MSU scientists have joined a project to create a database of genomic data of inhabitants of the Russian Arctic. This is the largest project in the field of genetic analysis of biodiversity in Russia. Along with MSU, Innopraktika and the Center for Whole Genome Sequencing are working on it.
The Arctic is a region that is now of paramount importance to our country. And while the importance of the Arctic for mining and transporting goods is well understood by everyone, the enormous importance of living organisms inhabiting the Arctic region is often underestimated. After all, these organisms have to live in very difficult conditions, which means that studying them will allow us to obtain a lot of valuable scientific data on how they do it. In addition, extreme living conditions determine the practical significance of such organisms, many of which are able to synthesize valuable biological molecules that are very important for humans - proteins with high biotechnological potential, antibiotics and many others. And in order to learn how to effectively use all this natural wealth, and in such a way as not to harm it, we cannot do without genomic research.
At the first stage of the work, a list of species of organisms is being formed, the whole-genome analysis of which is of particular importance for the scientific community.
To solve this problem, an expert group has been formed, which includes the best specialized specialists from Moscow State University and a number of scientific organizations. Moscow State University hopes that other Russian scientists studying the wildlife of the Arctic will also join the research.