Igor S. Tartakovsky, D. Sci. (Biology), Professor.
Head of the Laboratory of legionellosis, N. F. Gamaleya Federal Research Center for Epidemiology and Microbiology, Moscow, Russia.
SCOPUS AuthorID, ORCID, Mendeley
Research interests and main scientific achievements
Has gained an extensive experience in the investigation of physiology and genetic of bacterial parasites. The core models used in the research comprise of the facultative parasites – Legionella pneumophila and Listeria monocytogenes.
For the first time the following Legionella components were extracted and characterized: cytolysin (the major secretory protein with profound cytotoxic and hemolytic activity) and UDP glucosyltransferase (its activity correlates with the manifestation of pathogenic properties of the agent).
It has been established that the expression of pathogeniticity factors of L. monocytogenes is under negative control posed by a low molecular autocrine signal which is generated by listeria and accumulates during the process of growth in culture.
Rapid and efficient methods of biochemical identification and genotyping of pathogenic Listeria have been developed and put into practice by the Sanitary and Epidemiological Service. Laboratory is developing modern methods of Legionella monitoring in aquatic ecosystems based on the combination of bacteriology and real-time PCR.
The experimental conditions for the formation of monospecies Legionella biofilms have also been developed. It was found that Legionella strains obtained from different capabilities as concerns biofilms formation. Legionella capability to form biofilms is considered as an epidemiologically significant marker of the pathogen.
The research is conducted to compare effects of desinfectants and antimicrobial products on plankton-like forms and biofilms of these microorganisms.
Another area of activity includes the development and standardization of rapid diagnostics of legionellosis.
Laureate of the State Prize of the Russian Federation in the field of science and technology
Member of European working group on Legionella infection.
Регистрационный номер и дата принятия решения о регистрации СМИ: ПИ № ФС77-75442 от 01.04.2019 г.