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In the Laboratory of Nuclear and Innovative Medicine Faculty of Physics of Novosibirsk State University A CT scan of minipigs was conducted for the first time. This study was conducted last week as part of a scientific collaboration between the Novosibirsk State University Laboratory of Animal Health, Physics, and scientists from the E.N. Meshalkin National Medical Research Center of the Russian Ministry of Health. Two Minisibs pigs, bred at the Institute of Cytology and Genetics of the Siberian Branch of the Russian Academy of Sciences, were used as animal models. Each animal weighed 80 kg and was two years old. The study lasted approximately one hour per animal. Only one area of the body—the chest—was scanned, as the scientists needed to obtain high-quality 3D images of heart and lung sections. The minipigs were anesthetized during the procedures. The study will continue next year.

— Today, specialists from the National Medical Research Center named after Academician E.N. Meshalkina, together with NSU scientists, is conducting multislice computed tomography of the heart with contrast as part of their scientific activities. Our goal is to identify the features of the anatomical structure of the heart in two individuals of mini-pigs. The results of computed tomography will complement our electrophysiological study of the heart, which will allow us to obtain a complete electro-anatomical picture of the heart of these animals, on the basis of which in the future we will be able to conduct research aimed at the use of cellular technologies. The goal of today’s collaborative research is to determine the exact anatomical structure of each animal’s heart. Previously, we could only obtain information about the electrophysiological structure of the heart of animals, which did not provide an idea of ​​the topographic distribution of its sections in each individual animal. However, in our experience, even in individuals from the same drainage, the structure and size of the heart and its chambers are different. Thanks to the technical capabilities of LNAIM NSU, we can take advantage of the unique opportunity to conduct a multispiral computed tomographic study, and then, on the basis of our own experimental biological clinic, do electrophysiological mapping of the heart and obtain a comprehensive electroanatomical map for each animal. Thus, for each animal model studied, we will have a topographical and electroanatomical picture of the heart. In the next step, we will combine them to determine exactly where the pacemakers of the heart are located in relation to the precise topographic anatomy of each animal. Such studies can be carried out in large scientific centers – for example, at Moscow State University. M.V. Lomonosov or at Sechenov University. This is the first time such a study has been carried out beyond the Urals, said a leading researcher at the Laboratory of Experimental Surgery and Morphology of the Institute of Experimental Biology and Medicine of the Federal State Budgetary Institution “National Medical Research Center named after. Academician E.N. Meshalkin” of the Ministry of Health of Russia David Sergeevichev.

The cardiac pacemaker is a section of the heart muscle (the sinoatrial and atrioventricular nodes) that generates electrical impulses, setting the heart rate and rhythm. It is a natural "generator" that ensures the coordinated functioning of all parts of the heart.

The research is being conducted to develop a biologically derived cardiac pacemaker. Researchers at the E.N. Meshalkin National Medical Research Center of the Russian Ministry of Health are conducting this research under an interdisciplinary grant from the Russian Science Foundation. Comprehensive research is required to obtain additional information on the electroanatomical topographic structure of the heart, so that during experiments, scientists can accurately position the pacemaker in areas of the heart where its activity can be recorded.

"Mini-sibs are an ideal animal model for two reasons. First, their weight and height are very similar to humans. As adults, they reach an average weight of 70 kg, with some individuals reaching 100-130 kg, but never exceeding this weight. Second, the anatomical structure of these animals' hearts is quite similar to that of humans, and their electrical structure is almost identical to that of humans. Therefore, in terms of the applicability of experimental research results, they are an excellent model for translating animal experiments into human clinical practice," explained David Sergeevich.

This isn't the first time NSU LYAIM PhD specialists have performed CT scans on such large animals. As part of a project for preclinical trials of neutron capture therapy for cancer, they conducted similar studies on large-breed dogs, including some weighing approximately 60 kg. However, the anatomical structure of mini-pigs differs significantly from that of dogs, so the scientists had to practice positioning the animals on the CT table.

"The CT scan went quite quickly, as we were working with only one area—the chest—and specifically scanning the heart and blood vessels. Due to the animals' large body sizes, we had to adjust the settings and create new protocols, but this didn't present any difficulties. All scanning phases were followed. We didn't encounter any anticipated complications, except for one—the animals' heavy weight. It was quite challenging to lift them onto the scanner table and secure them in the correct position. We had to first lay a blanket over the table and securely fasten the animals with straps to achieve perfect balance and symmetry. However, we gained experience working with this type of animal model, which will be useful in the future. We've previously developed skills working with a variety of animals—we've scanned not only cats, dogs, rabbits, and lab rats, but also meerkats, ferrets, and even hedgehogs," said Ulyana Krechetova, CT operator, veterinarian, and employee of the Laboratory of Animal Health and Physical Medicine at NSU.

The minipigs were transported to the NSU Laboratory of Experimental Biology and Medicine's tomography center under anesthesia under the supervision of Elena Kuznetsova, Head of the Experimental Biology Clinic at the Institute of Experimental Biology and Medicine. She noted that transporting the minipigs was straightforward due to the close proximity of both institutions. The animals were transferred quickly, so the anesthetic stress on their bodies was minimal.

"We use a modern anesthetic, the same one used in all veterinary clinics, at the same dosages calculated per kilogram of body weight. We calculated the drug's effect for two hours. One hour was spent preparing the animals for the procedures and transporting them. Another hour was required for the CT scan and the return trip. Working with mini-pigs in experiments is comfortable. They tolerate anesthesia well, show no allergic reactions to the medications, and respond well to the contrast agent administered before the CT scan. They also easily enter and exit anesthesia. Today, everything went as planned, without any problems. We are very pleased that NSU now has the only CT scanner licensed for scientific work and animal studies. This opens up great opportunities for our scientists, especially when it's important to obtain scanned images of the organs and systems of the animals involved in the research, before and after the experiments, for comparison," said Elena Kuznetsova.

Collaboration between the two research organizations will continue next year. A series of CT scans on minipigs using the already established system is planned.

— Scientists at the E.N. Meshalkin National Medical Research Center frequently use these objects for research purposes, studying the cardiovascular system and practicing surgical techniques. These areas of activity are of interest to us as well. Therefore, we are interested in implementing joint projects in reconstructive medicine and cardiac surgery using new materials that are being tested specifically on these animal models. Another point of mutual interest for our organizations is that the technique of vascular tomography and the processing of the results obtained during our research have certain specific characteristics and differ from conventional software scans or reconstructions. Using this animal model will help us more deeply and, most importantly, more thoroughly master vascular bed research, which we then plan to apply to other animal species. Collaboration with scientists at the E.N. Meshalkin National Medical Research Center Meshalkin is of great scientific interest to us, as our preclinical work closely intersects with theirs, and we are very pleased to begin this joint research," said Vladimir Kanygin, Head of the NSU Laboratory of Experimental Molecular Biology and Physics.

Histological studies of the cardiac muscle tissue of mini-pigs may also yield interesting results for scientists.

"The myocardium of mini-pigs is anatomically very similar to that of humans, so the transplant material was initially taken from these animal models. Our laboratory will be able to histologically assess myocardial changes following various treatments, including medications. Our institute specializes in myocardial research, and has authored numerous scientific papers on this topic. In this case, my task will be to conduct an initial assessment of such morphological compensatory changes in samples taken following electroanatomical studies," explained Nikolai Kanygin, a junior researcher at the Institute of Molecular Pathology and Pathomorphology (FRC FTM).

That same day, staff from the Novosibirsk State University Faculty of Animal Science and Physical Medicine conducted the first CT scan of a domestic fox. The animal, a 10-year-old, 6 kg female named Zlata, was referred to a laboratory at a Novosibirsk clinic at the request of its owner. This unusual patient tolerated the anesthesia well, and no serious pathologies were detected during the examination. The fox captivated the scientists with her friendliness and beauty. They noted that working with foxes is virtually no different from working with dogs, with the exception of minor details.

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A first-year master's student at the Department of Solid State Chemistry (SSC) is conducting a study on the stability of the antiviral compound tecovirimat. Faculty of Natural Sciences (FNS) of Novosibirsk State University Alexander Ivlev, under the scientific supervision of Sergey Arkhipov, a senior lecturer in the Solid State Chemistry Department at the NSU Natural Sciences Department and a candidate of chemical sciences, and Dmitry Kolybalov, an assistant at the Solid State Chemistry Department at the NSU Natural Sciences Department. As part of their work, the scientists addressed the problem of the lack of reproducibility in experiments to obtain solid forms of the active ingredient in an anti-smallpox drug. They proposed new methods for producing several solid forms, one of which is currently undergoing patenting.

— It is generally accepted that humanity has conquered the smallpox virus (VARV). The eradication of the deadly disease it causes was confirmed in 1980 at a meeting of the World Health Assembly. There, a decision was made to halt mass vaccination against this virus, which ultimately led to a significant decline in the population's immunity to all orthopoxviruses—a large family of DNA viruses that include the causative agents of diseases such as smallpox, cowpox, and monkeypox (MPXV). Smallpox is transmitted only from person to person, but other orthopoxviruses can be transmitted from animals to humans. One such virus is monkeypox. In 2022, the World Health Organization (WHO) declared the monkeypox outbreak a public health emergency of international concern. According to the WHO, from January 1, 2022, to April 30, 2025, a total of 142,141 laboratory-transmitted cases of MPXV infection were recorded, 328 of which were fatal. Work is currently underway to develop and improve vaccines, diagnostic tests, and drugs to combat the monkeypox virus. And with our research, we are contributing to solving this global problem, said Alexander Ivlev.

Tecovirimat is a chemical compound with antiviral activity against orthopoxviruses. In January 2022, the European Medicines Agency approved TPOXX®, whose active ingredient is tecovirimat, for the treatment of monkeypox virus disease. In 2023, NIOH-14, a prodrug of tecovirimat, was introduced into the Russian Federation. Tecovirimat exhibits exceptional activity against smallpox, monkeypox, cowpox, vaccinia, and other orthopoxviruses while exhibiting low toxicity. It acts by targeting the viral protein p37, which prevents the release of the virus from the infected cell and ultimately prevents its spread throughout the body. Two dosage forms of tecovirimat are currently available: capsules for oral administration and powder for intravenous injection.

Each dosage form has its own limitations and storage temperature requirements. Capsules must be stored at a temperature of 20°C to 25°C, but a temperature range of 15°C to 30°C is acceptable. Injectable powder must be stored at a temperature of 2°C to 8°C; short-term storage (up to 24 hours) at ambient temperature is permitted; freezing is not permitted. The development of this dosage form has expanded the scope of tecovirimat's use.

This drug is patented by the American company SIGA technologies. The crystal structure of tecovirimat monohydrate (solid form III) has been determined and deposited in the Cambridge Crystallographic Data Center. To date, SIGA technologies has discovered six structurally distinct solid forms of tecovirimat: two monohydrates, one hemihydrate, and three anhydrous forms. However, the crystal structure has only been determined for tecovirimat monohydrate, which is solid form III, which is easily prepared but is metastable at room temperature and gradually converts to solid form I. The crystal structures of the remaining solid forms remain unknown.

"We are studying the stability of solid forms of tecovirimat under changing environmental conditions. During the previous phase of the study, supported by the Priority 2030 program, we identified conditions for the reproducible production of solid forms of tecovirimat, determined the crystal structures of five of the six known solid forms, and identified differences in their structures. Different solid forms containing the same compound can differ significantly in their physicochemical properties (in particular, apparent solubility and dissolution rate), so this information is crucial for identifying existing solid forms and searching for new solid forms of tecovirimat, as well as developing methods for their production. Equally important is data on the stability and interconversion of different solid forms of tecovirimat, as this directly impacts the storage conditions of the dosage forms," explained Alexander Ivlev.

In a new phase of their research, the scientists addressed the critical issue of the lack of reproducibility in experiments producing solid forms of tecovirimat. They identified previously undescribed methods for producing these forms, one of which is currently undergoing patenting. A reproducible method for producing a desired solid form allows the scientists to synthesize the required quantity of the desired form, fully characterize the properties of the resulting compound, grow crystals, and determine its spatial structure and properties. The method chosen for patenting has significant potential for scalability.

Currently, the scientists have produced sufficient quantities of each solid form of tecovirimat for study, and for each, they have obtained powder diffraction profiles of higher quality than those presented in the SIGA technologies patent. For three solid forms of tecovirimat, the scientists have already demonstrated stability at low temperatures. Such data for the solid forms under study have not previously been described in the literature. Experiments are currently underway to study the stability of solid forms of tecovirimat in high-humidity environments. Combined with experiments on the effects of temperature, this will allow conclusions to be drawn regarding the feasibility of their use in the development of new dosage forms of the smallpox drug based on a metastable solid form.

To study the structures and properties of various forms of tecovirimat, the young scientist employed several methods: X-ray diffraction analysis, X-ray structural analysis, and differential scanning calorimetry. Using powder X-ray diffraction (XRD), diffraction patterns unique to each solid form were obtained and the phase purity of the crystalline product was assessed. The crystal structure of the studied substances was deciphered using single-crystal X-ray diffraction (XRD). The response of the studied forms of tecovirimat to temperature changes was determined using differential scanning calorimetry (DSC). Based on the nature of the effects upon heating or cooling the sample, they determined which solid form was more stable and determined the temperature at which one form could transform into the other, altering its crystalline structure.

Currently, the young researcher is working to determine the structure of the final, sixth, solid form of tecovirimate. The method for its production has already been discovered; the conditions for producing crystals remain to be determined. Next, they plan to search for new solid forms of tecovirimate and study their physicochemical properties. The next stage of the project will involve mechanochemical studies.

"In production, mechanical action is used to grind particles of pharmaceutical substances, but this can also lead to the transition of one solid form to another. That is, a solid form of a substance can change its crystalline structure and transform into another solid form of the same compound. And since powders of future drug substances can be subject to mechanical action in industrial settings, it is crucial to know in advance what consequences this technical process may cause," explained Alexander Ivlev.

The final stage of the work involves cocrystallizing the active ingredient of TPOXX® with other compounds to produce solid forms in which the tecovirimat molecule will be bound to other molecules via intermolecular interactions. Such experiments are necessary to obtain new solid forms with improved properties, which should ultimately improve the properties of the final product, such as its solubility or temperature stability.

"I hope that our work will ultimately lead to improved efficacy of the drug and help doctors in their work," said Alexander Ivlev.

This work is being carried out with the support of the Priority 2030 program within the framework of the youth research project competition “X-ray, synchrotron, and neutron methods of interdisciplinary research.”

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Source: Novosibirsk State University –

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Today, the Novosibirsk State University team presented to the Council for Support of Development Programs the results of its work for 2025 on strategic technology projects implemented within the framework of the program of the Ministry of Science and Higher Education of Russia.Priority 2030.

NSU was represented at the council meeting by Rector Mikhail Fedoruk, Director of the Institute of Medicine and Medical Technologies Yulia Samoilova, Head of the Academic Policy Department Marina Shashkova, a representative of the industrial partner, Director of the Medical and Biological Union LLC Mikhail Losev, and Governor of the Novosibirsk Region Andrei Travnikov.

Andrey Travnikov noted the importance of university interactions with industry and the growing role of universities in the region's economy:

NSU graduates are the main residents and users of AkademPark's infrastructure, which within its perimeter alone generates 30 billion rubles in revenue today, and if you include companies associated with AkademPark, the figure approaches 60 billion. This is a significant contribution to our economy.

The governor also drew attention to the relevance of biotechnology, which is represented in the university's project portfolio:

"This is important for the Novosibirsk Region because the industry is actively developing, responding to the challenges of the pandemic and import substitution. Scientific support and training of new personnel for this industry are essential."

In his speech, NSU Rector Mikhail Fedoruk emphasized the changing role of the university in the ecosystem of the Novosibirsk Scientific Center.

"Novosibirsk State University was created as an integral part of Akademgorodok, where the Academy of Sciences served as the integration center and driving force. In recent years, the situation has changed: now, the university is taking on the role of a development driver and a hub for the integration of science, industry, and education. Our strategic technology projects are prototypes for integration centers in areas new to Akademgorodok, where the university aspires to become a leader," noted Mikhail Fedoruk.

The university's development strategy through 2036 envisions a transition to a scientific and technological university model, where, alongside education and research, the creation of products and technologies becomes a third core activity. Strategic technology projects are an important component of this transition, in which industrial partners act not only as development commissioners but also are involved in personnel training and management processes. At the same time, the university remains true to its principles: strong fundamental training, the involvement of practitioners from research institutes and industry in teaching, and the involvement of students in research and development from their junior years.

The NSU development program includes three strategic technology projects (STP): "Center for the Integration of Personalized Biomedicine, Pharmacy, and Synchrotron and Binary Technologies," "Neural Network Technologies for Processing Targeted Information onboard Small Spacecraft and Control of Unmanned Aerial Vehicles," and "Artificial Intelligence for Production Facilities and the Automation of Industry and the Urban Environment."

At the Priority 2030 Program Council meeting, NSU presented the first project in more detail. Biomedicine is a new area for NSU, the launch of which was made possible by the consolidation of scientific and technological research resources from the SB RAS and NSU institutes, the availability of infrastructure to accelerate technology transfer (the construction of a new NSU campus), and the strong fundamental training of personnel at the university.

"The goal of the STP is to develop the full life cycle of a biomedical product, from the initial idea to the prototype's deployment in the real economy. The project brings together over 100 specialists from various scientific fields and leading universities in the industry. The project's implementation entails a profound transformation of many processes at the university, including a change in the educational model, where students are involved in all stages of the process, from the initial idea to the prototype's development," added Mykhailo Fedoruk.

Key achievements in 2025 as part of the biomedicine project include the development of software for processing and analyzing genomic data (a web platform for automated processing of genetic testing results); the creation of a reagent for detecting CD19-specific CAR T and CAR NK cells suitable for quality control of personalized therapy products; the development of a system for assessing the biomechanical gait parameters of lower-limb amputees; the creation of a final prototype of a prosthetic socket for a forearm prosthesis manufactured using 3D printing, as well as a prototype of a printed prosthetic socket for a leg prosthesis for transtibial amputations.

Construction is currently underway on a new research center and educational and scientific center for the Institute of Medicine and Medical Technologies of NSU with an area of over 23 thousand square meters; they are related to the facilitiesnew campus of NSU, being built as part of the national project "Youth and Children." This infrastructure will be used to develop biomedical research. The unifying principle of all product lines of this strategic technology project is the creation of integrated technological platforms that can be adapted to various clinical needs. All developments and research are being conducted with the active participation of industrial partners, including the Medical and Biological Union, the Siberian Ring Photon Source (SKIF) Shared Use Center, Generium JSC, the Moscow Prosthetic and Orthopedic Enterprise, ORTOS, and Rostec.

"This project combines our country's most ambitious goals: national health, independence from imports, and a high level of education for future generations. As part of the project, we are creating a modular platform for targeted NGS sequencing based on probe enrichment hybridization technology—the first used in domestic diagnostic reagents. The system being developed will allow for flexible scaling of panels—from highly specialized ones, including several genes, to whole-exome solutions covering a wide range of diseases, from cancer to rare hereditary pathologies. Domestic enrichment hybridization technology can become the basis for highly accurate next-generation diagnostic solutions, fully compatible with the Russian infrastructure and the needs of clinical genomics," commented project manager Yulia Samoylova.

"The development of domestic reagents for NGS sequencing is a key element in personalized medicine. Accurate information about a tumor's mutational profile allows doctors to make the right decision: prescribing targeted therapy when it's truly effective or avoiding unnecessary prescriptions of expensive drugs. This not only improves the quality of treatment but also optimizes healthcare costs. By supporting this project, we are providing Russian oncologists with a modern tool for informed clinical decisions," added Mikhail Losev, CEO of the Medical and Biological Union.

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VarAn (variant, analyzer) software, designed for the comprehensive processing and analysis of genomic data obtained by high-throughput sequencing, was developed by researchers at the Bioinformatics Laboratory. Institute of Medicine and Medical Technologies (IMMT) of Novosibirsk State UniversityIn September of this year, the program received a state registration certificate, legally securing the copyright to the development and opening the door to its further commercialization and implementation in clinical practice. In the near future, the developers will submit to the Federal Service for Surveillance in Healthcare (Roszdravnadzor) a complete package of documents required to obtain a registration certificate for the medical device, which this application will serve as. The next stage of the project involves clinical trials of the developed solutions, using clinical samples and evaluating the system's diagnostic performance under real-world conditions.

— In recent years, with the active introduction of genetic testing in the diagnosis of hereditary and oncological diseases, the need for specialized software capable of coping with these tasks has increased significantly. Programs similar in functionality to our development exist in Russia and abroad, but the difference between our product is its ability to support a wider range of possible analyzes and evaluate both somatic and hereditary mutations, which expands the possibilities of its use and provides advantages for use in clinical practice. Our program analyzes DNA sequencing data. This process is the reading of a DNA sequence. This is important because many diseases – both hereditary and oncological – arise precisely because of the replacement of the DNA sequence. To prescribe specialized treatment, it is necessary to read the patient’s DNA sequence and determine which mutation caused the disease. Until recently, specialists could only read very short fragments of it, and not with the highest accuracy. And to obtain reliable information about an existing mutation, it is necessary to read many such sequences. The result is millions of short reads, and in order to identify the desired mutations in this array of information, it is necessary to perform complex computer processing of the available data. Our VarAn software performs all the stages of analyzing such short DNA reads: assessing their quality, filtering, and then mapping to the reference genome, determining the mutation and its annotation – does it affect the protein, is it responsible for the presence of any disease. As a result, the user receives a full report that lists all potentially significant clinical mutations,” explained VarAn software developer, junior researcher at the Bioinformatics Laboratory of the Institute of Medical Sciences of NSU Alexander Vikhorev.

VarAn software has a wide range of applications. It is designed for automated analysis of high-throughput sequencing (NGS) data in clinical practice to identify and interpret pathogenic genetic variants for diagnostic purposes. The program covers the full data processing cycle: from raw sequencing data quality control (FASTQ) to generating a clinical report containing annotated variants with established diagnostic significance.

"Our VarAn app is a standalone product with expanded functionality for clinical diagnostics. It offers versatility for a wide range of genetic studies and provides comprehensive bioinformatics analysis with automated interpretation of the clinical significance of identified variants. It integrates the full NGS data processing cycle into a single software environment. The output data is intended for use by medical professionals in making diagnostic decisions and developing personalized therapeutic strategies," explained Alexander Vikhorev.

The VarAn app features a user-friendly, intuitive interface for managing analysis results and provides a secure connection to ensure the confidentiality of medical data. Using it requires no specialized knowledge, let alone programming skills. The results display form is also extremely user-friendly.

"Our software is designed for a select group of professional users, primarily scientists and geneticists. For their convenience, the application has preset optimal parameters: simply upload sample data, initiate the analysis using a simple web form, select a few parameters—for example, the genome version—and run the process. Then, simply wait for the analysis to complete, which, depending on the data volume, can take anywhere from a few hours to several days. The results viewer is also extremely simple and user-friendly. Right on the application's website, you can view mutations, filter them, view the results in a genomic browser, and receive a detailed sequencing quality report. If necessary, you can download the results as an Excel spreadsheet for further independent work with them offline. Any physician can initiate the analysis using our website; no specialized programming knowledge or specialized applications are required," the developer explained.

The web application is hosted on the varan.nsu.ru domain, where technical testing of the system is currently underway using real genomic data. Laboratory staff are conducting these tests internally, without the involvement of external users. The reference genomes used in the tests have previously been sequenced and analyzed multiple times by specialists, who identified reference mutations in them. The website has successfully passed all operational modes, demonstrating the software's high sensitivity and specificity.

VarAn software was created as part of a project to develop comprehensive disease diagnostic solutions using whole-genome sequencing and microfluidic technologies. This project is part of the strategic technology project "Center for the Integration of Biomedicine and Pharmaceutics," implemented with the support of the Priority 2030 program.

Material prepared by: Elena Panfilo, NSU press service

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Employees Institute of Medicine and Medical Technologies of Novosibirsk State University (IMMT NSU) Participants in an international Russian-Kazakh study analyzing patients with chronic heart failure (CHF) who were or were not prescribed cardiac resynchronization therapy (CRT). The Russian portion of the project was led by Anton Yurkovsky, a resident at the Institute of Medical and Mechanics of the Novosibirsk State University.

Current guidelines emphasize the importance of a comprehensive approach—integrating drug and device therapy to maximize the lifespan of patients with CHF. Professor and MD Natalia Lozhkina, one of the study participants, comments on the practical impact of these strategies:

"Over the past decades, a number of medications have been developed (ACE inhibitors or sartans, beta-blockers, diuretics, and modern combination therapies), which, taken together, have increased the life expectancy of patients with CHF by approximately six to eight years. However, this is where pharmacological options are limited. The next step in treatment is cardiac resynchronization therapy (CRT)—the implantation of a special device that synchronizes the ventricles. This increases the efficiency of cardiac contractions and improves patient well-being," explained Natalia Lozhkina.

In Russia, cardiac resynchronization therapy remains inaccessible to most patients, while in Kazakhstan there are more opportunities for its use.

Scientists from NSU, together with colleagues from a medical center in Almaty, compared clinical, demographic, instrumental, biochemical, and drug treatment data in patients with CHF with reduced left ventricular ejection fraction in several hundred patients, both those who underwent CRT and those who did not, over a five-year follow-up period. Based on this data, the study authors developed a unique approach for assessing the five-year prognosis in patients with severe, end-stage CHF.

"By comparing data from Russian and Kazakh patients, we convincingly demonstrated that cardiac resynchronization therapy with defibrillator function, especially in patients with an extremely low left ventricular ejection fraction, can extend their lives by an additional five years or more. This period may be sufficient to wait until their turn for a donor heart transplant. Simply put, this treatment significantly improves the survival rate of such patients, of whom, I repeat, there are quite a few," noted Natalia Lozhkina.

The study results will soon be published in a number of high-impact scientific journals and presented at a meeting of the regional branch of the Russian Society of Cardiology. According to the scientists, this will significantly increase the chances of including cardiac resynchronization therapy in the list of services available under the compulsory medical insurance system in our country. The researchers also plan to use the database they created for other research projects related to assessing the effectiveness of various approaches to treating CHF.

Chronic heart failure (CHF) is a clinical syndrome characterized by typical symptoms (shortness of breath, fatigue, edema) caused by structural and/or functional abnormalities of the heart, which lead to ineffective blood supply to the body at rest or under stress. According to the European Society of Cardiology, CHF is associated with a significant reduction in quality of life, a high risk of rehospitalization, and early mortality: without treatment of the underlying disorder, approximately 50% of patients die within four years of diagnosis, and in severe cases, more than half die within the first year. Along with its high mortality rate, CHF remains a leading cause of disability, significantly reducing life expectancy and leading to significant loss of active working years due to progressive deterioration of physical and social adaptation.

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Specialists at the National Technology Initiative (NTI) Competence Center for "Modeling and Development of New Functional Materials with Predetermined Properties" at Novosibirsk State University have received a registration certificate for a computer program—a prototype software suite capable of integrating multi-scale atomistic modeling methods into a single platform. Its use will allow scientists to more quickly and accurately predict the properties of new materials. The development was carried out as part of a project funded by the National Technology Initiative Foundation.

"Modern computing technologies are advancing rapidly, and numerical modeling methods are advancing alongside them. Atomistic modeling methods, from quantum and classical molecular dynamics to Monte Carlo simulations, occupy a special place among them," said Vladimir Andryushchenko, PhD, a research fellow at the NTI Competence Center at NSU.

The above approaches, according to the scientist, are attractive because they are based on fundamental physical laws—classical and quantum mechanics. In practice, they allow for highly accurate calculations of processes occurring in matter at the atomic level, as well as predictions of certain macroscopic properties of the material. However, to date, each of these modeling approaches is implemented in separate, specialized programs, which require highly skilled and time-consuming work.

"A researcher has to work with a whole 'zoo' of programs, each with its own syntax and data format. As a result, a significant portion of time is spent on routine calculations and transferring information between programs. We set ourselves the goal of combining various approaches in a single system that would minimize errors and facilitate the work of a materials scientist or chemist," explained Vladimir Andryushchenko.

The software package being developed should not only integrate existing methods but also include elements of intelligent support. A recommendation module is being developed to help the user select optimal algorithms and calculation parameters.

"The user specifies the material properties to be determined and the required calculation accuracy, and the program, based on the embedded algorithms, suggests which methods to use. For example, whether molecular dynamics calculations with a classical potential are sufficient or whether the potential should be generated using machine learning methods. This approach significantly simplifies the modeling process and improves the quality of the results," the scientist noted.

The NSU NTI Competence Center team is currently finalizing the technical specifications and expanding its functionality. The prototype software package already enables calculations of gas and liquid interactions with various surfaces, as well as the study of the properties of carbon nanotubes and certain high-entropy alloys.

"We expect to release a full-fledged version of the program, which will enable us to solve a wide range of problems in materials science, within the next two years. Engineers, chemists, and researchers will be able to use it as early as 2026," added Vladimir Andryushchenko.

According to the developers, the project arose from the practical needs of the researchers themselves. The NSU team initially focused on modeling the properties of alloys and carbon materials, and during the process, they realized the need to create a tool that would automate some of the computational procedures and simplify data analysis.

The new software suite has the potential to become a universal tool for a wide range of industries—from energy and microelectronics to medicine and aerospace. The ability to predict the properties of materials before they are synthesized significantly reduces development time and costs, and also mitigates the risk of experimental failure. Such approaches are already being widely used in the creation of heat-resistant and corrosion-resistant alloys and carbon composites.

"We're focusing on the practical challenges researchers face. This software suite is being developed to make their lives truly easier," Vladimir Andryushchenko emphasized. "The more types of materials and calculation scenarios it can cover, the greater its value for science and industry."

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.

Translation. Region: Russian Federation –

Source: Novosibirsk State University –

An important disclaimer is at the bottom of this article.

A strategic session, "Tools for Creating Technology Development Plans in the Oil and Gas Industry," was held as part of the "Golden Valley 2025" scientific and industrial forum organized by Novosibirsk State University and supported by Gazprom Neft. Sergey Golovin, Director of the NSU Advanced Engineering School, moderated the session and commented on the event's results.

"The session was dedicated to discussing tools that allow you to understand the challenges facing large oil and gas companies, delve into these challenges, find applications for your ideas within this framework, or identify challenges you'd like to solve yourself. Then, test your solutions in collaboration with company specialists, create your own startup, secure grant or venture funding, and, ultimately, bring your product or solution to market," said Sergey Golovin.

He estimates that NSU currently has a full range of tools to complete each of these stages. These include the "Challenge Showcase" platform, launched by Gazprom Neft, which allows external developers to closely and productively collaborate with the company to assess its challenges and develop their own solutions.

Next, the opportunities offered by Industrix—a technology accelerator program launched by Gazprom Neft to identify, develop, and implement new solutions in the oil and gas industry—come into play. It allows for initial ideas to be tested and refined, including through pilot testing at the company's facilities, and, crucially, to confirm market demand for the proposed developments and potential investment.

The NSU Startup Studio, which recently emerged within the university's infrastructure, offers effective formats for launching new projects, helping to attract venture capital investment. And, of course, traditional mechanisms such as various types of grant funding remain.

"As a result, we're getting a comprehensive package of project support at all stages. And now the only thing needed is simply our active involvement in generating ideas, creating businesses, teams, and so on. We discussed this in more detail during the session, in dialogue with representatives of our industrial partners. Students were also present, and it was clear they were interested in this work and saw how these opportunities could be exploited. It's a shame there weren't as many students, but I think we need to more actively promote such events among them, because this is a huge window of opportunity for young professionals, launching their careers, and we must definitely take full advantage of it," concluded Sergey Golovin.

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.

Translation. Region: Russian Federation –

Source: Novosibirsk State University –

An important disclaimer is at the bottom of this article.

As part of the scientific and industrial forum "Golden Valley", which is held by Novosibirsk State University, employees NSU Center for Artificial Intelligence presented a framework for managing artificial intelligence models.

"Our framework is for managing and testing datasets and AI models, which must be done before they are included in any workflow. To make this more clear, we also showed examples of the framework's operation with several datasets we already have," said Evgeny Pavlovsky, PhD, a leading researcher at the NSU Center for Artificial Intelligence.

One such example is a project implemented with the State Public Scientific and Technical Library.

The framework was loaded with digital library card data and its markup, and a model for card recognition and bibliographic information structure recognition, created by the center's own staff, was tested.

"We are currently in the process of handing over the framework to the client. Its implementation will significantly automate the work of the State Public Scientific and Technical Library staff in creating new cards. In the future, we plan to add an algorithm to the framework that will allow it to scan a new book and automatically extract the necessary bibliographic information from it, without the involvement of a library employee," explained Evgeny Pavlovsky.

There will be some “advantages” for readers, first of all, the process of finding the necessary books published before 2000 will be significantly simplified.

"Currently, this task requires a rather complex approach. For example, it took me about half an hour to find a book about Al-Khwarizmi, published in Tashkent in 1968. But I was very motivated to search. Modern users don't always spend 30 minutes searching for a single book. Therefore, with our framework, we've significantly simplified this process; you can find the book or article you need much faster, without resorting to specialist help," Pavlovsky emphasized.

There are other examples of the framework's use, all related in one way or another to smart city technologies, which are the specialty of the NSU Center for Innovative Research. This primarily applies to developers of artificial intelligence models, those who have a good understanding of their clients' needs and are currently in the model development stage. For example, when modeling heat distribution in a city, the client clearly understands the objectives, structure, and capabilities of the city's heating networks and the entire housing and utilities infrastructure, but also needs a model to optimize certain processes and parameters.

As is well known, some AI models can sometimes produce incorrect data, or, as they say, hallucinate. In such cases, a framework will be needed that allows developers to test models and understand which ones are usable and which are not.

But, as the developers emphasize, the range of its potential applications is much broader. This was confirmed by the interest the development generated among visitors to the exhibition organized as part of the Golden Valley forum.

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.

Translation. Region: Russian Federation –

Source: Novosibirsk State University –

An important disclaimer is at the bottom of this article.

For the first time in Russia, a ready-made air handling unit with a recuperator offering absolute frost resistance—it can withstand temperatures down to -90°C—has been introduced. The unit can be used in both individual construction projects and large industrial facilities. It reduces peak and overall building energy consumption for temperature maintenance by 70% year-round, significantly reducing costs not only during building operation but also during the design phase. The control electronics for this unit were developed by students and graduates of the NSU Faculty of Information Technology (FIT).

To reduce heat loss during ventilation, recuperators are used—heat exchangers that operate by transferring thermal energy from exhaust air to supply air supplied to the room. This process heats or cools the supply air, saving energy on heating and cooling the air. However, in freezing temperatures, existing recuperators freeze over, significantly increasing the energy costs of heating the supply air. This led to the idea of creating an innovative recuperator that combines the features of two main types of such devices—plate and rotary.

"All recuperators freeze—it's a matter of physics. But unlike others, our recuperator—a heat exchanger—is designed so that, rotating at a specific speed—approximately one revolution per hour—it moves frozen areas from the cold zone to the warm zone, where they thaw naturally," said Vladimir Fedorov, founder of the developer, Giplar, and a graduate of the Physics Department at NSU.

Novosibirsk developers have created the world's first recuperator with continuous self-defrosting without compromising efficiency. It is used to produce air handling units with a consistently high recuperation efficiency of 70%, and their efficiency is unaffected by freezing temperatures (down to -90°C) or the humidity of ventilated spaces. This reduces peak and overall energy consumption of buildings for temperature maintenance by 70% year-round.

The next step was to develop control electronics to ensure the coordinated operation of all the system's components. None of the ready-made solutions available on the market were suitable, as the recuperator was unique, so a custom control module had to be developed. This task was tackled by graduates and students of the NSU Faculty of Information Technology, led by Ilya Epishin.

"Our electronics control the heat exchanger's operation: our task was to monitor the inlet and outlet temperatures, control the power of the supply and exhaust fans, rotate the heat exchanger rotor at a specific time, and provide feedback on its position to detect any issues that may arise during rotation or during operation; and monitor the filter status using a set of sensors. We also implemented several operating modes, one of which is "Breeze," which allows us to configure the heat exchanger so that, at temperatures close to the dew point (when water vapor condenses into liquid), the air in the room is cooled using the laws of physics, rather than the air conditioner," explained Ilya Epishin.

FIT students, under the guidance of Ilya Epishin, developed a control board, wrote code for the microcontroller, programmed the board and display, and developed the interface, which required some knowledge of industrial design. They used the open-source LVGL library.

"The unique feature of the control electronics is its modular architecture, meaning it can be expanded with any number of modules, increasing its functionality, and adding an additional board. The architecture is based on a pass-through bus with a desi-chain mechanism, which enables the integration of various modules in our design. This year, my student Matvey Potapov, who also actively participated in this project, will be defending his thesis on this topic. This approach allows the controller to automatically detect an additional module when connecting it, and if the code supports it, new functions become available to the user or the system's operating logic changes automatically. It's somewhat reminiscent of plug-and-play on a computer, but applied to industrial automation. This fits well with the system itself—the heat exchanger is also modular, and for larger spaces, devices can be assembled from several modules, increasing the air volume that can be passed through it and allowing for cost-effective use in industrial facilities," Ilya explained.

The introduction of such air handling units will allow for a wider geographic reach, for example, in regions of the Far North, where recuperators are not used due to severe frosts. However, reducing heating costs is a pressing issue in these areas. This will also reduce building costs even at the design stage, when the innovative air handling units used allow for lower energy consumption requirements.

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.

Translation. Region: Russian Federation –

Source: Novosibirsk State University –

An important disclaimer is at the bottom of this article.

On October 23–24, 2025, Novosibirsk State University, the NSU Advanced Engineering School (AES), and organizations of the Novosibirsk Scientific Center hosted a delegation from the Gazprom Neft Department of Technological Development, led by Bogdan Kostyuk, a graduate of the NSU Physics Department.

The visit took place as part of the development of cooperation between NSU, institutes of the Siberian Branch of the Russian Academy of Sciences, and Gazprom Neft in the area of scientific and technical research and engineering solutions for the oil and gas industry.

The purpose of the visit is to become familiar with the scientific areas and research infrastructure of Akademgorodok, as well as to identify priority topics for joint projects.

The program included meetings and presentations at NSU, where representatives from the university and SB RAS institutes presented developments in materials science, raw material processing, digital modeling, chemical technologies, and engineering systems monitoring.

The delegation also visited several institutes of the Siberian Branch of the Russian Academy of Sciences, including the Lavrentyev Institute of Hydrodynamics, the Khristianovich Institute of Theoretical and Applied Mechanics, the Boreskov Institute of Catalysis, the PISh competence centers, and other organizations, where laboratory complexes and current applied projects were demonstrated.

Following the visit, the parties confirmed their interest in developing scientific and technical partnerships and jointly exploring specific areas of cooperation in the fields of engineering, materials, and technological solutions for the fuel and energy sector.

Novosibirsk State University is a member of Gazprom Neft's "University League," a system for collaboration between the company and higher education institutions to exchange scientific and educational information in a single-window format. This ecosystem facilitates the creation of new faculties, graduate programs, and laboratories, and encourages the launch of joint research and grant programs. The League comprises 49 Russian universities, as well as partner educational institutions from China and India.

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.