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Scientists from the Macquarie University developed new surgical technologies. The Skolkovo Foundation
develops Russian science at an international level.
The development which I want to tell you about relates to nanotechnologies which are in demand
by medical researchers, as well as physicians working in hospitals. These developments include
the possibility of identifying living tissue. Indentified living tissue can be very helpful
to physicians who perform surgery and they can see the site which is pathological, as
we call it, which, for example, should be removed or treated. In this case, the surgeon
can see and check the outcome of their operations so that the site that he removed, would be
removed completely. This is very important. The technology we propose is based on new
nano-particles. It allows doctors to identify these lesions at a much greater depth. And
you can check this at a depth of about a centimetre. Leading experts in medicine said, one of the
most prominent specialists, Laureate of the State Academic Award of the Medical Academy
of Sciences said that it is very much in demand, for example in brain surgery. That means that
the possibility for surgeons to see these lesions is the most precious feature valued
by surgeons. The distinction of our developments is also the fact that the need for them is
determined by doctors, from people who actually perform these surgeries.
This project was developed in Russia. We learned about the creation of the Skolkovo Foundation.
We have become Skolkovo residents. This resident status is a very good achievement because
it allows us to work and represent the company comfortably and effectively. There are tax
exemptions provided. A total of 21 companies have so far signed
up to join Russia’s Skolkovo research hub. The head of the Skolkovo Foundation, Viktor
Vekselberg, says residents will enjoy benefits aimed at spurring development activity.
“Most importantly, the status of a Skolkovo resident implies tax benefits, which in turn
means a lower social tax rate and a zero rate for profit tax. Plus, there’re certain privileges
for export and import operations. Moreover, the status of Skolkovo resident gives the
right to collaborate with the Skolkovo Foundation, which is supposed to support resident firms,”
We have been able to access a whole range of services that are provided in Skolkovo.
One of them was particularly useful for this project is patenting. This development requires
for intellectual rights to be protected, that is why Skolkovo provides this opportunity
and at a good.. Not only do they simply provide support, they also finance this patenting.
The head of Rusnano was more cautious and preferred not to unveil details of their breakthrough
projects but assured that there were at least three that could change the world. And it
was this sense of exiting potential that was attracting a new wave of private capital to
come to Russia. “We have 100 projects, 11 billion dollar
capital involved in this project, what is important for me, we as Rusnano are investing
in those 11 billion less than 50%, most part of the capexes came from private investments,”
says Rusnano head Anatoly Chubais. This is an international project. The direction
of the group which I chair here at the Macquarie University is largely synchronized with the
developments under way in Russia. In Russia there is a consortium that is working to develop
this idea, which includes five research institutes. In addition to that, my group actively participates
in it, it is comprised of several graduate students. The group is based here; it is also
part of the association. Skolkovo itself is based on the idea that
it necessarily requires the involvement of a foreign expert, which has a very strong
scientific reputation. I happen to be such an expert. The Skolkovo organization is based
on the idea of attracting not only funding, but also all of the scientific forces which
were scattered abroad after the Perestroika period. I know that many of my compatriots,
people who used to be part of my life went overseas during Perestroika. I know that many
of them are sympathetic and understanding of what is happening in Russia and the fact
that it's time to pay their debts. We received a very good education in Russia at the time.
We are graduates of the Russian school. Therefore, our success here is largely the result of
the fact that we are the Russian school’s graduates.
I know of many examples where very prominent scientists who live abroad took part in Russia’s
scientific work. It is evident that there are many young men and women in Russia who
are really interested in scientific work. This is a phenomenon that cannot be overlooked.
This is definitely a positive phenomenon. Denis Skok, young inventor: “This model
is built with a Lego construction kit. It is also possible to create such a construction
for the whole body. It would give a chance to people with limited body movement.”
There are many young scientists who are ready to absorb this new knowledge. And the absence
of an intermediary link between the generation which, unfortunately, is already passing,
and the generations that appear. We are scientists who are abroad and can compensate for this.
We are happy to do it.