Genetic resources and genetic technologies for the development of the Northern Territories: on the results of the Second Conference (March 13–15, 2023)

A series of events in honor of the centenary of the Polar Experiment Station of VIR founded by Nikolay Ivanovich Vavilov, was opened by the Second Scientific Conference “Genetic Resources and Genetic Technologies for the Development of Northern Territories”, which took place on March 13-15, 2023. The objective of the Conference was to provide a regular platform for the exchange of experience, consolidation of efforts and development of interdisciplinary approaches between specialists – geneticists, resource scientists and biotechnologists, as well as specialists from related areas of biology, medicine and other sciences, whose joint efforts are aimed at increasing the demand for bio-resource collections and the role of genetic technologies in the development of the northern regions of the country. The Conference was organized by the Federal Research Centre the N.I. Vavilov All-Russian Institute of Plant Genetic Resources (VIR), the Vavilov Society of Geneticists and Breeders (VOGiS), the Russian Geographical Society (RGS), Scientific Council on Genetics and Breeding of the RAS, Scientific Council of RAS for the Studies of the Arctic and Antarctic, and the Russian Botanical Society (RBS). The Conference was held online. The program of the Conference included three sections: “Effective Development of Northern Agriculture: Genetic Resources of Agricultural Plants and Microorganisms, Genetic Technologies and Interdisciplinary Research”; “Farm Animals, Marine Mammals and Commercial Fish in the Far North: Conservation and Study of Genetic Resources, Breeding and Interdisciplinary Research”; “Health and Longevity of the Population in Northern Territories: Genetic and Interdisciplinary Studies (Including Model Organisms)”, as well as a Round Table “Expeditionary Research in the Arctic and Northern Regions of Russia: Experience of Young Scientists”. Altogether, five plenary presentations, one evening lecture and 23 section reports were made. Genetic, genomic and omics research using valuable genetic resources of plants, animals and microorganisms, as well as human biomaterials, including bio-resource ex situ collections from regions with extreme nature and climate conditions is the basis for acquiring knowledge, creating a set of tools and developments that contribute to socio-economic development and security in the Arctic, addressing health-saving issues, improving the quality of life of the population and partial food self-sufficiency of the regions of the North and the Arctic. The development of these aspects is important for the implementation of the State scientific and technical policy of the Russian Federation, considering the Presidential Decrees 164 of March 5, 2020, and 645 of October 26, 2020. The article presents the main trends announced at the Conference and publishes the Resolution adopted by the Conference.

1. Genetic resources and genetic technologies for the development of Northern territories: Proceedings of the Conference; 2021 December 21–22; St. Petersburg, Russia. E.K. Khlestkina (ed.). St. Petersburg: VIR; 2021. 68 p. [in Russian]. URL: http://www.vir.nw.ru/wp-content/uploads/2021/10/VIR_konferentsiya_2021_Sever_Arktika-2.pdf [дата обращения: 18.03.2023].

2. Genetic resources and genetic technologies for the development of Northern Territories: Proceedings of the Second Conference; 2023 March 13–15; St. Petersburg, Russia. E.K. Khlestkina (ed.). St. Petersburg: VIR; 2023. 51 p. [in Russian]

3. The Decree of the President of the Russian Federation No. 164 dated March 5, 2020a “On Foundations of the Russian Federation State Policy in the Arctic for the Period up to 2035”: Official Internet-Portal of the Legal Information; 2020. [in Russian]. URL: http://publication.pravo.gov.ru/document/0001202003050019 [дата обращения: 18.03.2023].

4. The Decree of the President of the Russian Federation No. 645 dated October 26, 2020b “On the strategy for the development of the Arctic Zone of the Russian Federation and ensuring National Security until 2035”: Official Internet-Portal of the Legal Information; 2020. [in Russian]. URL: http://publication.pravo.gov.ru/document/0001202010260033 [дата обращения: 18.03.2023].