On January 24, 2024, we were delighted to host Dr. Aida Kistaubayeva from Al-Farabi Kazakh National University to the Lihu Campus of Shenzhen University. Dr. Kistaubayeva was invited by Professor Xingzhi Xu from Shenzhen University Medical School, to deliver the 78th session of the School of Basic Medical Sciences Seminar. 

During her presentation, Dr. Aida Kistaubayeva illustrated that health issues can be addressed through the use of renewable resources, specifically through microbial biotechnology. She introduced us to the concept of the prebiotic cellulose-pullulan matrix, which serves as a vehicle for delivering probiotic biofilms to the host's colon and represents a novel idea in the field of polymers. She then explained that the development of new polymeric biocomposites, the creation of polymers reinforced with cellulose fibers, and the production of novel biocomposites are all emerging directions in probiotic technology. We also learned that in recent years, data have been generated that support that the reduction in the population titers of symbiotic bacteria in the mucous membrane of the intestinal epithelium, such as Akkermansia muciniphila, is inversely proportional to the frequency of inflammatory bowel diseases, obesity, and diabetes. Finally, we heard how next-generation probiotics can modulate obesity by regulating metabolism and energy homeostasis, improving insulin sensitivity, and glucose homeostasis. In this context, functional food products based on next-generation probiotics should be developed.

Brief introduction to the speaker

Dr. Aida Kistaubayeva is an active researcher working in the fields of bioengineering, microbial biotechnology, and environmental biotechnology. She is currently serving as the head of the Department of Biotechnology at Al-Farabi Kazakh National University, where she also provides lectures on industrial biotechnology and microbial biotechnology. Dr. Aida Kistaubayeva won the State competition for the best young scientist in 2010-2012, 2013-2014, and 2015. She also received the Republican competition award for the "Best University Teacher of the Year 2015" and the “Best Leading Scientist Scholarship” in 2022. She is the owner of 12 patents, including international ones, and has authored and co-authored 14 textbooks, educational materials, and international monographs. Over the course of her career, Dr. Aida Kistaubayeva has supervised various scientific projects and serves as an expert for isgnt.kz Scientific Projects. She is also an expert for the competition "The Best Teacher of 2022" under the Ministry of Science and Higher Education of the Republic of Kazakhstan. She is a member of conference organizing committees, including ISOCARD, Farabi Alemi, and Biological Effects. She is a member of the Central Asian Chapter of OWSD for Central Asia.