Scientist / Manager Scientist

RESUME

Vira Bitko, PhD

Address: Memphis, TN 38133

Phone: 251-***-****

E-mail: *********@*****.***

ACHIEVEMENTS SUMMARY

Virology, biochemistry, molecular and cell biology.

Development and scale-up studies to produce virus vaccines, including virus-like particles and subunit vaccines, cell- and egg-based vaccine development and production; viral vector delivery systems, assay development for viral quantitation, infectivity and neutralization studies.

Studies of innate immune responses to viral infections. Experience with various animal models of viral infections.

Work with viruses: RSV, influenza viruses, human metapneumovirus, VSV, CMV, human rhinoviruses, parainfluenza virus, retroviruses/lentiviruses, as well as other infectious agents: Toxoplasma gondii, Porphyromonas gingivalis and malaria parasite – Plasmodium falciparum.

Cloning, expression and purification of viral and cell proteins, recombinant protein biotherapeutics research, purification and production; HPLC and FPLC , AKTA systems; analytical test method development and validation, cell culture optimization, experience with mammalian, insect and prokaryotic cell lines, cell-based bioassays; cGMP experience.

Successful application of RNAi as an antiviral treatment in cell culture and on animal models, microRNA profiling and functional analysis during disease states.

Demonstrated success leading projects and people, experience communicating and maintaining relationships with internal and outside partners.

Highly motivated and dedicated with ability to analyze data and solve optimization and scale-up problems. Strong aptitude for independent work with capacity to be a team leader.

EDUCATION/TRAINING

1993 PhD Biochemistry Ukrainian Scientific Research Institute of

Gerontology, Kiev, Ukraine

1988 M.Sc. Biochemistry Kiev State University, Kiev, Ukraine

RESEARCH and/or PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE

EMPLOYMENT

2009-present Principal Virologist, Research and Development, Meridian Life Science, Memphis, TN

2007-2009 Assistant Professor, Department of Biochemistry,University of South Alabama, Mobile,AL

2004-2007 Instructor, Department of Biochemistry, University of South Alabama, Mobile, AL

1996-2004 Postdoctoral Fellow, Biochemistry, University of South Alabama, Mobile, AL

1995-1996 Principal Scientist, Department of Biochemistry, State Scientific Research Institute of Physical Culture and Sports, Kiev, Ukraine.

1993-1994 Research Scientist, Department of Biochemistry, Palladin Institute of Biochemistry, Kiev, Ukraine.

AWARDS/HONORS

2005 American Society for Virology Travel Award

2002 American Society for Virology Travel Award

2001 Ruth L. Kirschstein National Research Service Award

1997 American Society for Virology Travel Award

PROFESSIONAL SOCIETIES

Full Member, American Society for Virology, 1997-present

PEER REVIEW EXPERIENCE

BMC Research Notes - Associate editor

BMC Immunology - Editorial board member, Associate editor

BMC Microbiology – Ad hoc reviewer

Molecular Pharmaceutics - Ad hoc reviewer

PUBLICATIONS (in chronological order).

Original research and theoretical treatises:

1.Solodushko V, Bitko V, Fouty B.(2009) Dexamethasone and mifepristone increase retroviral infectivity through different mechanisms. Am J Physiol Lung Cell Mol Physiol. 297(3):L538-45.

2. Bitko V, Musiyenko A, Bayfield MA, Maraia RJ, Barik S. (2008) Cellular La Protein Shields Nonsegmented Negative-strand RNA Viral Leader RNA from RIG-I and Enhances Virus Growth by Diverse Mechanisms.J Virol. 82(16):7977-87.

3. Musiyenko A, Bitko V, Barik S. (2008) Ectopic expression of miR-126*, an intronic product of the vascular endothelial EGF-like 7 gene, regulates prostein translation and invasiveness of prostate cancer LNCaP cells. J Mol Med. 86(3):313-22.

4. Musiyenko A, Bitko V, Barik S.(2007) RNAi-dependent and -independent antiviral phenotypes of chromosomally integrated shRNA clones: role of VASP in respiratory syncytial virus growth. J Mol Med. 85(7):745-52.

5.Bitko V, Shulyayeva O, Mazumder B, Musiyenko A, Ramaswamy M, Look DC, Barik S (2007) Nonstructural proteins of respiratory syncytial virus suppress premature apoptosis by an NF-kappaB-dependent, interferon-independent mechanism and facilitate virus growth. J Virol. 81(4):1786-95

6.Bitko V, Musiyenko A, Barik S. Viral infection of the lungs through the eye.J Virol. 2007 81(2):783-90

7. Urnowey S, Ansai T, Bitko V, Nakayama K, Takehara T, Barik S (2006) Temporal activation of anti- and pro-apoptotic factors in human gingival fibroblasts infected with the periodontal pathogen, Porphyromonas gingivalis: potential role of bacterial proteases in host signalling. BMC Microbiol.6:26.

8. Bitko V, Musiyenko A, Shulyayeva O, Barik S (2005) Inhibition of respiratory viruses by nasally administered siRNA. Nat Med. 11(1):50-5

9. Bitko V, Garmon NE, Cao T, Estrada B, Oakes JE, Lausch RN, Barik S (2004) Activation of cytokines and NF-kappa B in corneal epithelial cells infected by respiratory syncytial virus: potential relevance in ocular inflammation and respiratory infection. BMC Microbiol. 4(1):28

10. Kumar R, Musiyenko A, Cioffi E, Oldenburg A, Adams B, Bitko V, Krishna SS, Barik S (2004) A zinc-binding dual-specificity YVH1 phosphatase in the malaria parasite, Plasmodium falciparum, and its interaction with the nuclear protein, pescadillo.Mol Biochem Parasitol. 133(2):297-310

11. Bitko V, Oldenburg A, Garmon NE, Barik S (2003) Profilin is required for viral morphogenesis, syncytium formation, and cell-specific stress fiber induction by respiratory syncytial virus. BMC Microbiol 3(1):9

12. Bitko V, Barik S (2001) Phenotypic silencing of cytoplasmic genes using sequence-specific double-stranded short interfering RNA and its application in the reverse genetics of wild type negative-strand RNA viruses. BMC Microbiol 1(1):34

13. Bitko V, Barik S (2001) An endoplasmic reticulum-specific stress-activated caspase (caspase-12) is implicated in the apoptosis of A549 epithelial cells by respiratory syncytial virus. J Cell Biochem 80(3):441-54

14. Dupuy LC, Dobson S, Bitko V, Barik S (1999) Casein kinase 2-mediated phosphorylation of respiratory syncytial virus phosphoprotein P is essential for the transcription elongation activity of the viral polymerase; phosphorylation by casein kinase 1 occurs mainly at Ser(215) and is without effect. J Virol 73(10):8384-92

15. Bitko V, Barik S (1998) Persistent activation of RelA by respiratory syncytial virus involves protein kinase C, underphosphorylated IkappaBbeta, and sequestration of protein phosphatase 2A by the viral phosphoprotein. J Virol 72(7):5610-8

16. Bitko V, Velazquez A, Yang L, Yang YC, Barik S (1997) Transcriptional induction of multiple cytokines by human respiratory syncytial virus requires activation of NF-kappa B and is inhibited by sodium salicylate and aspirin. Virology 232(2):369-78

17. Yashchenko, A., Bitko, V., Tkachenko, K., Polishchuk, D., Putsev, A. (1996) Features of functional abilities of weightlifters in adapting to conditions of hot climate and high humidity. Ukrainian Weightlifting 1,18-20 (in Ukrainian)

18. Yashchenko, A.G., Bitko, V.M., Tkachenko, K.V. (1995) World Weightlifting 3,43-44

19. Babenko, A.Yu., Melnik, V.V., Ternovoy, K.S., Bitko, V.M. et al. (1994) State of immunity and homeostasis system of Kiev inhabitants in 6 years after the Chernobyl NPP accident. Reports of Academy of Science of Ukraine 1,72-76 (in Ukrainian).

20. Ermekova, V.M., Kulakovsky, V.I., Salabai, P.V., Bitko, V.M. (1993) Localisation of tumor associated chromatin antigens in nucleosomes and their oligomers. XXIst Meeting of the International Society for Oncodevelopmental Biology and Medicine, Israel.

21. Salabay, P.V., Ternovoi, K.S., Bitko, V.M. et al. (1992) Tumor associating proteins of nuclease-sensitive regions of tumor cell chromatin. VI Ukrainian Biochemical Congress 3,108 (in Ukrainian).

22. Kulakovsky, V.I., Ternovoi, K.S., Bitko, V.M. et al. (1992) Influence of nucleosome structure of chromatin on exposure antigenity of chromatin proteins. VI Ukrainian Biochemical Congress 3,101 17. Bitko, V.M., Ternovoi, K.S., Dibrova, T.L. et al. (1992) Investigation of tumor-associating immunogenic proteins of chromatin.VI Ukrainian Biochemical Congress 1,6 (in Ukrainian).

23. Ternovoi, K.S., Bitko, V.M., Kulakovsky, V.I. et al. (1992) Immunogenic proteins of nuclease-sensitive regions of tumor cell chromatin. II Russian-Israel Symposium on Peptides & Proteins 60.

24. Ternovoi,K.S., Bitko, V.M., Kulakovsky, V.I. et al. (1992) Antigenic properties of chromatin from human lung and colon tumor cells. Experimental Oncology 3,60-65.

25. Bitko, V.M., Ternovoi, K.S., Ermekova, V.M.(1992) Studies in the nature of tumor-associating chromatin antigens under human rectal adenocarcinoma. Reports of Academy of Science of Ukraine 7,143-145 (in Ukrainian).

26. Ternovoi, K.S., Bitko, V.M., Dibrova, T.L. et al. (1991) Studies of chromatin antigens in nucleosomes and their oligomers. Reports of Academy of Science of Ukraine 12,106-109 (in Ukrainian).

27. Ternovoi, K.S., Bitko, V.M., Galahin, K.A. et al. (1990) Chromatin antigenes of human colon and lung tumors. Journal of Tumor Marker Oncology 3,270.

Non-experimental articles, e.g., review of literature in field:

1. Bitko V, Barik S.(2008) Nasal delivery of siRNA. Methods Mol Biol. 442:75-82.

2. Bitko V, Barik S.(2007) Respiratory viral diseases: access to RNA interference therapy. Drug Discovery Today: Therapeutic Strategies. 4(4):273-276.

3. Bitko V, Barik S.(2007)Intranasal antisense therapy: preclinical models with a clinical future?Curr Opin Mol Ther. 9(2):119-25.

4. Barik S, Bitko V (2006) Prospects of RNA interference therapy in respiratory viral diseases: update 2006. Expert Opin Biol Ther. 6(11):1151-60.

5. Barik S, Bitko V. (2005) RNA Clinical Applications, Emerging. Encyclopedia of Molecular Cell Biology and Molecular Medicine. 10:241

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