The Skoltech stand featured five key research projects.

The objective biochemical mental health testing method based on blood lipid biomarkers uses omics technologies for mental health assessment and helps doctors to diagnose the disease before the symptoms occur. The biochemical blood test, which is both fast and cheap, helps identify the risk of mental disorders with an accuracy of over 92%. The new method can be used for mass screening to identify the risks of mental illness and refer high-risk patients to a psychiatrist for further examination, diagnostics, and treatment.

Technologies for the osseointegration and neurocontrol of prosthetic hands and legs during amputations above the elbow enables better use of these prostheses, making control over them easier and movements more accurate. The project is carried out jointly by Skoltech, Samara State Medical University, and Motorika, with the support of the NTI Foundation and the NTI Center for Bionic Engineering in Medicine based at Samara State Medical University.

The blockchain-driven Tag Trace Systems helps keep track of individual medications. The system applies a 1x1 mm laser mark on the packaging so that the user could scan it with their smartphone camera before taking the medicine. The laser marks are applied during production and, therefore, do not affect the drug’s chemical structure. The first prototype of the system was built with the support of the Skoltech team. This innovative technology can be used to keep track of syringes with vaccines and medicines, ampoules, capsules, and pills.

Biocoatings for enhanced biocompatibility of implants and implantable devices are thin layers of biological materials that can be applied to implantable devices such as stents, pacemakers, and artificial joints, in order to improve biocompatibility and a device’s functionality and durability as well as prevent infection, inflammation, and implant failure.

“Eat Polymer”, a solution for plastic recycling in schools developed by a Skolkovo Gymnasium student, uses larvae of the wax moth, Gallerya mellonella, which can recycle plastic in a matter of weeks.

Skoltech researchers and experts also joined the forum’s business program to share their expertise in neuro- and biotechnologies, digitalization, and AI in medicine. The business program featured discussions with experts and scientists. Professor Olga Dontsova from the Bio Center shared her vision of how to make future technologies today’s reality. Professor Evgeny Nikolaev from the Bio Center joined the discussion “Technologies Helping in the Fight against Neurodegenerative Diseases”. Professor Dmitry Gorin from the Photonics Center talked about AI technologies in screening systems and the development of innovative molecular genetics approaches for diagnostics. Professor Alexander Korsunsky from the Engineering Center discussed the interdisciplinary nature of future technologies and ways of attracting young people to science. Professor Philipp Khaitovich from the Neuro Center shared his views on the neurotechnologies of the future. Associate Professor Dmitry Dylov from the AI Center participated in an expert discussion about AI and computer vision technologies in healthcare.