80 Years on Guard of Biological Safety at the Eastern Borders of Russia

Abstract

Background: The Research Institute of Epidemiology and Microbiology named after G.P. Somov (1917–2009), D.M.Sc., Professor, Academician of the Russian Academy of Medical Sciences, an outstanding Soviet and Russian epidemiologist and microbiologist, was founded in May 1941. Over the past 80 years, the institute has played an important role in the socio-economic development of Primorye by ensuring biological safety in the south of the Far East known for its Russian largest foci of natural focal infections. The purpose of this review is to describe the milestones of the development and eighty years of activities of Somov Research Institute of Epidemiology and Microbiology, Vladivostok, intertwining with the history of Russian health care and medical science. A new stage in the development of the institute began in September 2020 when, by Order of the Russian Government No. 2276-r of September 7, 2020, the Institute was included in the structure of the Federal Service for Surveillance on Consumer Rights Protection and Human Wellbeing (Rospotrebnadzor). Materials and methods: We have searched for appropriate data for 1928–2020 in the archives of the Research Institute of Epidemiology and Microbiology, State Archives of the Primorsky Krai and the city of Vladivostok, as well as Web of Science, PubMed, Scopus, Elsevier, Springer, and Google Scholar databases. We have also made use of plans and reports of research work, minutes of the Academic Council, orders, and records of the Personnel Department. Results: The article describes the role of the Institute in the development of domestic epidemiology, its cooperation with the sanitary and epidemiological service of the Primorsky Krai, and the main achievements of fundamental and applied studies conducted in order to ensure sanitary and epidemiological welfare of the population in the Russian Federation. It also presents biographical information about leading scientists of the Institute, their participation in the development of theoretical and practical aspects of epidemiology, microbiology, and immunology. The article reflects the main short and long-term trends in the development of the Institute including its restructuring and appropriate adjustment of research plans. Conclusions: Entering a new phase of its development with a solid baggage of knowledge and experience, the Institute plans to develop promising research appropriate to the goals of the Concept of Scientific Support for Rospotrebnadzor Bodies and Organizations until 2025 within the framework of the new sectoral program “Scientific Support for Epidemiological Surveillance and Sanitary Protection of the Territory of the Russian Federation”. The tasks set by the Institute are aimed at strengthening its position as one of the key elements of scientific support for biological security in the south of the Russian Far East.