Chairman of the Presidium of the National Academy of Sciences of Belarus Vladimir Karanik shares his views on the transformation process, opportunities, and prospects for the academic science development in a conversation with the journal's editor-in-chief Zhanna Komarova

   Andrei Ivanets, Minister of Education of the Republic of Belarus and Corresponding Member of the National Academy of Sciences of Belarus, discusses how the country's higher education system is responding to the current challenges and what its future looks like.

   The author focuses on the formation of global megatrends in the scientific field and the challenges facing the Belarus’ science.

   There have been presented the cutting-edge developments from academic laboratories engaged in the production of new knowledge which are necessary for the transformation of science into a global industry.

   The article considers the fundamental and applied research conducted by the Radiophotonics Laboratory of the State Scientific and Production Association "Optics, Optoelectronics, and Laser Technology," aimed at studying optical methods for generating, transmitting, and processing ultra-high-frequency signals.

   The article discusses the successes of the Laboratory of Physical and Chemical Technologies at the Scientific and Practical Center for Materials Science of the National Academy of Sciences of Belarus, which has developed new methods for synthesizing graphene-like carbon, which is low-cost and environmentally friendly.

   The Laboratory of Medical Biophysics at the Institute of Biophysics and Cell Engineering of the National Academy of Sciences of Belarus presents the results of interdisciplinary research aimed at identifying the fundamental principles of biosystems and developing next-generation diagnostic systems.

   Scientists of the Laboratory of Geobotany and Vegetation Cartography at the Institute of Experimental Botany of the National Academy of Sciences of Belarus have developed theoretical foundations of vegetation classification, and technologies for assessing its condition, as well as natural ecosystems, using data from ground-based studies and materials from remote sensing of the Earth's surface.

   The article considers the activities of the Pain Research Center, established at the Institute of Physiology of the National Academy of Sciences of Belarus, which conducts fundamental and applied research to provide personalized medical care for people with pathological disorders.

   There is shown the importance of research in bioanalytics, gene therapy, and fine organic synthesis conducted by the Bioconjugate Chemistry Laboratory at the Institute of Physical and Organic Chemistry of the National Academy of Sciences of Belarus.

   This article gives an overview of promising areas of work for the Vegetable and Root Crops Mechanization Laboratory at the Scientific and Practical Center for Agricultural Mechanization at the National Academy of Sciences of Belarus.

   This article attempts to identify the benchmarks that will shape our country's image in the long and medium term, define the public expectations regarding the vectors of social improvement and technological progress, and gain a clear idea of what kind of Republic of Belarus its citizens want to see.

   The present study provides an overview of modern integral leukocyte indices, the values of which have been established for the first time in laboratory rats and mice under physiological conditions. It highlights the interplay between various components of the immune system, as well as markers of inflammation, intoxication, adaptation processes, and stress response. The variability of these parameters was evaluated depending on the species and sex of the animals. The data revealed no statistically significant differences between males and females within the same species, which allowed for the combination of groups for analytical assessment. The findings are intended to contribute to the establishment of a normative framework for scientific and preclinical research, as well as the development of new experimental models of pathological processes.

   The article gives a logical analysis of the efficiency concept examining its evolution from the perspective of economic theory and its specifics in applied economics.

   An approach is presented for the use of optimization methods based on standard software, Excel spreadsheets (included in the widespread MS Office), in particular, the «Search for a Solution» («What-If») add-in, which are used in logistics companies for optimal structuring of transportation costs (transport task). Mathematical models of transport problems have been built and in the course of their testing, potential opportunities have been identified that can be useful for a feasibility study (FS) of elements of public infrastructure (communica-tion routes, bridges, etc.). An example of calculation is given.

   The article considers the technical activity influence, being the dominant form of survival and evolution of man and society, on ideological attitudes and personal transformations, which ultimately determine the appearance of the modern world at the global level.

   The present study provides an overview of modern integral leukocyte indices, the values of which have been established for the first time in laboratory rats and mice under physiological conditions. It highlights the interplay between various components of the immune system, as well as markers of inflammation, intoxication, adaptation processes, and stress response. The variability of these parameters was evaluated depending on the species and sex of the animals. The data revealed no statistically significant differences between males and females within the same species, which allowed for the combination of groups for analytical assessment. The findings are intended to contribute to the establishment of a normative framework for scientific and preclinical research, as well as the development of new experimental models of pathological processes.

   Photodynamic therapy (PDT) is considered a promising method for modifying atherosclerotic plaques through selective photo-oxidative damage to their structural components while preserving intact areas of the vascular wall. The morphological changes induced by PDT have direct clinical relevance, as they are associated with plaque stability and the risk of thrombosis; therefore, their characterization is essential for optimizing treatment parameters and improving the safety of the method. The aim of this study was to evaluate the morphological effects of PDT on human aortic atherosclerotic lesions ex vivo using the chlorin e6–based photosensitizer Photolon. It was shown, that photodynamic therapy with chlorin e6 ex vivo induces selective destruction of the organic components of atherosclerotic plaques while preserving the structural integrity of intact vascular wall layers. The absence of macroscopic reduction in plaque size after a single treatment reflects the resistance of the collagenous and calcified framework. These findings confirm the selective action of PDT and indicate the need for further in vivo studies to evaluate the temporal dynamics of plaque remodeling and potential delayed volume reduction.