On September 8–11, 2024, the Fourth School for Young Scientists "Modern Mariculture: Biological, biochemical and molecular genetics approaches" was held on the basis of the Vostok marine biological station NSCMB FEB RAS. The School was organized within the framework of the Russian Science Foundation project No. 21-74-30004 supervised by Igor Dolmatov, the Director of the Center and a Corresponding Member of the Russian Academy of Sciences. The School for Young Scientists brought together talented young people and those who are interested in sciences.

At this year’s event, lectures were delivered by 11 leading scientists from various Russian research institutions. A scientist from China, for the first time, took part in the event on September 9. The aim of the school was to acquaint young people with new methods for studying biological objects: morphological, physiological, and molecular genetics. Currently, these are essential approaches to development of modern technologies for culturing aquatic organisms. Basic science makes a substantial contribution to the development of Russia’s mariculture by providing new knowledge and methods and by training young specialist who will use them in their work.

The audience was very interested in the reports by the invited guest, Prof. Huo Zhongming from the Dalian Ocean University, entitled "Study on artificial breeding of the geoduck Panopea japonica" and "Adaptation to extreme climate of Manila clam: germplasm resources and sustainable aquaculture". Professor showed a deep knowledge of the subject and comprehensively answered all questions from the audience. During the presentation, he offered to ask any questions on the topic of the report and demonstrated his complete openness to dialogue and sincere desire to share knowledge. He discussed with the scientists the development of aquaculture in China and the current state of cooperative scientific research.

On September 10, the guests from China visited the Primorsky Aquarium, a branch of NSCMB FEB RAS, where they viewed exhibits and watched a show of marine mammals’ skills in the Dolphinarium.

On September, 11 Prof. Huo Zhongming and his colleague Mr. Gao Zhiying visited the NSCMB FEB RAS. The host party led a tour through the Center and its Museum NSCMB FEB RAS, presented the history of the Centre, its fields of activities, and prospects for the development of cooperation with scientific institutions of China.