Tatyana Pestova

Tatyana Pestova is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Cell Biology at the State University of New York Downstate Medical Center. Her research focuses on the molecular mechanisms of eukaryotic translation initiation, particularly the roles of eukaryotic initiation factors (eIFs) in ribosomal scanning, initiation codon selection, and subunit joining.

• PhD in Biochemistry (1992), Moscow State University
• Doctor of Sciences (D.Sc.) in Molecular Biology (2002), Moscow State University

Her work has elucidated the functions of key factors like eIF1, eIF1A, and eIF5B in ensuring translation fidelity. She investigates how viral internal ribosomal entry sites (IRES) co-opt host translation machinery, with implications for understanding protein synthesis regulation and viral RNA strategies.

Recent publications highlight her expertise in ribosome-viral RNA interactions, DHX29 helicase activity, and quality control mechanisms during translation. Collaborators include researchers from Harvard Medical School, NIH, EMBL, and international institutions.

Lab personnel: Ivan B. Lomakin (Research Scientist), Anett Unbehaun (MD, PhD), and Irina Lomakina (Research Technician).