A unique science park has been formed in St. Petersburg
Open Access Think Tank
Four billion rubles have been invested in the creation of the St. Petersburg State University Science ParkEvgenia Zinkler, Rossiyskaya Gazeta
– According to the composition of equipment, technological capabilities, this park is unique in Russia, and in a number of areas – in the world, – says the Rector of St. Petersburg State University Nikolay Kropachev. – High-tech equipment is becoming obsolete at a high rate, so it is important to provide access to as many scientists as possible in a short period of time. Therefore, the St. Petersburg State University Science Park is open to all research groups both from the university and from other Russian and foreign universities.
Its availability is ensured by a staff of 250 highly qualified engineers, and one hundred percent funding from the University of consumables. St. Petersburg State University has implemented a system of electronic registration and control over the implementation of applications for research. That is, all the work of resource centers is transparent. It is equally important that our researchers are provided with access to almost all modern information resources that are now available in the world space.
The work of the St. Petersburg State University Science Park is focused on providing five priority areas: biomedicine and human health, information systems and technologies, nanotechnology and materials science, ecology and environmental management, management personnel and technology. The resource center "Development of Molecular and Cellular Technologies" was one of the last to open. The most modern and heavy-duty equipment for conducting research in various fields of molecular and cellular biology is concentrated here, which has brought the work of St. Petersburg scientists to a fundamentally new level.
– An important advantage of the park is the availability of all the necessary equipment, which is geographically located in one place, – explains the director of the resource center Pavel Zykin. – This makes it possible to conduct complex experiments with minimal time. Our main projects are aimed at the key problems of modern biology and medicine. Among them are the determination of the patterns and mechanisms of immune reactions, the development of the foundations of regenerative medicine, the biology of malignant neoplasms and the development of new substances with antimicrobial activity.
Associate Professor of St. Petersburg State University Roman Kostyuchenko uses the center's capabilities to study regeneration. That is, the ability of the body to form tissues and even body parts that were lost after an operation or accident. So far it sounds incredible. However, since there are examples of successful regeneration in the animal world, it means that there should be an opportunity to launch this mechanism in humans, the scientist is sure.
– It is known that a person can grow a fingertip, so, in principle, there are such resources in our body. It's just that compared to what animals have, they are very scarce. By the way, speaking of regeneration, we mean the restoration of not only organs, but also functions. For example, vision, – says Roman Kostyuchenko. – The successes of regenerative medicine are significant, although they are still far from a breakthrough. It is necessary to investigate the fundamental mechanisms of regeneration in invertebrates and understand how they are applicable to humans. With the help of new equipment, we can understand which genes start working when the regeneration mechanism starts, monitor the behavior of cells and even keep a record of what is happening. Now, for successful work, not only the head and hands are needed, but also modern technical capabilities. The Resource center just provides them to us. Well, we have people.
– The creation of a system of resource centers began at our university back in 2010. Over four billion rubles were spent on this," says Igor Gorlinsky, the first Vice–rector of St. Petersburg State University for Academic and Scientific Work. – Investments would not make sense if the principle of shared access to work in resource centers was not implemented. The key to our success is that we rely on the existing scientific schools at the university, on world-renowned researchers and on young people who are just starting their way into big science.
By the way
At the end of November, a solemn ceremony of awarding academic degrees of St. Petersburg State University took place at St. Petersburg State University. Five young researchers received them at once, who underwent a complex defense procedure: strict requirements were imposed on the materials of dissertations, and the level of results achieved and scientific publications on research topics had to meet the highest international standards.
Anton Nizhnikov was one of the first in the recent history of the university to receive a PhD degree from St. Petersburg State University for his dissertation in the field of molecular biology.
"I am studying amyloids, a specific group of proteins that form ordered aggregates," the scientist explained. – They cause the development of dozens of different incurable human ailments – Alzheimer's, Huntington's, Parkinson's, diabetes and others. The identification of each new amyloid is a notable event in the scientific world. Conducting research of this level has largely become possible thanks to the creation of a unique scientific park of St. Petersburg State University."
The young researcher is confident that the development of a high-class technical base, an open system of work in ultra-modern laboratories of St. Petersburg State University will also reduce the outflow of scientists abroad.
"Now it is necessary to make maximum efforts to prevent the outflow of our graduates abroad," says Anton Nizhnikov. – The system of mega-grants, the development of resource centers, can certainly help this. People plus advanced technologies are the conditions for a breakthrough in science."
Portal "Eternal youth" http://vechnayamolodost.ru25.12.2013