Sergei Popov (bioweaponeer)
Encyclopedia
Sergei Popov is a scientist and bioweaponeer
formerly in the Soviet biological weapons program.
He defected to the West in 1992 and now lives and works in the United States
.
, Popov served as a division head at the State Research Center of Virology and Biotechnology
(known as “Vector”) and at Obolensk, both branches of the Soviet bio-weapons program dedicated to developing genetically enhanced products. His position led him to expand his researches into the fields of molecular biology
and microbiology
.
Popov worked at Vector from 1976 to 1986 and at Obolensk from 1986 until 1992. His work included “designer” bio-agents that would cause the symptoms of lupus
and rheumatoid arthritis
, in which a victim’s auto-immune system attacks its own body. His team inserted genes into viruses to make protein fragments of myelin
(the sheathing around nerves). Victims that became infected would develop multiple sclerosis
, a degenerative disease of the nervous system. By splicing myelin into Legionella
(Legionnaires’ disease), they also created an agent that caused brain damage
, paralysis
and death
. The recombinant Legionella was very infectious and lethal with only a few cells causing disease.
At Oblensk, Popov and his team spliced the diphtheria toxin
gene into the plague bacterium, thus creating a highly virulent and deadly strain.
Popov has described Biopreparat
's “Project Bonfire”, whose goal was to develop antibiotic-resistant microbial strains, and “Project Factor”, whose goal was to create microbial weapons with new biologic properties that would result in high virulence, improved stability, and new clinical syndromes.
In 1992, Popov defected to the United Kingdom
and later traveled to the United States
. He worked for Hadron, Inc. in microbiology and pharmacology and at George Mason University
.
Biological warfare
Biological warfare is the use of biological toxins or infectious agents such as bacteria, viruses, and fungi with intent to kill or incapacitate humans, animals or plants as an act of war...
formerly in the Soviet biological weapons program.
He defected to the West in 1992 and now lives and works in the United States
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
.
Biography
After obtaining his degree in biochemistryBiochemistry
Biochemistry, sometimes called biological chemistry, is the study of chemical processes in living organisms, including, but not limited to, living matter. Biochemistry governs all living organisms and living processes...
, Popov served as a division head at the State Research Center of Virology and Biotechnology
State Research Center of Virology and Biotechnology
The State Research Center of Virology and Biotechnology VECTOR, also known as the Vector Institute, is a highly sophisticated biological research center in Koltsovo, Novosibirsk Oblast, Russia. It is roughly analogous to both the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and the US Army Chemical...
(known as “Vector”) and at Obolensk, both branches of the Soviet bio-weapons program dedicated to developing genetically enhanced products. His position led him to expand his researches into the fields of molecular biology
Molecular biology
Molecular biology is the branch of biology that deals with the molecular basis of biological activity. This field overlaps with other areas of biology and chemistry, particularly genetics and biochemistry...
and microbiology
Microbiology
Microbiology is the study of microorganisms, which are defined as any microscopic organism that comprises either a single cell , cell clusters or no cell at all . This includes eukaryotes, such as fungi and protists, and prokaryotes...
.
Popov worked at Vector from 1976 to 1986 and at Obolensk from 1986 until 1992. His work included “designer” bio-agents that would cause the symptoms of lupus
Lupus
Lupus most commonly refers to the disease systemic lupus erythematosus.Lupus may also refer to:-Medicine:* Lupus erythematosus, a chronic autoimmune disease with several different forms...
and rheumatoid arthritis
Rheumatoid arthritis
Rheumatoid arthritis is a chronic, systemic inflammatory disorder that may affect many tissues and organs, but principally attacks synovial joints. The process produces an inflammatory response of the synovium secondary to hyperplasia of synovial cells, excess synovial fluid, and the development...
, in which a victim’s auto-immune system attacks its own body. His team inserted genes into viruses to make protein fragments of myelin
Myelin
Myelin is a dielectric material that forms a layer, the myelin sheath, usually around only the axon of a neuron. It is essential for the proper functioning of the nervous system. Myelin is an outgrowth of a type of glial cell. The production of the myelin sheath is called myelination...
(the sheathing around nerves). Victims that became infected would develop multiple sclerosis
Multiple sclerosis
Multiple sclerosis is an inflammatory disease in which the fatty myelin sheaths around the axons of the brain and spinal cord are damaged, leading to demyelination and scarring as well as a broad spectrum of signs and symptoms...
, a degenerative disease of the nervous system. By splicing myelin into Legionella
Legionella
Legionella is a pathogenic Gram negative bacterium, including species that cause legionellosis or Legionnaires' disease, most notably L. pneumophila. It may be readily visualized with a silver stain....
(Legionnaires’ disease), they also created an agent that caused brain damage
Brain damage
"Brain damage" or "brain injury" is the destruction or degeneration of brain cells. Brain injuries occur due to a wide range of internal and external factors...
, paralysis
Paralysis
Paralysis is loss of muscle function for one or more muscles. Paralysis can be accompanied by a loss of feeling in the affected area if there is sensory damage as well as motor. A study conducted by the Christopher & Dana Reeve Foundation, suggests that about 1 in 50 people have been diagnosed...
and death
Death
Death is the permanent termination of the biological functions that sustain a living organism. Phenomena which commonly bring about death include old age, predation, malnutrition, disease, and accidents or trauma resulting in terminal injury....
. The recombinant Legionella was very infectious and lethal with only a few cells causing disease.
At Oblensk, Popov and his team spliced the diphtheria toxin
Diphtheria toxin
Diphtheria toxin is an exotoxin secreted by Corynebacterium diphtheriae, the pathogen bacterium that causes diphtheria. Unusually, the toxin gene is encoded by a bacteriophage...
gene into the plague bacterium, thus creating a highly virulent and deadly strain.
Popov has described Biopreparat
Biopreparat
Biopreparat was the Soviet Union's major biological warfare agency from the 1970s on. It was a vast network of secret laboratories, each focused on a different deadly agent...
's “Project Bonfire”, whose goal was to develop antibiotic-resistant microbial strains, and “Project Factor”, whose goal was to create microbial weapons with new biologic properties that would result in high virulence, improved stability, and new clinical syndromes.
In 1992, Popov defected to the United Kingdom
United Kingdom
The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern IrelandIn the United Kingdom and Dependencies, other languages have been officially recognised as legitimate autochthonous languages under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages...
and later traveled to the United States
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
. He worked for Hadron, Inc. in microbiology and pharmacology and at George Mason University
George Mason University
George Mason University is a public university based in unincorporated Fairfax County, Virginia, United States, south of and adjacent to the city of Fairfax. Additional campuses are located nearby in Arlington County, Prince William County, and Loudoun County...
.