Translation. Region: Russian Federation –
Source: Peoples'Friendship University of Russia
An important disclaimer is at the bottom of this article.
Vadim Sergeevich Pokrovsky, professor and head of the T. T. Berezov Department of Biochemistry at RUDN University, has been appointed acting director of the Institute of Experimental Oncology and Carcinogenesis at the N. N. Blokhin National Medical Research Center of Oncology, which is one of the clinical sites of the RUDN University Institute of Medicine.
The new research institute will focus on developing drugs and systems, as well as fundamental research in oncology and molecular genetics. The institution's primary goal is to consolidate scientists conducting fundamental and experimental research to minimize the time it takes to move from scientific discovery to clinical implementation.
We spoke with Vadim Sergeevich to find out what his new appointment means to him, how teams will be formed at the institute, and what goals he sets for himself in his new position in 2026.
What does your appointment as Acting Director of the Institute of Experimental Oncology and Carcinogenesis mean to you? Why do you think your candidacy was chosen?
I see this as an opportunity and a sign of great trust from the leadership of the Blokhin National Medical Research Center of Oncology and the Ministry of Health. For me, this is an opportunity to create the best center of expertise in fundamental and experimental oncology in Eastern Europe. I don't fully understand all the details and reasons for my appointment, nor do I know the possible alternative scenarios, which were certainly discussed. I'd like to think they believed in me. Perhaps this was also influenced by the fact that over the past 10 years, in my opinion, I've managed to take the laboratory at the Blokhin National Medical Research Center of Oncology and the Berezov Department of Biochemistry at RUDN University to a new level. We've achieved a lot both in developing scientific work and in organizing events and educational programs. Winning the "Science" track and the superfinal of the "Leaders of Russia" competition in 2022, as well as receiving the Moscow Government Prize, could also have played a role. Perhaps the combination of these factors was decisive.
The new institute was created to shorten the path from scientific discovery to its implementation in clinical practice. In your opinion, what is the main bottleneck in this process today, and how do you plan to address it?
Modern changes in technologies, regulatory requirements, and the manufacturing capabilities of drugs and test systems dictate new conditions for their development. Today, we need closer ties between experimental science and clinical challenges, faster and more cost-effective transfer of applied developments from research institutes to industrial partners, and more active interaction between scientists from different specialties. This goal can and should be achieved in two ways. First, it is necessary to create a system with clear and user-friendly rules for communication, financing, project management, intellectual property management, and commercialization of developments. This objective is achieved by developing (or updating) relevant regulations within the institution. Second, it is important to manually identify specific problems and find solutions that align with the interests of the institute and the well-being of its employees.
How will scientists be consolidated? Will you form teams for specific projects, inviting specialists from different organizations?
Without a doubt, yes. Networking is one of the key factors for the success of modern scientific projects. I am a staunch supporter of supporting strong projects, regardless of their origin—whether internal or external. We need to seek out opportunities to implement them, even when they are not obvious, build new connections between people, and support them. Sometimes, with minimal effort, significant results can be achieved. If you look at the publications of our research team (department and laboratory), almost 80% of them are the result of collaboration with teams from other research institutes and universities. We have successful experience with this type of work.
Furthermore, the N. N. Blokhin National Medical Research Center of Oncology is the largest research center in Russia in this field, with over 5,000 employees, tens of thousands of patients treated annually, and the country's most comprehensive clinical expertise in anticancer therapy. Even this internal resource is not yet fully utilized, and we need to strengthen the links between clinicians and scientists.
Do you plan to involve young scientists, postgraduate students, and students from RUDN in the institute's work? What other opportunities does your appointment open up for the university?
Scientists, postgraduate students, and undergraduates from the RUDN University Department of Biochemistry have been actively involved in the work of my laboratory at the N.N. Blokhin National Medical Research Center of Oncology for almost 10 years. Our departments effectively complement each other, creating a genuine synergistic effect. This practice certainly needs to be expanded and strengthened. We can create new core departments within the research institute, engage undergraduate and postgraduate students, and staff from other departments and laboratories in this work, and engage scientists from the institute to supervise the coursework and theses of our undergraduate and graduate students.
What are your main goals as Acting Director this year? What areas of work will be your priority?
I have identified four key tasks for myself. The first is formulating strategic goals and building the corresponding management systems for the institute, identifying growth areas, and developing plans for the implementation of new projects. The second is the renovation of two buildings, which together house approximately 400 employees. We must create the most modern, functional, and comfortable renovation project possible, enabling cutting-edge research, and ensure its high-quality implementation. The third is reorganizing the institute's research team, opening new laboratories, and creating research groups, primarily in areas where the research institute has not yet fully demonstrated its potential: chemoinformatics and molecular modeling, metabolomics, genomics and bioinformatics, and microfluidic technologies. If colleagues have interesting ideas, now is the time to propose them. And the fourth is finding new sources of funding. Modern science requires significant investment. Given limited resources and the competitive selection of projects, we must learn to seek out additional opportunities and utilize existing ones more effectively. These are the main tasks. We are currently formulating specific goals and, I believe, will approve them in the coming months.
We congratulate Vadim Sergeevich on his appointment and wish him success in his new position, as well as breakthrough scientific results!
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