Russia aims to achieve sovereignty in the sphere of bioeconomy. Prime Minister Mikhail Mishustin announced this goal during the educational marathon ‘Znanie. Pervye.’ According to the head of government, a national project on this front is at its final stages of development. Advancing research based on biological resources and living microorganisms will make it possible to create new types of fuel, feed additives, and medicines. Below are the details on some recent breakthroughs.
BACTERIA VS. HEPTYL
Russian scientists have developed a new method to decontaminate soil polluted with heptyl, a highly toxic rocket fuel component—using bacteria. The project brought together specialists from Rosbiotech, the Moscow Institute of Physics and Technology (MIPT), and the All-Russian Research Institute of Agricultural Biotechnology, with support from the Ministry of Science and Higher Education. Researchers proved that a bacterial consortium, combined with halophyte seedlings, can reduce the concentration of heptyl and its incomplete hydrolysis byproducts in contaminated environments. In laboratory conditions, they successfully isolated a strain that tolerates high concentrations of the toxin and effectively neutralizes it.
NICKEL TO BE EXTRACTED FROM WASTEWATER
The D.I. Ivanovsky Academy of Biology and Biotechnology at Southern Federal University (SFedU) has unveiled a breakthrough for extracting valuable metals from industrial wastewater. The research is part of the ‘Priority 2030’ program under the national project ‘Youth and Children.’ In the first stage, a special unit isolates nickel ions from the wastewater. These are then treated with an innovative mineralizer, which neutralizes any remaining hazardous compounds. Experimental results showed that 99.8% of the nickel can be reused in manufacturing. The quality of the purified water fully meets environmental standards.
RUB 300 MILLION FOR BIOTECHNOLOGY
The Vernadsky Crimean Federal University will receive a grant from the Russian Ministry of Science and Higher Education to establish the ‘Genetic and Cellular Biotechnology’ Center. The state will allocate RUB 210 million, with an additional RUB 90 million to come from extrabudgetary sources. The center will focus on developing biotechnologies for medicine and agriculture, including cellular vaccines and diagnostics for genetic diseases. The work is also expected to lead to the development of new plant protection products.
A CURE FOR FEAR
Neurobiologists have discovered a so-called fear switch in the brains of mice. The study, published in ‘Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences,’ shows that a particular neural signal can erase frightening memories once a threat has passed. Research is still in its early stages and centers on the basolateral amygdala (BLA). However, the team led by scientists from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology in Cambridge hopes the findings will aid in developing treatments for conditions such as post-traumatic stress disorder, which are often rooted in traumatic experiences.
BACTERIA VS. HEPTYL
Russian scientists have developed a new method to decontaminate soil polluted with heptyl, a highly toxic rocket fuel component—using bacteria. The project brought together specialists from Rosbiotech, the Moscow Institute of Physics and Technology (MIPT), and the All-Russian Research Institute of Agricultural Biotechnology, with support from the Ministry of Science and Higher Education. Researchers proved that a bacterial consortium, combined with halophyte seedlings, can reduce the concentration of heptyl and its incomplete hydrolysis byproducts in contaminated environments. In laboratory conditions, they successfully isolated a strain that tolerates high concentrations of the toxin and effectively neutralizes it.
NICKEL TO BE EXTRACTED FROM WASTEWATER
The D.I. Ivanovsky Academy of Biology and Biotechnology at Southern Federal University (SFedU) has unveiled a breakthrough for extracting valuable metals from industrial wastewater. The research is part of the ‘Priority 2030’ program under the national project ‘Youth and Children.’ In the first stage, a special unit isolates nickel ions from the wastewater. These are then treated with an innovative mineralizer, which neutralizes any remaining hazardous compounds. Experimental results showed that 99.8% of the nickel can be reused in manufacturing. The quality of the purified water fully meets environmental standards.
RUB 300 MILLION FOR BIOTECHNOLOGY
The Vernadsky Crimean Federal University will receive a grant from the Russian Ministry of Science and Higher Education to establish the ‘Genetic and Cellular Biotechnology’ Center. The state will allocate RUB 210 million, with an additional RUB 90 million to come from extrabudgetary sources. The center will focus on developing biotechnologies for medicine and agriculture, including cellular vaccines and diagnostics for genetic diseases. The work is also expected to lead to the development of new plant protection products.
A CURE FOR FEAR
Neurobiologists have discovered a so-called fear switch in the brains of mice. The study, published in ‘Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences,’ shows that a particular neural signal can erase frightening memories once a threat has passed. Research is still in its early stages and centers on the basolateral amygdala (BLA). However, the team led by scientists from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology in Cambridge hopes the findings will aid in developing treatments for conditions such as post-traumatic stress disorder, which are often rooted in traumatic experiences.