Olga V. Akopova

Olga V. Akopova
Scientist Bogomoletz
Institute of Physiology
Ukraine

Olga V Akopova has graduated at Chemistry Department of Tarass Shevchenko Kiev University. As a post-graduate student, she has completed her Ph.D. in Colloid Chemistry in 1997. Since 1998 she started her work at Circulation department at AA Bogomoletz Institute of Physiology National Academy of Sciences of Ukraine as a scientist, since 2005 as senior researcher and since 2016 as principal investigator. In 2016 she obtained a Dr. of Sciences Degree in biochemistry. In her works on isolated mitochondria Olga V Akopova used broad spectrum of physico-chemical and chemical methods (UV-Vis absorbance and fluorescence techniques, polarography, potentiometry, methods of analytical biochemistry) to study Ca2+, K+ and proton transport, transmembrane ion exchange, ROS and RNS production in mitochondria. Olga V Akopova is the author of a series of research works devoted to the study of bioenergetic and functional effects of mKATP channel opening in brain and liver mitochondria. Her works disclosed several novel aspects of physiological functions of mKATP channel showing the contribution of ATP-sensitive K+ transport in the modulation of transmembrane K+ exchange (K+ cycle), mitochondrial oxygen consumption and membrane potential, the modulation of Ca2+ uptake, ATP synthesis and ROS production in brain and liver mitochondria. Also she has published several works devoted to the study of the impact of Ca2+ uptake and permeability transition pore opening on ROS production and RNS metabolism in heart, brain and liver mitochondria. Olga V Akopova is a member of Ukrainian Biochemical Society. She is an author of about 25 research works listed in MEDLINE and Scopus databases.

Mitochondria, Mitochondrial potassium channels, Mitochondrial potassium and Calcium transport, Mitochondrial KATP channel, Pharmacological modulators of mKATP channel, Impact of Ca2+ and K+ transport on mitochondrial bioenergetics and metabolism (oxygen consumption, reactive oxygen and nitrogen species production, ATP synthesis). At present her interest is focused on the study of cell-specific functions of mKATP channel and its interactions with physiological and pharmacological ligands.