On November 26, Murmansk Arctic University (MAU) hosted the 2nd All-Russian Scientific-Practical Conference with international participation "Biotechnologies as Drivers of Regional Economic Development". Organized by the Murmansk branch of the Yu.A. Ovchinnikov Russian Society of Biotechnologists and MAU, the event brought together 50 specialists and students. Discussions focused on food biotechnology, pharmaceuticals, processing technologies for biological resources, environmental aspects of biotechnologies, and the role of biotech and knowledge-intensive businesses in the Murmansk region. A panel discussion "Development of Arctic Biotechnologies" was also held.
At the "Biological Resource Processing Technologies" session members of MMBI's Research Group of Biochemistry and Technology of Hydrobionts of Algae and Invertebrates presented their work:
- Leading researcher Ph.D. (Pharm.Sci.) Ekaterina Obluchinskaya delivered a report "Cascade Processing Technologies for Brown Algae Using Natural Deep Eutectic Solvents";
- Senior researcher Ph.D. (Pharm.Sci.) Olga Pozharitskaya presented an online-report on "Resource-Saving Biotechnologies for Eco-Friendly Organic Calcium Salts from Hydrobiont Byproducts";
- Head of the MMBI Algology Laboratory Professor Grigory Voskoboinikov spoke at the plenary session about Barents Sea macrophytic algae in biotechnology.
Professor Voskoboinikov showcased dried kelp samples and discussed challenges in utilizing Murmansk region's extensive seaweed deposits, including harvesting and processing aspects. He highlighted kelp's environmental role in water purification (including oil spill remediation) and emphasized how abundant algae populations help maintain the Kola Bay's cleanliness.
Photos by MAU
