Svircev, Antonet, Ph.D.
Research Scientist
Contact Information:
4902 Victoria Avenue North
PO Box 6000
Vineland, Ontario L0R 2E0
Telephone: 905-562-2018
Fax: 905-562-4335
Email: antonet.svircev@agr.gc.ca
Areas of Expertise:
- Development and implementation of biopesticides, integrated biological control, host-parasite relations, induced plant resistance, pathogen epidemiology, traditional and molecular detection of tree fruit pathogens. Current research projects centre on the control of the fire blight pathogen in the orchard with bacteriophages and the development of genetic resistance to Plum Pox Virus in Prunus spp.
Current Projects:
- The development of bacteriophages for the control of a plant pathogen (Erwinia amylovora). Field data and bioassays have confirmed that the phages and their carrier system have potential for control of fire blight. Researchers/Commercialization Office are in the process of examining if the technology is worth patenting. (A.M. Svircev, P. Sholberg and A. Castle)
- Development of probe-primers for real time PCR detection of Erwinia amylovora, bacterial carrier and bacteriophages (W.-S. Kim)
- Obtained complete genome sequence for an Erwinia phage. Work continues on anotation of the sequence (S.D. Lehman)
- NEW TECHNOLOGIES - Development of real time -PCR kit for the detection of Plum Pox Virus (Kim, S-K., Stobbs, L. and A.M. Svircev). The kit is 10, 000 X more sensitive for the detection of PPV than the international ELISA standard. Work is in process for the validation of the kit and potential licensing. Agdia, commercial company is interested in collaboration on the kit (AAFC, to date has not made decision towards licensing). Based on the work with 12,000 field samples from the 2005 field season - the detection levels indicate that this kit could potentially replace ELISA world wide.
- Member of a team of AAFC researchers working towards development of resistance to Plum Pox Virus in Prunus spp.
Affiliations:
- Adjunct Professor, Department of Biological Sciences, Brock University
- Associate Editor for Canadian Journal of Microbiology
Research publications
2015
- Roach, D.R., Sjaarda, D.R., Sjaarda, C.P., Juarez Ayala, C., Howcroft, B., Castle, A.J., and Svircev, A.M. (2015). "Absence of lysogeny in wild populations of Erwinia amylovora and Pantoea agglomerans.", Microbial Biotechnology, 8(3), pp. 510-518. doi : 10.1111/1751-7915.12253
- Soliman, S., Li, X.Z., Shao, S., Behar, M., Svircev, A.M., Tsao, R., Zhou, T. (2015). Potential mycotoxin contamination risks of apple products associated with fungal flora of apple core, 47 585-591. http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.foodcont.2014.07.060
- Wang, A.M., Tian, L.-N., Brown, D.C.W., Svircev, A.M., Stobbs, L.W., and Sanfaçon, H. (2015). "Generation of efficient resistance to Plum pox virus (PPV) in Nicotiana benthamiana and Prunus domestica expressing triple-intron-spanned double-hairpin RNAs simultaneously targeting 5’ and 3’ conserved genomic regions of PPV.", Acta Horticulturae (ISHS), 1063, pp. 77-84.
- Wittmann, J., Klumpp, J., Moreno Switt, A.I., Yagubi, A., Ackermann, H.W., Wiedmann, M., Svircev, A., Nash, J.H.E., Kropinski, A.M. (2015). Taxonomic reassessment of N4-like viruses using comparative genomics and proteomics suggests a new subfamily - “Enquartavirinae”, 160(12), 3053-3062. http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/s00705-015-2609-6
2014
- Svircev, A.M., Boyetchko, S.M., and Castle, A.J. (2014). "The biopesticide innovation chain: A template for development of microbial agents from discovery to registration.", Acta Horticulturae (ISHS), 1056, pp. 43-46.
- Yagubi, A.I., Castle, A.J., Kropinski, A.M., Banks, T.W., Svircev, A.M. (2014). Complete genome sequence of Erwinia amylovora bacteriophage vB_EamM_Ea35-70, 2(4), http://dx.doi.org/10.1128/genomeA.00413-14
- Yagubi, A.I., Castle, A.J., and Svircev, A.M. (2014). "Sequence analysis of CRISPR arrays of Erwinia amylovora isolates from Canada.", Acta Horticulturae (ISHS), 1056, pp. 149-153.
2013
- Roach, D.R., Sjaarda, D.R., Castle, A.J., and Svircev, A.M. (2013). "Host Exopolysaccharide Quantity and Composition Impacts Bacteriophage Pathogenesis of Erwinia amylovora.", Applied and Environmental Microbiology, 79(10), pp. 3249-3256. doi : 10.1128/AEM.00067-13
- Svircev, A.M., Boulé, J., Sholberg, P.L., and Castle, A.J. (2013). "Erwinia amylovora (Burrill) Winslow et al., Fire Blight (Enterobacteriaceae).", in Mason, P.G. and Gillespie, D.R. (eds.) - Biological Control Programmes in Canada 2001-2012, CABI Publishing, Wallingford, UK, Chapter 61.
- Wang, X., Kohalmi, S.E., Svircev, A., Wang, A., Sanfaçon, H., Tian, L. (2013). Silencing of the Host Factor eIF(iso)4E Gene Confers Plum Pox Virus Resistance in Plum, 8(1), http://dx.doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0050627
2012
- El-Sharkawy, I., El Kayal, W., Prasath, D., Fernández, H., Bouzayen, M., Svircev, A.M., Jayasankar, S. (2012). Identification and genetic characterization of a gibberellin 2-oxidase gene that controls tree stature and reproductive growth in plum, 63(3), 1225-1239. http://dx.doi.org/10.1093/jxb/err345
2011
- Boulé, J., Sholberg, P.L., Lehman, S.M., O'Gorman, D.T., Svircev, A.M. (2011). Isolation and characterization of eight bacteriophages infecting Erwinia amylovora and their potential as biological control agents in British Columbia, Canada, 33(3), 308-317. http://dx.doi.org/10.1080/07060661.2011.588250
- Meerja, F.A., Wang, X., Whybourne, K.J., Svircev, A.M., and Tian, L.-N. (2011). "Optimization of in vitro regeneration in European Plum.", Acta Horticulturae (ISHS), 899, pp. 145-152.
- Philion, V., Svircev, A.M., Toussaint, V., and Stockwell, V.O. (2011). "Antagonistic interaction between the biocontrol agent BlightBan C9-1 and the plant defense elicitor actigard.", Acta Horticulturae (ISHS), 896, pp. 437-440.
- Roach, D.R., Sjaarda, D.R., Castle, A.J., and Svircev, A.M. (2011). "Bacteriophages as biopesticides: Role of bacterial exopolysaccharides.", Acta Horticulturae (ISHS), 896, pp. 449-456.
2010
- Hunter, D.M., Svircev, A.M., Kaviani, M., Michelutti, R., Wang, L.P., and Thompson, D. (2010). "First Report of Pear Decline Caused by ‘Candidatus Phytoplasma pyri’ in Ontario, Canada.", Plant Disease, 94(5), pp. 634.2. doi : 10.1094/PDIS-94-5-0634B
- Roach, D.R. and Svircev, A.M. (2010). "Detection of plant viruses with real-time PCR.", in Wang, A. (ed.) - Principles and Practice of Advanced Technology in Plant Virology, Research Signpost, Kerala, India, Chapter 2, pp. 39-58.
- Tian, L.-N., Svircev, A.M., Sanfaçon, H., Brown, D.C.W., Schneider, K.E., Sibbald, S., and Malutan, T. (2010). "Development of Plum pox virus resistance in plum via expression of an intron-spliced hairpin HC-Pro transgene.", Genes, Genomes & Genomics, 4(Suppl. 1), pp. 28-31.
2009
- Lehman, S.M., Kropinski, A.M., Castle, A.J., Svircev, A.M. (2009). Complete genome of the broad-host-range Erwinia amylovora phage φEa21-4 and its relationship to Salmonella phage Felix O1, 75(7), 2139-2147. http://dx.doi.org/10.1128/AEM.02352-08
- Svircev, A.M., Kim, W.-S., Lehman, S.M., and Castle, A.J. (2009). "Erwinia amylovora: Modern Methods for Detection and Differentiation.", in Burns, R. (ed.) - Plant Pathology: Techniques and Protocols. Series: Methods in Molecular Biology. Vol. 508, Humana Press Inc, USA, Chapter 10, pp. 115-129, DOI:10.1007/978-1-59745-062-1.
- Wang, A.M., Tian, L.-N., Huang, T.-S., Brown, D.C.W., Svircev, A.M., Stobbs, L.W., Miki, B.L.A., and Sanfaçon, H. (2009). "The development of genetic resistance to plum pox virus in transgenic Nicotiana benthamiana and Prunus domesticus.", Acta Horticulturae (ISHS), 839, pp. 665-672.
Other science related publications
2017
- Gayder, S., Castle, A. and Svircev, A. (2017). Erwinia amylovora global phage-host range study using a standardized qPCR based method. FEMS, Valencia, Spain July 9-13, 2017.
- Svircev, A.M. (2017). Fire blight management: knowledge based decisions and solutions. Ontario Fruit and Vegetable Convention 2017, February 22-23, 2017, Niagara Falls, ON.
- Svircev, A.M. and Castle, A.J. (2017). Bacteriophages in agriculture: overview of a program to develop a high efficacy biopesticide for control of Erwinia amylovora. FEMS, Valencia, Spain July 9-13, 2017.
2016
- Svircev, A., Stockwell, V., Vanneste, J. and Johnson, K. (2016) Advances in biological control of fire blight: Are we there yet?, 3rd International Symposium on Biological Control of Plant Diseases, April 11-13, 2016 Belgrade, Serbia
- Svircev, A.M. 2016. Management of fire blight in pears: Solutions and challenges, Ontario Fruit and Vegetable Convention, Feb. 18, 2016, Niagara Falls.
2015
- Boyetchko, S.M., Svircev, A.M., Zhou, T., Audy, P., Russell, H., and Cote, J. (2015). "Promising bacterial antagonists as biopesticides for control of post-harvest diseases of fruits and vegetables.", Botany 2015, Shaw Convention Center, Edmonton, Alberta, Canada, July 25-29, 2015, Oral presentation.
2013
- Boyetchko, S.M. and Svircev, A.M. (2013). "A Novel Approach for Developing Microbial Biopesticides.", in Mason, P.G. and Gillespie, D.R. (eds.) - Biological Control Programmes in Canada 2001-2012, CABI Publishing, Chapter 5.
- Tian, L.-N., Wang, X., Svircev, A.M., Wang, A.M., Sanfaçon, H., Brown, D.C.W., Kohalmi, S.E., and Lu, M. (2013). "Development of Plum pox virus resistance in plum grown in Canada via plant biotechnology.", 2nd International Symposium on Plum Pox Virus, Olomouc, Czech Republic, September 3-6, 2013.
- Wang, A.M., Elhiti, M., Wang, H., Li, Y., Tian, L.-N., Svircev, A.M., Sanfaçon, H., and Brown, D.C.W. (2013). "Development of genetic resistance to Plum pox virus in Canada.", 2nd International Symposium on Plum Pox Virus, Olomouc, Czech Republic, September 3-6, 2013.
2012
- Boyetchko, S.M. and Svircev, A.M. (2012). "Biopesticide Development at AAFC – Update.", Annual meeting of CropLife Canada – technical, Saskatoon,SK, Canada, January 26, 2012. (Presentation)
- Boyetchko, S.M. and Svircev, A.M. (2012). "Biopesticide Research at AAFC: How We Structure Biopesticide Development from a Research Perspective.", Annual meeting of CropLife Canada – regulators and senior managers, Saskatoon, SK, Canada, January 12, 2012. (Presentation)
- Boyetchko, S.M., Zhou, T., Audy, P., and Svircev, A.M. (2012). "Assessment of bacterial strains for biological control of pathogens causing post-harvest and storage decay of fruits and vegetables.", Canadian Phytopathological Society (CPS) 83rd Annual Meeting and International PPV Meeting, Marriott Gateway On The Falls, Niagara Falls, ON, Canada, June 24-27, 2012, Can. J. Plant Pathol. 35(1):103-104.
- Boyetchko, S.M., Zhou, T., Audy, P., and Svircev, A.M. (2012). "Evaluation of promising bacterial strains for biological control of post-harvest and storage decay pathogens on fruits and vegetables.", 4th Joint Saskatchewan-Alberta Plant Pathology Conference, Lloydminster, SK, Canada, November 5-7, 2012.
- Boyetchko, S.M., Zhou, T., Audy, P., and Svircev, A.M. (2012). "Evaluation of promising bacterial strains for biological control of post-harvest and storage decay pathogens on fruits and vegetables.", 4th Joint Saskatchewan-Alberta Plant Pathology Conference: Mapping and cloning of clubroot resistance genes in Brassica species, Lloydminster, SK, Canada, November 5-7, 2012.
- Tian, L.-N., Wang, X., Kohalmi, S.E., Svircev, A.M., Wang, A.M., Sanfaçon, H., Brown, D.C.W., and Schneider, K.E. (2012). "Control of the expression of the host factor eIF(iso)4E gene for Plum Pox Virus resistance.", Joint Canadian Phytopathological Society (CPS) 83rd Annual Meeting and International PPV Meeting, Marriott Gateway On The Falls, Niagara Falls, ON, Canada, June 24-27, 2012. (Presentation)
2011
- Svircev, A.M., Lehman, S.M., Sholberg, P.L., Roach, D.R., and Castle, A.J. (2011). "Phage Biopesticides and Soil Bacteria: Multilayered and Complex Interactions.", in Witzany, G. (ed.) - Soil Biology. Vol. 23. Biocommunication in Soil Microorganisms, Springer, Chapter 8, pp. 215-235.
2010
- Brown, D.C.W., Wang, A.M., Tian, L.-N., Svircev, A.M., Sanfaçon, H., and Miki, B.L.A. (2010 Internal). Developmnt of genetic resistance to PPV in Prunus Sp. Research Report to the Plum Pox Virus Working Group, St. Catherines, Ontario, January 26-28, 2010. (Report)
- Kabaluk, J.T., Brookes, V.R., and Svircev, A.M. (2010). "Canada.", in Kabaluk, J.T., Svircev, A.M., Goettel, M.S., and Woo, S.G. (eds.) - The Use and Regulation of Microbial Pesticides in Representative Jurisdictions Worldwide, IOBC Global, pp. 59-73.
- Kabaluk, J.T., Svircev, A.M., Goettel, M.S., and Woo, S.G. (Eds.) (2010). The Use and Regulation of Microbial Pesticides in Representative Jurisdictions Worldwide., IOBC Global. (Book)
- Svircev, A.M., Castle, A.J., and Lehman, S.M. (2010). "Bacteriophages for the control of phytopathogens in food production systems. In Bacteriophages in the control of food- and waterborne pathogens.", in Sabour, P.M. and Griffiths, M.W. (eds.) - Bacteriophages in the Control of Food- and Waterborne Pathogens, American Society for Microbiology (ASM), pp. 79-102.
- Tian, L.-N., Svircev, A.M., Sanfaçon, H., and Brown, D.C.W. (2010). "Plum pox virus resistance stability and expression of specific siRNAs in plum.", US/Canada Plum Pox Virus Update and International Research Symposium, Kearneysville, WV, USA, January 4-6, 2010.
2009
- Boyetchko, S.M. and Svircev, A.M. (2009). "Biopesticides: Strategies for Discovery, Development, and Adoption.", published by Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada (AAFC)/Agriculture et Agroalimentaire Canada (AAC), 2 pages. (Factsheet)
- Brown, D.C.W., Wang, A.M., Tian, L.-N., Svircev, A.M., Sanfaçon, H., and Miki, B.L.A. (2009 Internal). Developing genetic resistance to Plum Pox Virus. Research Report to the Plum Pox Virus Working Group, St Catherines, Ontario, January 27, 2009. (Report)
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