Dina Balabova, a senior researcher at the Center for Recombinant Technologies at Altai State University took part in the 5th International Scientific Conference PLAMIC 2026 titled Plants and Microorganisms: Biotechnology of the Future, held in Kazan from 9–12 June. Organized by Kazan Federal University, the conference attracted over 300 researchers from Russia, Belarus, Kyrgyzstan, Kazakhstan, and the United Kingdom.

Dina Vladimirovna explained:

"At first glance, the relationship between plants and microbes may appear counterintuitive, yet their interaction is central to addressing many urgent challenges: increasing crop yields, developing eco-friendly fertilizers, and controlling agricultural diseases. PLAMIC 2026 offered a forum for researchers to present recent findings and explore practical applications. The primary aim is to unravel how plants and microorganisms influence one another and to translate those mechanisms into tools for the biotechnology of the future."

The conference program addressed three major areas:

1. Plant biotechnology — methods to enhance crop properties, develop resistant varieties, and introduce new cultivation approaches.
2. Microbial biotechnology — research on bacteria and fungi with potential applications in fertilizers, medicines, or biodegradable materials.
3. Plant–microorganism interactions — symbiosis, parasitism, and other forms of interorganism “communication” that shape ecosystem health.

The event featured 12 plenary lectures by leading experts, 46 breakout sessions with in‑depth research analyses, 55 poster presentations, and more than 40 flash talks on current topics such as molecular genetics of plants and microbes, bacterial flagellins and plant responses, resistance genes, and in vitro microcloning.

At the conference, Dina Vladimirovna presented a paper titled The Effect of Nutrient Medium Composition and Cultivation Conditions on β‑Galactosidase Yield from Kluyveromyces lactis. She explained:

“In the laboratories of the Altai State University Center for Recombinant Technologies we conduct research using recombinant approaches in oncotheranostics, immunology, molecular biology, and biotechnology. My paper focused on optimising the bioprocess for producing β‑galactosidase with the Kluyveromyces lactis yeast strain. This enzyme is widely used in the food industry—for instance, to produce lactose‑free products—and in various biotechnological applications. Improving β‑galactosidase production is important for the food sector and the environment: it lowers production costs and enables better utilisation of dairy waste. The paper also addresses major challenges in modern biotechnology, namely increasing bioprocess efficiency and greening production through the rational use of resources.”

The research was supported financially by the Altai Krai Administration for Food, Processing, Pharmaceutical Industry and Biotechnology.