Academician A.I. Miroshnikov, Chairman of the Pushchino Scientific Centre, Russian Academy of Sciences; Director of Institute of Biochemistry, RAS speech at the Scientific-Practical Conference “Forest Genetics, Breeding and Biotechnologies in Forestry” January 31, 2008

Development of Russia as one of the leading world powers is impossible without speeded up development of biotechnologies, which are among the main scientific-practical priorities of XXI century. In 2004 the value of world market of biotechnological products was 160 billion dollars, including 45 billion on preparations for food industry and agriculture; 30 billion on seed materials for transgenic plants; 26 billion on pharmaceutical preparations; 21 billion on ferments for producing washing means; 40 billion on cosmetics. We witness extremely sharp increase in volumes of production. It is supposed that by 2010 volume of this market will be more than two trillion dollars.

Share of Russian Federation on world biotechnological market is extremely low and isn’t in line with intellectual, personnel, scientific-organizational and economic potential of the state. It could be explained by several reasons: a) lack of close integration between science and industry; b) disconnection between academic, high school and branch science; c) lack of young specialists with knowledge in the fields of modern biotechnology; d) morally old material-technical base; e) inadequate financial support of scientific-practical researches from the side of the government. National biotechnology has six main directions of development: medicine, agriculture, food industry, technological industry, ecology and, the youngest one – forest biotechnology. All above mentioned challenges are especially true exactly for of forest biotechnology.

A foothold for solving these problems could be gained in use of Western experience of “cluster” approach and domestic experience of academic scientific cities, where the main advantage is in integration through concentration. The examples of efficiency are quite obvious, starting from Silicon Valley and ending by Zelenograd or Dubna.

As a concrete example of successfully implemented biotechnological project of RAS could be used launching production of domestic recombinant insulin in academic Institute of Biochemistry. The project was followed through all stages from classic R&D to experimental production, first of all due to “cluster” approach.

Speaking about plantation reforestation, here we deal with four basic technologies: clone micro reproduction; depositing in vitro and cryogenic conservation; genetic transformation; molecular marking. Expected and realistic results are: speeded up breeding process; improved quality of planting material; improved productivity; secure preservation of breeding achievements.

As forestry product, simply speaking – wood is widely utilized in any industry, the forest sector turns to be very attractive for introducing biotechnologies. Among additional results should be mentioned such as bioethanol from wood, bioplastics, bioconversion of wooden wastes and, finally, sequestration of carbon from atmosphere.

As its known, the share of forest plantations in total area of forests is not more than 5%. At the same time they give about 25% of wood production. Such approach meets the strictest economic and ecological criteria. But it can be realized only by concentrating efforts, forming specific state programs and their planned implementing with active participation of private business at the stages of introducing scientific recommendations and organizing experimental production.