International Scientific and Innovation Cooperation: Participation of the Tashkent Botanical Garden Staff in the Russian Venture Forum 2026
In April 2026, representatives of the Tashkent Botanical Garden took part in one of the крупнейших международных инновационных мероприятий — the Russian Venture Forum, held in Kazan (Russian Federation). The delegation included the Head of the Biotechnology Laboratory, Candidate of Biological Sciences Feruza Mustafina, and Junior Researcher Khanifabonu Juraeva. The working visit took place from April 8 to 12 and included participation in the exhibition and congress program as well as scientific meetings with international partners.
The main events of the forum were held at the Kazan Expo International Exhibition Center, where startups, innovative projects, and technological solutions from various countries were presented. The forum program included pitch sessions, B2B meetings, thematic panel discussions, and an exhibition showcase. Within this platform, the staff of the Botanical Garden presented an innovative project developed in the Biotechnology Laboratory — a biotechnological platform for producing galantamine from Ungernia victoris tissue culture under in vitro conditions. This project was developed in the frame of Project IL-8624042533, funded by the Agency of Innovative Development of the Republic of Uzbekistan.
The project aims to create a sustainable and environmentally safe source of the valuable alkaloid galantamine, widely used in pharmaceuticals for the treatment of neurodegenerative diseases, including Alzheimer’s disease. The proposed technology makes it possible to reduce dependence on natural populations of this rare plant and transition to controlled laboratory production, which is important both for biodiversity conservation and industrial efficiency.
Special attention during the visit was given to the development of scientific cooperation. The delegation visited the Botanical Garden of Kazan Federal University, where an exchange of experience took place in the fields of plant genetic resource conservation, seed bank development, plant introduction, and the application of biotechnological methods in the study of medicinal plants. The discussions also covered prospects for joint research projects, academic exchange programs, and long-term partnerships between botanical institutions.
One of the key outcomes of the visit was the signing of a Memorandum of Cooperation between the Tashkent Botanical Garden and the Botanical Garden of Kazan Federal University. This document establishes a foundation for expanding international scientific collaboration, knowledge exchange, and the implementation of modern approaches in botany and biotechnology.
Overall, the participation of the Tashkent Botanical Garden staff in the Russian Venture Forum 2026 marked an important step in promoting scientific developments at the international level. The achieved results contribute to strengthening the institution’s position in innovative science, advancing biotechnological research, and integrating into the global scientific and technological landscape.
