Interview with Dr. Roksolana Vasylyshyn, a scholarship recipient of the MSCA4Ukraine and research fellow at the Institute of Cell biology of the NAS of Ukraine.

Welcome! It's a pleasure to have you join us. We're extending our interview series to feature accomplished researchers from the University of Rzeszow, showcasing their contributions and advancements in the exciting field of biotechnology.

Today, we'll be talking with Dr. Roksolana Vasylyshyn - a researcher nominated in the MSCA4Ukraine program, funded as part of the Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions by the EU. Roksolana holds the position of associate professor at the Institute of Biotechnology at the University of Rzeszow in the research group of Prof. Justyna Ruchala.

Hello, Roksolana! Could you share some insights with our audience about the nature of this program? What motivated you to write a grant, and what factors led you to select our university for project implementation?"

Hello, everyone! Thank you for the questions and this interview. In response to the invasion of Ukraine, the European Union initiated the MSCA4Ukraine scholarship associated with «Horizon Europe» programs, aiming to support researchers from Ukraine by providing an opportunity to continue their work in EU laboratories.

Usually, we write research proposals to expand our opportunities, learn something new, and secure additional funding. However, this was an exceptional case. Due to damage to the energy system, continuing work in the laboratory became impractical, not to mention the freezing of funding. It's safe to say that it's very strongly motivating.

The University of Rzeszów was chosen without hesitation. We have been collaborating for an extended period, with shared publications and research themes. I have already been here for several other programs, so the laboratory and the team were already familiar to me. The laboratory is exceptionally comfortable and well-equipped. In addition, it is important to work in a friendly and positive atmosphere with creative people. No less important to me is the fact that due to the geographical proximity of Rzeszow to Lviv, I have the opportunity to collaborate closely with the Institute of Cell Biology.

To the best of my knowledge, the requirements of the EU's Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions program are often quite challenging for young researchers. Moreover, there is significant competition. Are there any «golden» rules for successful project creation?

Firstly, choose a promising and relevant topic.

For instance, today, we all aim to use as many eco-friendly materials as possible, employ alternative fuel sources, and generate minimal waste. Our project focused on the genetic control of transport and metabolism of lignocellulosic sugars during fermentation in yeast. Why is this important? It's the key to efficiently utilizing all sugars, which are the main components of plant cell walls. This way, we ensure effective utilization of waste from wood processing industries and agricultural farms and maximum bioethanol production.

Secondly, what about realism? Be logical and concise, assess your real capabilities, available resources, and equipment necessary for the research. Having too many tasks is also a red flag. And, of course, thirdly - adhere strictly to the requirements and instructions.

What applications do you foresee for your work in industry?

Our research is currently mostly applied, as the yeast we use is not a typical model for industrial biofuel production. However, the establishment of specific genetic structures will enable a better understanding of the regulatory mechanisms and potentially optimize industrial fermentation processes, leading to increased yields and reduced resource consumption. The models we have discovered can be applied to other microorganisms that are actively used in the bioenergy sector.

What challenges have you faced in your work and how did you overcome them?

I've encountered various challenges, and each one has been an opportunity for me to refine my skills and develop creative approaches to problem-solving. I always make it a point to analyze the root of the issue, involve the team in discussing different approaches, and make decisions. Additionally, timely communication with the entire team is crucial for me. This not only helps address current issues but also prevents future ones.

How might your research influence the development of new biotechnological processes? What prospects do you see for the future development of the field in general?

Moving forward, we are committed to staying at the forefront of technological advancements in our field, leveraging emerging tools such as CRISPR-based techniques and high-throughput sequencing. These technologies offer unprecedented precision and scale. Precision engineering of microbial strains for enhanced metabolic performance has the potential to usher in a new era of sustainable biofuels bioproduction.

Biotechnologies are advancing at an incredible pace. I am pleased with my choice of profession because it allows me to witness this «kitchen» from the inside. Today, they are involved in all processes - our clothing, food, medicines, transportation - and this is just the beginning.

The expanding capabilities of genetic editing will enable personalized approaches to treatment, especially effective in treating genetic diseases. Additionally, the application of biotechnology in immunotherapy and the development of nanotechnologies may revolutionize cancer treatment and enhance drug delivery, diagnostics, and health monitoring at the nanoscale. The growth of synthetic biology capabilities will allow engineers to create artificial organisms and functions. Biotechnology will address pressing environmental issues such as water purification, waste decomposition, and emissions reduction.

The prospects for biotechnological advancement are vast, and we are ready for the challenges ahead.

From left to right (Dr. R. Vasylyshyn, Prof. A. Sibirny, Prof. J. Ruchala)