Biological Science and Biotechnology in Russia Controlling Diseases and Enhancing Security (2006) / Chapter Skim
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3 Pillar Two: Meeting Pathogen Research Challenges
3 Pillar Two: Meeting Pathogen Research Challenges
Pages 36-46
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From page 36... ...
At the same time, there are many unanswered questions concerning even common disease agents. Coupling solid fundamental research with targeted applied research is also beneficial to Russia's national goals and those of the international community in the biosciences and public health.
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From page 37... ...
As indicated in Appendix J, a few institutes have been designated by the government as State Research Centers with access to special funds available through the Ministry of Education and Science. One of the largest centrally coordinated research efforts in the field of infectious diseases directed toward the improvement of general approaches to disease prevention and control was organized by the former Ministry of Health and is now under the purview of the Ministry of Health and Social Development.
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From page 38... ...
Turning to the agricultural system, the Ministry of Agriculture has several relevant research institutes under its direct control. For example, a veterinary sciences institute in Vladimir is studying foot-and-mouth disease; another in Kazan, brucellosis; and a third in Pokrov, rabies and related diseases.
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From page 39... ...
Institutes under the Russian Academy of Agricultural Sciences conduct research for the optimization of phytosanitary conditions based on integrated pest management, chemical control, and biological control. The principal research institutes in this field are listed in Appendix J
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From page 40... ...
According to some Russian scientists, this is a widespread approach among Russian research managers, particularly the older generation, who believe they have a social responsibility to their staff members that have no employment possibilities beyond current positions, however depressed pay scales may be. Still, during the past decade, almost all Russian research institutes have experienced significant downsizing as many of the most entrepreneurial scientists have found better paying jobs elsewhere.
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From page 41... ...
But as Russia tightens export controls, foreign partners are increasingly denied access to Russian resources. Third, while Internet access is becoming more commonplace in Russia, few funds are available for attendance at international conferences or for short study trips abroad.
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From page 42... ...
Nevertheless, there are still areas of very strong Russian research capability. However, in the absence of much greater and more highly focused government efforts to adequately support even a limited number of research teams, Russian research will have declining significance for the international community and for Russia.
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From page 43... ...
Several hundred key Russian laboratories, each of which employs one or more integrated groups of scientists working toward common goals are, or could be, core elements of the Russian public health and agriculture research infrastructures of the future. Such important laboratories warrant special financial support granted through a competitive peer review process to enhance the research programs of their research groups.
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From page 44... ...
A second initiative is to upgrade facilities and equipment for appropriate disease-related research at selected laboratories throughout the country. Recent emphasis in Russia on using limited available funds primarily to meet payrolls has been accompanied by a dramatic decline in the facility and equipment assets of research institutions, including capabilities to maintain and disseminate data and to communicate rapidly domestically and internationally.
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From page 45... ...
There are counter examples of institute directors who have fully supported direct grants to individual researchers. This is evidenced by the Russian directors of dozens of institutes involved in infectious disease research who have endorsed grant payments by the International Science and Technology Center in Moscow directly to thousands of Russian researchers in their institutes.
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From page 46... ...
An important criterion for the allocation of available resources to research groups is their likely impact not only on scientific advancement but also on economic and social progress. No longer can science be simply an afterthought in the funding process with allocations based on "whatever-is-left-over." Rather, to be leaders, the Russian scientific community needs to show in very specific and persuasive ways how it is making major strides toward meeting the health-related needs of the Russian people.
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