Translation. Region: Russian Federal
Source: Peter the Great St. Petersburg Polytechnic University –
An important disclaimer is at the bottom of this article.
The Higher School of Biotechnology and Food Production of the Institute of Biomedical Systems and Biotechnology at SPbPU, in collaboration with the Alkor Bio Group, launched a new corporate master's program, "Methods and Tools for Molecular Diagnostics." The program is designed to train versatile specialists with knowledge and practical skills in the development of medical devices for clinical diagnostics, covering the full technological cycle—from determining analytical and diagnostic characteristics, verification, and validation of new products to registration and approval for use in clinical practice. The program's uniqueness lies in its development of scientific competencies in the development of test systems for infectious disease diagnostics, allergy diagnostics, and PCR diagnostic kits.
The program's opening was preceded by a discussion of the project's roadmap. Negotiations regarding targeted co-financing for the corporate educational program took place at Alcor Bio with the participation of Alcor Bio Group President Dmitry Polyntsev, Director of the Institute of Biomedical Systems and Biotechnology Andrey Vasin, and Director of the Higher School of Biotechnology and Food Production Yulia Bazarnova. The co-financing agreement provides for the program's development, including improvements to the facility's facilities, scientific conferences, and career guidance events.
In developing the curriculum, a working group consisting of Natalia Barsukova, Head of the Graduate School of Business and Public Health (HSMBPP) Master's Programs; Ekaterina Aronova, Academic Director of the HSMBPP Program; and Vyacheslav Bolshakov, Head of the Molecular Diagnostics Department at Alcor Bio, focused on the current talent needs of the modern Russian market in the development and production of medical devices for molecular diagnostics. Therefore, in addition to the core courses covered by the university program, students will become familiar with the regulatory framework for the production and registration of medical devices, methods for developing diagnostic kits for nucleic acid analysis, the practice of enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) and immunochemiluminescence assay (ICA), and flow cytometry methods. During their studies, students will gain practical experience working at a large biotechnology holding company, a leader in the development and production of test systems and equipment for laboratory diagnostics in the Northwest region. The best master's students will be placed in employment with the company.
The educational collaboration between the Alkor Bio Group of Companies and Peter the Great St. Petersburg Polytechnic University began in 2020 at the initiative of the Higher School of Biotechnology and Food Production. Its goal is to provide master's students with additional education in molecular biology methods and to provide them with internships and practical training using the state-of-the-art facilities available at the Alkor Bio Group of Companies.
Alcor Bio is interested in attracting personnel with the relevant knowledge base and practical experience in molecular biology. The launch of a joint master's program in 2025 is a new, mutually beneficial step aimed at training highly qualified biotechnologists, says Vyacheslav Bolshakov, head of the Alcor Bio Group's molecular diagnostics laboratory.
The new corporate master's program, "Methods and Tools for Molecular Diagnostics," generated keen interest among applicants, including undergraduate graduates from the Polytechnic University and other universities. First-year master's student Daniil Porozov commented on his choice: "The main reason I chose the new master's program was the practical experience I gained at Alcor Bio during my undergraduate studies. After my first internship, I worked in several departments: I learned about the ELISA method and working with laboratory animals in the hybridoma lab, mastered DNA extraction, PCR, and oligonucleotide synthesis. I spent the most time in the RNA analysis lab, where I participated in the development of a microRNA diagnostic method using real-time PCR. This experience formed the basis of my bachelor's thesis and helped me delve deeply into molecular diagnostics, so I decided to continue studying this field in my master's program."
Please note: This information is raw content obtained directly from the source. It represents an accurate account of the source's assertions and does not necessarily reflect the position of MIL-OSI or its clients.