Molecular biology and genetic engineering methods used by Mr. Yuzhakov in his thesis and subsequent research facilitated the identification and characterization of many virus isolates circulating in Russia and causing wide-spread and economy impacting diseases of agricultural animals, incl. pigs. With Mr. Yuzhakov participation, 8 PCR-based diagnostic test systems were developed and the strain selection for modern recombinant vaccines was optimized, incl. for the prevention of circovirus diseases, reproductive and reproductive respiratory pig syndrome and classical swine fever.