A three-year project by biotechnologists from Altai State University resulted in a patent and a pilot batch of seedlings
The first stage of potato seed production – recovery from phytopathogens – is the most resource and energy intensive in the entire industry. This determines the relevance of optimizing and increasing the efficiency of the process of obtaining and reproducing healthy potato material. Only healthy planting material can realize the biological potential of a variety.
In the course of experimental studies, Altai State University scientists managed to optimize potato health protocols, which were previously used by colleagues from other scientific organizations, both in terms of labor costs and efficiency.
In general, over the three years of project implementation, two inventions and three databases, which are used in the scientific and educational activities of the university, received legal protection.
Olga Mironenko, the project leader, Candidate of Biological Sciences, Director of the Altai Center for Applied Biotechnology Olga Mironenko considers the intensive development of the team’s scientific potential to be the key result:
“Participation in the Priority 2030 Program allowed us to take a different approach to the tasks facing the scientific center and significantly update the infrastructure of scientific equipment. A modern DNA amplifier was purchased, which allows for PCR analysis and detection of viruses. We also bought a new autoclave and supplies. In addition, we managed to attract new young personnel and gain new competencies. Most members of the research team have improved their qualifications within the framework of additional professional training programs and internships at the country's leading scientific centers - participants in consortia under the Priority 2030 Program. Strengthening the research infrastructure has increased the importance of the ACPB as a collective center for the Institute of Biology and Biotechnology, the Key Center for Child Development – the House of Scientific Collaboration named after V.I. Vereshchagin, site of the Regional Center for Identification and Support of Distributed Gifted Children “Talent22”. An experimental platform has been formed here for performing the students’ research and development projects and schoolchildren’s projects. The capabilities of the modern laboratory equipment of the ACPB allow the use of methods of clonal micropropagation, molecular genetic and biochemical analyses.”
The research results (inventions and databases) can be used in the development of programs for the conservation and improvement of the gene pool of agricultural, medicinal crops and rare plant species, as well as in the implementation of projects for obtaining planting material using biotechnological methods.
The scientific groundwork obtained during the implementation of the project allows us to significantly accelerate the development of competitive services and products for the real sector of the economy of Altai Krai and other regions. Thus, one of the industrial partners of the project – Charysh Agricultural Consumer Cooperative named after Academician S.N. Khabarova – in August of this year, an experimental batch of hops was delivered which was more than 700 seedlings of five varieties. The first hop plantation in Altai Krai is being established near the village of Tulata.