Almazov Centre will take part in the government tender to establish research centres of global importance in Russia, particularly the centre for genomic research.
The joint application to participate in the competition of the Russian Ministry of Science and Higher Education is prepared in close cooperation with the partners from the Translational Medicine Cluster as part of Science national project and the Federal Programme for the Development of Genetic Technologies for 2019–2027.
The key research areas of the genomic centre will include population genetics, pharmacogenetics, nutritive genetics and epigenetic programming, sports and adaptive medicine, monogenic diseases, oncogenetics, search for new molecular biomarkers, new approaches to genetic modification, DNA vaccines and targeted vector delivery, genetic mechanisms of antibiotic resistance and more. Its structure will include a number of resource and competence centres, including for cellular models, transgenic animal models, genetic engineering models for D. Rerio and metabolic screening, bioinformatics centre, centre for intracellular delivery systems, biobank for population cohorts and rare diseases, etc.
The genomic centre will facilitate the most rapid and effective implementation of genomic technologies in the diagnosis and treatment of diseases and will ensure the safe use of these technologies for the patient and society. It will hold promise for reduced morbidity and mortality from various diseases based on the development and implementation of advanced genomic technologies, including technologies for assessing genetic risks, biomodeling of diseases, modifying the genome, creating drugs for gene therapy, diagnostic systems and domestic equipment for genomic research.
In addition, the centre for genomic research should contribute to promoting the Russian genetic research within the global scientific community and ensure its integration into global research and translation into practice. The predicted indicators of effective implementation of the genomic research centre programme within 3–6 years should be the expansion of international cooperation, active involvement of young researchers, development of educational and research programmes.