On March 16, North-Eastern Federal University starts international scientific workshop on modern methods of fossil animals’ research. The opening of the International Center for Collective Use "Molecular Paleontology" of NEFU Institute of Applied Ecology of the North will be held within the event.

Center for Collective Use "Molecular Paleontology" will be the first and only place in Russia, conducting research for discovery of the mammoth’s living cells and DNA study of ancient animals using the newest equipment and unique technologies.

"The center will open on March 17. There are two main directions of the center tasks. First, the study of Malolyakhovsky mammoth cells within the joint project of NEFU and SOOAM Biotech Research Foundation «Revival of the mammoth and other fossil animals". Secondly, the DNA study of other fossil animals, comparing them with modern species", the chief researcher at the Laboratory "Mammoth Museum" of NEFU IAEN Semyon Grigoriev said.

Prof. Hwang Woo Suk, the Head of SOOAM Biotech Research Foundation, will talk about the preliminary results of the study of Malolyakhovsky mammoth cells. Besides the presentations of a number of leading scientists and paleontologists at the seminar, there will be workshops on working with cell material, which Korean genetics will hold for employees of the Center for Collective Use "Molecular Paleontology" and students of the Institute of Natural Sciences.

Representatives of the University of Groningen and Leiden (The Netherlands), Northwestern State Medical University named after I.I. Mechnikov and Zoological Institute of the Russian Academy of Sciences (St. Petersburg) will participate at the international workshop. The workshop will end on March 18.