Alexander Khaustov: University of Tyumen is the heart of biological research
Since the beginning of this year, a well-known specialist in the field of acarology, Doctor of Biological Sciences, Alexander Khaustov, has been working at the International Integrated Research Laboratory of University of Tyumen to study Climate Change, Land Use And Biodiversity.
How it all began
Alexander Khaustov always had a passion to study plants and animals. In youth he participated in biological Olympiads, later, as a student he joined the Department of Zoology of the Faculty of Biology at the Kharkov University. Later he studied at the famous Nikitsky Botanical Gardens. Established in 1812, the botanical gardens represent one of the oldest scientific institutions in Russia and a powerful scientific association of the Soviet period.
The choice to study acarology was not a coincidence.
“My father is an agronomist. Some time ago he worked at a laboratory for my future research supervisor. I read in one of the articles that a new species of ticks was even named in honor of my father, - Alexander recalls. - And I thought: why don't I study ticks then? That biological group is poorly studied, but is very vast and various. So I came to Nikitsky Gardens with the initial goal of doing this type of research."
Alexander research journey was successful. At the age of 38 he became a Doctor of Biological Sciences, the Head of the Scientific Laboratory at the Botanical Gardens, and an expert in his field.
Journey from Crimea to Tyumen
I came to Siberia with a plan. But, I would like to point out that my dessison has nothing to do with the Maidan events, and my move have been finilized before the events have occurred.
“Unfortunately, while working in Ukraine, I’ve noticed that the research field was stuck in a slope. I had to use a microscope, which was older than me. The entire material and technical base was from Soviet times. We could not receive any sort of funding for our projects. There was no progress to speak of. - Alexander Alexandrovich comments. - I was seriously considering working abroad. And then a letter come in from the Vice-Rector for Scientific Research of University of Tyumen, Andrey Tolstikov, inviting me to work with them."
“I’ll say frankly: despite the tempting offer, I thought about it for about a month. I had my doubts. I don’t like the cold and heard a lot about the winter in Siberia, - Alexander recalls with a smile. – Well, my fears were not baseless. When I left Yalta, it was in full bloom, but here it was snowing and ice-cold. But the warm welcome at the laboratory made me forget all about the frost and snow”.
A new era of acarology research at University of Tyumen
“Modern acarology is one of the rapidly developing areas of zoology. Ticks are a very diverse group of species. In terms of variety the come second after insects. But in terms of practical significance they have no equal. Among them are agricultural pests (economic aspect), disease carriers (medical), their role is enormous in the processes of soil formation, etc. I was engaged in research on biological methods of controlling some pests, in particular, my Ph.D. was on Bark Beetles Control. I identify groups of ticks that can be promising for future research. Other direction of my research includes rearing predatory ticks, which eat their herbivorous counterparts. My knowledge and skills have found a worthy application at the University of Tyumen. Having an access to a fully equipped laboratory, new, unexplored prospects appear before me."
Another important aspect of working at the UTMN labs for Alexander Khaustov was his colleagues.
“The personnel here is highly professional and skilled. I have found a team of truly like-minded people. The famous acarologist Sergey Ermilov, my old friend, works here too. He moved to Tyumen from Nizhny Novgorod. Moreover, we go way back with the UTMN Vice Rector for Research - Andrey Tolstikov. I met Andrey Tolstikov back in 1997 at one of the scientific conferences. The leadership of the University encourage and provide great support for daring works. As a result, one of the most powerful acarological centers has formed here. I would like to note the scientific activity of the team. In terms of the number of international publications, we are leading at the university and among Russian colleagues."
It should be noted that Alexander Khaustov’s work helped the laboratory receive two large grants, one from the Russian Science Foundation and the other from Ministry of Education and Science of Russia. One of them is for the study of arthropods from sphagnum mosses of the Southern and Northern Hemispheres. The second for the study of ticks - inhabitants of anthills. Both projects are of fundamental scientific importance, helping to clarify complex issues of evolution.
Tick-borne encephalitis
Alexander Khaustov’s shared his stance on the problem of the so-called "encephalitis" ticks.
“There is no such thing as encephalitis ticks,” the scientist notes. “There is a large group of ixodic ticks. They carry all kinds of viruses and other parasitic organisms. The most known viruses that are dangerous for humans are the tick-borne encephalitis and Lyme disease (borreliosis)."
It turns out that the problem of ticks is not limited to Siberia region.
“Siberia is only one of the points of spread. Crimea also has a problem with ticks. There is also a problem of the overall increase in the activity of disease carriers. The only reason we didn’t hear about it in the past was the lack of sound diagnostics. Ticks carry a whole bunch of diseases. For example, several years ago there was an outbreak of the Crimean-Congo hemorrhagic fever. North America saw the spread of the black fever, and the list goes on."
It is important to remember prevention measures against tick-borne diseases. Study the basics, such as using an insect repellent and wearing protective clothing.
For the love of Biology
Alexander Khaustov is assured that biology is the most attractive and promising of all scientific fields!
“It integrates everything: mathematics, physics, chemistry ... Thanks to modern technologies, it has expanded the limits tremendously - molecular research is now very popular. At the same time, research is being carried out on the global scale,” Alexander Khaustov states.
Biology is truly multifaceted. Alexander Khaustov cites the many disciplines studied by future biologists. Among them, the basis of everything is botany and zoology. Physiology and genetics are no less important. Then comes the bioinformatics and genetic engineering.
Dr. Khaustov sees established biologists everywhere. They become school teachers and university professors. They can work in fundamental science and practical laboratories, in medicine and agriculture. There would be no environmental protection field without biologists. At the same time, he sincerely regrets that today there are not enough biologists for the ever-growing and expanding research areas.
Of course, Alexander Khaustov’s statement can be argued and his colleagues from other areas may disagree. But we will take the Doctor of Biological Sciences’ word for it. Let's hope that young people who are still choosing their path will get inspired.
