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Irina Vlasova-St. Louis

Johns Hopkins University United States of America

Dr. Irina Vlasova-St. Louis obtained her MD and Ph.D. from Ural State Medical Academy, Russia. She completed her postdoctoral training at the University of Minnesota, USA, and a laboratory fellowship sponsored by the Lymphoma Research Foundation. She served as an assistant professor at the University of Minnesota, Department of Medicine, providing expertise in several biological disciplines including infectious diseases, immunology, genomics, and bioinformatics. During the COVID-19 pandemic, Dr. Vlasova-St. Louis led genomic surveillance of circulating SARS-CoV-2 variants of concern in Nevada, USA. Currently, she is a genomics specialist at the Newborn Screening Department, Texas Department of State Health Services, USA. She is sponsored by federal grants from the Association of Public Health Laboratories and Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. She is a part of the Johns Hopkins University Advanced Academic Program: Individualized Genomics and Health.

2books edited

5chapters authored

Latest work with IntechOpen by Irina Vlasova-St. Louis

RNA therapies evolved as economical and widely applicable individualized treatment solutions. Novel RNA-based therapeutic vaccines (e.g., against SARS-CoV-2 infection) have been proven to be safe and effective, and many of them are approved by the United States Food and Drug Administration (FDA). This book presents distinct classes of RNA therapeutics, ranging from single-stranded antisense oligonucleotides (ASOs) and subclasses of RNA interferences (miRNAs and other RNAi) to in vitro transcribed and in vivo translated mRNAs drugs and RNA vaccines. The book also discusses some of the challenges in RNA drug engineering, delivery, and specificity, as well as highlights the improvement of pharmacological effectiveness in a wide range of diseases.

RNA Therapeutics

RNA Therapeutics

Edited by Irina Vlasova-St. Louis

Books edited

Applications of RNA-Seq in Biology and Medicine

Applications of RNA-Seq in Biology and Medicine

Edited by Irina Vlasova-St. Louis

Chapters authored

Mammalian Cis-Acting RNA Sequence Elements

By Irina Vlasova-St. Louis and Calandra Sagarsky

Cis-acting regulatory sequence elements are sequences contained in the 3′ and 5′ untranslated region, introns, or coding regions of precursor RNAs and mature mRNAs that are selectively recognized by a complementary set of one or more trans-acting factors to regulate posttranscriptional gene expression. This chapter focuses on mammalian cis-acting regulatory elements that had been recently discovered in different regions: pre-processed and mature. The chapter begins with an overview of two large networks of mRNAs that contain conserved AU-rich elements (AREs) or GU-rich elements (GREs), and their role in mammalian cell physiology. Other, less conserved, cis-acting elements and their functional role in different steps of RNA maturation and metabolism will be discussed. The molecular characteristics of pathological cis-acting sequences that rose from gene mutations or transcriptional aberrations are briefly outlined, with the proposed approach to restore normal gene expression. Concise models of the function of posttranscriptional regulatory networks within different cellular compartments conclude this chapter.

Part of the book: Gene Expression and Regulation in Mammalian Cells

Diagnostic Applications for RNA-Seq Technology and Transcriptome Analyses in Human Diseases Caused by RNA Viruses

By Irina Vlasova-St. Louis, Andrew Gorzalski and Mark Pandori

Human diseases caused by single-stranded, positive-sense RNA viruses, are among the deadliest of the 21st Century. In particular, there are two notable standouts: human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) and severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2). Detection of these disease-causing viral transcripts, by next-generation RNA sequencing (RNA-Seq), represents the most immediate opportunity for advances in diagnostic, therapeutic, and preventive applicability in infectious diseases (e.g., AIDS and COVID-19). Moreover, RNA-Seq technologies add significant value to public health studies by first, providing real-time surveillance of known viral strains, and second, by the augmentation of epidemiological databases, construction of annotations and classifications of novel sequence variants. This chapter intends to recapitulate the current knowledge of HIV and SARS-CoV-2 transcriptome architecture, pathogenicity, and some features of the host immune response. Additionally, it provides an overview of recent advances in diagnostic sequencing methodologies and discusses the future challenges and prospects on the utilization of RNA-Seq technologies.

Part of the book: Applications of RNA-Seq in Biology and Medicine

Introductory Chapter: Applications of RNA-Seq Diagnostics in Biology and Medicine

By Irina Vlasova-St. Louis

Part of the book: Applications of RNA-Seq in Biology and Medicine

Prophylactic Ribonucleic Acid Vaccines to Combat RNA Viral Infections in Humans

By Irina Vlasova-St. Louis and Jude Abadie

Vaccines have evolved as widely applicable and available prophylaxes against infectious diseases. Advances in ribonucleic acid technologies revolutionized the biopharmaceutical field of vaccine manufacturing. Numerous novel mRNA-based vaccines that have been approved by the United States and European regulatory agencies are proven to be safe and effective in preventing disease. This chapter presents the history of RNA vaccine development in the context of preventing diseases caused by RNA viruses such as SARS-CoV-2, HIV, influenza, Chikungunya, Zika, RSV, PIV, HMPV viruses, Rabies, and Ebola. Advantages, disadvantages, and challenges in mRNA vaccine engineering, delivery, and safety are discussed. The formulation, safety, long-term effectiveness, and requirements for booster immunizations are presented using data from clinical trials. The results of these clinical trials highlight important milestones, setbacks, and ultimate advancements in vaccine development. mRNA vaccines have significantly impacted public health in a relatively short time, and they demonstrate great potential in serving as clinical public health prophylaxis against current and future pandemics. Future development is likely to include polyvalent, mosaic, and strain/lineage-specific individualized vaccines.

Part of the book: RNA Therapeutics

Introductory Chapter: RNA Drugs Development and Commercialization

By Irina Vlasova-St. Louis

Part of the book: RNA Therapeutics

View all chapters

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