The 115th session of the JINR Scientific Council started yesterday in Dubna. JINR Vice-Director Professor R. Lednický opened the session. JINR Chief Scientific Secretary N.A. Russakovich reported about the decisions of the November session of the Committee of Plenipotentiaries of the JINR Member States, the major results of JINR activity in 2013 and plans for 2014. JINR Vice-Director Professor M.G. Itkis devoted his report to prospects of research in the fields of heavy ion physics. VBLHEP Director Professor V.D. Kekelidze spoke about prospects for dense baryonic matter research at Nuclotron/NICA and BM@N and MPD projects. The current state of the detector systems for nuclear physics with neutrons at FLNP was a topic of a report of FLNP Director Professor V.N.Shvetsov.

Approval of appointments of Vice-Directors of DLNP and FLNP was held at the session.  Directors of Laboratories V.A. Bednyakov and V.N.Shvetsov presented candidates.

Chairmen of JINR PACs I. Tserruya, W. Greiner and P.A. Alekseev acquainted participants of the session with recommendations of JINR PACs.

Academician V.A. Rubakov presented a scientific report "Unsolved problems of neutrino physics and astrophysics and the potential of the experiment in Baikal".

Today participants of the session will consider a proposal for the award of the title "Honorary Doctor of JINR", will approve the Jury’s recommendations on the JINR prizes for 2013. The Award of Academician B.M. Pontecorvo of the year 2013 will be presented.

Professor E. Di Мauro (The Sapienza University of Rome) will present a scientific report "From one-carbon atom compounds to spontaneous generation of RNA. Which source of energy?". The Italian scientist presented this report in the Italian Embassy in Moscow on the eve of the session.

JINR young scientists will present scientific reports on recommendations of JINR PACs.

A general discussion, adoption of the resolution of the Scientific Council will conclude the session.