From September 7 to 14, 2023, scientists from the Tianjin Institute of Industrial Biotechnology of the Chinese Academy of Sciences (TIB CAS) visited the Al-Farabi Kazakh National University.

Tianjin Institute of Industrial Biotechnology (TIB) is a major research center equipped with state-of-the-art equipment for high-throughput screening, systems biotechnology, fermentation process optimization, experimental testing and genome synthesis. The Faculty of Biology and Biotechnology joined the Biotechnology Industry Alliance on April 14, 2021, and is a member of the COMSATS Joint Center for Industrial Biotechnology (CCIB), which includes universities and research institutes from 27 countries.

During this visit, the Chief Coordinator of the Bio-Agriculture TIB CAS group, Professor Zhiyong Huang, and Associate Professor Jingjing Wang met with the Dean of the Faculty of Biology and Biotechnology M. S. Kurmanbaeva, where the prospects for cooperation and exchange of experience in the field of biotechnology were discussed. Dean of the Faculty, Doctor of Biological Sciences, Professor M.S. Kurmanbayeva noted that international cooperation with TIB CAS is interesting for the faculty due to the possibilities for joint implementation of scientific projects within the framework of interstate programs. This will certainly contribute to closer cooperation and expansion of interaction between both parties, and also provides the opportunity to implement mutually beneficial projects in the field of biotechnology and obtain great results and opportunities for their implementation in the field of high technology.

Scientists got acquainted with the activities of the faculty, research laboratories and infrastructure of the Faculty of Biology and Biotechnology. There was also a tour of the university, during which the academic and cultural aspects of our educational institution were presented.

One of the main aspects of the visit is to conduct joint research in the field of Bio-Agriculture with the support of the Tianjin SynBio program.

Young scientists of the Faculty of Biology and Biotechnology, Ph.D., Associate Professor Sadvakasova A.K. and PhD Bauenova M.O. carry out research together with the group of Professor J. Huang in the field of obtaining synthetic microbial fertilizers and biopesticides. These projects are funded under the Tianjin SynBio program.

These projects are of high strategic importance for the two countries. Since the introduction of biofertilizers in agricultural technologies, in particular in rice cultivation, is a key element to increasing the sustainability of agricultural systems, reducing harmful impacts on the environment and increasing the yield of crops. In order to implement these projects, our guests visited the rice fields of Kazakhstan to analyze the results of the experiments.

Also, Professor Zhiyong Huang, chief coordinator of the Bio-Agriculture group, gave an introductory lecture for teaching staff, young scientists and students of the faculty, during which he presented in detail the structure of the TIB Research Institute, as well as their research and development in the field of agrobiotechnology.

He especially emphasized the contribution of our scientists in joint research, outlining the importance of joint efforts in this area.

The Faculty of Biology and Biotechnology aims to further deepen cooperation with TIB CAS. Therefore, this visit is only the beginning of strengthening long-term cooperation that contributes to the development of domestic science on a global scale.