UNDP supports Kazakhstan to provide Official Development Assistance to help develop capacities of women public health professionals from Afghanistan

 A two-week workshop in maternal and child healthcare for public health professionals from Afghanistan has commenced at Nazarbayev University. The workshop marks an important milestone in the cooperation between the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Kazakhstan and the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) on capacitating Kazakhstan’s Official Development Assistance (ODA) system within the framework of joint project “Promoting Kazakhstan’s Official Development Assistance Cooperation with Afghanistan”. 

The project serves the purpose of piloting Kazakhstan’s ODA initiative by developing capacity of Kazakhstan Government in designing and implementing development projects, whilst also expanding economic independence and building capacity of Afghan women. Kazakhstan shares experience and best practices with Afghan counterparts in the area of maternal and child healthcare.  Over the course of the workshop the participants will learn from leading experts at Nazarbayev University’s School of Medicine, National Laboratory Astana, and the National Research Center for Maternal and Child Health. The workshop will focus on the affordable and easy ways of maintaining equipment and practices to increase the relevance of knowledge acquired in the course of the workshop, whilst also taking Afghan context into consideration.

“Over the past two decades Kazakhstan has accomplished tremendous developmental progress in numerous areas, including maternal and child healthcare. The maternal and child mortality figures saw dramatic improvement due to the dedicated effort of the government and the international community. For example, the country has achieved a two-thirds reduction in the deaths among children under age 5, whilst maternal mortality rate fell from 55 per 100,000 live births in 1990 to 12.6 in 2013.  These achievements are evidence of hard work and strategic vision, and we commend Kazakhstan’s willingness to share its knowledge and experience through the official development assistance initiatives,” said UN Resident Coordinator and UNDP Resident Representative Norimasa Shimomura.

Kazakhstan is working towards establishing national ODA operator agency (KazAID), which will further professionalize Kazakhstan’s ODA system by ensuring accountability, efficiency and sustainability of Kazakhstan’s development assistance effort.

“Kazakhstan is an active and important member of the international community. Earlier this year under Kazakhstan’s Presidency of the UN Security Council, a cornerstone of the agenda was bringing peace and prosperity to Afghanistan. An effective way to do this is by offering development cooperation now that Kazakhstan has joined the ranks of donor countries. Over the past two decades, Kazakhstan has provided significant amount of foreign assistance,” said Norimasa Shimomura.

The Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs of Kazakhstan Roman Vassilenko, the Ambassador of Japan to Kazakhstan H.E.   Ichiro Kawabata, the Minister Counselor of the Embassy of the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan to the Republic of Kazakhstan Khayri Mohammad Humayun,  General Director of NLA Zhaxybay Zhumadilov and others attended the opening ceremony.

“НӘР” to put into production

 Yesterday, Nursultan Nazarbayev, President of Kazakhstan,  launched the production of an innovative food product based on  "НӘР" synbiotic drink during the nationwide TV bridge "The New Industrialization of the Country: Leap of the Kazakhstani Leopard."

"Research made by Nazarbayev University scientists have become in demand for real business. One of our projects went from development to industrial production. We want to present a new innovative product to the country on the basis of the "НӘР" synbiotic," said Kanat Baigarin,  Vice President of Nazarbayev University.

Ivan Sauer, Director of "Agrofirma Rodina" LLP said that this is the first functional food product to be produced in our country.

"НӘР possesses a number of unique properties, raises immunity, promotes active longevity. I ask you to start the production of the drink on the basis of the agrofirm "Rodina," - said Ivan Sauer, addressing the President.

It is need to mention that "Rodina" farming company started to produce the "NӘR" synbiotic beverage on the basis of its existing dairy plant.  This year a trial launch of the beverage and its sale is expected around the territory of Astana and Akmola region.

 “NӘR” was created by the scientists from the Life Science Center, NLA. The production of this synbiotic, which is a product for the high-quality longevity, is a long-awaited event for the National Laboratory Astana. The probiotic leaven is recommended as an auxiliary therapy for diabetes mellitus, arterial hypertension and obesity. The drink will also be recommended as the part of a five-day diet into Kazakhstan's pre-school and school educational institutions, medical and social institutions, health resorts and sanatoriums  of the country.

This synbiotic yogurt drink consists of probiotic leaven, pectin, prebiotic ingredient inulin, fish collagen, which  is a source of essential amino acids, vitamins, trace elements, and completely natural milk.

The effectiveness of "NӘR" has been confirmed in pre-clinical and two phases of clinical trials, the drink has also the biosafety report. This project was financed with the support of the Science Foundation of Kazakhstan.

NLA researchers to have State Prize of the Republic of Kazakhstan in the field of science and technology named after al-Farabi

Nursultan Nazarbayev, President of Kazakhstan, signed a decree on awarding the State Prize in the field of science and technology named after al-Farabi, the Akorda website reports. The President awarded the state prize in 2017 in four categories.

In the fourth category, for the series of works on "Scientifically based methods of ensuring active longevity", the prize went to:

Valery  Banberin, Head of the Medical Center of the Office of President of the Republic of Kazakhstan, Doctor of Medical Sciences, Professor;

Amir Ahetov – Director, Hospital of the Medical Center of the  Office of President of the Republic of Kazakhstan, Doctor of Medical Sciences;

Zhaxybay Zhumadilov - Chief Consultant, Medical Center of the Office of President of the Republic of Kazakhstan, Doctor of Medical Sciences, Professor, General Director, NLA;

Alexander  Gulyaev - Leading Consultant, Hospital of the Medical Center of the Office of President of the Republic of Kazakhstan, Doctor of Medical Sciences, Professor, Leading Researcher, NLA;

Almagul  Kushugulova - Leading Consultant, Hospital of the Medical Center of the Office of the President of the Republic of Kazakhstan, Doctor of Medical Sciences, Head of the Laboratory of Human  Microbiome and Longevity, NLA;

Talgat Nurgozhin - Leading Consultant, Hospital of the Medical Center of the Office of President of the Republic of Kazakhstan, Doctor of Medical Sciences, Professor, Rector of the Kazakh Medical University named after S. Asfendiyarov;

Ertai Sarsebekov - Advisor, Chief Specialist, Hospital of the Medical Center of the Office of President of the Republic of Kazakhstan, Doctor of Medical Sciences, Professor;

Gulnur Tanbaeva - Deputy Chief Doctor of "Central Clinical Hospital" JSC, Doctor of Medical Sciences, Professor.

Maxat Zhabagin to win the prize named after D.A. Kunayev

Yerlan Sagadiev, Minister of Education and Science of the Republic of Kazakhstan,   awarded Maxat  Zhabagin, junior researcher, NLA by the special prize named after D.A. Kunayev  for the best work in the field of natural sciences. The prize was awarded for the scientific work “the Connection of the Genetic, Cultural and Geographic Landscapes of Central Asia".

This work Maxat Zhabagin,  Laboratory for Population Genetics, NLA in cooperation with  Oleg Balanovsky, Elena Balanovska, Zhaxylyk Sabitov, Marina Kuznetsova, and others published  in Scientific Reports 7, article number: 3085(2017).

Authors have analyzed Y-chromosomal variation in populations from Transoxiana, a historical region covering the southwestern part of Central Asia. They studied 780 samples from 10 regional populations of Kazakhs, Uzbeks, Turkmens, Dungans, and Karakalpaks using 35 SNP and 17 STR markers. Analysis of haplogroup frequencies using multidimensional scaling and principal component plots, supported by an analysis of molecular variance, showed that the geographic landscape of Transoxiana, despite its distinctiveness and diversity (deserts, fertile river basins, foothills and plains) had no strong influence on the genetic landscape.

The main factor structuring the gene pool was the mode of subsistence: settled agriculture or nomadic pastoralism. Investigation of STR-based clusters of haplotypes and their ages revealed that cultural and demic expansions of Transoxiana were not closely connected with each other. The Arab cultural expansion introduced Islam to the region but did not leave a significant mark on the pool of paternal lineages.

The Mongol expansion, in contrast, had enormous demic success, but did not impact cultural elements like language and religion. The genealogy of Muslim missionaries within the settled agricultural communities of Transoxiana was based on spiritual succession passed from teacher to disciple. However, among Transoxianan nomads, spiritual and biological succession became merged, leading to the formation of haplotype mini-clusters among nomadic clergy.

More about the article on https://www.nature.com/articles/s41598-017-03176-z 

Read NLA Newsletter 2017 vol.2

Dear readers,

We are happy to present you a new issue of NLA Newsletter.
Enjoy your reading!

NLA researchers to win “Leader of Science-2017” nomination

Timur Saliev, Head of Laboratory of Translational Medicine and Life Sciences Technologies,  and Ainur Kakpenova, Yeldar Baiken, researchers, NLA  became the winner of «Leader of Science-2017" independent award for high rates of publication activity and citation of information resources according to Web of Science Core collection data 2014-2016 (Thomson Reuters).  The award ceremony held on 8 November, 2017, which was organized under the auspices of "National Scientific and Technical Information Center" JSC jointly with “Clarivate Analitycs” company. It should be reminded that in 2015 and 2016 the well-known scientists of  NLA Dr. Zhumabay Bakenov,  Dr. Almagul Mentbayeva and others also have won «Leader of Science» award according to Thomson Reuters for their  remarkable works. 

Nazarbayev University to win  2017 Springer Nature Awards

  Almaty hosted the awarding ceremony of the Top Springer Author independent award in the field of science and technology, founded by Springer Nature, largest international publishing company. 

This year, Nazarbayev University won "The Most Published Organization" nomination, and scientists from NU  Zhumabay Bakenov and Aliya Kuzhabekova were awarded in the Top Springer Author “Technology” category. In all, 7 nominations were presented at the ceremony.  

After the end of the awarding ceremony, Bart Verberck, editor-in-chief of  Nature Physics and Irina Alexandrova, representative of Springer Nature in Kazakhstan   conducted the international master-class for Kazakstani authors and editors of journals  how to increase the number of articles in English in rating journals.

Springer Nature Company and scientists of Kazakhstan are long-standing strategic partners. Today, Springer Nature is No. 1 publishing company based on the number of published articles and books from Kazakhstan. For instance, in the period from 1958 to date, scientists of Kazakhstan published about 7000 different papers and articles in Springer magazines.

Kazakstani researchers and Oxford to start the common “Global Healthspan Extension Initiative” project

Today, National Laboratory Astana at Nazarbayev University hosts the III International Scientific Conference "Personalized Medicine and Global Health." Well-known researchers of leading universities and centers of near and far abroad, representatives of  the state and commercial organizations of education and public health of Kazakhstan attend this year’s conference. Among guests and speakers  of the conference are Richard Barker, professor and founder of the Center for the Advancement of Sustainable Medical Innovations (CASMI) of the University of Oxford, Avi  Roy, president of the British Foundation for Biogerontology Research (BGRF), Valery Benberin, Head of the Medical Center of the Presidential Administration of Kazakhstan, Ilya Stambler, representative of the International Association for Aging (IAD,Israel), Almaz Sharman, President of the Academy of Preventive Medicine, Adesida Ilesanni, provost, Nazarbayev University and others.

The purpose of the conference is to develop the international cooperation in the joint innovative researches and breakthrough scientific developments in the field of advanced multi-mode biomedicine technologies and to discuss the prospects for creating innovative products based on them to preserve and improve the health of the population of Kazakhstan. Participants will also discuss the possibilities and problems of genomics in general, bioinformatics and the application of new technologies in practice.

According to Zhaxybay Zhumadilov, Director General, National Laboratory Astana, personalized medicine in common will improve medical care, increase its safety and profitability.

 “Personalized medicine is based on the peculiarities of the genetic profile of a particular patient and allows predicting the occurrence of diseases, conducting timely prevention and assuming the active solidary participation of the patient. When a team of specialists, including doctors, bioinformatics, IT specialists, biologists, geneticists, use information about the human genome, molecular markers of specific diseases when targeting therapy, the effect of treatment increases dramatic. We very much hope that the implementation of such approaches in the long term will contribute to significant cost savings, but at the first stage of the introduction of personalized medicine, the health care costs will significantly increase due to the introduction of new high cellular and gene technologies, which is the main barrier for its full implementation,” noted Zhaxybay Zhumadilov.

Within the framework of the conference Richard Barker, Avi Roy, Ilya Stambler and NLA scientists  will hold an official  press briefing, where they tell about joint participation in the Global Healthspan Extension Initiative project, aims to strengthen the foundations for quality longevity. This project is aimed to implement of innovative technologies to expand the boundaries of healthy productive longevity of the population.

To date, the Global Healthspan Extension Initiative has already attracted interest from a number of biotechnology companies from the U.S, UK, Norway, Sweden, France and Germany, which are considering prospects for cooperation in the field of research on quality longevity.

NLA hosts IV  Asian Congress of Radiation Research

Today Nazarbayev University with the assistance of National Laboratory Astana hosts the IV International Asian Congress on Radiation Research within the framework of EXPO-2017.

For several days the leading scientists and radiobiologists of Kazakhstan, neighboring countries and far abroad will discuss the most important achievements and trends in the peaceful use of the atom, radiation safety for personnel of radiation hazardous enterprises, as well as new and modern methods for reducing radiation risk during work with ionizing radiation sources and controlling wellness of workers of uranium, oil, gas and mining industry of Kazakhstan.

 The previous congresses were held in Japan, South Korea and China. This year representatives of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), as well as the delegations of Iran, China, South Korea, Japan, Germany, France, Russia, India, and Singapore  come together to discuss the  agenda of this  Congress.

The plenary lectures and sections of the Congress will present the results of fundamental researches of leading scientists in the field of radiobiology, radioecology and radiation safety.

The sectional reports will cover the problems of assessing the radiation impact on environmental objects, the effect of "small" doses of ionizing radiation on the body and medical provision of radiation safety of the population. Also, mechanisms of influence of "small" doses of ionizing radiation, questions of molecular-genetic changes and their role in the development of long-term effects of irradiation will be considered. The scientists will devote considerable attention to the discussion of the results of epidemiological studies, the reconstruction of individual doses of internal and external radiation, and the organization of electronic databases for the assessment of radiation risks.

INESS-2017 to be opened at NU

Today Nazarbayev University with the assistance of the Institute of Accumulators and National Laboratory Astana hosts the 5th International Conference on Nanomaterials and Advanced Energy Storage Systems (INESS-2017).

The INESS conference started in Nazarbayev University, Kazakhstan in 2013. This year the scientists and students from Japan, Korea, France, China, Russia, Canada, UAE, UK, Turkey and Kazakhstan  will review and discuss the recent progress and problems in materials science, nanotechnologies, ecology, renewable energy, energy storage systems and modeling methods in these fields.  

INESS is included into the list of Global Events by Elsevier Inc.: http://www.globaleventslist.elsevier.com/events/2017/08/5th-international-conference-on-nanomaterials-and-advanced-energy-storage-systems-iness-2017.

The Conference will  also include a session with workshops by the Thompson Reuters and other specialists.

According to the head of the Center for Energy and Advanced Material Science, National Laboratory Astana, Prof. Zhumbay Bakenov, for several days conference participants will discuss the latest developments in the field of energy storage materials such as advanced rechargeable batteries, fuel cells, nanomaterials for energy, and others.

-Energy conversion and storage devices such as advanced rechargeable batteries and fuel cells are play critical role in all parts of our society, in communication and infrastructure, industry and transport, - said Mr. Bakenov. - In many areas, the technological development is directly depending on the availability of such energy devices. Therefore, the market of advanced batteries and other energy conversion and storage devices is very competitive and rapidly growing.

For example,  researchers’ group and Institute of accumulators under the  leadership of Zhumabay Bakenov design novel nanostructured materials to succeed in development of rechargeable batteries with high energy and power density, safety, low ecological impact, long cycle life  and low cost.  

Leading researchers from Tokyo Metropolitan University (Japan), Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory (USA), Warwick University (Great Britain), Chungnam National University (South Korea), Skolkovo Institute of Science and Technology (Russia), Hebei University of Technology (China) and other leaders in the development of new materials, including storage of green energy, its production and transportation, will present its projects and solutions during INESS-2017 also.

Additional information on INESS-2017 is available on the official conference website: www.iness2017.com. Information on previous conferences can be found at: http://iness.batterykazakhstan.com/index.php/iness-2016