At present Victoria Velichko, 5th-year student of Medical Institute, Penza State University, is pursuing a scientific internship in the Institute of Natural Products and Agrobiology (La Laguna, Spain). She was awarded the Russian Federation President grant for study abroad in 2016/17 academic year. Elena F. Semenova, Candidate of Biological Sciences, senior researcher, is a scientific advisor of the student in PSU.

Under supervision of Professor H.M. de La Lastra and with the aid of research staff of macromolecule laboratory Victoria Velichko is studying the sources of antibodies variety on the basis of which it is possible to develop humanized antibodies capable of neutralizing viruses. It is the framework for creating effective anti-viral medications, including those against dangerous infections. In particular the student is developing techniques for highly effective purification of immunoglobulin of birds and rabbits that provides a unique opportunity to monitor antibodies production through analysis of immunoglobulin accumulated, including the type of viruses-neutralizing immunoglobulin.

“Studying abroad provides me with considerable experience of team-working and interacting with foreign professors and research staff not only from Spain, but also from France, Denmark and the US. What is particularly surprising is that the internship is conducted in English so that I have an opportunity to communicate with the representatives of other cultures and to improve my spoken English. Here I learn how to use high-profile equipment that will allow improving the quality of work in the future,” the student emphasized.