Oleg Ivanovich Kiselev graduated from St. Petersburg State Pavlov Medical University, one of the oldest and most prominent medical institutions of Russia, in 1968. He received PhD degree in biochemistry (1972) upon completion of the post-graduate school at the Laboratory of Biochemical Genetics of the Research Institute of Experimental Medicine (St. Petersburg). Over more than 10 years Oleg Kiselev continued his academic career at this world-famous center. In 1981 he earned Doctor in Biology Science degree in molecular virology. For 5 years before joining RII, he worked as a Head of Division of Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology within the framework of the USSR Ministry of Medical Industry.
Research interests of Oleg Kiselev cover wide scope of biomedical studies including molecular structure of human virus genomes, viral pathogenicity, self assembling proteins engineering, construction and trials of genetically engineered antiviral vaccine, antiviral drug design, molecular mechanisms of antiviral drug action, and new technologies in interferon production. He contributes greatly into development of measures to prevent and control highly dangerous infections (SARS, avian influenza, pandemic influenza A/H1N1) associated with emergence of new viruses. Also, his scientific attention was drawn to the urgent topics of prions, herpes virus infection treatment, papilloma virus pathogenesis, cancer development. His current research priorities include issues related to nanotechnology materials and methods used in virology.
As a RII Director, Prof. Kiselev established Molecular Virology Department to perform sequence analysis, phylogenetic investigation of strain origin, genomic and proteomic studies. He made many efforts to extend and improve high-quality clinical studies conducted within the RII Clinical Department. Under his guidance, more than 30 influenza vaccine products (both seasonal and pandemic) were tested and approved for application in clinical practice. He was a leader for many studies aimed at evaluation of antiviral drugs. Among them a comprehensive investigation of a novel broad-spectrum drug Triazavirin currently in progress. Responsibilities of Prof. Kiselev include organization and coordination of influenza surveillance in Russia in the framework of the Federal Influenza Centre. Prof. Kiselev was in charge of the development of the National Influenza Preparedness Program and special recommendations on implementation of effective prophylactic and control measures against possible influenza pandemic threat. These and many other important documents forwarded to the relevant authorities allowed taking appropriate decisions in influenza and ILI related state policies.
Prof. Kiselev has a vast experience in international scientific relations. He worked as a research professor at the University of Nevada, Reno (USA). As a supervisor of the RII WHO National Influenza Centre, Prof. Kiselev plays a huge role in promoting collaboration with international institutions engaged in influenza studies. He serves as a WHO expert in issues of global influenza pandemic preparedness. He initiated and actively participated in various international scientific projects on influenza state-of-the art prophylactic and treatment approaches and was invited to be a co-organizer and moderator of various notable international conferences (among the recent ones, International Military Forum on Emerging infectious Diseases, St. Petersburg, 2010).
Under the guidance of Prof. Kiselev, a highly qualified school of molecular virologists and genetic engineers was created, with 4 SciD and 10 PhD theses successfully defended. Also, he passes his experience at the Advanced Virology Courses at RII. Prof. Kiselev chairs RII Expert Committees and RII Dissertation Council. He is head of RAMS St. Petersburg Branch of the Russian Society of Biochemists and Molecular Virologists and a member of various scientific and medical editorial boards and councils. His scientific achievements are represented in more than 200 publications, 16 monographs and 25 patents.
In 2005 Prof. Kiselev was elected a full member of the Russian Academy of Medical Sciences (RAMS). Along his academic career Oleg Kiselev was distinguished with many state and research community awards including the Russian Government Prize in Science and Technology (2004), and Order of Merit for Fatherland II (2004). In 2010 he was awarded for his research service with the D.I.Ivanovsky prize in virology achievements and St. Petersburg Administration Honorary Certificate.
