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Innovations are crucial for the transition to a sustainable bioeconomy. They are embedded in and linked to complex value chains, but these interrelationships have not received much attention in the empirical literature yet. Using current typologies of four bioeconomic innovation types and six value chain models, this case study analyzes detailed data from 11 companies in Argentina to identify the drivers of sustainable innovations, their linkage to different value chain characteristics, and the main innovation types. The results show that certain factors such as supply and demand, interindustry cooperation and R&D, diversification strategies, personal values and the search for sustainable solutions particularly shape certain types of innovation. The structure and governance of the value chains influence the type of sustainable innovation. Innovations take place at different levels, and in succession, they complement each other and can thus make the bioeconomy more sustainable. Therefore, appropriate policies to promote the bioeconomy in Argentina and beyond should consider the type of value chains and specific innovation systems involved. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The agricultural sector could benefit from biotechnologies in addressing challenges such as pests, droughts, and food supply issues. Genetically modified (GM) crops have been developed to offer not only economic advantages to farmers but also to contribute positively to the environment, human health, and consumer well-being. However, consumers’ hesitancy in buying GM food may stem from societal reactions to how biotechnologies in agriculture have been regulated so far. The legislative debate that led, in early 2024, to the approval of Commission’s proposal (COM(2023) 411 final) – aimed at simplifying the authorization process for plants obtained with certain new genomic techniques (NGTs) – has sparkled public discussion in the European Union on the application of biotechnologies in agriculture. This work aims to investigate Italian consumers’ acceptance toward GM food. Through data collected from an original survey (N = 564), we tested a) their level of knowledge of GM techniques; b) if they are aware of differences between established techniques based on classical approaches of crossing and selection and more precise biotechnological techniques; c) their propensity to buy GM food, with a specific focus on food safety and environmental sustainability issues. By using a Multinomial Logit Model (MNL), starting from three hypotheses, the study highlights a gap in knowledge transfer and, in general, the communication process. This results in widespread misinformation that hinders informed consumer choices. The study also emphasizes consumers’ sensitivity to food safety, including environmental issues, but still related to food safety issues.

Cordyceps militaris and Lentinula edodes are known for their high extracellular proteolytic, amylolytic, and laccase activity, which is important for bakery production. This article describes the effect of enzymes obtained from mycelial biomass of C. militaris and L. edodes on such properties of flour mixes as amylolytic and proteolytic enzymic activity during baking, technological costs, and bread quality. The research featured strains of C. militaris SRG4 and L. edodes 3790 fungi; mycelial biomass powder of these fungi on a sterile grain substrate (rice, wheat); experimental flour mixes of wheat bread and first-grade baking flour with mycelial biomass powder; bread made from the experimental flour mixes. The experimental part included standard methods used in the bakery industry. The mycelial biomass of C. militaris and L. edodes fungi proved to be a promising baking additive because it possessed hydrolytic enzymes and was rich in protein substances (32.2 ± 1.5 and 26.4 ± 2.0%, respectively), specific mushroom polysaccharides (36.7 ± 0.8 and 52.2 ± 1.2%, respectively), and carotenoids (1600 ± 40 mcg/g of C. militaris biomass). The active amylases and proteinases in the mycelial biomass powder improved the sugar-forming ability and reduced the falling number. In addition, they raised the amount of washed gluten with a slight decrease in elasticity, as well as provided an acceptable structure and viscosity of the dough at 1–4% of mycelial biomass powder. This dose resulted in an optimal bread formulation of standard quality. A bigger amount caused the crumb to darken and increased its humidity while reducing the specific volume. The bread samples with C. militaris were too acid. Mycelial biomass of C. militaris and L. edodes proved to be a good source of enzymes to be used with grain substrates in bakery production. Further research is needed to define the optimal dose and processing modes.

Landfills are widely employed as the primary means of solid waste disposal. However, this practice generates landfill gas (LFG) which contains methane (CH4), a potent greenhouse gas, as well as various volatile organic compounds and volatile inorganic compounds. These emissions from landfills contribute to approximately 25% of the total atmospheric CH4, indicating the imperative need to valorize or treat LFG prior to its release into the atmosphere. This review first aims to outline landfills, waste disposal and valorization, conventional gas treatment techniques commonly employed for LFG treatment, such as flares and thermal oxidation. Furthermore, it explores biotechnological approaches as more technically and economically feasible alternatives for mitigating LFG emissions, especially in the case of small and aged landfills where CH4 concentrations are often below 3% v/v. Finally, this review highlights biofilters as the most suitable biotechnological solution for LFG treatment and discusses several advantages and challenges associated with their implementation in the landfill environment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Relevance. Long-term sustainable development of oil and gas companies forms the vector for building an effective business model in order to ensure high sustainability of the enterprise in a changing macroenvironment, the key factor in the transformation of which is the ESG agenda. Aim. Socio-economic assessment of projects for processing bioresources by oil and gas companies as one of the programs for creating a closed-cycle production in the context of the imperatives of the ESG agenda. Object. Business processes of an oil and gas company. Subject. Closed-cycle biotechnology as a business segment of an oil and gas company. Methods. Empirical and economic-statistical. Results. The work shows the search for management solutions by oil and gas companies to maintain investment attractiveness and competitiveness in conditions of macroeconomic instability. Areas of business diversification include the introduction of a biotechnology segment into the business model of oil and gas companies, which is not considered promising. The implementation of an economically ineffective project of PJSC Tatneft with a high payback period for the production of biofuels is determined mainly by socio-economic factors that influence both the development of the region where the business is located and the expansion of its social responsibility. This project, taking into account its scientific and technological functional load, is part of PJSC Tatneft program for transition to a circular economy based on ESG principles.

This article reports on speculative engagements in group conversations with elderly citizens on the biomedical possibilities of modifying aging in the future. The participants oriented themselves towards the future of aging through memories and present embodied perceptions. To constrict the analysis, we draw on Isabelle Stengers' speculative thinking and, to conceptualize the multiplicity of temporalities in our data, we build on Henri Bergson's theorization on time. The analysis of the conversations on technoscientific change illustrate how experiences of aging and the life-span are constituted in and through relations with human and more-than-human others. We theorized these connections of the personal and the collective as living temporality with two temporal logics: Intergenerational time involving other humans in the past, present and future, and evolutionary time that connects the aging body to other living beings and the planet. Within these articulations of the experience of time various alternative perspectives into what is considered as 'normal' aging emerged as counternarratives to biomedical models of temporal change. Methodologically, we show that as speculative thinking foregrounds experiential knowledge, it provides a vessel for unruliness and freedom that allows other types of aging futures to emerge alongside bioscientific ones. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The objective of this study was to determine the bioequivalence in bovines in superovulatory, superstimulatory and fertility in an TFAI protocol between a single-chain equine chorionic gonadotropin produced by recombinant technology (eCG-like) and native eCG. In Experiment 1, a crossing over experimental design was used where 14 cows received 2,000 IU im of eCG or 2,000 IU im of eCG-like on Day 4 of a superovulatory protocol in two periods. The cyclicity, size of the preovulatory follicles (PF), the number of accumulated ovulations (AO) and the number of corpora lutea (CL) were determined by ultrasonography. Experiment 2 was performed to evaluate the pregnancy rate in beef cows, where 828 cows received a protocol based on P4 and estradiol, and on Day 8 (removal of the intravaginal device) they were assigned to receive 400 IU of eCG-like (n=278), 400 IU of native eCG (n=301) or remain as untreated controls (n=249). In Experiment 3, the percentage of pregnancy at TFAI in dairy cows (n=472) was evaluated, where the same TFAI protocol based on progesterone and estradiol was used, and on Day 8, the cows were assigned to receive 400 IU of eCG-like (n=187) or 400 IU of eCG (n=194) or remain control (n=91). In Experiment 1, there were no differences in the number of FPs, the number of AO, the number of CL. In Experiment 2, the pregnancy rate at IATF was 29.7%, being higher in the groups treated with eCG and eCG-like compared to the control: 31.6%, 32.4% and 24.5% respectively (P=0.0391). In Experiment 3, the follicular diameter on day 10 was greater in cows treated with eCG and eCG-like (P=0.0007) and the IATF pregnancy rate was 38.6% and was affected by the treatment (P= 0.0335). We conclude that single-chain eCG-like produced by recombinant technology demonstrated a similar biological response in cattle at the same dose as eCG, being the first report where bioequivalence has been demonstrated in cattle. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

All living organisms are surrounded by natural and artificial origin electromagnetic radiation (EMR), which affects organisms. The artificial radiation sources number is increasing, but the EMR influence mechanisms on living organisms have not yet been fully investigated, despite the large number of studies. However, understanding the EMR action mechanisms can give impetus to the development of various biotechnologies. To solve the problem of understanding the EMR effects on organisms and develop new biotechnologies, it is necessary to apply new research methods. Therefore, the study of research methods is an urgent task. This research is a review of studies and research methods on the effects, of EMR on organisms. It brings together studies that consider different approaches to the study and existing hypotheses of the mechanisms of radiation effects. The aim of the paper is to review and evaluate methodological approaches to investigate the effects of EMR. The paper considers research on the EMR effects on microorganisms, eubacteria. Based on the results of the work, it is proposed to study the effect of radiation lasting several hours. As well as to apply spectrophotometry and fluorimetry methods.

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Advances in research on human cerebral organoids (HCOs) call for a critical review of current research policies. A challenge for the evaluation of necessary research regulations lies in the severe uncertainty about future trajectories the currently very rudimentary stages of neural cell cultures might take as the technology progresses. To gain insights into organotypic cultures, ethicists, legal scholars, and neuroscientists rely on resemblances to the human brain. They refer to similarities in structural or functional terms that have been established in scientific practice to validate organotypic cultures as models for brain research. In ethical discourse, however, such similarities are also used to justify assumptions about the potential risk to cause harm to HCOs. Ethicists assume that as the technology advances, organotypic cultures will increasingly resemble the human brain, raising more complex ethical issues. I argue that such reasoning is not justified given the heterogeneity of HCOs that have been modified to enable scientists to pursue their research goals. I then discuss the implications this line of thought has for advocates of the precautionary principle, focussing on those suggestions which propose adopting research regulations to the presence of bodily warning signs deemed worthy of protection. In doing so, I illustrate that the prevalent assumptions on similarity in ethical discourse ultimately risk disproportionately restricting research. I conclude that given the severe uncertainty about the technology’s future development, ethical discourse might benefit from narrowing the time frame for anticipation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study presents the results of the «green» economy public administration general trends study. Besides, «green» economy is characterized as a special type of economic activity based on various biotechnologies and aimed at solving urgent environmental problems. It is emphasized that according to a number of foreign publications and domestic regulatory documents, the biotechnological tools used in the «green» economy framework are largely focused on the processing of agroindustrial and household waste in combination with the biofuels production. According to the lexicometric analysis results, it is shown that the «green» economy problems are already in the field of view in almost half of the Russian Federation subjects. At the same time, special attention is drawn to four regions (two regions - Kemerovo and Kursk, as well as two republics - Buryatia and North Ossetia-Alania), where long-term state regulation of the «green» economy development is carried out within the special laws on socio-economic development strategies framework. As a result, it is noted that the «green» economy has broad application prospects in various regions of the Russian Federation, in particular, in order to reduce anthropogenic pressures on the environment and ensure sustainable development.

In the contemporary society, under globalization, digitalization, urbanization and networkization, the body acquires new meanings, is included in new discourses and becomes a significant object of sociology. The article considers the possibility of sociology of the body as an independent scientific direction similar to such directions as sociology of medicine, sociology of sexuality, feminist sociology, sociology of sports, sociology of food and nutrition, sociology of aging, etc. The problem of the body has a long tradition of scientific research, and the author identifies the prerequisites for sociology of the body in various areas of social knowledge: philosophy, anthropology, psychology, and general sociology. The author describes four basic research fields in sociology of the body: body as an object of social control; issues of sex and gender; body as an object of consumption; body and technology - development of biotechnology and selftracking technologies. These thematic blocks of sociology of the body are not isolated from such related fields as sociology of medicine, sociology of sexuality, feminist sociology, etc. All directions in the sociological study of the body are interrelated; however, each of them, including sociology of the body, has its own research field. Thus, sociology of the body studies the body in all its diverse social manifestations; the body as an element of social structure and social action; mutual influence of the body and contemporary transformations, such as urbanization, globalization, digitalization, networkization, etc.; emerging social movements focusing on the construction of identity and of the individual corporal project. The body becomes a project that can/should be improved and promoted. The “formed” body reflects such life attitudes of the individual as a sense of style and taste, attitudes to health, self-control, etc. Thus, through the body, the individual creates one’s social representation and identity: the image of “I”.

The beginning of the 21st century can be characterized as a qualitatively new stage in the development of human civilization, for which the central concept is convergence, unification, rapprochement and interpenetration of sciences and technologies.Particular attention is paid to the convergence of four leading scientific areas: Nanotechnologies, Biotechnologies, Information technologies and Cognitive technologies (NBIC-convergences). It has been emphasized that joining this block of social and humanitarian technologies enhances their mutual synergistic effect.The study of the convergence of sciences and technologies as a new stage in the integration of scientific knowledge is the purpose of this research.The methodological basis of the research is general methods of scientific knowledge, such as analysis, synthesis, generalization; a systematic approach associated with the idea of an object as an integral system, with the identification of diverse types of connections of a complex object and their reduction into a single theoretical picture.The relevance of the topic and its practical significance is associated with the recent strengthening of the positions of fundamental research, for which convergence is becoming the main method and source of future knowledge.Substantiation of the tight entry of the concept of «convergence» into the general structure of modern scientific knowledge in the process of transition to the stage of directed conscious human evolution can be considered as the key conclusion.

Introduction. The spread of medical theories and practices to various spheres of society is becoming a significant factor in the development of society. In the scientific literature this phenomenon is called medicalization. The essence, causes and consequences of medicalization are comprehended in philosophical and bioethical discourses. Medicalized practices are also being introduced into the process of education. Theoretical analysis. Consideration of the problem made it possible to reveal that pedagogical means of solving the problems of education are supplemented or replaced by means of medical influence on the human body. The features of students’ behavior are marked as symptoms of neuropsychiatric diseases that require treatment. Correction of students’ behavior with the help of medical means is associated with the disciplinary nature of education, considered in the biopolitical concept of M. Foucault. The transformation of the cultural understanding of the norm under the influence of natural science theory stands out as a trend of the development of modern science, contributing to the growth of medicalization. Also, the development of the biological concept of psychiatry and the achievements of neuroscience contribute to the medicalization of the process of education. Conclusion. The medicalization of the process of education is followed by new social risks that have philosophical, methodological, social, humanitarian and ethical grounds. It is concluded that it is necessary to conduct a social and humanitarian examination of medicalized educational practices and analyze the compliance of medicalized practices with the goals and objectives of education.

Abstract This article represents the perspective of one retired, academic forage breeder and cultivar developer after 50 years of working experience. Developing cultivars that help farmers within pastoral agriculture is the main goal, a system where livestock is the consumer. International Grassland Congress proceedings, as well as the general literature, are historical guides for the state of forage breeding. Efficiency was achieved through technologies; better equipment for planting and harvesting; and advances in computer computation and communication. Biotechnology achievements were fitful and continue to evolve. Cultivar performance mean‐reversion, cost to the program, and what the farmer seed buyer was willing to pay are important considerations for applying any technology, especially biotechnologies. Biotech promises were too optimistic. This was due, in part, to a lack of understanding that traditional phenotypic/genotypic field selection programs operate in a complex way with multiple species and several traits screened simultaneously at a modest cost. The majority of current forage cultivars are from field‐based selection. Industry participation at scientific conferences declined over time, with less sharing of information the result. Cultivar developers will continue using basic field selection methods but should explore applying any technology; just be clever on when, how, and with whom to use them. Practical advice and experiences are also presented and discussed.

Wastewater contamination by nitrogen compounds is a serious problem for the mining, industrial and utility companies. Nitrogen can enter quarry effluent when explosives containing ammonium nitrate are used in blasting operations. This nitrogen pollution of water leads to environmental damage and human disease, companies that exceed the legal limits for nitrogen pollution are subject to fines. Nitrogen is removed from wastewater by biological methods, but their efficiency is low in the Northern regions of Russia due to climatic factors that hinder the vital activity of organisms. Therefore, it is essential to develop wastewater treatment technologies for the removal of nitrogen compounds. This study focuses on the ability of the microalgae Chlorella vulgaris to absorb and utilize various inorganic nitrogen compounds in mining effluents using the example of effluents from the "Karelsky Okatysh" mine and tailings dam (Kostomuksha, Republic of Karelia). Concentrations of ammonium, nitrate and nitrite in water and microalgal biomass in water samples have been investigated. A novelty of the study is the evaluation of pollutant concentrations in parallel experiments with different cultivation conditions. It has been found that when Chlorella vulgaris is cultivated at 26 °C, aeration and artificial light, the concentration of ammonium decreases. These results show the promising application of bioreactor technologies for the treatment of ammonium polluted wastewater.

This article investigates the role of architectural research in addressing the current ecological, geopolitical, and socioeconomic challenges by exploring the potential of symbiotic ecosystems, particularly microorganisms such as microalgae, in architectural and design applications. Microalgae biotechnologies have the potential to offer a wide range of applications in architecture and design, encompassing small-scale objects, living systems on building exteriors, as well as urban and rural scenarios, thereby allowing for systematic research. When using these biotechnologies in architectural designs, it is crucial to consider maintenance requirements, environmental impacts, and the potential for enhancing public spaces and society across various dimensions in both short-term and long-term perspectives, and potential environmental impacts before implementing microalgae-based systems in real-life scenarios. This study de-scribes a collection of interdisciplinary projects and research that involve microbiology, architecture, and design and proposes various experimental scenarios concerning the integration of both human and non-human perspectives. Through collaborative aca-demic efforts, these projects demonstrate the potential for combining microalgae culti-vation with architectural applications. The projects include Photosynthetic Landscape, a modular photobioreactor system, Synthesizing/Distancing which addresses coexist-ence in global epidemics, Biotopia, a permanent interior installation incorporating microalgae, Exchange Instruments, a semi-closed cultivation system, and Cultivated Environment, a small-scale microalgae cultivation apparatus. The article highlights the implication of controlled environments, maintenance, and interdisciplinary coopera-tion while showcasing the potential for these systems.

Heavy metal (HM) contamination is a persisting environmental problem in many countries. The major sources of soil contamination due to heavy metals (HMs) include pesticides, organic compounds, paints, waste generation by industrial (including small and medium enterprises) and mining activities. The remediation of soils contaminated with HMs is essential, given the fact that the latter causes direct and indirect damage to living organisms and the environment. There have been efforts to tackle the indefinite persistence of HMs in the soil for a long time; however, the problem persists due to a surge in HM utilization and lack of proper technologies for their eradication. To prevent HM contamination in the environment, novel, resilient ecotechnologies are necessary to remove and recover HMs from contaminated water and soil environments. Microbial bioremediation offers a cost-effective solution for the treatment of environmental sites contaminated with HMs. Microbes have the capacity to degrade environmental pollutants through their metabolic activity. Microbial degradation of HMs proceeds through diverse processes, such as biosorption, bioleaching, biomineralization, biotransformation and intracellular accumulation. The use of genetically modified microorganism with increased bioremediation potential, biomining using hybrid technologies and omics-based approaches is helpful to explore the realms of HM bioremediation. The implementation of these (bio) technologies has assisted in restoring soil contaminated by HMs and in protecting the environment. This review compiles information on the recent advances and applications of microbe-mediated bioremediation of soils contaminated with HMs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This article represents the perspective of one retired, academic forage breeder and cultivar developer after 50 years of working experience. Developing cultivars that help farmers within pastoral agriculture is the main goal, a system where livestock is the consumer. International Grassland Congress proceedings, as well as the general literature, are historical guides for the state of forage breeding. Efficiency was achieved through technologies; better equipment for planting and harvesting; and advances in computer computation and communication. Biotechnology achievements were fitful and continue to evolve. Cultivar performance mean-reversion, cost to the program, and what the farmer seed buyer was willing to pay are important considerations for applying any technology, especially biotechnologies. Biotech promises were too optimistic. This was due, in part, to a lack of understanding that traditional phenotypic/genotypic field selection programs operate in a complex way with multiple species and several traits screened simultaneously at a modest cost. The majority of current forage cultivars are from field-based selection. Industry participation at scientific conferences declined over time, with less sharing of information the result. Cultivar developers will continue using basic field selection methods but should explore applying any technology; just be clever on when, how, and with whom to use them. Practical advice and experiences are also presented and discussed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This article represents the perspective of one retired, academic forage breeder and cultivar developer after 50 years of working experience. Developing cultivars that help farmers within pastoral agriculture is the main goal, a system where livestock is the consumer. International Grassland Congress proceedings, as well as the general literature, are historical guides for the state of forage breeding. Efficiency was achieved through technologies; better equipment for planting and harvesting; and advances in computer computation and communication. Biotechnology achievements were fitful and continue to evolve. Cultivar performance mean‐reversion, cost to the program, and what the farmer seed buyer was willing to pay are important considerations for applying any technology, especially biotechnologies. Biotech promises were too optimistic. This was due, in part, to a lack of understanding that traditional phenotypic/genotypic field selection programs operate in a complex way with multiple species and several traits screened simultaneously at a modest cost. The majority of current forage cultivars are from field‐based selection. Industry participation at scientific conferences declined over time, with less sharing of information the result. Cultivar developers will continue using basic field selection methods but should explore applying any technology; just be clever on when, how, and with whom to use them. Practical advice and experiences are also presented and discussed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Backgrounds: Grazing prohibition and reduced grazing intensity, as two important "vegetation close‐to‐nature recovery" methods, have been suggested as economical and effective technologies for enhancing forage production. However, numerous studies have found that the yield of forage could be increased by removing or reducing grazing in a short time in some steady stage of alpine Kobresia meadows, but not in others. To reveal the mechanism behind this phenomenon, we proposed a series of experiments. Methods: We monitored the plant and soil characteristics in the key steady stages of Kobresia meadows under reduced and prohibited grazing conditions in the same geographic and climatic environments in the northeastern Qinghai‐Tibet Plateau for 6 years. We estimated the relationships between the plant community and soil nutrients and obtained the following results. Results: All measured variables were positively correlated with each other. The plant community structure had higher path coefficients to aboveground biomass, soil organic matter, total nitrogen, and nitrate nitrogen than to other factors. The plant community structure played an important role in response to grazing intensity. Different plant functional groups (PFGs) had different responses to grazing intensity, which led to plant community re‐establishment or re‐organization under different grazing intensities. Poaceae and Kobresia were more sensitive to grazing intensity than other PFGs, and the ratio of Kobresia biomass (including Kobresia humilis and Kobresia pygmaea) to the total biomass of Poaceae and Kobresia could be used as an indicator of regime shifts within plant communities. With Kobresia pygmaea as the dominant species, the prohibition of grazing was not an efficient approach to increase the yield in the steady stages because this treatment needed more time to recover aboveground biomass. If Poaceae is the dominant PFG, grazing should only be prohibited for 3 years in the steady stages because the aboveground biomass will decrease if grazing is prohibited for more than 3 years. Conclusions: Therefore, the different steady stages of alpine meadows require different recovery methods to increase recovery efficiency and speed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This article investigates the role of architectural research in addressing the current ecological, geopolitical, and socioeconomic challenges by exploring the potential of symbiotic ecosystems, particularly microorganisms such as microalgae, in architectural and design applications. Microalgae biotechnologies have the potential to offer a wide range of applications in architecture and design, encompassing small-scale objects, living systems on building exteriors, as well as urban and rural scenarios, thereby allowing for systematic research. When using these biotechnologies in architectural designs, it is crucial to consider maintenance requirements, environmental impacts, and the potential for enhancing public spaces and society across various dimensions in both short-term and long-term perspectives, and potential environmental impacts before implementing microalgae-based systems in real-life scenarios. This study describes a collection of interdisciplinary projects and research that involve microbiology, architecture, and design and proposes various experimental scenarios concerning the integration of both human and non-human perspectives. Through collaborative academic efforts, these projects demonstrate the potential for combining microalgae cultivation with architectural applications. The projects include Photosynthetic Landscape, a modular photobioreactor system, Synthesizing/Distancing which addresses coexistence in global epidemics, Biotopia, a permanent interior installation incorporating microalgae, Exchange Instruments, a semi-closed cultivation system, and Cultivated Environment, a small-scale microalgae cultivation apparatus. The article highlights the implication of controlled environments, maintenance, and interdisciplinary cooperation while showcasing the potential for these systems. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this work the brief history of the origin of medical biotechnology and characteristics of their overall development with a correlation of biotechnology scientific advances in genetics, molecular biology, biochemistry, embryology and cell biology, as well as the chemical and information technology, robotics, are given. The author emphasizes that biomedical engineering is interdisciplinary, aimed at improving knowledge in engineering, biology and medicine including the use of technical approaches to solve pressing health problems. The article makes it possible to characterize the current state of development of biotechnology in the world, playing a key role in expanding the range of medical science and the creation of new types of high-tech medical care.

The present review analyzes the problem of accumulation and utilization of bark and bark-wood waste from wood-working and pulp and paper industries. The methods of utilization are systematized, which differ for "fresh" bark and bark-wood waste of a long shelf life. The essence of biotechnological methods of deep biotransformation of bark-wood waste of long shelf life is described in more detail: composting with the use of mineral fertilizers, stimulation of native microflora, use of activated sludge and artificial consortia of microorganisms, creation of biotechnical systems in the body of bark dumps, solid-phase fermentation of bark-wood waste by xylotrophic fungi. Successful examples of the implementation of methods of biotransformation of bark-wood waste of long-term storage in the bark dumps of pulp and paper enterprises of the Perm Region of Rusian Federation are given. The algorithm of utilization of bark-wood waste by solid-phase fermentation with the help of xylotrophic fungi at the bark dumps of Syktyvkar woodworking plant (Republoc of Komi, Russia) is proposed in order to obtain soil-like substrates and fertilizers, fruit bodies of edible xylotrophic fungi and valuable fungal metabolites for medicine.

The first scientific forum «Genetic Resources of Russia» took place in Saint Petersburg on 21-24 June 2022. The Forum brought together more than 500 specialists from more than 100 research institutions and universities of the Russian Federation. A round table «Regulations and standards of work with bio-resource collections» was organized within the framework of the Forum in connection with the relevance to create the legislation base for the work with biological collections and regulation of the activities of bioresource centres in the Russian Federation. This publication presents the outcomes of the Forum and its resolution relating to the legal regulation of biological collections.

1,4-Dioxane is a contaminant of emerging concern and a probable human carcinogen that has been widely detected in aqueous environments. However, the removal of 1,4-dioxane by conventional water and wastewater treatment plants had proven to be ineffective due to its unique physicochemical properties. The development of innovative technologies for both in-situ and ex-situ treatment of 1,4-dioxane to meet increasingly strict standards is in urgent need. This review summarizes the current available physicochemical and biological treatment technologies for the removal of 1,4-dioxane from both water and wastewater and the strategies that may potentially fulfill the stringent 1,4-dioxane standard were discussed. Advanced oxidation processes (AOPs), such as ultraviolet radiation coupled with H2O2 (8–10 mg L−1), had shown efficient 1,4-dioxane destruction and had already been applied for both water and wastewater treatment processes. On the other hand, more than 30 pure microbial strains and microbial communities that can metabolically or metabolically degrade 1,4-dioxane were reported. Biodegradation has been proven to be a feasible and cost-effective approach for 1,4-dioxane remediation. Suspended growth bioreactor, immobilized cell bioreactor, and biofiltration systems were the most commonly used biological approaches to remove 1,4-dioxane from contaminated water. Though 1,4-dioxane easily desorbs after the adsorption by materials such as granular activated carbon (GAC) and zeolite, temporary 1,4-dioxane removal by adsorption followed by 1,4-dioxane biodegradation in the bioaugmented adsorption media may be a feasible strategy treating 1,4-dioxane contaminated water. Overall, the treatment chain that combines physical-chemical processes and biodegradation has a great potential for synergistic removal of 1,4-dioxane at lower operating costs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Food waste (FW) generation has become one of the largest environmental concerns for human society. Thanks to its chemical features and its high biodegradability, FW can be used as starting platform to produce biocommodities. Lactic acid (LA) is one of those chemicals that is gaining the attention of industry and research for its important role in polylactic acids production. To exploit better the organic content of FW, several FW pretreatments have been proposed in the literature, though none of them were aimed at influencing LA fermentation. Thermal and ultrasonic pretreatment effects on solubilization rates and LA production yields have been investigated in this batch study. The highest solubilization rate was achieved with 30 minutes ultrasonic pretreated FW resulting in a 15% increment in soluble COD (sCOD). The highest LA yield was obtained after 90-minute thermal pretreatment at 80 and 100°C at a yield of 0.49 g LA•g COD−1. This study shows that ultrasonic pretreatment generally performed better than thermal pretreatment when considering the increase in sCOD but caused a reduction in LA concentrations and yields after fermentation with high production of ethanol. The opposite trend was recorded in the thermal pretreated incubations, in which LA was present for 50% of the sCOD with higher LA concentrations of 2.90 g COD•L−1. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Brown rot fungi belong to the wood-rotting fungi, which produce oxalic acid and actively decompose wood. We first found oxalates formed under the action of brown rot fungi in natural conditions on stone (Rogoselga adit, Karelia, Russia), proposed a model for their formation, and confirmed the hypothesis that frequent occurrence of metal oxalates in mines and adits may be associated with the activity of these fungi. We synthesized under the action of four species of brown-rot fungi (Serpula himantioides, Serpula lacrymans, Coniophora puteana, Antrodia xantha) on different mineral substrates analogs of all known biofilm oxalate minerals and oxalates of such toxic heavy metals as Pb, Cu, Mn. In addition, we compared the features of oxalate formation under the action of brown rot fungi and soil fungus Aspergillus niger, an active oxalic acid producer, widely used in model experiments and recommended for application in biotechnologies. It is shown that in contrast to A.niger, the contribution of the metabolic activity of brown rot fungi to oxalate crystallization exceeds the contribution of the underlying minerals. The prospects for the use of brown rot fungi such as Serpula himantioides, Coniophora puteana, and Antrodia xantha in modern environmentally friendly biotechnologies are justified. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article follows the ongoing transformation of genomic science into an industry – dedicated to the systematic extraction, abstraction and manipulation of genetic material – and considers the new types of oceanic exploration that genomic research both presupposes and fosters. We argue that emergent practices of ocean bioprospecting are sparking new ways of thinking, living and exploiting marine ecosystems as «genomic mines». We chart the recent history of genomic bioprospecting operations in the global ocean – focusing on the Sorcerer II expedition (2004-2006) and the Tara Oceans project (2009-2013) – and recount the rise of the «ocean genome» as an object of knowledge and a target of extractivist practices. Finally, we theorize the peculiar global mobility of bioprospecting vessels as constituting a practice of social construction of the ocean: a peculiar form of scientific navigation, which is already engendering new social uses of marine biodiversity, new strategies of capital accumulation, as well as innovative representations of ocean ecosystems.

Introduced by Descartes, the metaphor of the animal-machine has largely survived him and his philosophy. This is because it is a technical model, which does not say what animals are (everyone knows that they are not machines) but how they should be considered (it is a heuristic model) if certain results are to be obtained (it is a prescriptive model). It has therefore been used all the more as the instrumentalisation of farm animals for productivist purposes increased from the 19th to the 21st century. Using the reference to the animal-machine as a guideline, we follow the stages of the technical control of animals, from the zootechnics of the 19th and 20th centuries (the animal as a production machine) to the ambitions of biotechnology in the 21st century (the manufacture of the animal). This type of treatment of animals, which is a way of denying them their reality as living, sentient beings, has continually provoked an ethical criticism that aims at other relationships between humans and animals.

The development of strategic alliances between Russian and foreign pharmaceutical companies allows not only to introduce biotechnologies in the domestic market, but also to strengthen the policy of import substitution and increase export volumes. That is why it is important to support the creation and functioning of strategic alliances at the state level. The purpose of this article is to study the creation and development of strategic alliances between Russia and Hungary, paying attention to the formation of alliances in the field of pharmaceuticals. In order to achieve this goal, the indicators of export-import operations between Russia and Hungary in the field of “pharmaceutical products”, as well as the main strategic alliances operating between the two countries were considered. It is assumed that the development of Russian-Hungarian strategic alliances in the field of pharmaceuticals with localization of production will help to achieve the goals of the import substitution policy in the field of drug production, as well as to intensify export operations. To test this hypothesis, documents published in the public domain were analyzed, including statistical data on export-import operations in the pharmaceutical market between Russia and Hungary. In general, it was proved that at the present stage of development of the pharmaceutical market of the Russian Federation, it is important to support the creation and functioning of strategic alliances, which will strengthen Russian positions not only in the domestic market, but also in the international market. Thus, the Russian Federation should actively develop and support the development of localized strategic alliances using various methods, which will increase the share of domestic biotechnologies and ensure their export.

Recycled agroindustrial waste has been of great interest during the last decade as a low-cost and sustainable substrate for fermentation processes. The types of products, yields, and potential applications depend mainly on the waste composition, which varies in terms of proteins, carbohydrates, and/or polyphenolic compounds. The most commonly reported microbial products are enzymes, pigments, biosurfactants, antibiotics, and phenolic compounds for different industrial applications. Advances in research on novel wastes as nutrient sources and the optimization of fermentation processes can help these materials transition from laboratory applications to an industrial level. This review explores reports published in the last five years (2017–2022) on different types of agroindustrial waste and their utilization in the production of useful microbial products. The present scenario and future scope of agroindustrial waste as substrates for submerged and solid-state fermentation processes are also discussed. The information was analyzed considering two main topics: (i) agroindustrial waste as substrates for fermentation processes and (ii) high-added value products obtained by microbial conversion. This review contributes to future research endeavors to discover the key factors that will allow us to reach the market with sustainable microbial products. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Chlamydomonas reinhardtii (C. reinhardtii) is one of the most well-studied microalgae organisms that revealed important information for the photosynthetic and metabolic processes of plants and eukaryotes. Numerous extensive studies have also underpinned its great potential as a biochemical factory, capable of producing various highly desired molecules with a direct impact on human health and longevity. Polysaccharides, lipids, functional proteins, pigments, hormones, vaccines, and antibodies are among the valuable biomolecules that are produced spontaneously or under well-defined conditions by C. reinhardtii and can be directly linked to human nutrition and diet. The aim of this review is to highlight the recent advances in the field focusing on the most relevant applications related to the production of important biomolecules for human health that are also linked with human nutrition and diet. The limitations and challenges are critically discussed along with the potential future applications of C. reinhardtii biomass and processed products in the field of nutraceuticals and food supplements. The increasing need for high-value and low-cost biomolecules produced in an environmentally and economy sustainable manner also underline the important role of C. reinhardtii. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In-vitro meat is a novel biotechnology. Some religious devotees object to in-vitro meat because of its unnaturalness and detrimental effects on human health as well as its economic and environmental impact. The religious and ethical status of in-vitro meat has been a topic of discussion in a number of religious communities along with broader societal issues. Using a critical-literary review of linked literature, descriptive. and comparative methodologies, the paper examined in-vivo meat and its economic, environmental ethical, religious, and theological attendant implications for human society. Findings reveal that in-vivo meat is compatible with the religious ethics of Islam, Christianity, Judaism, and Hinduism, depending on the situation. We posit that biotechnologists and people who support in-vivo meat technology should think about a wide range of things, such as consumer acceptance, safety, and religious beliefs, in order to move the technology forward and make it more acceptable to a wider range of people. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article examines Jürgen Habermas's text: The Future of Human Nature, focused on the implications of the development of biotechnological practices such as preimplantation genetic diagnostics and the possibilities of embryo modeling. Habermas' thesis that the uncontrolled use of the mentioned practices creates a danger of possible instrumentalisation of man and the creation of relations of dependence between different groups of people is analyzed. In such a perspective, the report centers around Nobel Laureate Kazuo Ishiguro's novel Never Let Me Go as an illustration of a possible future in which technology will allow the creation of human clones used as a source of spare parts. Various examples of such instrumentalisation of the human body in the last two decades are also given - surrogate motherhood, the egg market and even the case in which parents created a child to save the life of his/ sister through a bone marrow transplant. These already available instances of instrumentalisation of the human are pointed out in order to question the anthropological consequences of the advancement of biotechnology and its almost unchallenged imposition as a form of scientific progress that will lead to the improvement of the humankind but perhaps it will rather mark its end. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Skeletonema costatum is a dominant species in the spring phytoplankton composition of the Romanian Black Sea coastal waters. The species was isolated during a spring bloom and maintained in laboratory conditions for the past 10 years. The biomass was obtained by culturing the species in growth medium for diatoms under continuous light and shaking for four days. The biomass was harvested by vacuum filtration and lyophilized. The tannic acid content was determined by the HPLC method in the methanolic extract of S. costatum biomass. The tannic acid content was 0.46% (4.6 mg tannic acid/g biomass). Also, the chromatogram showed the presence of other separate, but unidentified organic compounds, which may contribute to its therapeutic potential. Our results justify further research to highlight S. costatum antioxidant and antimicrobial activity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Herald Avocats is a French law firm involved in intellectual property law, pharmaceutical law and European Union law that provides services to healthcare, biotech and pharmaceutical companies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

El objetivo: Buscamos comprender la definición de recursos genéticos marinos y recursos biológicos marinos, ubicándola en el contexto histórico de las narrativas del derecho internacional del mar. Buscamos analizar el contenido del patrimonio común de la humanidad hacia los RGM. Buscamos analizar el marco legal internacional de extracción y uso de RGM asegurando un fácil acceso a ellos de acuerdo con el concepto de patrimonio común de la humanidad. Buscamos investigar la regulación legal internacional de la biopiratería en la investigación legal. Los autores consideran la importancia de la necesidad de satisfacer la falta de una definición universal de biopiratería en relación con los RGM en el Derecho Internacional del Mar. La metodología: La investigación utiliza técnicas científicas generales y cognitivas especiales en las que se aplican métodos de análisis y síntesis jurídica, sistémico, formal-legal, comparado-legal, histórico-legal y dialéctico. Los resultados: Descubrimos que, por primera vez en la historia, la protección legal del patrimonio inmaterial de RGM perteneciente a los pueblos indígenas y las comunidades locales será fijada universalmente por la ley marítima. La ley también establecerá un mecanismo especial para controlar el acceso de las partes interesadas a este conocimiento. El conocimiento tradicional de los pueblos indígenas entra dentro de la definición de patrimonio cultural inmaterial. Este hecho plantea la cuestión de una superposición entre el futuro Acuerdo y la Convención para la Salvaguardia del Patrimonio Cultural Inmaterial. Aunque el ámbito que va a ser regulado por el futuro Acuerdo es muy específico, muchas de sus disposiciones se basan en los instrumentos legales internacionales previamente adoptados como la Convención de las Naciones Unidas sobre el Derecho del Mar, la Convención sobre la Diversidad Biológica y los Criterios de la COI. y Directrices sobre transferencia de tecnología marina. Además, el alcance del Acuerdo podría superponerse con el alcance de otros instrumentos internacionales, que no tienen nada que ver con el derecho marino, la ecología marina y la biodiversidad marina, p. Ej. la Convención para la Salvaguardia del Patrimonio Cultural Inmaterial. Todos los aspectos antes mencionados deberían impulsar nuevos estudios del marco legal de los recursos genéticos y biológicos marinos. Los autores llegaron a la conclusión de extender el concepto de patrimonio común de la humanidad a los recursos genéticos marinos y descubrimos el hecho de que la falta de regulación legal internacional de la extracción y uso de los recursos genéticos marinos asegurando el acceso facilitado a ellos de acuerdo con con el concepto de patrimonio común de la humanidad, lo que puede conducir a un aumento de la comisión de actos de biopiratería. Los contribuciones: Tras una revisión del contenido, planteamos posibles problemas, estrategias, sugerencias y lineamientos para los recursos genéticos marinos y la biopiratería.Los autores concluyen que la implicación del principio del patrimonio común de la humanidad en los RGM puede generar aún más conflictos de derecho porque Es imposible trasladar este principio a alta mar. Además, el acceso simplificado a los RGM junto con la falta de protección de los derechos intelectuales de los RGM y la información genética puede resultar en la sobreexplotación de los recursos marinos y oceánicos, así como en la propagación de la biopiratería. También señalamos que es necesario encontrar un equilibrio entre las libertades de alta mar, la salvaguardia de los RGM y la protección de los derechos de propiedad intelectual sobre la información genética o las biotecnologías marinas. Las investigaciones consideraron la distinción entre los conceptos de recursos genéticos marinos y biológicos marinos y revelaron los problemas de la regulación legal internacional del uso de los recursos genéticos marinos. Los autores concluyen que la generalización del marco legal internacional para regular el uso de los recursos genéticos marinos necesita mejoras legales. Los autores fomentan el complemento a la normativa legal internacional de la definición universal de recursos genéticos marinos y biopiratería.

Personal security is one of the important components of Russian national security. A serious challenge to the existential security of the individual comes from modern biomedical and information technologies, the use of which creates opportunities for changing the biosocial nature of a person. The distortion of the moral content of the philosophical principle of humanism in the conditions of the Fourth Industrial Revolution gave rise to the spread of the philosophy and ideology of transhumanism and post-humanism. The introduction of Trans-human and Post-human images into the public consciousness is a global threat to the continued existence of mankind. Purpose is to trace the historical transformation of the philosophy of humanism, which led to the formation of modern concepts of Trans-human and Post-human. Methodology: the article uses the methodology of historical and philosophical research approaches. Results: 1) A brief overview of the evolution of understanding of the essence of man and the principle of humanism in the history of philosophical thought is given. 2) The danger of deepening the gap between man and the technologies he creates is shown, especially in the conditions of the Fourth Industrial Revolution. 3) The content of the ideology and philosophy of transhumanism is revealed. 4) Various images of the Post-human, replacing Homo Sapiens, are considered. 5) The possible negative consequences for humanity of attempts to artificially change human nature are indicated. Practical implications: scientific discussions, expert activity, educational process. Conclusions: 1) A serious challenge to the security of the individual in modern society is the implementation in practice of the ideas of «cybernetic evolution», which call into question the continuation of human existence as a biological species. 2) The philosophy of classical humanism, based on the recognition of human life as the highest ethical value, is being blurred and distorted today. 3) Advances in the development of biomedical and information technologies have created favorable opportunities for attempts to revise the very nature of man in order to prolong life expectancy and overcome mortality, which was expressed in the concepts of Trans-human and Post-human. 4) The philosophy of transhumanism and post-humanism consistently leads to the destruction of the human personality. 5) The task of global management of post-humanity is greatly facilitated by the use of genetic and information technologies.

Contemporary scientific and technological process leads to rethinking of human nature and its components including dignified treatment. Identification of the permissible treatment in genomic experiments draws the core discussion about the essence of human dignity. In this regard the article focuses on deep transformation of human dignity nature in terms of new biotechnological challenges and rapid development of genomic technologies. The author analyses main philosophical and legal conceptions of human dignity and concludes about guiding and interdisciplinary role of human dignity in the human rights system and policy. The research goes on to define the somatic rights within the category of human rights and shows new aspects of exercises the somatic rights arisen in increased use of genomic technologies. Author compares philosophical doctrine of inherent generic dignity of every human being and personality theory in legal acts. The article pays special attention on the analyses of recent genomic achievements and genomic manipulation for the last 5 years where the subjects of manipulation are embryos and their tissues. Further, the article deals with philosophical, legal and medical justification of viability and sensitivity of human embryos and fetuses. The author considered the necessity of establishment the concept of moral status of embryo during genomic and genetic manipulations.

Techno-scientific advances have created valuable contributions to the development of science; however, they have also generated transformations in human conditions. For this reason, this writing presents a reflection on the transformations that human beings are experiencing in current societies, which are permeated by important scientific advances, the rise of technological developments and an overflowing consumerism typical of the neoliberal models that they have triggered transformations in own concept of the human person. The main conclusions support the consolidation of a consumer human being, endowed with exceptional capacities and with the apparent conquest of immortality, with a functioning synchronized with the globalized world and immersed in a society that is not exclusively human, consolidating posthumanism as a new humanism. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]