Kuralay Zhanassova

Dr. Kuralay Zhanassova

orcid

Research Focus & Metrics

Academic Career Length

2Years (2025-Present)

(Calculated once Scilit publication data is synced: current year − year of first publication + 1)

Representative Publications

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16 September 2025 in Viruses
Verified
Journal Article
Open access
PDF file
NINurgul Iksat
Nurgul Iksat
AMAlmas Madirov
Almas Madirov
DADana Artykbayeva
Dana Artykbayeva
Oleksiy ShevchenkoOleksiy Shevchenko
Oleksiy Shevchenko
KZKuralay Zhanassova
Kuralay Zhanassova
ZMZhaksylyk Masalimov
Zhaksylyk Masalimov
Global climate change is the impact of combined abiotic and biotic stresses negatively affecting plant health and productivity. This study investigated the molecular and cellular responses of Nicotiana benthamiana L. plants to wild-type tomato bushy stunt virus (wtTBSV) infection under conditions of pre-existing heat stress. The experiments were conducted under controlled temperature regimes of 30 °C and 37 °C in combination with virus challenge. Morphological and biochemical analyses in plants under the influence of combined stress showed the alleviation of disease symptoms, reduction in virus content and reduced expression levels of viral proteins P19 and P33. Under conditions of combined stress, accumulation of hydrogen peroxide and malondialdehyde, as well as activation of the antioxidant enzyme catalase, especially in root tissues, were observed. Notably, at 37 °C, virus infection was suppressed despite high levels of oxidative stress, whereas at 30 °C, a marked decrease in the expression of host factors was observed. The results indicate that thermal stress modulates virus–host interactions and activates defense mechanisms, including antioxidant and RNA interference pathways. Therefore, temperature adaptation can be considered as a promising strategy for enhancing plant resistance to viral pathogens under climate changes.

24 October 2025 in Genes
Verified
Journal Article
Open access
PDF file
NINurgul Iksat
Nurgul Iksat
AMAlmas Madirov
Almas Madirov
KZKuralay Zhanassova
Kuralay Zhanassova
ZMZhaksylyk Masalimov
Zhaksylyk Masalimov
Plant viral infections continue to pose a significant and ongoing threat to global food security, especially in the context of climatic instability and intensive agricultural practices. The CRISPR/Cas system has emerged as a powerful tool for developing virus-resistant crops by enabling precise modifications to viral genomes or plant susceptibility factors. Nonetheless, the efficacy and dependability of CRISPR-based antiviral approaches are limited by challenges in guide RNA design, off-target effects, insufficiently annotated datasets, and the intricate biological dynamics of plant–virus interactions. This paper summarizes the latest advancements in the incorporation of artificial intelligence (AI) methodologies, including machine learning and deep learning algorithms, into the CRISPR design and optimization framework. It examines how convolutional and recurrent neural networks, transformer architectures, and generative models like AlphaFold2, RoseTTAFold, and ESMFold can be used to predict protein structures, score sgRNAs, and model host–virus interactions. AI-enhanced methods have been proven to improve target specificity, Cas protein performance, and in silico validation. This paper aims to establish a foundation for next-generation genome editing strategies against plant viruses and promote the adoption of AI-powered CRISPR technologies in sustainable agriculture.

20 November 2025 in Plants
Verified
Journal Article
Open access
PDF file
NINurgul Iksat
Nurgul Iksat
ZBZhaksat Baikarayev
Zhaksat Baikarayev
Oleksiy ShevchenkoOleksiy Shevchenko
Oleksiy Shevchenko
KZKuralay Zhanassova
Kuralay Zhanassova
ABAsemgul Bekturova
Asemgul Bekturova
ZMZhaksylyk Masalimov
Zhaksylyk Masalimov
Agriculture is still at serious risk from viral infections, particularly in light of climate change and more intensive farming practices. Small non-coding RNAs (sRNAs), in particular microRNAs (miRNAs) and circular RNAs (circRNAs), have emerged as crucial post-transcriptional regulators of plant antiviral defense in this setting. These molecules provide an essential RNA-based immunity layer by regulating hormones, autophagy, redox balance, immunological signaling, and programmed cell death. In this work, we examine the molecular processes through which circRNAs and miRNAs function during viral infection, focusing on how they affect autophagy and systemic acquired resistance (SAR). Through thorough searches of PubMed, Web of Science, and Scopus, we combined findings from peer-reviewed experimental and transcriptomic studies. Our study covers important crops as well as model species (Arabidopsis thaliana, Nicotiana benthamiana), providing a thorough understanding of sRNA synthesis, target control, and antiviral signaling. By combining previously disparate data, this review provides a coherent framework for understanding how short RNAs affect plant immune responses to viral infections. We highlight key regulatory relationships that need further study and propose that these results can be used as a foundation for new RNA-based biotechnological approaches. By carefully altering RNA regulatory mechanisms, scientists can use this information to help them create more resistant crops.