Kunakh 80

Abstract

The article highlights the main stages of the life and scientific career of Viktor Anatoliiovych Kunakh, an outstanding Ukrainian biologist, geneticist and plant biotechnologist, Doctor of Biological Sciences, Professor and Corresponding Member of the National Academy of Sciences of Ukraine. The main stages in his development as a scientist are presented, including his studies at Taras Shevchenko Kyiv State University, the beginning of his scientific career at the M. G. Kholodny Institute of Botany of the National Academy of Sciences of Ukraine, and his subsequent long-term work at the Institute of Molecular Biology and Genetics of the National Academy of Sciences of Ukraine.

Particular attention is paid to V. A. Kunakh’s scientific achievements. He was one of the first researchers to conduct genetic studies of cultured plant cells and established a new scientific field – the genetics of cell populations. The practical significance of the results obtained for the development of highly productive producer cell strains of biologically active compounds of plant origin and for the advancement of medicinal plant biotechnology is demonstrated. The scientist’s current research areas are also considered, including medicinal plant biotechnology, pharmacological studies of biologically active compounds, plant molecular ecogenetics, the study of chromosomal and molecular genetic polymorphism in natural plant populations occurring under extreme environmental conditions, as well as investigations into the role of genomic and epigenomic plasticity in plant adaptation to stress factors.

The scope of V. A. Kunakh’s scientific achievements is analysed. His scientific output includes more than 650 publications, including monographs, chapters in Ukrainian and foreign publications, educational publications, more than 80 articles in foreign journals, as well as author’s certificates and patents. His longstanding teaching activities and contribution to the training of researchers are highlighted. Under his supervision or academic consultation, five doctoral and twenty candidate dissertations were completed and defended, demonstrating the development of a strong scientific school.

Considerable attention is devoted to V. A. Kunakh’s scientific, organisational, editorial and public activities, including his participation in the work of specialised academic councils, expert bodies, professional scientific societies and editorial boards of scientific publications. His many years as President of the M. I. Vavilov Ukrainian Society of Geneticists and Breeders and his role in organising the international scientific conferences “Factors of Experimental Evolution of Organisms” are emphasised.

The article summarises the major scientific achievements and honours of V. A. Kunakh. The significance of V. A. Kunakh’s scientific legacy for the development of modern biological science and the training of a new generation of researchers is demonstrated.