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Spread of tuberculosis (TB) in Russia is associated with many social and medical factors, such as HIV-infection, alcohol abuse, unemployment, homelessness, history of imprisonment 1 , illegal labor migration, etc. Numerous studies were conducted to discover genetic diversity of Mycobacterium tuberculosis (MTB) strains circulating in different regions of Russian Federation 2-5. The majority of them studied genetic diversity of MTB strains spread among general population of TB patients 2,3,5,6. A little number of papers devoted to studying the epidemiological characteristics of strains of M. tuberculosis among prisoners 4,7,8. However, the molecular epidemiological features of MTB strains circulating in high-risk groups, especially among HIV-infected individuals and homeless people, have not been studied well. Therefore, the study of genetic diversity of M. tuberculosis strains revealed among patients from different highrisk groups is of great interest. The aim of our study was to compare genotypes of MTB strains circulating among TB patients from different high risk groups (homeless, HIV-infected, prisoners) and general population of St.Petersburg citizens.

Genetic technologies play a key role in the development of new approaches to the diagnostics and therapy of diseases. Russian scientists who have already successfully developed effective drugs based on monoclonal antibodies are elaborating new products in the field of CAR-T-therapy and recombinant adeno-associated viruses-based gene therapy. In addition, implementation of gene diagnostics into practice allows increased efficiency of medical care through a personalized approach to the treatment of diseases. Successful implementation of new technologies and novel diagnostic and treatment methods is impossible without the cooperation of academic science and business. Companies that create favorable conditions for the cooperation with academic science and attracting specialists of various profiles are bringing the mass adoption of genetic technologies, and therefore, enabling victory over many previously incurable, socially significant diseases.