Prospects for the study of chitin and chitosan discussed at UNN
The 17th International Conference "Modern Prospects in the Study of Chitin and Chitosan" opened at Lobachevsky University on June 30. The event brings together scientists from different countries engaged in the study of unique natural polymers - chitin and chitosan.
These substances have a number of valuable properties: they can remove toxins and heavy metals from the body, strengthen the immune system, and are also used in medicine, pharmaceuticals, agriculture and ecology.
Evgenia Chernykh, UNN Vice-Rector for Academic Affairs, welcomed the conference participants. In her address, she emphasised that the hosting of the event at UNN was no coincidence, but rather the recognition of the university's scientific excellence in the field of chemistry.
"UNN is actively engaged in chemical research, which is one of the most significant and promising areas of study at the university. The theme of the conference is highly relevant and of great significance for modern science. It is worth noting that research in this field is being conducted not only by seasoned scientists, but also by young professionals, indicating the involvement of the next generation in the advancement of the industry. The conference will undoubtedly serve as an important platform for sharing knowledge, expertise, and ideas, it will also contribute to the continued development of research in the fields of chitin and chitosan," said Evgenia Chernykh.
Sergey Zaitsev, Head of the Department of High Molecular Weight Compounds and Colloid Chemistry at the UNN Chemistry Faculty, acknowledged the contribution of the Nizhny Novgorod school, which is known for its success in developing and implementing chitosan technologies. These include wound-healing compositions, hemostatic agents, materials for regenerative medicine, anticancer drugs, biocompatible thermoplastic materials for 3D printing, chitosan films with antimicrobial properties, as well as a development recognised by Rospatent - a nanostructured composition for oral insulin delivery.
Evgeny Ofitserov, professor at the Department of Chemistry and Technology of Biomedical Drugs at the Mendeleev Russian University of Chemical Technology, reminded the audience about the significant contribution of Pavel Shorygin to the development of the chemical industry. Shorygin was the first Russian scientist to obtain chitosan from chitin, an important step in the study and application of this substance. In recognition of his work, the Shorygin Prize has been established to honour young scientists for their achievements in chitinology, an area of research that focuses on the study of chitin and its derivatives. The award is sponsored by the Federal Research Centre for Biotechnology of the Russian Academy of Sciences.
Taking part in the conference are scientists from more than a hundred cities in Russia and other countries, including Moscow, St. Petersburg, Vladivostok, Murmansk, Novosibirsk, Minsk, Tashkent, and Vitebsk, among others. Approximately 40 scientific presentations on research related to chitin and chitosan will take place during the event.
Participants include both renowned experts in the fields of chemistry and biotechnology and young postgraduate researchers. The conference features sections covering the following topics:
- Sources of chitin
- Preparation of chitosan
- Analysis of chitosan properties and derivatives
- Chitinolytic enzymes
- Oligochitosans: preparation, analysis, and biological activity
- Chitosan-containing drugs and materials
- Biomedical applications of chitin, chitosan, and their derivatives.
The international conference will take place at UNN from June 30 to July 4, 2025. The conference programme features plenary and breakout sessions, as well as talks by top experts in the fields of chitin and chitosan chemistry, biotechnology, and their applications. The event will serve as a valuable platform for sharing the latest scientific insights and fostering further collaboration.
