Natural selection: nature-like developments for earth and space were discussed in Moscow
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- Natural selection: nature-like developments for earth and space were discussed in Moscow
State-of-the-art implants for repairing damaged organs and new generation materials for microelectronics. Humanoid robots for working in space and bacteria for highly efficient agricultural feed. All these are examples of developments that were discussed at the IV International Forum of Nature—like Technologies in Moscow. Read more about the event in the Izvestia report.
Genetics and nuclear medicine
The IV International Forum of Nature—Like Technologies (November 9-13) is an annual interdisciplinary scientific event organized by the Kurchatov Institute National Research Center. It includes two large-scale events: the Kurchatov Genomic Forum and the Kurchatov Forum "Research using Synchrotron Radiation, neutrons and electrons". The main topic of the plenary session, which opened the forum, was developments for medicine.
"Today, the task is to create not just new medical technologies, but those that work together with the human body," Deputy Prime Minister Tatyana Golikova emphasized in her speech. — Nature-like healthcare solutions are the way to truly personalized, gentle, and conservation medicine.
She said that thanks to genetics, new medicines will be available to Russians next year. This includes products for the treatment of skin melanoma and tumors of the gastrointestinal tract, which train the immune system to recognize tumor cells. The first tissue engineering product for the treatment of knee arthrosis has already been introduced into clinical practice. Starting in 2027, biomedical cellular products will be used for intestinal diseases, wounds and burns.
Tatiana Golikova noted nuclear medicine as the most important example of the use of nature-like technologies in healthcare. Radiopharmaceuticals are used in cardiology, neurology, oncology, endocrinology and other branches of medicine. There are 64 such radiopharmaceuticals registered in Russia, 60 of them are Russian-made. But by the end of 2030, the goal is to achieve full technological independence in this area.
"We have a huge potential and all the possibilities for this," the Deputy Prime Minister stressed.
A report by Mikhail Kovalchuk, President of the Kurchatov Institute, was also devoted to the topic of nuclear medicine. He described how the scientific center is building and developing the infrastructure for radiation therapy and diagnostics throughout the country.
— We have created a scientific and educational medical center for nuclear medicine, which is successfully developing. The ion therapy center at the Kurchatov Institute in Protvino is preparing to launch. An oncoophthalmological center is being launched in Gatchina; in addition, a new large scientific and production complex will be created there to produce a wide range of isotopes. We are also creating a standard proton therapy complex that can be replicated for clinics in different regions, and building a personnel training system," said Mikhail Kovalchuk.
A robot for the ISS
Nature-like technologies not only solve "terrestrial" tasks, but also prepare to work in space. Such studies are included in the national project of the same name. Dmitry Bakanov, Director General of the Roscosmos State Corporation, told about this at the forum.
One of the tasks is to provide astronauts with everything they need for long—range missions.
— We are developing bioregenerative systems. Their task is to reproduce the basic processes of the Earth's biosphere in space. One of the solutions is the joint use of photobioreactors and plants for growing plants. Photobioreactors process carbon dioxide, release oxygen, and produce protein biomass. Plants complement the crew's diet and create a more familiar environment for humans. Together, these technologies will enhance the autonomy of space expeditions," said Dmitry Bakanov.
Another area is robotics systems. An experiment with a humanoid robot is being conducted on the ISS. The astronaut is inside the station, special sensors are fixed on his body, and the robot repeats the human movement from the outside. This will reduce the need for a human spacewalk.
In addition to medicine, the main topics of the Kurchatov Genomic Forum were research and development in the field of industrial microbiology and agriculture.
For example, Sergey Peltek, head of the Laboratory of Molecular Biotechnologies at the Institute of Cytology and Genetics of the Siberian Branch of the Russian Academy of Sciences, spoke about the production of enzymes that, when added to feed, can accelerate the growth of poultry and livestock.
— We have created a collection of extremophile microorganisms that live in unusual conditions, in particular, in an environment with elevated temperatures. They possess genes that allow them to produce enzymes that are valuable for various industries and agriculture. So, they can serve as feed additives that accelerate the growth of chickens by 20%. We are already putting this technology into practice. We have managed to obtain producer strains that produce dozens of times more nutrients than all their global counterparts, he said.
Another example given by the scientist is that with the help of genetic technologies, it is possible to obtain enzymes for the production of cellulose in bioreactors. This is much more environmentally friendly than the chemical methods currently used.
From superconductors to masterpieces
The Kurchatov Forum "Research using synchrotron radiation, neutrons and electrons" opened with a report by Alexander Blagov, Vice President of the Kurchatov Institute. He spoke about the development of megascience-class research facilities in our country. Only a few countries in the world are capable of operating, much less creating, such equipment.
Research at such facilities makes it possible to study the structure of matter at the atomic level. This creates fundamentally new opportunities for materials scientists. And the creation of new materials with specified properties is a necessary condition for modern developments in almost all high—tech industries. Therefore, the topics of the forum include research for the nuclear and chemical industries, microelectronics and mechanical engineering, biology and medicine.
"Mega—installations and, in general, advanced research infrastructure are a tool necessary, among other things, for the development of nature—like technologies," Alexander Blagov emphasized. — We are creating a whole network of such installations within the framework of the state program. And this year has become a turning point for us: we are not only developing and creating this equipment, but also moving to the operational stage."
We are talking about such installations as the SKIF synchrotron in Novosibirsk and the PIK neutron reactor in Gatchina.
Megascience class research allows not only to create the future, but also to study the past more deeply. One of the important topics at the forum was the study of cultural heritage sites: from archaeological artifacts to masterpieces from museum collections.
For example, the Kurchatov Institute cooperates with the Pushkin Museum. One example is the statue of John the Baptist from the 15th century.
— We conducted an elemental analysis of the alloy from which the sculpture is made. The results helped to confirm Donatello's authorship," said Ekaterina Yatsishina, Deputy Director for Scientific Work.
"The transition to a nature—like technological order is as significant for the 21st century as the nuclear project is for the 20th century," emphasizes Mikhail Kovalchuk, President of the Kurchatov Institute. Today, this is a national—level task: the formation of a nature—like technosphere is one of the strategic priorities of Russia's scientific and technological development.
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