The Institute of Biology, Komi Science Centre of the Ural Branch of the Russian Academy of Sciences. Historical milestones and future outlook

The paper examines the history and evolution of biological research at the Komi Science Centre of the Ural Branch of the Russian Academy of Sciences, as well as the development of biological science at the Institute of Biology FRC Komi SC UB RAS. This is the first attempt to periodise the history of biological science within the academic institution in the Komi Republic. The paper identifies four distinct periods, each characterized by a shift in the balance between applied and fundamental scientific research. The first period, from the second half of the 1930s to the 1950s, was marked by pioneering work on the description of the natural productive forces of the Komi Republic. The second period, from the 1960s to the first half of the 1980s, saw an increasing role of basic research. During this time, the Institute of Biology served a coordinating research centre dealed with the issues on introduction of new silage plant species and transferring part of the flow of northern rivers to the south. The third period, from the second half of the 1980s to the first decade of the 2000s, was characterised by a transition to environmental issues and a sharp intensification of international research. The role of applied research and innovations also increased significantly during this period. The fourth period, from the first deca­de of the 2000s to the present, has been marked by reforms of the Russian Academy of Sciences. During this time, the focus of research has remained largely unchanged, while the role of basic research has increased. The range of topics in classical and experimental biology formed by 2024, the employees of the Institute of Biology are working on, aligns with the priorities of the scientific and technological development of the Russian Federation, and a radical shift in research directions is not expected in the next ten years. Improving the competitiveness of the scientific institution at the Russian and international level is expected primarily through the development and application of advanced research methods.