Dr. Olga Amelkina
Scientist
Department of Reproduction Biology
Short curriculum vitae
Olga Amelkina is a Scientist at the Department of Reproduction Biology, as well as a Research Associate at the Center for Species Survival, Smithsonian’s National Zoo and Conservation Biology Institute, Washington, DC. Her research focuses on reproductive biology, fertility preservation and transcriptomics (both coding and non-coding) in carnivores, with a special focus on felids. Using transcriptomic, proteomic, and genomic data in a network-based approach, she aims to connect molecular layers and uncover the dynamic systems that shape reproductive success.
Olga earned her MSc from Novosibirsk State University in Russia, where she studied domestication of foxes and rats at the Laboratory of Evolutionary Genetics, Institute of Cytology and Genetics. She completed her PhD at Humboldt University of Berlin, investigating reproductive adaptations in lynx species at IZW. Her first postdoc was at the Faculty of Veterinary Sciences, Chulalongkorn University in Bangkok, where she studied the kisspeptin system in felids. She then joined the Smithsonian Institute for a second postdoc focused on developing fertility preservation methods in felids. After that, she held a Research Fellow position at the University of Leeds, investigating the role of microRNAs in mammalian implantation.
• 2025-present: Scientist, Department of Reproduction Biology, Leibniz-IZW, Berlin, Germany
• 2025-present: Research Associate, Center for Species Survival, Smithsonian’s National Zoo and Conservation Biology Institute, Washington DC, US
• 2023-2024: Research Fellow, Division of Reproduction and Early Development, LICAMM, University of Leeds, Leeds, UK
• 2018-2023: Postdoc, Center for Species Survival, Smithsonian’s National Zoo and Conservation Biology Institute, Washington DC, US
• 2016-2018: Postdoc, Department of Obstetrics, Gynaecology and Reproduction, Faculty of Veterinary Sciences, Chulalongkorn University, Bangkok, Thailand
• 2011-2015: PhD in Biology, Humboldt University of Berlin; Department of Reproduction Biology, Leibniz-IZW, Berlin, Germany
• 2010-2011: Graduate Research Assistant, Laboratory of Evolutionary Genetics, Institute of Cytology and Genetics, Novosibirsk, Russia
• 2005-2010: MSc in Cytology and Genetics, Novosibirsk State University; Laboratory of Evolutionary Genetics, Institute of Cytology and Genetics, Novosibirsk, Russia
• Functional biodiversity of cells belonging to the reproductive system
• Biobanking for assisted reproduction techniques
• Linking genomic load to fertility phenotypes through reproductive transcriptomics in felid species (in collaboration with Department of Evolutionary Genetics)
• Integrating multi-omics approaches into conservation breeding and biobanking initiatives (in collaboration with the Smithsonian Institute)
• Predicting the functional impact of deleterious mutations in black-footed ferret (Mustela nigripes) populations (in collaboration with the Smithsonian Institute)
• Advancing preservation and reanimation strategies for the domestic cat ovarian cortex tissue to support fertility preservation (in collaboration with the Smithsonian Institute)
• Developing a gene expression atlas of reproductive tissues in the domestic cat
• Characterizing transcriptomic dynamics of the corpus luteum in lynx species
• Comparative reproductive biology across mammalian species
• Transcriptomics, including differential gene expression and microRNA profiling
• Systems biology and functional network approaches to reproduction
• Integration of conservation genomics and reproductive biology
• Biobanking and fertility preservation, with a focus on ovarian cortex tissue
1. Amelkina O, Comizzoli P. Making sense of expanding transcriptomic data:network-based approaches for studying reproduction in domestic and wild animal species. Front Vet Sci. 2026 Jan 12:12:1728981. https://doi.org/10.3389/fvets.2025.1728981.
2. Amelkina O, Lee PC, Sosnicki DM, Martinez P, Nussbaum J, Willis H, Comizzoli P. Effects of microwave-assisted dehydration on the structure and function of ovarian cortex in the domestic cat model – New insights for future storage of living tissues at ambient temperatures. Biol Reprod. 2025 Dec 16;113(6):1601-1615. https://doi.org/10.1093/biolre/ioaf203.
3. Edge JC, Amelkina O, Tinning H, Giovanardi G, Mancinelli E, Gardner S, Vasconcelos EJR, Pensabene V, Forbes K, O’Connell MJ, Ruane P, Forde N. Bovine endometrial organoids: A new tool to study conceptus-maternal interactions in mammals. Biol Reprod. 2025 Nov 14:ioaf252. https://doi.org/10.1093/biolre/ioaf252.
4. Amelkina O, Gardner S, Edge JC, Butt Z, Tinning H, Forde N. Ruminating on bovine implantation and its importance in fertility, food production, conservation and health. Annu Rev Anim Biosci. 2025 Feb;13(1):143-165. https://doi.org/10.1146/annurev-animal-111523-102403.
5. Ali N*, Amelkina O*, Santymire RM, Koepfli K-P, Comizzoli P, Vazquez JM. Semen proteome and transcriptome of the endangered black-footed ferret (Mustela nigripes) show association with the environment and fertility outcome. Sci Rep. 2024 Mar 25;14(1):7063. https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-024-57096-w. *authors contributed equally
6. Lee P-C, Stewart S, Amelkina O, Sylvester H, He X, Comizzoli P. Trehalose delivered by cold-responsive nanoparticles improves tolerance of cumulus-oocyte complexes to microwave drying. J Assist Reprod Genet. 2023 Aug;40(8):1817 1828. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10815-023-02831-x.
7. Comizzoli P, Amelkina O, Chavez DR, Rowlison TR, Lee P-C. Current knowledge in the biology of gametes and embryos from Carnivora. Theriogenology. 2023 Jan 15;196:254-263. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.theriogenology.2022.11.024.
8. Comizzoli P, Amelkina O, Lee P-C. Damages and stress responses in sperm cells and other germplasms during dehydration and storage at nonfreezing temperatures for fertility preservation. Mol Reprod Dev. 2022 Dec;89(12):565 578. https://doi.org/10.1002/mrd.23651.
9. Amelkina O, Silva AM, Silva AR, Comizzoli P. Feline microRNAome in ovary and testis: Exploration of in-silico miRNA-mRNA networks involved in gonadal function and cellular stress response. Front Genet. 2022 Sep 26;13:1009220. https://doi.org/10.3389/fgene.2022.1009220.
10. Amelkina O*, Silva AM*, Silva AR, Comizzoli P. Transcriptome dynamics in developing testes of domestic cats and impact of age on tissue resilience to cryopreservation. BMC Genomics. 2021 Nov 23;22(1):847. https://doi.org/10.1186/s12864-021-08099-8. *authors contributed equally
11. Amelkina O, Comizzoli P. Initial response of ovarian tissue transcriptome to vitrification or microwave-assisted dehydration in the domestic cat model. BMC Genomics. 2020 Nov 25;21(1):828. https://doi.org/10.1186/s12864-020-07236-z.
12. Lee P-C, Adams DM, Amelkina O, White KK, Amoretti LA, Whitaker MG, Comizzoli P. Influence of microwave-assisted dehydration on morphological integrity and viability of cat ovarian tissues: First steps toward long-term preservation of complex biomaterials at supra-zero temperatures. PLoS One. 2019 Dec 4;14(12):e0225440. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0225440.
13. Amelkina O, Tanyapanyachon P, Thongphakdee A, Chatdarong K. Identification of feline Kiss1 and distribution of immunoreactive kisspeptin in the hypothalamus of the domestic cat. J Reprod Dev. 2019 Aug 9;65(4):335-343. https://doi.org/10.1262/jrd.2018-101.
14. Tanyapanyachon P, Amelkina O, Chatdarong K. The expression of kisspeptin and its receptor in the domestic cat ovary and uterus in different stages of the ovarian cycle. Theriogenology. 2017 Sep 1;117:40-48. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.theriogenology.2018.05.019.
15. Amelkina O, Zschockelt L, Painer J, Serra R, Villaespesa F, Krause E, Jewgenow K, Braun BC Progesterone, estrogen and androgen receptors in the corpus luteum of the domestic cat (Felis catus), Iberian lynx (Lynx pardinus) and Eurasian lynx (Lynx lynx). Theriogenology. 2016 Dec;86(9):2107-2118. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.theriogenology.2016.06.026.
16. Zschockelt L, Amelkina O, Siemieniuch MJ, Kowalewski MP, Dehnhard M, Jewgenow K, Braun BC Synthesis and reception of prostaglandins in corpora lutea of domestic cat and lynx. Reproduction. 2016 Aug;152(2):111-26. https://doi.org/10.1530/REP-16-0180.
17. Amelkina O, Zschockelt L, Painer J, Serra R, Villaespesa F, Braun BC, Jewgenow K Apoptosis-related factors in the luteal phase of domestic cats and their involvement in the persistent corpora lutea of lynxes. PLoS One. 2015 Nov 24;10(11):e0143414. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0143414.
18. Zschockelt L, Amelkina O, Koster S, Painer J, Okuyama MW, Serra R, Vargas A, Jewgenow K, Braun BC Comparative analysis of intraluteal steroidogenic enzymes emphasises the functionality of fresh and persistent corpora lutea during pro- and metoestrus in the lynx. J Steroid Biochem Mol Biol. 2015 Nov;154:75-84. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jsbmb.2015.07.001.
19. Amelkina O, Braun BC, Dehnhard M, Jewgenow K The corpus luteum of the domestic cat: Histologic classification and intraluteal hormone profile. Theriogenology. 2015 Mar 1;83(4):711-20. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.theriogenology.2014.11.008.
20. Nickisch K, Elger W, Santhamma B, Garfield R, Killeen Z, Amelkina O, Schneider B, Meister R Synthesis and biological evaluation of 11' imidazolyl antiprogestins and mesoprogestins. Steroids. 2014 Dec;92:45-55. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.steroids.2014.08.017.
21. Zschockelt L, Amelkina O, Siemieniuch MJ, Koster S, Jewgenow K, Braun BC Corpora lutea of pregnant and pseudopregnant domestic cats reveal similar steroidogenic capacities during the luteal life span. J Steroid Biochem Mol Biol. 2014 Oct;144 Pt B:373-81. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.steroids.2014.08.017.
22. Jewgenow K, Painer J, Amelkina O, Dehnhard M, Göritz F Lynx reproduction - long-lasting life cycle of corpora lutea in a feline species. Reprod Biol. 2014 Apr;14(2):83-8. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.repbio.2014.03.002.
23. Nickisch K, Elger W, Cessac J, Kesavaram N, Das B, Garfield R, Shi SQ, Amelkina O, Meister R. Synthesis and biological evaluation of partially fluorinated antiprogestins and mesoprogestins. Steroids. 2013 Feb;78(2):255-67. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.theriogenology.2012.09.010.
24. Jewgenow K, Amelkina O, Painer J, Göritz F, Dehnhard M. Life cycle of feline corpora lutea: histological and intraluteal hormone analysis. Reprod Domest Anim. 2012 Dec;47 Suppl 6:25-9. https://doi.org/10.1111/rda.12033.
25. Herbeck YE, Gulevich RG, Amelkina OA, Plyusnina IZ, Oskina IN. Conserved methylation of the glucocorticoid receptor gene exon 17 promoter in rats subjected to a maternal methyl-supplemented diet. Int J Dev Neurosci. 2010. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijdevneu.2009.10.004.