Yulia KREMENSKAYA, molecular biologist, Doctor of Philosophy (PhD), defended her doctoral dissertation at the University of Tokyo (Japan).
An embryologist of the ISIDA clinic, a specialist with experience in cooperation with leading scientific and practical centers of Ukraine and the world.
– Yulia, please tell us what led you to choose such a responsible profession that requires a lot of knowledge and experience?
– My parents are doctors, but it so happened that I did not come to medicine right away. My father, talking about his work, always stressed that in order to be a doctor, you need to first of all love people. And as a child, it seemed to me that there was nothing better than messing with animals, and I became passionately interested in biology. It turned out that it was working with animals that brought me closer to medicine. After all, many scientific discoveries, practical solutions and methodological developments that are important for humanity have become possible thanks to the study of our lesser brothers.
– A very solid education helps you in your work…
– It so happened that I studied a lot. She entered the University of Tokyo and received a grant from the Japanese government, graduated from graduate school there, defended herself, and worked for some time at this renowned scientific center. I consider studying and working there to be extremely lucky, because at the University of Tokyo there was a chance to learn everything that is possible! Then she returned to Ukraine. I was lucky enough to take part in the creation of a cytogenetic laboratory, where the most up-to-date methods of preimplantation and prenatal diagnostics became real at that time. The laboratory is considered a reference for Ukraine to this day.
– But you didn’t stop there?
– Indeed, the moment has come when I realized that I need to move on, develop. And went to Singapore. For three years she worked in a very serious organization A’STAR – Agency for Science, Technology and Research (Agency for Science, Technology and Research). This is a whole complex of universities and institutes. The peculiarity of the organization is that it invites professors, researchers – including Nobel Prize laureates – from all over the world to cooperate. Scientific research and training events are conducted on the basis of modern laboratories. A’STAR thus becomes a platform for communication and exchange of opinions for the world scientific community.
– What issues were the focus of your scientific interest?
– Genetics, molecular and cellular biology. His doctoral dissertation was devoted to epigenetics, that is, the consideration of how stem cells with the same genome are transformed into a wide variety of cells during the development of the organism. A thorough study of this problem has allowed us to get closer to the practical application of modern diagnostic techniques. The knowledge accumulated in the world can be applied in Ukraine.
– Which of the areas related to the field of reproduction is the most promising today?
– The most priority area today is diagnosis, and the earliest, which is carried out even before the birth of the child, and even before implantation into the uterus. Preimplantation diagnostics using next-generation sequencing will be most actively developed. Such a study allows you to get accurate information about all chromosomes and draw conclusions. It has been successfully used for the last 5-6 years and has managed to prove itself as a reliable and informative technique.
– Who should pay attention to the possibilities of preimplantation diagnosis?
– Couples whose family history has certain genetic anomalies. With the help of an innovative diagnostic method, you can make sure that there are no abnormal genes in the unborn baby.The technique can be recommended to women who have made a decision about motherhood at the age of 36-38 years, because, as you know, during this life period, the probability of having a child with Down syndrome increases. Also, preimplantation research in some cases allows to overcome the consequences of male infertility and prevent miscarriage in women.
– How safe is the preimplantation study?
– A biopsy is performed at the stage of five-day embryo development. By this time, the cells are already beginning to differentiate: some of them will become the placenta, and some will become the future organism. The cells of the trophectoderm, that is, the outer layer, are used for analysis. The cells that are destined to become a future child are not injured. Such manipulation is the least invasive, the risks are minimized. We strive to use only those technologies that have proven their safety, scientifically proven and clinically proven.
– Your unique experience has now found its way into ISIDA. What advantages, from your point of view, distinguish this clinic?
– Colossal experience. Over the many years of the clinic’s existence, a large number of people have sought help here, and this has allowed its employees to hone their skills. The clinic pays due attention to the introduction of modern techniques that require monetary and human resources. The accumulated experience and focus on further development open up huge prospects for ISIDA. This is a medical institution that can enter the European and world market – the level of the clinic allows it. And I will be glad if my knowledge and skills will help the wildest dreams of ISIDA success come true.
