Russia is represented in the ID-EPTRI project through the participation of the “Lobachevsky State University of Nizhny Novgorod” which is involved in the Thematic Research Platforms on “Paediatric Medicines Discovery”, “Paediatric Biomarkers and Biosamples” and “Developmental Pharmacology” and in many others work packages.
The Russian respondents of the EPTRI WP3 surveys show to have expertise in “paediatric medicines discovery” (29%) in neonatology, neonatal and paediatric intensive care, dermatology, gastroenterology, cardiology, vascular diseases and musculoskeletal diseases; in “paediatric biomarkers and biosamples” (29%) with expertise in neonatology, cardiology, vascular diseases, immunology, neurology, oncology, pulmonary and respiratory diseases; and in “medical devices” (42%) with expertise in neonatology, cardiology, vascular diseases, dermatology, gastroenterology, immunology, infectious diseases, musculoskeletal diseases, nephrology, urology, neurology, ophthalmology, otolaryngology, pulmonary and respiratory diseases.
The EPTRI project received the official support through the letter of political support from the the Ministry of Industry, Trade and Entrepreneurship of the Nizhny Novgord Region on the 15th of July 2019, and from the Department of Strategic Development and Innovations of the Ministry of Economic Development of the Russian Federation on 10th of March 2020.
Furthermore the Center for Strategic Research «North-West» Foundation, the National Research Lobachevsky State University of Nizhny Novgorod, and the Samara State Medical University have signed the Memorandum of Understanding to develop the EPTRI Infrastructure and organise the main research national Institutes into a National Node (Russian Hub).
The Russian Hub (EPTRI-RU) will be composed of the following Institutes:
- Center for Strategic Research «North-West» Foundation: It is an independent public institution. The Foundation conducts strategic research and provides expert recommendations. Its primary goals are to contribute to the development of the Russia and the Russia’s North-West creating an environment for interaction and effective communication that contribute to the development. The foundation has launched a long-term cooperation project on the development of science topics in biomedicine, nutritional science and infectious diseases. The project includes roundtables, questionnaires and foresight sessions with experts from different relevant fields.
- Samara State Medical University: The researchers work on neonatology, neonatal and paediatric intensive care, cardiology, vascular diseases, dermatology, and musculoskeletal diseases. They study paediatric developmental mechanisms in neurology (e.g. movements’ disorders, infants brain atlas). They develop new model platforms using placental and umbilical cord, and 3D organoid cell cultures from paediatric samples. They studystem cell biology for regenerative medicines with tissue engineering approaches, and animal models studies on necrotizing enterocolitis. Moreover, they perform identification of molecular genetic markers, polymorphisms of cytokine’ genes and the effects of different vaccination on them and immune system status. The researchers also work on pharmaceutical substances of plant origin, tissue vitality measurement device, a surgical navigation system, lab on a chip, neurotracker for children, virtual reality, Brain Computer Interface, and additive technologies. They have also a biobank with paediatric samples (cells, tissues, DNA).
- National Research Lobachevsky State University of Nizhny Novgorod: At the University, the researchers are engaged in neonatology, neonatal and paediatric intensive care, cardiology,vascular diseases, immunology, neurology, musculoskeletal diseases, infectious diseases, endocrinology and gynaecology. At the Neurotechnology Departments, the researchers study paediatric development mechanism in neurology (e.g. movements’ disorders, infant brain atlas) and use mathematical modelling to develop new model platforms. At the Control Theory Department, the researchers perform animal models studies, medicinal chemistry and chemical biology towards emerging paediatric drug targets, but they also perform molecular development and experimental pharmacology, and are specialized in cardiac imaging and modelling. The research units (RU) at the Institute of Biology and Biomedicine work on the central nervous system and the role of neurotrophic factors in adaptation of neural systems and nervous system to stress conditions, particularly, to hypoxia. They develop new modelling methods in vitro and in vivo, personal ECG cardiac devices for children, and a neurotech-based integration system enabling patients with musculoskeletal dysfunctions to communicate with therapeutic robotic devices, including exoskeletons. They have also a biobank with paediatric samples.