Research

In a cool development, researchers from ITMO’s Infochemistry Center have created a platform to study cell communication. Apart from being a means of studying cells without interrupting their function, the device will facilitate regeneration after injuries. In the future, the platform has the potential to help develop unique materials for targeted drug delivery. 

“We are planning to continue our research on re-establishing disrupted cell communication with the goal of designing a material that cells will recognize as ‘kin,’” shared Svetlana Ulasevich, one of the project’s authors and an associate professor at ITMO’s Infochemistry Scientific Center.

Learn more: ITMO Scientists Suggest Platform to Study Cell Communication and Assist Targeted Drug Delivery

We are used to thinking that everything happens in the brain, but more and more evidence presents the gut as one of the body’s most interesting organs. This time, researchers from ITMO’s Information Technologies and Programming Faculty have done a meta-analysis of open-source data from 680 metagenome samples to determine the connection between gut microbiome composition and the efficacy of immunotherapy for melanoma. A promising application for the project’s outcome is introducing pre-treatment microbiome testing and then suggesting a microbiome-enriching diet for melanoma patients.

Learn more: ITMO Researchers Discover Connection Between Gut Microbiome and Melanoma Treatment 

AI

Unguided AI development no more – at the Russia Expo, the country’s top universities and big tech have signed a declaration on responsible use of generative AI.

“With the principles stipulated in the declaration, developers and users of generative AI will be able to account for the majority of risks they have to face when starting their work with AI. <...> This way, we will be able to evaluate the progress and prospects of AI development together,” shared ITMO Rector Vladimir Vasilyev. 

Learn more: Russia’s Big Tech and Top Universities Sign Declaration on Responsible Use of Generative AI 

World Youth Festival

Recently, the Russian city of Sochi hosted World Youth Festival – a celebration of international opportunities, young visionaries, and collaboration. ITMO University joined the event’s career track, presenting top applied technological solutions for education, including a very special recommendation service for applicants. 

Learn more: ITMO Presents New Digital Solutions at World Youth Festival 

For a more personal account of the event, turn to Subhrajit Barua, a PhD student at ITMO and a journalist with ITMO’s international editorial team, who shared his experiences in a recent expose: Building the Future Together: My Experience at World Youth Festival 

Careers 

As the admissions season is approaching, it’s natural to look for a field that will be right for you. Over the past two weeks, ITMO.NEWS reviewed two highly coveted choices: 

QA engineer – a path for those who wish to ensure smooth performance of complex hardware and software systems. Luckily, you can learn to be one at ITMO, with insights and guidance from practicing experts – the YADRO company.

Learn more: QA Engineers: What They Do and How to Become One

Public health scientist – a choice for everyone with a passion to change the world for the better through research and management. ITMO.NEWS got together with the new head of the respective Master’s program at ITMO, Evgeniya Sokolova (Patrakeeva), to talk about the future of the program and the variety of career tracks open to its graduates. 

Learn more: Changing the World for the Better: Thoughts From New Head of ITMO’s Public Health Sciences Master’s Program