Alexander RAPOPORT

Professor Alexander RAPOPORT Head of Laboratory Institute of Microbiology and Biotechnology, University of Latvia Kronvalda bulv. 4 Riga, LV 1586 Latvia Phone: +371 7034891 Fax: +371 722 7925 E-mail: rapoport@latnet.lv

Born: October 13, 1946, Riga, Latvia

Interests:

• Cell Biology
• Cytology of Microorganisms
• Physiology of Microorganisms
• Molecular Biology of Microorganisms
• Biochemistry and Biophysics of Microorganisms

Main investigations are linked with the studies of extreme treatment upon microorganisms and especially with the state of anhydrobiosis in yeasts. Summarising the results received it could be said that these investigations gave a possibility just not only to study this extremely interesting natural phenomenon of reversible delay of metabolism but to reveal the main mechanisms of intracellular reactions under unfavourable conditions of environment too. We proved that extreme dehydration influences all intracellular structures. We revealed the main structural and functional changes of yeast cell wall, plasma membrane, mitochondria, vacuoles, lysosomal apparatus and nuclei. Experiments have shown that the main factors determining the cell resistance to dehydration are the following: the level of intracellular nucleic acid stability, the cell cycle stage, the possibility of maintenance by cells the molecular organisation of intracellular membranes and ability of "switching on" by cells of the whole complex of protective reactions at early stages of dehydration process. A whole number has been demonstrated of earlier unknown self-protective reactions observed in eucaryotic organisms under extreme environmental conditions (ability of the cells to limit irreversibly damaged cytoplasm sites, to separate with the help of nucleolemma chromatine-containing nucleus parts, chromatine condensing, etc.). We showed the possibility of directed increase of cell resistance to dehydration by the way of special osmotic treatment on yeast. It was established that the stabilisation of intracellular membrane state was achieved in these conditions.

Languages: English, Latvian, Russian

Education:

• University of Latvia (Faculty of Biology) , 1969
• Dr. biol. (Candidate of Science in former USSR, Ph.D. in Western countries), Latvian Academy of Sciences, 1974
• Dr. habil. biol. (Doctor of Science in former USSR), Institute of Microbiology, USSR Academy of Sciences, Moscow, Russia, 1988

Experience:

• Researcher, Institute of Microbiology, Latvian Academy of Sciences, 1974-1978
• Senior Researcher, Institute of Microbiology, Latvian Academy of Sciences, 1978-1987
• Leading Researcher, Institute of Microbiology, Latvian Academy of Sciences, 1987-1990
• Vice-head of the Laboratory of Industrial Microbiology, Institute of Microbiology, Latvian Academy of Sciences, (now re-named as Institute of Microbiology and Biotechnology, Latvian University), 1990-1995
• Head of the Laboratory of Cell Biology, Institute of Microbiology and Biotechnology, Latvian University, Riga, 1995-
• Professor, Riga Technical University, 1991-
• Visiting Investigator, Department of General and Marine Microbiology, University of Goteborg, Sweden, 1993-1994
• Visiting Investigator, Section of Molecular and Cellular Biology, University of California, Davis, USA, 1995
• Consultant of EUROLYSINE Joint Research Laboratory, Orsay, France, 1992-1993
• J.Soros Foundation Research Scholar, 1993
• Visiting Investigator, Laboratory of Chemical Engineering Sciences, National

Polytechnic Institute of Lorraine, Nancy, France, 1997

Honours and Awards:

• Corresponding Member, Latvian Academy of Sciences, 1993
• Latvian Youth Prize, 1978
• The Latvian Academy of Sciences Presidium Second Award, 1982
• The Latvian Academy of Sciences Presidium First Award, 1989
• Listed in:

International Book of Honor
International Directory of Distinguished Leadership
International Who's Who of Contemporary Achievement
International Who's Who of Intellectuals
Dictionary of International Biography
Five Thousand Personalities of the World

Professional Activities and Memberships:

• Editorial Board for Process Biochemistry, 1993-
• Member, International Commission on Yeasts of IUMS, 1992-
• Member, New York Academy of Sciences, 1996-
• Secretary General, 15th International Specialised Symposium on Yeasts Organizing Committee (1991)
• Member, 18th International Specialised Symposium on Yeasts International Advisory Committee (1997)
• Member, Latvian Council of Science Committee for Research Evaluation, 1991-1996
• FEMS Liaison Officer, Board of Microbiological Society of Latvia, 1996-
• Member, European Federation of Biotechnology, Section for Microbial Physiology
• Delegate from Latvia, Federation of European Microbiological Societies (FEMS)

Invited Lectures:

• 15th International Specialised Symposium on Yeasts, Riga, Latvia (1991)
• International Symposium on Physiology, Biochemistry, Genetics and Molecular Biology of Methylotrophic Yeasts, Lviv, Ukraine (1991)
• Institute of Physiology, Czech Academy of Sience, Praha, Czech Republic (1991)
• EUROLYSINE, Orsay, France (1991)
• 9th International Symposium on Yeasts, Atlanta, USA (1992)
• International Workshop on Biotechnology, Joe-en-Josas, France (1992)
• Department of General and Marine Microbiology, University of Goteborg, Sweden (1993)
• Department of Applied Microbiology, University of Lund, Sweden (1993)
• Institute of Microbiology, Russian Academy of Science, Moscow, Russia (1994)
• Department of General and Marine Microbiology, University of Goteborg, Sweden (1994)
• Royal Gist-brocades, Delft, The Netherlands (1994)
• Section of Molecular and Cellular Biology, University of California, Davis, USA (1995)
• Symposium "Trehalose and Water Handling in Biological Systems", Brazilian Society of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology Meeting , Caxambu, Brazil (1995)
• International Workshop "Biobalt-96", Tallinn, Estonia (1996)
• 18th International Specialised Symposium on Yeasts, Bled, Slovenia (1997)
• Cultor, Helsinki, Finland (1998)
• International Symposium "Microbial Stress in Food", Quimper, France (1999)

 

Recent/Representative Publications:

• A.I.Rapoport. Rejection of areas of damaged cytoplasm by microorganisms in a state of anabiosis. - Microbiology, 1973, vol .42, N 2, pp. 317-318.
• A.I.Rapoport, N.A.Kostrikina. Cytological investigation of an anabiosis state of yeast organisms. - Proceedings of the Academy of Sciences of the USSR. Biology, 1973, N 5, pp. 770-773 (In Russian).
• A.I.Rapoport, V.I.Birjusova, M.N.Meissel. The structure of the yeast cell nucleus in an anabiotic state. - Reports of the Academy of Science of the USSR, 1973, vol. 213, N 3, pp. 708-710 (In Russian).
• A.I.Rapoport, M.E.Beker. Increased intracellular activity of acid phosphatase on desiccation of the yeast, Saccharomyces cerevisiae. - Microbiology, 1978, vol. 47, N 1, pp. 136-137.
• V.I.Biryusova, A.I.Rapoport. Cryofractographic investigation of the structure of yeast cells in an anabiotic state. - Microbiology, 1978, vol. 47, N 2, pp.245-251.
• M.J.Beker, B.E.Damberga, A.I.Rapoport. Anabiosis of Microorganisms, 1981, Riga: Zinatne, 252 pp. (In Russian).
• A.I.Rapoport, N.A.Pomoshchnikova, M.V.Fateeva, T.N.Nikitina, M.N.Meissel. Nucleic acids and resistance of yeast cells to dehydration. - Microbiology, 1981, vol. 50, N 2, pp. 163-165.
• A.I.Rapoport, A.B.Markovskii, M.E.Beker. Increase in the permeability of intracellular membranes on dehydration and rehydration of Saccharomyces cerevisiae yeast. - Microbiology, 1982, vol. 51, N 6, pp. 707-710.
• A.I.Rapoport, V.I.Biryuzova, M.E.Beker. Effect of dehydration on the surface structure of the yeast cell wall. - Microbiology, 1983, vol. 52, N 2, pp. 204-207.
• A.I.Rapoport, M.E.Beker. Effect of sucrose and lactose on resistance of the yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae to dehydration.- Microbiology, 1983, vol .52, N 5, pp. 556-559.
• A.T.Novichkova, A.I.Rapoport. State of the intracellular pool of free amino acids in dehydrated yeast organisms. - Microbiology, 1984, vol. 53, N 1, pp. 1-4.
• M.J.Beker, J.E.Blumbergs, E.J.Ventina, A.I.Rapoport. Characteristics of cellular membranes at rehydration of dehydrated yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae. - Applied Microbiology and Biotechnology, 1984, vol. 19, N 5, pp. 347- 352.
• E.J.Ventina, L.A.Saulite, A.I.Rapoport, M.E.Beker. Electron-microscopic study of yeasts in a state of anabiosis and reactivated from this state. - Microbiology, 1984, vol. 53, N 4, pp. 536-541.
• A.I.Rapoport, M.N.Meissel. Survival rates of yeast organisms after dehydration as determined by fluorescence microscopy. - Microbiology, 1985, vol. 54, N 1, pp. 53-55.
• A.I.Rapoport, M.E.Beker. Changes in the surface charge of yeast cells during their dehydration and rehydration.- Microbiology, 1985, vol. 54, N 3, pp. 362-365.
• M.J.Beker, A.I.Rapoport, P.B.Zikmanis, B.E.Damberga. Dehydration as yeast metabolism regulating factor.- In: Environmental Regulation of Microbial Metabolism. (Ed. by I.S.Kulayev, E.A.Daves, D.W.Tangest). London-San-Diego: Academic Press, 1985, pp. 105-111.
• V.A.Saulite, A.I.Rapoport, M.E.Beker. Lipid inclusions in cells and changes in them during dehydration and reactivation of yeasts. - Microbiology, 1986, vol. 55, N 1, pp.99-104.
• A.I.Rapoport, M.A.Dreimane, M.E.Beker. Influence of the dehydration process on Endomycopsis fibuligera yeasts.- Microbiology, 1986, vol. 55, N 4, pp. 542-545.
• A.I.Rapoport, M.E.Beker. Ribonucleic acid degradation during dehydration of yeast cells.- Microbiology, 1986, vol. 55, N 5, pp. 689-691.
• A.I.Rapoport, V.I.Biryusova, T.P.Svetlichnaya. Freeze-fracture study of changes in vacuoles during dehydration of Saccharomyces cerevisiae cells. - Microbiology, 1986, vol. 55, N 6, pp. 835-839.
• V.N.Ivanov, A.I.Rapoport, A.A.Pindrus, L.A.Saulite, T.A.Shifruk. Phase specificity of damage and repair of yeast cells during dehydration-rehydration and freeze-thawing.- Microbiology, 1987, vol. 57, N 2, pp. 274-279.
• M.J.Beker, A.I.Rapoport. Conservation of yeasts by dehydration.- In: Advances in Biochemical Engineering / Biotechnology, 1987,. Berlin- Heidelberg- NewYork - London - Paris - Tokyo: Springer-Verlag, vol. 35, pp. 127-171.
• O.M.Puzyrevskaya, M.G.Saubenova. Polyols and resistance of yeasts to dehydration. - Microbiology, 1988, vol. 57, N 2, pp. 269-271.
• M.J.Beker, A.Jalinska, J.E.Blumbergs, I.K.Bekere, A.I.Rapoport, E.J.Ventina, I.V.Polskaya, A.A.Timoshin. Characteristics of a flocculant mutant of Zymomonas mobilis ZM4 on sucrose and molasses media. - Australian Journal of Biotechnology, 1988, vol. 2, N 2, pp. 156-159.
• A.A.Timoshin, A.I.Rapoport, M.E.Beker. Effect of temperature on the state of lipids in the external membrane of Zymomonas mobilis during growth. - Microbiology, 1989, vol. 58, N 4, pp. 458-460.
• V.V.Vysotskii, G.I.Lazareva, A.I.Rapoport. Visualisation of intercellular bonds (cohesion) in some anaerobic microflora by means of scanning electron microscopy.- Microbiology, 1991,vol. 60, N 2, pp. 225-229.
• I.L.Krallish, Yu.E.Posmetnyi, G.M.Khroustalyova, B.B.Reitblat, A.I.Rapoport. Effect of plant extracts on the metabolic activity of the yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae 39.- Microbiology, 1991, vol. 60, N 4, pp. 471-475.
• A.A.Timoshin, A.F.Danilevich, A.I.Rapoport. Effects of low-intensity helium-neon laser irradiation on the bacterial species Zymomonas mobilis. - Microbiology, 1991, vol. 60, N 6, pp. 718-722.
• A.I.Rapoport, G.M.Khroustalyova, G.J.Camanis, M.J.Beker. Yeast anhydrobiosis: permeability of the plasma membrane.- Microbiology, 1995, vol. 64, N 2, pp. 229-232.
• A.Rapoport, O.Muter. Biosorption of hexavalent chromium by yeasts. - Process Biochemistry, 1995, vol. 30, N 2, pp. 145-149.
• A.I.Rapoport, G.M.Khroustalyova, E.N.Kuklina. Anhydrobiosis in yeast: activation effect.- Brazilian Journal of Medical and Biological Research, 1997, vol. 30, N 1, pp. 9-13.
• I.Krallish, H.Jeppsson, A.Rapoport, B.Hahn-Hagerdal. The effect of polyols on viability of xylose-assimilating yeasts during dehydration-rehydration. - Appl. Microbiol. Biotechnol, 1997, vol. 47, pp. 447-451.
• M.Bekers, A.Vigants, J.Laukevics, M.Toma, A.rapoport, P.Zilmanis. The effect of osmo-induced stress on product formation by Zymomonas mobilis on sucrose. - International Journal of Food Microbiology, 2000, vol. 55, n 1-3, pp.147-150.
• M.Bekers, E.Ventina, A.Karsakevich, I.Vina, A.Rapoport, D.Upite, E.Kaminska, R.Linde. Attachment of yeast to the modified stainless steel wire spheres, growth of cells and ethanol production.- Process Biochemistry , 2000, vol.35, N 5, pp. 523-530.
• M.Beker, A.Rapoport, U.Viesturs. Country Profile: Latvia.  In: Biotechnology in the Developing World and Countries in Economic Transition (ed. G.T.Tzotzos, K.G.Skryabin), CABI Publishing, 2000, pp. 106-108.
• O.Muter, A.Patmalnieks, A.Rapoport. Interrelations of the yeast Candida utilis and Cr(VI); metal reduction and its distribution in the cell and medium. - Process Biochemistry , 2001, vol.36, N 10, pp. 963-970.
• G.M.Khroustalyova, L.Adler, A.I.Rapoport. Exponential growth phase cells of the osmotolerant yeast Debaryomyces hansenii are extremely resistant to dehydration stress.- Process Biochemistry , 2001, vol.36, N 12, pp. 1163-1166.
• O.Muter, D.Millers, L.Grigorjeva, E.Ventina, A. Rapoport. Cr(VI) sorption by intact and dehydrated Candida utilis cells: differences in mechanisms. -Process Biochemistry, 2001, vol.37, N 5, pp. 505-511.
• O.Muter, I.Lubinya, D.Millers, L.Grigorjeva, E.Ventinya, A. Rapoport. Cr(VI) sorption by intact and dehydrated Candida utilis cells in the presence of other metals. - Process Biochemistry , 2002, vol.38, N 1, pp. 123-131.
• A.I.Rapoport, G.M.Khroustalyova, I.Guzhova. Anhydrobiosis of yeasts: cell adaption to stress conditions. - 1st FEMS Congress of European Microbiologists. Abstract Book, Elsevier, 2003, pp. 94-95.
• A.Rapopport. Conservation of yeasts by dehydration: intercellular protective reactions. - In: European Culture Collections: Resources for Biology and Biotechnology. Proc. Annual General Meeting of the Eur. Culture Collections' Organization, 2005, pp. 20-21.
• A.I.Rapoport, G.M.Khroustalyova, L.M.Crowe, J.H.Crowe. Anhydrobiosis in yeast: stabilization by exogenous sugars.- Yeast (in press).
• A.Rapoport, G.Khroustalyova, O. Muter. Influence of Dehydration Process UponYeast Cells (Review).- International Journal of Food Microbiology (in press).

Research Projects:

• A.Rapoport (Head of Project). General Mechanisms of Intracellular Reactions to Extreme Treatments. Latvian Council of Science (1994-1996).
• A.Rapoport (Head of Project). Influence of Chromium (VI) on Yeasts. Latvian Council of Science (1994-1996).
• A.Rapoport (Head of Project). General Mechanisms of the Reversible Delay (Anhydrobiosis) of Yeast Metabolism. International Science Foundation (J.Soros Foundation, USA) (1994-1995).
• 3 Grants from Swedish Institute for the joint investigations of Intracellular Protective Reactions in Yeasts Cells (1993-1995).
• A.Rapoport (Head of Project). Molecular Mechanisms of Dehydration-Rehydration and Osmotic Stress in Yeasts. Latvian Council of Science (1997-2000).
• A.Rapoport (Head of Project). General Mechanisms of Yeast Cell Reactions to Heavy Metals. Latvian Council of Science (1997-2000).
• A.Rapoport (Head of Latvian Part of Project). Dehydration of Recombinant Microorganisms. CNRS, France (1997-1998).
• A.Rapoport (Head of Project). Investigations of General Mechanisms of Microorganisms Response upon Stress Treatments at Ultrastructural and Molecular Levels. Latvian Council of Science (2001 - 2004).
• A.Rapoport (Head of Project). Investigations of Molecular Mechanisms of Yeasts Resistance to Dehydration and of Applied Aspects of Anhydrobiosis of Microorganisms.   Latvian Council of Science (2005 -     ).

International Evaluation:

In the International Evaluation of Latvian Science these investigations received the highest appraisal in Latvian microbiology and biotechnology (published in: Latvian Research. An International Evaluation. Forkskningsradene. The Danish Research Councils. Copenhagen, December 1992, pp. 379, 380, 381).

Last update 24.08.2005