No 8 (2024)

The paper examines the history and evolution of biological research at the Komi Science Centre of the Ural Branch of the Russian Academy of Sciences, as well as the development of biological science at the Institute of Biology FRC Komi SC UB RAS. This is the first attempt to periodise the history of biological science within the academic institution in the Komi Republic. The paper identifies four distinct periods, each characterized by a shift in the balance between applied and fundamental scientific research. The first period, from the second half of the 1930s to the 1950s, was marked by pioneering work on the description of the natural productive forces of the Komi Republic. The second period, from the 1960s to the first half of the 1980s, saw an increasing role of basic research. During this time, the Institute of Biology served a coordinating research centre dealed with the issues on introduction of new silage plant species and transferring part of the flow of northern rivers to the south. The third period, from the second half of the 1980s to the first decade of the 2000s, was characterised by a transition to environmental issues and a sharp intensification of international research. The role of applied research and innovations also increased significantly during this period. The fourth period, from the first decade of the 2000s to the present, has been marked by reforms of the Russian Academy of Sciences. During this time, the focus of research has remained largely unchanged, while the role of basic research has increased. The range of topics in classical and experimental biology formed by 2024, the employees of the Institute of Biology are working on, aligns with the priorities of the scientific and technological development of the Russian Federation, and a radical shift in research directions is not expected in the next ten years. Improving the competitiveness of the scientific institution at the Russian and international level is expected primarily through the development and application of advanced research methods.

The article presents the history of the Institute of Chemistry FRC Komi Science Centre UB RAS, gives information on the outstanding scientists who organized chemical research in the Komi Republic. It highlights the main formation stages of fundamental and applied research areas in the field of technologies of plant and mineral raw materials. The article ends with the conclusion on the major research results of the Institute of Chemistry and the main scientific and practical achievements of its employees.

The paper discusses the history of the formation and development of the Institute of Language, Literature and History, Komi Science Centre of the Ural Branch of the Russian Academy of Sciences, one of the largest centres of Finno-Ugric studies, a leading research institution in the European North-East of Russia in the field of historical and philological sciences. The creation of the Institute of Language, Literature and History on the basis of the Departments of Archaeology and Ethnography; History; Language and Literature of the Komi Branch of the USSR Academy of Sciences, which existed within the academic institution since 1944 and were created on the basis of the Komi Research Institute opened in 1934, became an extremely important milestone in the development of humanitarian academic science in the region.

The article explores the history, current trends, and future prospects of agricultural science and production in the Russian Far North, with a focus on the activities of the Institute of Agrobiotechnology, Komi Science Centre of the Ural Branch of the Russian Academy of Sciences. The article analyses the specific challenges of agricultural production in extreme natural and climatic conditions, which require adaptation of traditional methods and development of new agrotechnologies. The strategic importance of agriculture in the Far North for ensuring food security and sustainable regional development is emphasised. The prospects for further development of agricultural science are noted, focusing on the implementation of new technologies and the improvement of genetic resources, which will strengthen the agro-industrial complex and adapt agriculture to changing climatic conditions.

The article describes the history of formation and development, the main areas of scientific activity of the Department of Comparative Cardiology, Komi Science Centre of the Ural Branch of the Russian Academy of Sciences. The most striking and important achievements of the Department of Comparative Cardiology for the recent years are presented.

The article highlights the history of the Scientific Library FRC Komi SC UB RAS, the main stages of its formation and significant achievements. It tells about the automation of library processes, the creation of an electronic catalog and electronic databases, a web site and an electronic library, the organization of information service. The author discusses the innovative approach to the organization of library and information support of scientific research.