St Petersburg University experts discuss the development of science and education at the congress on genetics, breeding, and biotechnology

The congress was opened by Professor Igor Tikhonovich, Dean of the Faculty of Biology of St Petersburg University, President of the Vavilov Society of Geneticists and Breeders, Member of the Russian Academy of Sciences. He highlighted the significance of the 8th Congress being held during the landmark anniversaries of the Russian Academy of Sciences and St Petersburg University, in addition to celebrating the 115th anniversary of National Research Saratov State University named after Nikolay Chernyshevsky, where the event took place. Igor Tikhonovich emphasised the critical role of genetic research in advancing healthcare, agriculture, and the biotechnology industry.

It has been five years since the 7th Congress of the Vavilov Society of Geneticists and Breeders, which was held in 2019 in St Petersburg. We have observed the advancement of numerous schools of thought focused on genetics, including those specialising in the genetics and breeding of plants, animals, and microbes. The progression of genetic technologies has emerged as a key area of focus for the government, leading to the establishment of support programmes at the federal level.

Igor Tikhonovich, Dean of the Faculty of Biology of St Petersburg University, President of the Vavilov Society of Geneticists and Breeders, Member of the Russian Academy of Sciences

Anton Nizhnikov is Chairman of the Scientific Committee in Biological Sciences and Bioecology at St Petersburg University, Acting Head of the Department of Genetics and Biotechnology at St Petersburg University, Vice-President of the Vavilov Society of Geneticists and Breeders, and Professor at the Russian Academy of Sciences. He noted that the congresses of the Vavilov Society of Geneticists and Breeders serve as a unique platform to bring together leading specialists in genetics, biotechnology, breeding, molecular biology, bioinformatics, and several related disciplines. 

'The current 8th Congress of the Vavilov Society of Geneticists and Breeders, held in Saratov, was no exception: with over 700 speakers delivering approximately 300 oral and 400 poster presentations across 20 symposia, four round-table discussions, and the forum "Genetic Resources of Russia". The total number of registered participants exceeded one thousand individuals, representing various regions of Russia and friendly foreign nations.' According to Anton Nizhnikov, the attendance at symposia and round-table discussions at the 2024 congress has been excellent, attributed in part to the comprehensive and diverse scientific programme.

The development of genetics, bioinformatics, biotechnology, and breeding is among the key vectors of scientific and technological development in our country. Significant attention is required for training specialists in these areas. The congress also addressed the crucial issue of developing biological resource collections as a means to preserve and study genetic diversity.

Anton Nizhnikov, Chairman of the Scientific Committee in Biological Sciences and Bioecology at St Petersburg University, Acting Head of the Department of Genetics and Biotechnology at St Petersburg University, Vice-President of the Vavilov Society of Geneticists and Breeders, and Professor at the Russian Academy of Sciences

Anton Nizhnikov’s report focused on the bioresource collections of St Petersburg University, of which there are currently more than 20 at the University. Interestingly, the age of some samples exceeds that of the University. 

"The bioresource collections of St Petersburg University are a unique source for studying biodiversity. The University’s staff annually publish hundreds of papers in leading publications using these samples. This material is crucial for training biologists, as well as for student graduation projects, and candidate’s and doctor’s dissertations", Professor Anton Nizhnikov emphasised. 

At the 8th Congress of the Vavilov Society of Geneticists and Breeders, plenary sessions, symposia, and round-table discussions were conducted to showcase the wide range of current trends in genetics, breeding, and biotechnology. These included medical and agricultural genetics, genetics of supra-organisational systems, genomics and pangenomics, transcriptomics, proteomics and bioinformatics, systems biology, genetic technologies, bioresource collections, the history of genetics, genetic and breeding education, and matters concerning the interaction between science and business.