KFU’s breakthrough projects showed to the public at Russia Expo Forum in Moscow
The Science and Universities thematic day was held at the expo on 17 February.
KFU’s presentation featured the premiere of a documentary titled Carbon Polygons: Present and Future. As Director of the Institute of Environmental Sciences Svetlana Selivanovskaya said, the University acts as the operator of the Carbon Volga Region polygon. Apart from her, the Institute delegation also included Deputy Director for Research Maria Kozhevnikova, and Chair of the Department of General Ecology Vadim Prokhorov.
Head of the Center for Precision and Regenerative Medicine Albert Rizvanov read a lecture on the achievements and challenges of gene therapy, “The first step in treating any disease is to address the root cause. Gene therapy is a fundamentally new approach that makes it possible to eliminate the root cause of the disease at the genetic level, rather than trying to treat the symptoms. Several gene therapy drugs have been registered abroad for the treatment of orphan diseases, i.e. rare hereditary diseases, but their cost is currently unreasonably high. The cost of development and speed of introduction of new genetic technologies can be significantly reduced through platform solutions, when by changing one component of the genetic design – the gene responsible for the development of the disease, it is possible to serially develop drugs for multiple diseases.”
KFU geneticists concentrate on adeno-associate virus platforms for gene therapy. It’s important to not only apply treatment but also to mobilize the organism’s own regeneration reserves, mentioned Rizvanov, “We are developing fundamentally new approaches in which we not only eliminate the root cause of the disease at the genetic level, but also, using genes responsible for various growth factors, stimulate neuroregeneration. We are confident that such an integrated approach will give the most effective result in the treatment of patients.”
Another event was The Contribution of Tatarstani Oilers into the Development of the Petroleum Industry of the Country conference; it featured Chair of Department of Petroleum and Gas Geology Boris Uspensky.
Chair of the Department of Computer Mathematics and Informatics Oskar Sachenkov spoke about personalized orthopedics research. He described a hardware-software complex for bone prosthetics which allows to evaluate implantation progress and choose optimal parameters. The tests are currently conducted by KFU, Perm National Research Polytechnic University, and the Institute of Biomedical Problems (Russian Academy of Sciences).
Specialist of the Center for Intelligent Manufacturing and Additive Technologies Anton Semyonov spoke about an intelligent complex for vibration diagnostics for the control of efficiency of use of machines and devices and the evaluation of operator skills.
The Russia Expo Forum will be stationed at Moscow’s VDNKh until 8 July.