What is just not in Russia…
Kamil Isaev: Russia should not be a blank spot on the genetic map of the world
Marina Efendieva, Skolkovo
Over the past decade, researchers in the field of biotechnology have launched several significant projects that have led to progress in the study of deadly diseases and the standardization of genetic data banks. Specialists from 32 countries of the world are now freely exchanging the results of their research.
However, Russia still remains a blank spot on the world map of genetic data banks, Kamil Isaev, Vice President, General Director of the EMC Center for Research and Development on Cloud Technologies and Big Data, told EMC Science Safe at the event. Sk.ru quotes excerpts from his speech.
Slide from Kamil Isaev's presentation
There is a process of accumulation of genetic information in the world: biobank data doubles in volume approximately every 7 months. Every year, DNA decoding laboratories receive several petabytes of sequenced data per year (1 terabyte contains about 1 trillion DNA subunits).
In many countries, the creation of biological information banks results in national-scale projects, they become system-forming for world science. The result of the development of genetic banks, interaction and exchange of information with each other will be: the identification of genes / mutations responsible for the occurrence of certain diseases; new biomarkers and early diagnosis; the development of targeted drugs and treatment methods; a breakthrough in biotechnology and agriculture.
Genetic data banks (or biobanks – biorepositories storing biological samples) – since their inception have become an important tool in the field of medical research and diagnosis of deadly diseases. The ability to process data on human genome sequences has opened up incredible opportunities for the medical and pharmacological sectors of the economy.
The main priority for studying human DNA is projects that affect the quality of life and promise victory over deadly diseases. The largest projects in this area have been launched in China, the USA, Germany, the UK, and the Netherlands.
The creation and development of genetic data banks requires the coordinated work of a huge number of specialists: physicians, biologists, programmers, IT specialists, geneticists. An important task in this case is to ensure the exchange of data among all participants.
Russia does not yet have genetic data banks on the world map – such projects in our country are created only by individual scientists and small companies for specific and short-term needs. However, the creation of data banks similar to international examples is a necessary step.
It should be noted that the EMC Research Center in Skolkovo specializes in creating solutions for cloud computing and big data analytics technologies to solve problems in the field of bioinformatics and energy efficiency. The Center cooperates with universities, government agencies, Russian and international companies in the Skolkovo community.
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10.12.2015