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ISTC Releases its New Annual Report 2009: Special on 15 Years of Science Cooperation and the Way Forward


The 2009 ISTC Annual Report has been released with a special focus highlighting 15 years of science cooperation since the Moscow center opened its doors in 1994. A brief overview of the Centers’ projects and programs in Russia, Armenia, Belarus, Georgia, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyz Republic, and Tajikistan can be found in the report. Over 15 years, ISTC has developed a broad network of over 90,000 scientists from 39 countries working together on research projects in order to solve common problems in all areas of science and make the world a better and safer place to live in.

Numerous success stories can be found in this edition of the Annual Report. For example, 3D diagnostic and monitoring equipment has been developed in Belarus to detect child tumors at an early stage, which is critical to improve success of the treatments. A research institute in Russia has been upgraded to international standards and can now carry out toxicity studies in the development of novel drugs for Russian and export markets. In Central Asia, the dynamics and effects of the “Brown Cloud”, a haze of pollution spanning through Asia, are being studied and counter actions are being proposed. New cleaner forms of energy are being created, physical security is being improved at various research centers, the spread of influenza and other diseases is better monitored, and this is just a small fraction of the whole range of ISTC’s projects. Over $835 million USD have been invested in R&D projects since 1994, providing new equipment and research grants to more than 73,000 scientists.

Through time, ISTC has proved to be a flexible organization that adapted to socioeconomic and scientific changes that took place in the world. Primarily focusing on Russian scientists’ engagement in the mid 90’s, the Center has broadened its activities and created various programs that have helped scientists develop start up companies, protect their intellectual property, and commercialize the results of research. Furthermore, numerous private companies have benefited from ISTC programs to carry out R&D projects with Russian and CIS institutes.

A range of Targeted Initiatives were created to address specific topics and find scientific and technical solutions to problems of mutual interest such as: Drug Design and Development, Fuel Cells energy, Law Enforcement technologies, Prevention of Biological Threats, Probiotics and Health, and Ultra High Light Science and Technology.

In the last 15 years, Russia and the other countries of the CIS have changed significantly. Therefore at the end of 2009, the ISTC Governing Board initiated the establishment of a Working Party on future directions of the Center.

More information on the work of ISTC can be obtained at www.istc.ru or by directly contacting Sebastien Dakin at:
tel: +7 (495) 982-3264
e-mail: dakin@istc.ru




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