A scientist from the USA shared his experience in creating new biotechnologies
Harvey Franklin Lodish, Professor of Biology and Biological Engineering at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, one of the founders of the Whitehead Institute for Biomedical Research, visited Al-Farabi Kazakh National University. The renowned scientist gave a leadership lecture on "New technologies and the creation of successful biotech companies for the treatment of diseases: a personal story".
The world–renowned scientist was introduced to the audience – teachers, young researchers and students of the Faculty of Biology and Biotechnology - by Doctor of Biological Sciences, Professor, Academician of the National Academy of Sciences of the Republic of Kazakhstan, Director of the Research Institute of Biology and Biotechnology of Al-Farabi Kazakh National University Amangeldy Bisenbayev.
Harvey F. Lodish is the author of one of the most popular textbooks in the world, Molecular Cell Biology, translated into 14 languages.
Thanking for the warm welcome, the lecturer began with a brief history of the biotech industry in the United States, paying special attention to the role of entrepreneurial teachers in creating biotech companies. A key factor in the development of the Cambridge and Massachusetts biotech ecosystems has been extensive collaboration between research universities, hospitals, the business community and investment funds, as well as local governments. Professor Lodish also spoke about his personal experience of creating successful companies, starting with Genzyme in the 1980s and producing enzyme substitutes for the treatment of a number of rare diseases.
"I recently founded Tevard together with two parents of children with Dravet syndrome. The company develops suppressor tRNAs for gene therapy that allow correcting pathological mutations in many genes that cause diseases, including Dravet syndrome, Duchenne muscular dystrophy and dilated cardiomyopathy. And the Cerberus company, which we founded with a former graduate student, is developing powerful protein therapeutic drugs for the prevention and treatment of a number of monogenic autoimmune diseases", - said the professor.
At the end of the lecture, the scientist emphasized the importance of courses in biotechnology and entrepreneurship for university students, both in the field of natural sciences and in the field of business. Then there was a discussion with the active participation of interested and caring listeners.
Press-service of Al-Farabi Kazakh Nationak University
