Biology 2 (2014 7) 103-133 ~ ~ ~ УДК 579, 57.013; 615.462 Modern Biomaterials: World Trends, Place and Role of Microbial Polyhydroxyalkanoates (PHAs) Tatiana G. Volova* Institute of Biophysics SB RAS 50/50 Akademgorodok, Krasnoyarsk, 660036, Russia Siberian Federal University 79 Svobodny, Krasnoyarsk, 660041, Russia Received 12.02.2014, received in revised form 21.03.2014, accepted 11.05.2014 Development of environmentally friendly materials that could be involved in the biospheric cycling is one of the key issues of the present time due to both environmental hazard caused by accumulation of synthetic materials in the biosphere and the needs of modern biomedical technologies. <...> The study analyzes the state of the art and current international trends in biomaterials research and the position and role of degradable bioplastics synthesized by microorganisms (polyhydroxyalkanoates, PHAs). <...> The data are reported on the processes and production of this class of polymers by world’s leading companies; potentials for the development of commercial production of degradable PHAs in Russia are investigated. <...> Institute of Biophysics SB RAS and Siberian Federal University have developed the technologies of the synthesis of PHAs with different chemical structure, exhibiting properties of high-crystallinity thermoplasts and construction elastomers, and used them in pilot production of these polymers. <...> All rights reserved * Corresponding author E-mail address: Volova45@mail.ru # 103 # Tatiana G. Volova. <...> Modern Biomaterials: World Trends, Place and Role of Microbial Polyhydroxyalkanoates (PHAs) Cовременные биоматериалы: мировые тренды, место и роль микробных полигидроксиалканоатов Т.Г. Волова Институт биофизики СО РАН Россия, 660036, Красноярск, Академгородок, 50/50 Сибирский федеральный университет Россия, 660041, Красноярск, пр. <...> Свободный, 79 Создание экологически чистых материалов <...>