Biotechnology-2014: results of the conference and exhibition

Post-release of the International Scientific and Practical Conference
"Biotechnology and quality of life"
and the XII International Specialized Exhibition
"The World of Biotechnology – 2014"

From March 18 to 20 this year, the International Scientific and Practical Conference "Biotechnology and Quality of Life" and the XII International Specialized Exhibition "World of Biotechnology - 2014" were held in the Moscow Government building (Novy Arbat, 36/9).

The priority direction "Living Systems" unites a wide range of fields of knowledge used in medicine, agricultural and food production, in solving environmental problems. Biotechnological processes and products are used in almost all spheres of the national economy. Along with electronics and nanotechnology, biotechnology is a knowledge-intensive field in the modern world, the level of development of which determines the competitiveness of the country's economy. Currently, at the end of the second decade of its development, biotechnology, actually being one of the industries, is able to expand human capabilities in achieving very diverse goals and ensuring both private and public benefits.

The presence of a developed bioindustry is considered by all States as one of the factors for countering various biological threats. The importance of biotechnology in countering the production and use of biological weapons by terrorist organizations is dramatically increasing. Among the priority areas of biomedical military-applied research, military experts include: the creation of biohybrid systems for self-healing of wounds, miniature devices for developing vaccines, including genetic, field systems for storing and collecting information, therapeutic equipment and new drugs for emergency care.

And what is especially important for megacities is that life sciences and biotechnology can serve as one of the effective tools for the rapid detection and identification of newly emerging infections and epidemics, the cause of which is often associated with unpredictable changes in the biocenosis and microorganisms under the influence of natural processes of human society development (globalization, climate change, environmental disasters, deterioration of human habitat in as a result of production activities, etc.).

The International Scientific and Practical Conference "Biotechnology and quality of life" was a significant event for the development of various areas of biotechnology, which currently determine the quality of life of the population of our country. A unique feature of the conference is a visual demonstration of the contribution of fundamental and applied research in the field of molecular biology, cellular technologies to solving practical problems for the sustainable development of the quality of life. The development of the biotechnological industry is included in the implementation of the federal target program "Development of the pharmaceutical and medical industry of the Russian Federation for the period up to 2020 and for the future" and the biotechnology program (Biotech 2030). The Conference was an extremely important stage that made it possible to identify the most promising, actively developing and successful areas of application of modern biotechnologies, new composite materials, nanobiotechnologies in pharmaceuticals and medicine, biotechnology in general; gathered representatives of the scientific and business community of different countries for discussions, development of strategic decisions.

The conference brought together and provided platforms for presentations by representatives of: state legislative and executive structures; embassies of a number of countries; leading academic institutions of the Russian Federation and Europe – leaders in their fields of activity; universities that train specialists for the biotechnology industry; Russian and foreign pharmaceutical enterprises; Russian and foreign manufacturers of innovative equipment, diagnostic tools, medical equipment; pharmaceutical clusters, enterprises and centers engaged in technology transfer.

The organizers of the events are: the Ministry of Industry and Trade of the Russian Federation, the Ministry of Education and Science of the Russian Federation, the Russian Academy of Sciences, the Closed Joint Stock Company Expo-Biohim-Technologies.

Taking into account the scientific and practical specifics of the conference, the participants actively participated in the preparation process: D.I. Mendeleev Russian University of Chemical Technology, All-Russian Institute of Medicinal Plants (VILAR), Institute of Bioorganic Chemistry named after Academicians M.M. Shemyakin and Yu.A. Ovchinnikov of the Russian Academy of Sciences, V.N. Orekhovich Research Institute of Biomedical Chemistry of the Russian Academy of Sciences, A.N. Bach Institute of Biochemistry of the Russian Academy of Sciences, N.M. Emanuel Institute of Biochemical Physics of the Russian Academy of Sciences, Moscow State University named after
M.V. Lomonosov (Chemical and Biological Faculties), Moscow State University of Fine Chemical Technologies named after M.V. Lomonosov, State Research Institute of Nutrition of the Russian Academy of Medical Sciences, JSC "Biopharm", Technological Platform "Medicine of the Future", SIC "Kurchatov Institute".

The Conference was attended by about 1800 scientists and specialists from 34 regions of Russia, 23 countries abroad. The opening ceremony of the conference was attended by representatives of the Ministry of Education and Science of the Russian Federation, the Ministry of Industry and Trade of the Russian Federation, the Federal Agency of Scientific Organizations, the Department of Science, Industrial Policy and Entrepreneurship of Moscow, the Russian Academy of Sciences, numerous academicians of the Russian Academy of Sciences. One of the foreign guests at the opening was a representative of the European Commission. At two Plenary sessions and during the work of 13 sections, an international seminar and 2 "round tables" on the main areas of biotechnology, more than 280 plenary and sectional reports were heard, 36 of them were made by foreigners and, in addition, more than 100 presentations at poster sessions were heard, as well as 73 presentations by participants of the young scientists.

73 applicants took part in the competition of young scientists for the best research work, of which 2 people took 1st place (cash prize and medal), 4 people took 2nd place (cash prize and medal), 7 people took 3rd place (cash prize and medal).

Institutes subordinate to the FANO actively participated in the preparation of the conference. The heads of most sections of the conference, round tables and plenary sessions were academicians and corresponding members of the Russian Academy of Sciences.

Within the framework of the conference, a seminar of the international project on food safety was held, which was attended by scientists from the Netherlands, England, Portugal, Belgium, China and Russia.

The conference program offered a variety of formats: plenary and breakout sessions, interactive discussions, contests, international symposiums, round tables with the participation of representatives of science, education, government and business, foreign scientists and specialists.

The distinctive features of the Conference are:

• fundamental reports of representatives of the Russian Academy of Sciences, FANO Institutes, leading Universities of Russia, who outlined promising directions for the development of certain sectors of biotechnological science in Russia;
• reports of scientific and innovative content showing success in the implementation of Russian developments;
• reports defining the development of biotechnological education and trends in its harmonization in accordance with the Bologna Agreement.

The conference "Biotechnology and Quality of Life", as well as the exhibition "World of Biotechnology – 2014" are major events in the field of biotechnology; the scientific and business community are considered a significant platform for attracting foreign and domestic investors, promoting relevant projects.

The importance of the planned International Scientific and Practical Conference and Exhibition "World of Biotechnology - 2014" is evidenced by the fact that they are included in the plans of the 2014 congress and exhibition events of the Ministry of Education and Science of the Russian Federation and the Ministry of Industry and Trade of Russia.

A report unique in its scientific significance was presented at the plenary session devoted to fundamental research in the field of biotechnology. So the report of Academician Alexander Ivanovich Archakov was heard, dedicated to Russia's participation in the international scientific project "Human Proteome" and the role of Russian scientists and its implementation."

The Human Proteome is a major scientific and technical project aimed at identifying human protein molecules. The project is based on the technological potential of the Russian Federation in the field of proteomics, which meets the world level. The results of the project are focused on the wide application of the level of developments in priority areas of development of science and technology of the Russian Federation.

The results obtained by the international scientific community in the field of proteome are a huge contribution to healthcare, will allow us to approach the fight against the most dangerous human ailments from a completely different perspective.

For the innovative development of the modern economy, one of the three key areas in accordance with the "Comprehensive Program for the Development of Biotechnologies in the Russian Federation for the period up to 2020" is the development of medical biotechnology, which includes the development and production of biotechnological products for the diagnosis of human diseases, their treatment and prevention of harmful effects of environmental factors on human health. Cellular technologies have significant prospects for development. Today, more than 500 companies in the world are working in this field, creating new means and methods of cell therapy of diseases, including regeneration of damaged tissues and organs.

One of the key problems hindering the development of biomedical technologies in the territory of the Russian Federation is the lack of the necessary regulatory framework regulating the use of cellular drugs in clinical practice. In this regard, academic institutes, together with the Ministry of Health and Social Development of Russia, are actively engaged in the development of the Federal Law "On Biomedical Cell Technologies".

The sections focused on the implementation of the program "Innovative cellular technologies in clinical practice". The program focuses on applied and fundamental scientific research and consolidates 75 research projects proposed by 49 interdepartmental institutions. As a result of the implementation of the program planned until 2020, it is expected to develop new methods for the diagnosis of socially significant diseases based on complex technologies for isolation, cultivation and multicomponent analysis of cellular preparations; new therapies based on complex technologies for the production and use of cellular preparations; project documentation regulating the creation of a high-tech complex for the production of cellular preparations. Special attention is paid to the training of highly qualified specialists in the field of cellular and tissue engineering industry, meeting the needs of the biomedical technology market.

These problems were considered at the section "Biotechnology and education: quality of education – quality of life".

 In Russia, a number of programs and projects in the field of physico-chemical biology and biotechnology have recently been implemented at the state level. For example, within the framework of the Federal Research and Development Center "Research and Development in priority areas of science and technology", such areas as "Human Genome", "Biological diversity", "Gene diagnostics and gene therapy", "Vaccine prevention", individual projects in the field of agricultural biotechnology (genetically modified plants, etc.) were funded. in the approved "List of critical technologies of the Russian Federation". Meanwhile, the state mechanism for regulating budget programs and allocating funds has not kept pace with the rapid growth of theoretical, industrial and technological solutions in the field of biotechnology. Therefore, it seems relevant to form and implement certain special targeted programs based mainly on extra-budgetary funding, in which vital, socially demanded projects would be carried out by expert means. A prerequisite for the implementation of such programs is a well-developed mechanism of public-private partnership.

Recently, abroad and in Russia, the so-called cluster approach has been actively used, i.e. unification, consolidation, a kind of agglomeration in the functional or geographical sense of various institutions and industries around an intellectual, think tank. This approach has been successfully used in the USA, Great Britain, France, Germany, Japan, South Korea, Israel. Bioclusters in Russia have been intensively developing in recent years.

Currently, many domestic and foreign partners are beginning to deploy their R&D activity on the basis of the cluster infrastructure created by the state within the framework of the Pharma2020 strategy. As an example, we can name the Biopharmaceutical cluster "Severny", specializing in innovative market segments. This suggests that the modernization of the industry is taking place precisely according to the innovative scenario. The future of the domestic pharmaceutical industry lies precisely with modern companies that have well—thought-out, successful development models. There is no doubt that this cooperation will be fruitful, and the collective efforts of all cluster participants will radically transform the scientific and technical state of Russia.

Moscow needs a program for the development of biotechnology – so everything related to life sciences is high–tech production, it is high-tech, in the true sense of the word. And Moscow has 80% of the scientific potential. 30% of the production of reagents for laboratory diagnostics of the country. 30% of the production of devices. 35% of the production of Russian innovative medicines. It's all Moscow.

The development of biotechnology in Moscow will give affordable medicines, a green city and white snow. Sufficiently high quality food, clean air, clean drinking water, energy conservation, soil remediation, waste disposal, waste conversion into income.

And besides, it solves a lot of socio-economic problems. These are new jobs, innovative modernization of industry, filling the budget.

The business and scientific community sincerely believe that Moscow will invest even more vigorously in the problem of biotechnology. And, perhaps, first of all, industrial biotechnology. Since this is, indeed, a serious removal of anthropogenic pressure from the Moscow industry on the one hand, the solution of many social problems.

Practice has shown that new research growth points and fundamental discoveries arise as a result of the integration of various fields of science. In this regard, a unique feature of the Conference was the possibility of mutual exchange of research results obtained in various fields of work with living objects in macro, micro, nanoscale, presented at numerous sections of the conference. Such mutual influence is difficult to overestimate. Bringing together different areas of fundamental research in the field of biopharmaceuticals, combined with an exhibition of implemented developments, perform one of the most essential functions of modern science – developing ways to accelerate the implementation of scientific discoveries in applied areas, as well as improving the educational level. Without this, it is impossible to modernize the country and introduce innovative developments, primarily in the Moscow region, where up to 70% of our country's scientific potential in the field of biotechnology is concentrated.

The International scientific seminar "Sustainable International cooperation in the field of food safety" was held with the involvement of European specialists – managers and participants of international consortia implementing various food safety projects (SELAMAT, SAFEFOODS, GO-GLOBAL, BIOCOP, NANOLYZE). Experts from leading organizations in Belgium, the Netherlands, Portugal, China, Great Britain and Russia discussed topical issues of food safety. The reports of foreign and domestic researchers assess the current state of scientific knowledge in the field of food safety and existing information resources. New methodological solutions aimed at improving the effectiveness of measures to prevent and identify risks in the technological chains of obtaining raw materials and food production are considered. The issues of improving analytical methods for food safety control, the use of new molecular markers in the assessment of food risks, the correct determination of the maximum permissible levels of contaminants, the identification of critical points of food production, the harmonization of the regulatory framework for food safety were discussed.

The project's activities are aimed at coordinating scientific research and training programs in the field of food safety implemented by the European Union and its trading partners, which will contribute to the control and reduction of existing and emerging food risks, as well as the creation of a sustainable platform for the international integration of food safety principles.

An extensive database of food safety experts has been collected. To date, more than 1,500 experts from more than 120 countries, including Russia, have registered in the database.

This event is officially included in the events held within the framework of the Year of Science Russia-EU 2014, and is part of the international scientific and practical conference "Biotechnology and quality of life".

The purpose of the organization of the exhibition was the desire to present technologies, to show achievements in the field of biotechnology, to exhibit modern technological and laboratory equipment, to promote the establishment of new business contacts and the expansion of partnerships.

The exposition provided enterprises working in this field with the opportunity to demonstrate their equipment, the latest developments, advanced technologies that contribute to solving one of the global challenges of our time – protecting the environment and human health from the negative effects of harmful factors of life in large cities.

The exhibition also presented a wide range of biological products for the pharmaceutical and food industries, agriculture, veterinary medicine, geology, industrial production, as well as bioagents for environmental protection and restoration; biologically active additives, test systems for the determination of alcohol and narcotic substances; projects of biocatalytic technologies; nutrient media; processes and devices for biotechnological industries and laboratory research and much more.

108 exhibitors from 7 countries took part in the exhibition, 46 of them were Moscow research institutes, manufacturing enterprises, innovative and investment companies working in many areas of biotechnology.

Taking into account the fact that the exhibition "World of Biotechnology-2014" was held in parallel and in the same building with the Moscow International Scientific and Practical Conference, the participants of the exhibition were given the opportunity to attend all the meetings of the conference. Within the framework of the exhibition, competitions were held for the best exhibited products (applications were submitted for more than 50 samples), presentations and seminars of participating firms. The winners of the competition for the best exhibited products of the exhibition were awarded medals and diplomas in a solemn atmosphere.

The specialized international exhibition "World of Biotechnology – 2014" has created an opportunity to get an objective idea of the latest domestic and foreign achievements in the field of biotechnology, it presents the latest samples of equipment and devices.

405 full–scale exhibits were exhibited at the exhibition; innovative developments – 256; the number of negotiations held by the participants of the events – 457; the number of signed protocols of intent by the participants of the event – 63; awarded diplomas, medals – 35 samples.

The International Scientific and Practical Conference "Biotechnology and Quality of Life" and the XII International Exhibition "World of Biotechnology - 2014" provided participants with an excellent opportunity to discuss a wide range of professional issues, as well as be remembered for meaningful and useful discussions.

Details are available on the Congress website.

Portal "Eternal youth" http://vechnayamolodost.ru02.04.2014