Biology students from BelSU modified a water plant to synthesize lysine

BelSU was represented by the students of Institute of Engineering and Natural Sciences Alina Grinko, Ekaterina Zhidomorova, Margarita Kononova and Evgeniy Seliverstiv (supervisor – Anton Alyabyev, the postgraduate).

47 teams from leading colleges of Russia, Belorussia, Kazakhstan and Iran took part in the two-stage contest. The first stage was dedicated to biological, physiological, genetic and biochemical problems solving.

At the second stage, young biologists should have found new solutions for one of the current problems of biology within 6 hours. It took them deep concentration, attention and strong teamwork.

The team of BelSU got a task to develop new agricultural crop from its wild ancestor using genetic engineering. The students suggested to modify duckweed for the higher lysine synthesis (lysine is the most valuable feed supplement for livestock animals). The team took all technological nuances into account and impressed the jury.

«As a result, the team of BelSU took second place in its category, surpassing teams of MSU, SpSU, PFUR and other leading universities of the country. All team members are 2^nd year students, but the teamwork and mental flexibility have helped them at the contest, – said vice director for international affairs and quality management of BelSU Institute of Engineering Olga Lebedeva.