Belarusian scientists encouraged towards small-scale biotechnologies

Belarusian scientists should work in the sphere of small-scale biotechnologies, BelTA learned from Igor Volotovsky, academic secretary of the Biological Sciences Department of the National Academy of Sciences of Belarus, on 17 June.

In his words, scientists are busy developing the concept to advance the biological industry. The concept envisages changes in relations between the production sector and science and modernization of the former. “Scientists are shaping the research field, carry out the tasks they are assigned but it is not enough. It is necessary for researches to be carried out in tight association with the production sector. With this in mind the concept provides for the customer of a research, in other words, the production sector to be responsible for results,” said the scientist.

The academician remarked that using biotechnologies to make products with a high added value is a global trend. “Those are modern small-scale biotechnologies that need work right now and the concept to develop the biological industry provides for it,” explained Igor Volotovsky.

Small-scale biotechnologies rely on genetic engineering to make microorganisms that follow a certain program to synthetize biologically active compounds. The price for such compounds is very high yet it is possible to start making them in a lab. “The veterinary institute is busy carrying out such researches. The end product is supposed to be ready by the end of 2015,” added Igor Volotovsky. “It will not be dangerous for human health and will be used as a vaccine for animals”.

The academician remarked that the development of the concept to advance the biological industry is supposed to be completed by the end of the year. The implementation of the concept is supposed to start in the next five-year term.

The Biophysics and Cell Engineering Institute of the National Academy of Sciences of Belarus in association with the Belarusian State University is hosting an international science and practice conference on 17-20 June. The conference is dedicated to molecular, membrane, and cell foundations of biosystem operation. Over 250 prominent scientists from Belarus, Germany, Italy, Russia, Ukraine, Azerbaijan, and Poland are taking part in the conference.