Professor Valya Vassileva, PhD Building 21, Office 222, Lab 107 Phone: +359-2-9792602; +359-2-979-2681 Е-mail: valyavassileva@bio21.bas.bg; valyavassileva@gmail.com ORCID: 0000-0002-9055-8002 SCOPUS Author ID: 7004268419

RESEARCH INTERESTS

Regulation of gene expression, epigenetic modifications, DNA methylation, phytohormonal signalling, cell division.

EDUCATION AND ACADEMIC DEGREES

• 1986, MSc, Sofia University St. Kliment Ohridski, Faculty of Biology, Sofia, Bulgaria
• 2000, PhD, Acad. M. Popov Institute of Plant Physiology, Bulgarian Academy of Sciences (BAS), Sofia, Bulgaria

PROFESSIONAL BACKGROUND

• 2022 – continuing: Director of the Institute of Plant Physiology and Genetics (IPPG), BAS, Sofia, Bulgaria
• 2018 – 2022: Deputy Director of the Institute of Plant Physiology and Genetics (IPPG), BAS, Sofia, Bulgaria
• 2017 – continuing: Professor, IPPG-BAS
• 2016 – continuing: Leader of the laboratory „Regulation of gene expression”, IPPG – BAS
• 2011 – 2015: Leader of the Department of Plant Stress Molecular Biology, IPPG – BAS
• 2010 – present: Associate Professor, IPPG – BAS
• 2000 – 2009: Assistant Professor, Acad. M. Popov Institute of Plant Physiology – BAS
• 1996 – 1999: PhD Student, Acad. M. Popov Institute of Plant Physiology – BAS
• 1990 – 1995: Researcher, Acad. M. Popov Institute of Plant Physiology – BAS

PROFESSIONAL TRAINING

• Sept 2013 – Sept 2015: Marie Curie Intra-European Fellowship for career development (FP7-PEOPLE-2012-IEF), Epigenetics group of Prof. Peter Meyer, Centre for Plant Sciences, Faculty of Biological Sciences, University of Leeds, Leeds, United Kingdom, project: Comparative analysis of plant and mammalian DNA methylation functions in epigenetic Arabidopsis mutants
• May 2014: Staff and Departmental Developmental Unit (SDDU), University of Leeds, Leeds, United Kingdom Project Leadership, Training in “Project Planning and Management: Essentials”
• June 2009 – Oct 2009: Postdoctoral Grant from VIB/Ghent University, Ghent, Belgium, Host laboratory – Prof. Tom Beeckman.
• Oct 2006 – Dec 2007: BELSPO Post-Doctoral Fellow, Plant Systems Biology Department, VIB/Ghent University, Ghent, Belgium, Host researcher – Prof. Tom Beeckman, Promotor – Prof. Dr. Dirk Inze, project: Functional and cytological changes associated with lateral root initiation in Arabidopsis
• Apr 2002 – Apr 2004: JSPS Post-Doctoral Fellow, Biology Department, International Christian University (ICU), Tokyo, Japan, Host researcher – Prof. Robert Ridge.

PROJECTS IN THE LAST TEN YEARS

• 2024 – 2027: КП-06-Н71/12 Cell-type specificity of ethylene signaling in response to drought (ETIDRO)”, National Science Fund (NSF), Bulgarian Ministry of Education and Science (BMES), Member of the research team
• 2022 – 2024: HormOnDrought: Physiological and molecular mechanisms of phytohormones-mediated drought stress tolerance, Joint Research Project between BAS and the Lithuanian Academy of Science, Member of the research team
• 2021 – 2024: COST action CA19125 ‘Epigenetic mechanisms of crop adaptation to climate change’ (EPI-CATCH), COST action coordinator from Bulgaria, Leader of WG3
• 2020 – 2024: Research grant KP-06-Н36-2 ‘Leguminous crops in Bulgaria – a source of useful additional proteinaceous substances’, Member of the research team
• 2019 – 2024: National Research Program ‘Environmental protection and reduction of adverse events and natural disasters’ risks’, Project coordinator from IPPG
• 2020 – 2023: Research grant Д01-271 ‘Fostering plant biodiversity research capacity in Bulgaria through scientific excellence in DNA barcoding and metabarcoding’ (BULCode), Member of the research team
• 2017 – 2023: Research grant DН11/8 from the National Science Fund (NSF), Bulgarian Ministry of Education and Science (BMES) ‘Small NudC proteins: effective regulators of development and stress tolerance of Arabidopsis thaliana’, Project leader
• 2017 – 2022: COST action CA16212 ‘Impact of nuclear domains on gene expression and plant traits’ (INDEPTH), COST action coordinator from Bulgaria
• 2016 – 2022: Research grant DН06/12 from NSF, BMES ‘Study on adaptive mechanisms to drought in Bulgarian winter wheat varieties’, Member of the research team
• 2016 – 2021: Research grant DН06/9 from NSF, BMES ‘A comprehensive study on the signal mechanisms, guiding interactions between host plants, rhizosphere microbiota, arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi and root parasitic plants’, Member of the research team
• 2016 – 2018: Joint Research Project between BAS and Research Foundation – Flanders (FWO), Belgium (VS.095.16N) ‘Epigenetic control of Arabidopsis lateral root initiation and development: involvement of maintenance DNA methyltransferases’, Project coordinator from BAS
• 2016 – 2017: Research project funded by the Program for the Support of Young Scientists at the Bulgarian Academy of Sciences DFNP-192 ‘Arabidopsis thaliana as an experimental system for the study of DNA methylation mechanisms’, Project supervisor
• 2016 – 2017: Project BG05M2OP001-2.002-0001, Studentski praktiki – Phase 1, Operational Programme ‘Science and Education for Smart Growth 2014-2020’, Students’ mentor
• 2013 – 2015: Joint Research Project between BAS and Research Foundation – Flanders (FWO), Belgium (VS025.13N) ‘Investigating the mechanisms of intracellular trafficking regulation of the brassinosteroid receptor BRI1 using chemical genetics’, Member of the research team
• 2012 – 2015: Project BG051PO001-3.3.06-0025, Bulgaria’s Human Resources Development operational programme ‘Support for training and development of young competitive experts in the field of physiology, phytochemistry, genomics, proteomics and biodiversity of eukaryotic organisms’, Lecturer and mentor

PROFESSIONAL MEMBERSHIPS

• Marie Curie Alumni Association – Bulgaria Chapter
• Union of Scientists in Bulgaria
• Federation of European Societies of Plant Biology (FESPB)

SELECTED PUBLICATIONS AFTER 2005

Vassileva V, Georgieva M, Todorov D, Mishev K. 2024. Small sized yet powerful: Nuclear Distribution C proteins in plants. Plants, 13, 1, 119-134; DOI: 10.3390/plants13010119

Boycheva I, Bonchev G, Manova V, Stoilov L, Vassileva V. 2024. How histone acetyltransferases shape plant photomorphogenesis and UV response. International Journal of Molecular Sciences, 25, 14, 7851; DOI: 10.3390/ijms25147851

Lazarova M, Stefanova M, Denev P, Taseva T, Vassileva V, Tasheva K. 2024. Neuroprotective effect of Marrubium vulgare extract in scopolamine-induced cognitive impairment in rats: behavioral and biochemical approaches. Biology, 13, 6, 426; DOI: 10.3390/biology13060426

Lazarova M, Tsvetanova E, Georgieva A, Stefanova M, Uzunova D, Denev P, Vassileva V, Tasheva K. 2024. Extracts of Sideritis scardica and Clinopodium vulgare alleviate cognitive impairments in scopolamine-induced rat dementia. International Journal of Molecular Sciences, 25, 3, 1840; DOI: 10.3390/ijms25031840

Zhiponova M, Yordanova Z, Zaharieva A, Ivanova L, Gašić U, Mišić D, Aničić N, Skorić M, Petrović L, Rusanov K, Rusanova M, Mantovska D, Tsacheva I, Petrova D, Yocheva L, Hinkov A, Mihaylova N, Hristozkova M, Georgieva Z, Karcheva Z, Krumov N, Todorov D, Shishkova K, Vassileva V, Chaneva G, Kapchina-Toteva V. 2024. Cytokinins enhance the metabolic activity of in vitro-grown catmint (Nepeta nuda L.). Plant Physiology and Biochemistry, 2014, 108884; DOI: 10.1016/j.plaphy.2024.108884

Zaharieva A, Rusanov K, Rusanova M, Paunov M, Yordanova Z, Mantovska D, Tsacheva I, Petrova D, Mishev K, Dobrev PI, Lacek J, Filepova R, Zehirov G, Vassileva V, Misic D, Motyka V, Chaneva G, Zhiponova M. 2023. Uncovering the interrelation between metabolite profiles and bioactivity of in vitro- and wild-grown catmint (Nepeta nuda L.). Metabolites, 13, 10, 1099; DOI:10.3390/metabo13101099

Ferjani A, Tsukagoshi H, Vassileva V. 2023. Model organisms in plant science: Arabidopsis thaliana. Frontiers in Plant Science, 14, 1279230; DOI:10.3389/fpls.2023.1279230

Agius DR, Kapazoglou A, Avramidou E, Baranek M, Carneros E, Caro E, Castiglione S, Cicatelli A, Radanovic A, Ebejer J-P, Gackowski D, Guarino F, Gulyas A, Hidvegi N, Hoenicka H, Inacio V, Johannes F, Karalija E, Lieberman-Lazarovich M, Martinelli F, Maury S, Mladenov V, Morais-Cecılio L, Pecinka A, Tani E, Testillano PS, Todorov D, Valledor L, Vassileva V. 2023. Exploring the crop epigenome: a comparison of DNA methylation profiling techniques. Frontiers in Plant Science, 14, 1181039, 1-25; DOI: 10.3389/fpls.2023.1181039

Vassileva V, Georgieva M, Zehirov G, Dimitrova A. 2023. Exploring the genotype-dependent toolbox of wheat under drought stress. Agriculture, 13, 1823; DOI: 10.3390/agriculture13091823

Georgieva M, Vassileva V. 2023. Stress management in plants: examining provisional and unique dose-dependent responses. International Journal of Molecular Sciences, 24, 6; DOI: 10.3390/ijms24065105

Petrova D, Gašić U, Yocheva L, Hinkov A, Yordanova Z, Chaneva G, Mantovska D, Paunov M, Ivanova L, Rogova M, Shishkova K, Todorov D, Tosheva A, Kapchina-Toteva V, Vassileva V, Atanassov A, Mišić D, Bonchev G, Zhiponova M. 2022. Catmint (Nepeta nuda L.) phylogenetics and metabolic responses in variable growth conditions. Frontiers in Plant Science, 13; DOI:10.3389/fpls.2022.866777

Chaneva G, Tomov A, Paunov M, Hristiva V, Ganeva V, Mihaylova N, Anev S, Krumov N, Yordanova Z, Tsenov B, Vassileva V, Bonchev G, Zhiponova M. 2022. Jewel orchid’s biology and physiological response to aquaponic water as a potential fertilizer. Plants, 11, 3181; DOI: 10.3390/plants11223181

Vaseva II, Simova-Stoilova L, Kostadinova A, Yuperlieva-Mateeva B, Karakicheva T, Vassileva V. 2022. Heat-stress-mitigating effects of a protein-hydrolysate-based biostimulant are linked to changes in Protease, DHN, and HSP gene expression in maize. Agronomy, 12, 5; DOI:10.3390/agronomy12051127

Mladenov V, Fotopoulos V, Kaiserli E, Karalija E, Maury S, Baranek M, Segal N, Testillano PS, Vassileva V, Pinto G, Nagel M, Hoenicka H, Miladinović D, Gallusci P, Vergata C, Kapazoglou A, Abraham E, Tani E, Gerakari M, Sarri E, Avramidou Е, Gašparović M, Martinelli F. 2021. Deciphering the epigenetic alphabet involved in transgenerational stress memory in crops. International Journal of Molecular Sciences, 22, 13, 7118; DOI: 10.3390/ijms22137118

Kakoulidou I, Avramidou EV, Baránek M, Brunel-Muguet S, Farrona S, Johannes F, Kaiserli E, Lieberman-Lazarovich M, Martinelli F, Mladenov V, Testillano PS, Vassileva V, Maury S. 2021. Epigenetics for crop improvement in times of global change. Biology, 10, 8, 766; DOI: 10.3390/biology10080766

Velinov V, Georgieva M, Zehirov G, Vassileva V. 2021. NudC-like genes contribute to root growth and branching in Arabidopsis thaliana. C. R. Acad. Bulg. Sci., 74, 12, 1767-1773; DOI: 10.7546/CRABS.2021.12.06

Vaseva II, Simova-Stoilova L, Kirova E, Mishev K, Depaepe T, Van Der Straeten D, Vassileva V. 2021. Ethylene signaling in salt-stressed Arabidopsis thaliana ein2-1 and ctr1-1 mutants – A dissection of molecular mechanisms involved in acclimation. Plant Physiology and Biochemistry, 167, 999-1010; DOI: 10.1016/j.plaphy.2021.09.029

Vaseva II, Mishev K, Depaepe T, Vassileva V, Van Der Straeten D. 2021. The diverse salt-stress response of Arabidopsis ctr1-1 and ein2-1 ethylene signaling mutants is linked to altered root auxin homeostasis. Plants, 10, 3, 452; DOI: 10.3390/plants10030452

Georgieva M, Bonchev G, Zehirov G, Vasileva V, Vassileva V. 2021. Neonicotinoid insecticides exert diverse cytotoxic and genotoxic effects on cultivated sunflower. Environmental Science and Pollution Research 28, 53193-5320; DOI: 10.1007/s11356-021-14497-y

Velinov V, Vaseva I, Zehirov G, Zhiponova M, Georgieva M, Vangheluwe N, Beeckman T, Vassileva V. 2020. Overexpression of the NMig1 gene encoding a NudC domain protein enhances root growth and abiotic stress tolerance in Arabidopsis thaliana. Frontiers in Plant Science, 11, 815; DOI: 10.3389/fpls.2020.00815

Vassileva V, Vaseva I, Dimitrova A. 2019. Expression profiling of DNA methyltransferase genes in wheat genotypes with contrasting drought tolerance. Bulgarian Journal of Agricultural Science, 25, 5, 845-851

Vassileva V, Moyankova D, Dimitrova A, Mladenov P, Djilianov D. 2018. Assessment of leaf micromorphology after full desiccation of resurrection plants. Plant Biosystems, 153, 1, 108-117; DOI: 10.1080/11263504.2018.1473306

Feller U, Kopriva S, Vassileva V. 2018. Plant nutrient dynamics in stressful environments: Needs interfere with burdens. Agriculture, 8, 7, 1-6; DOI: 10.3390/agriculture8070097

Boycheva I, Vassileva V, Revalska M, Zehirov G, Iantcheva A. 2017. Role of the histone acetyltransferase HAC1 gene in development of the model species Medicago truncatula, Lotus japonicus and Arabidopsis thaliana. Protoplasma, 254, 2, 697-711; DOI: 10.1007/s00709-016-0983-x

Vassileva V, Hollwey E, Todorov D, Meyer P. 2016. Leaf epidermal profiling as a phenotyping tool for DNA methylation mutants. Genetics and Plant Physiology, 6, 1-2, 3-13

Simova-Stoilova L, Vassileva V, Feller U. 2016. Selection and breeding of suitable crop genotypes for drought and heat periods in a changing climate: Which morphological and physiological properties should be considered? Agriculture, 6, 2, 26; DOI: 10.3390/agriculture6020026

Revalska M, Vassileva V, Zehirov G, Iantcheva A. 2016. Analysing the function and the expression pattern of auxin response factor B3 from Medicago truncatula in the model plant Lotus japonicus. Bulgarian Journal of Agricultural Science, 22, 253-261

Iantcheva A, Revalska M, Zehirov G, Boicheva I, Radkova M, Ratet P, Vassileva V. 2016. Tnt1 retrotransposon as an efficient tool for development of an insertional mutant collection of Lotus japonicus. In Vitro Cellular and Developmental Biology – Plant, 52, 338-347; DOI: 10.1007/s11627-016-9768-3

Boycheva I, Vassileva V, Revalska M, Zehirov G, Iantcheva A. 2015. Cyclin-like F-box protein plays a role in growth and development of the three model species Medicago truncatula, Lotus japonicus and Arabidopsis thaliana. Research and Reports in Biology, 6, 117-130; DOI: 10.2147/RRB.S84753

Chen Q, Liu Y, Maere S, Lee E, Van Isterdael G, Xie Z, Xuan W, Lucas J, Vassileva V, Kitakura S, Marhavý P еt al. 2015. A coherent transcriptional feed-forward motif model for mediating auxin-sensitive PIN3 expression during lateral root development. Nature Communications, 6, 8821; DOI: 10.1038/ncomms9821

Revalska M, Vassileva V, Zehirov G, Iantcheva I. 2015. Is the auxin influx carrier LAX3 essential for plant growth and development in the model plants Medicago truncatula, Lotus japonicus and Arabidopsis thaliana? Biotechnology & Biotechnological Equipment, 29, 786-797; DOI: 10.1080/13102818.2015.1031698

Fernandez A, Drozdzecki A, Hoogewijs K, Vassileva V, Madder A, Beeckman T, Hilson P. 2015. The GLV6/RGF8/CLEL2 peptide regulates early pericycle divisions during lateral root initiation. Journal of Experimental Botany, 17, 5245-5256; DOI: 10.1093/jxb/erv329

Boycheva I, Vassileva V, Iantcheva A. 2014. Histone acetyltransferases in plant development and plasticity. Current Genomics, 15, 28-37; DOI: 10.2174/138920291501140306112742

Iantcheva A, Revalska M, Zehirov G, Vassileva V. 2014. Agrobacterium-mediated transformation of Medicago truncatula cell suspension culture provides a system for functional analysis. In Vitro Cellular and Developmental Biology-Plant 50, 149-157; DOI: 10.1007/s11627-013-9554-4

Grigorova B, Vassileva V, Klimchuk D, Vaseva I, Demirevska K, Feller U. 2012. Drought, high temperature and their combination affect ultrastructure of chloroplasts and mitochondria in wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) leaves. Journal of Plant Interactions, 7, 204-213; DOI: 10.1080/17429145.2011.654134

Vassileva V, Demirevska K, Simova-Stoilova L, Petrova T, Tsenov N, Feller U. 2012. Long-term field drought affects leaf protein pattern and chloroplast ultrastructure of winter wheat in a cultivar specific manner. J. Agron. Crop Sci., 198, 104-117; DOI: 10.1111/j.1439-037X.2011.00492.x

Vassileva V, Signarbieux C, Anders I, Feller U. 2011. Genotypic variation in drought stress response and subsequent recovery of wheat (Triticum aestivum L.). J. Plant Research, 124, 147-154; DOI: 10.1007/s10265-010-0340-7

Berckmans B, Vassileva V, Schmid S, Maes S, Parizot B, Naramoto S, Magyar Z, Kamei CLA, Koncz C, Persiau G, De Jaeger G, Bogre L, Friml J, Simon R, Beeckman T, De Veylder L. 2011. Auxin-dependent cell cycle reactivation through transcriptional control of E2Fa by LATERAL ORGAN BOUNDARY proteins. Plant Cell, 23, 3671-3683; DOI: 10.1105/tpc.111.088377

De Rybel B, Vassileva V, Parizot B, Demeulenaere M, Grunewald W, Audenaert D, Van Campenhout J, Overvoorde P, Jansen L, Vanneste S, Möller B, Holman T, Van Isterdaele G, Brunoud G, Vuylsteke M, Vernoux T, De Veylder L, Inzé D, Weijers D, Bennett M, Beeckman T. 2010. A novel Aux/IAA28 signalling cascade activates GATA23-dependent specification of lateral root founder cell identity. Current Biology, 20, 1697-1706; DOI: 10.1016/j.cub.2010.09.007

De Smet I, Lau S, Voss U, Vanneste S, Benjamins R, Rademacher E, Schlereth A, De Rybel B, Vassileva V, Grunewald W, Naudts M, Levesque M, Ehrismann J, Inzé D, Luschnig C, Benfey P, Weijers D, van Montagu M, Bennett M, Jürgens G, Beeckman T. 2010. Bimodular auxin response controls organogenesis in Arabidopsis. Proc Natl Acad Sci USA, 107, 2705-2710; DOI: 10.1073/pnas.0915001107

Vassileva V, Zehirov G, Ugrinova M, Iantcheva A. 2010. Variable leaf epidermal morphology in Tnt1 insertional mutants of the model legume Medicago truncatula. Biotechnology & Biotechnological Equipment, 24, 2060-2065; DOI: 10.2478/V10133-010-0086-3

Vassileva V, Simova-Stoilova L, Demirevska K, Feller U. 2009. Variety-specific response of wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) leaf mitochondria to drought stress. J. Plant Research, 122, 445-454; DOI: 10.1007/s10265-009-0225-9

De Smet I, Vassileva V, De Rybel B, Levesque MP, Grunewald W, Van Damme D, Van Noorden G, Naudts M, Van Isterdael G, De Clercq R, Wang JY, Meuli N, Vanneste S, Friml J, Hilson P, Jürgens G, Ingram GC, Inzé D, Benfey PN, Beeckman T. 2008. Receptor-like kinase ACR4 restricts stem cell divisions in the Arabidopsis root. Science, 322, 594-597; DOI: 10.1126/science.1160158

Vassileva VN, Fujii Y, Ridge RW. 2005. Microtubule dynamics in plants. Plant Biotechnology, 22, 171-178

Vassileva VN, Kouchi H, Ridge RW. 2005. Microtubule dynamics in living root hairs: transient slowing by lipochitin oligosaccharide nodulation signals. Plant Cell, 17, 1777-1787; DOI: 10.1105/tpc.105.031641

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