were developed. Based on data on the intestinal microbiocenosis, effective probiotics and vaccines were developed for the treatment and prevention of gastrointestinal bacterial infections in calves and piglets. Academicians of NAAS P. P. Fuks, A. M. Holovko, V. O. Ushkalov, and professors H. V. Hnatenko and K. Y. Konarzhevskyi made decisive contributions to these studies. Currently, this research direction, taking into account modern trends in addressing the problem, is continued by PhD holders D. V. Hadzevych, O. V. Hadzevych, and S. O. Huzhvinska.
Scientific School for the Study of Viral Diseases of Cattle. For about 20 years, the Institute of Experimental and Clinical Veterinary Medicine has been the center for foot-and-mouth disease research in Ukraine. Here, the biology of the foot-and-mouth disease virus, the pathogenesis of the disease, and methods of prevention, diagnostics, and organizational control measures against foot-and-mouth disease were studied under the guidance of renowned virologists, Professors M. V. Revo, B. H. Petrenko, Y. V. Andreev, A. I. Dudnikov, and others. The research of the scientific school led by Prof. Y. V. Andreev and UAAS Academician P. P. Fuks, Doctor of Veterinary Sciences N. P. Chechotkina, Candidate of Veterinary Sciences V. I. Stetsenko, and other Institute staff played a significant role in ensuring the veterinary well-being of the country’s livestock. Their work focused on eradicating viral respiratory, gastrointestinal, and reproductive diseases of cattle of viral etiology. In particular, mono- and combined vaccines were developed against infectious rhinotracheitis, parainfluenza, rotavirus and coronavirus infections, Escherichia coli infections, along with the corresponding diagnostic tools. Currently, researchers of the Virology Laboratory, including Candidate of Veterinary Sciences O. M. Korneikov, O. V. Prokhoryatova, S. V. Filatov, and others, have expanded studies in such current directions as assessing the risk of pathogen introduction considering the bioecology of vector insects, developing methods for predicting and tracking the spread of emergent cross-border arboviral infections (Bluetongue and Schmallenberg disease) using geographic information systems.
Scientific School for the Study of Bovine Leukosis. Significant scientific contributions have been made by UAAS Academician V. O. Busol, Doctor of Veterinary Sciences A. F. Babkin, Candidate of Veterinary Sciences O. T. Shikov, V. I. Tsymbal, V. V. Kiprich, S. K. Horbatenko, O. M. Korneikov, and other researchers in the study of bovine leukosis. Based on their research on the epizootiology and pathogenesis of the disease, they created and implemented a system of large-scale control measures, which reduced the intensity of the epizootic situation from epidemic levels to sporadic cases. Scientists developed a diagnostic method and reagent for leukosis using the RID test, with production volumes sufficient to meet the country’s needs, and the manufacturing technology is continuously improved. Currently, liquid-stabilized and lyophilized antigens for RID have been developed and implemented in production (Academician B. T. Stehniy, Candidates of Sciences M. Y. Stehniy, S. I. Vovk, S. K. Horbatenko, and others). More than 50 years of research in this field culminated in the awarding of the State Prize of Ukraine in Science and Technology in 2016 for the scientific and practical work “System of Veterinary and Zootechnical Measures for Bovine Leukosis.” The laureates of the Prize were staff of the NSC “IECVM”: Academician V. O. Busol, Candidate of Veterinary Sciences S. K. Horbatenko, and Candidate of Biological Sciences L. V. Kovalenko.
In recent years, the scientific interests of leukosis researchers at the NSC “IECVM” have expanded to the study of molecular and biological mechanisms of the infectious process in other slow infections of cattle, including viral immunodeficiency and spumavirus infection.
Scientific School of Molecular Epizootiology and Diagnostics. In 2001, at the Institute, Dr. Biol. Sci. Lymanska O.Y. initiated a new research direction—molecular-genetic studies, which was continued by Doctors of Science Lymansky O.P., Kovalenko A.M., and Corresponding Member of NAAS Herilovich A.P. Today, the Laboratory of Molecular Diagnostics and Epizootiology is headed by Cand. Biol. Sci. Solodyankin O.S. Diverse research using molecular-genetic methods is conducted by Dr. Biol. Sci. Lymanska O.Y. and Cand. Vet. Sci. Rudova N.H. The main scientific priorities include the development of new and improvement of existing tools for monitoring infectious diseases and studying the phylogenetic relationships of their pathogens using PCR and genome sequencing of viruses and bacteria. Under the guidance of Cand. Vet. Sci. Arefiev V.L. and with the participation of Cand. Vet. Sci. Didyk T.B., molecular-genetic markers of antibiotic resistance in epidemiologically significant bacterial pathogens are being studied. Among the researchers’ achievements are domestically produced import-substituting PCR test systems for diagnosing African swine fever, nodular dermatitis, leukosis, viral diarrhea, viral diseases of pigs, and others. One of the promising research directions at present is the use of recombinant technologies to obtain marker and protective proteins of viral and bacterial pathogens of animals, conducted by young scientists Cand. Vet. Sci. Biloyvan O.V. and Kit M.Y.
Scientific School of Biotechnology has been operating for the past 35 years based at the Biotechnology Laboratory, which focuses on the study, derivation, and maintenance of primary and transplantable cell cultures of animal origin. Among the most notable scientists who have worked in this field are NAAS Academicians Krasnikov H.A. and Stehniy B.T., Dr. Vet. Sci. Naumets Z.P., Bilokon V.S., Cand. Vet. Sci. Konosenko P.O., Solovyov S.T., as well as Berus P.T. Currently, the laboratory is headed by Cand. Biol. Sci. Stehniy M.Y. Under their leadership, research has been conducted on the effects of cryopreservation and nanoparticles on biological objects, principles of biosafe storage and accounting of infectious disease pathogens have been developed, and the implementation of a developed bivalent inactivated vaccine against Marek’s disease has continued. A new vaccine based on three serotypes of the pathogen of this disease has also been created. Scientific studies have begun on cloning the transplantable FLK-BLV cell culture to enhance the activity and specificity of antigens for the diagnosis of bovine leukosis.
Through the efforts of the Biotechnology Laboratory staff, a unique Collection of cell cultures has been assembled and is maintained, which was granted the status of National Heritage by the Resolution of the Cabinet of Ministers of Ukraine in 2004. To preserve approximately 40 lines of transplantable cells, active research is being conducted on the molecular-genetic control of their authenticity and contamination by mycoplasmas and viruses.
Scientific School of Veterinary Toxicology, Quality, and Safety of Agricultural Products. Its founder is academician I.M. Hladenko of VASKhNIL. The main areas of its work include the study of pharmacology of drugs and pesticide toxicology, as well as determining their maximum permissible levels in feed, animal products, and media. Academician O.O. Malynin of NAAS, corresponding member O.T. Kutsan of NAAS, Prof. V.D. Shulyak, V.I. Yaroshenko, Candidate of Veterinary Sciences H.M. Shevtsova, M.O. Yaroshenko, I.O. Herilovich, and other staff have developed a set of measures to prevent the development of feed toxicoses of abiotic (pesticides) and biotic (mycotoxins) origin, which is important for addressing environmental issues and ensuring the quality and safety of livestock products. Research conducted in recent years by Doctor of Veterinary Sciences O.L. Orobchenko and Doctor of Biological Sciences M.Y. Romanko focused on the toxic-biochemical assessment of the biological effects of nanosubstances on poultry and the quality of poultry products.
Scientific School of Veterinary Parasitology. The founders of this field were renowned parasitologists Prof. M.D. Klyosov, V.I. Ivanytsky, and Z.H. Popova; later it was headed by Prof. V.S. Shekhovtsov and Y.O. Prykhodko. Researchers have developed new broad-spectrum drugs and schemes for their group application against major helminth infections in pigs, sheep, poultry, and small domestic animals. Widely used are insecticidal baits for fly control and new drugs against insects and ticks parasitizing on animal skin. The leading role in their development belongs to Candidate of Veterinary Sciences K.P. Korzh, Doctor of Veterinary Sciences I.A. Mashkey, Candidate of Biological Sciences O.O. Mishchenko, and Candidate of Veterinary Sciences A.M. Mashkey. Currently, under the guidance of Prof. A.P. Paliy and with the participation of Candidate of Veterinary Sciences N.V. Sumakova, systems for controlling helminthoses and arachnoentomoses are being developed and implemented using modern environmentally safe, import-substituting, and competitive agents, including disinfectants, taking into account new livestock management conditions and maintaining proper veterinary-sanitary conditions in animal and poultry facilities.
At the Institute, research is traditionally conducted on infectious and parasitic diseases of bees, as well as the quality and safety of beekeeping products. These studies were initiated and for many years carried out by Doctor of Veterinary Sciences V.I. Yaroshenko, Y.V. Rudenko, and Candidates of Veterinary Sciences A.F. Alekseenko, O.M. Vovk, O.D. Logvinov, I.H. Masliy, and S.M. Niemkova. Currently, this field is continued by Candidates of Veterinary Sciences O.S. Yevtushenko and A.V. Yevtushenko.
Scientific School of Immunology, Pathomorphology, and Clinical Biochemistry was founded by Academician H.A. Krasnikov. A significant volume of scientific research has been carried out by researchers of the laboratories of pathomorphology and clinical biochemistry on the study of cellular and humoral immune factors, criteria for identifying immunodeficiency states, and the development of methods for their correction (Candidates of Sciences V.S. Antonov, P.O. Shutchenko, S.A. Mykhailova, L.V. Kovalenko, O.P. Rudenko, V.S. Boiko).
