About the Institute
The Institute of Genetics and Cytology of the National Academy of Sciences of Belarus was established in 1965. The founder and the first director of the Institute was Nikolai V. Turbin, an outstanding geneticist, the Academician of the National Academy of Sciences of Belarus and of the Russian Academy of Agricultural Sciences, the Honored Scientist of the Byelorussian SSR and the laureate of the State Award of the Byelorussian SSR. At different times, outstanding geneticists worked at the Institute: A.P. Zhebrak and P.F. Rokitsky, the Academicians of the Academy of Sciences of the Byelorussian SSR; A.N. Ipatiev, the Corresponding Member of the Academy of Sciences of the Byelorussian SSR.
Over the years of its existence, the Institute has made a significant contribution to the solution of a number of fundamental and applied genetic issues. It rightfully has the fame of one of the recognized centers of the former Soviet Union in the theory of heterosis, quantitative genetics and ecological genetics (activity under the direction of Academician N.V. Turbin, Academician L.V. Khotyleva, and Academician A.V. Kilchevsky); and mathematical genetics (activity under the direction of Academician P.F. Rokitsky). The activity in the field of experimental polyploidy of agricultural plants and cytogenetics of distant hybrids, led under the direction of Corresponding Member V.E. Bormotov, received the widespread recognition of the scientific community. The staff members of the Institute were among the first who started to comprehensively investigate the interaction between nuclear and cytoplasmic genetic systems (under the direction of A.N. Palilova, D.Sc. in Biology; Corresponding Member O.G. Davydenko etc.), and develop a problem of the genetic transformation of plants (under the direction of Academician N.A. Kartel). For over 30 years, oncogenetics and mutagenesis study was carried out at the Institute.
Outstanding achievements of the Institute’s staff members were marked with the State Awards of the Byelorussian SSR and the Republic of Belarus (1974, 1984 and 2002); Lenin Komsomol Prize of the Byelorussian SSR (1990); the Awards of the National Academy of Sciences of Belarus (1993, 1999, 2001, 2003, and 2011); and the Academician V. A. Koptyuga Award (2007).
Directions of activity
Study of the structural and functional organization of plant, animal, microorganism and human genomes
Development of problems in the area of genetic and cell engineering
Development of genomic biotechnology for agriculture, medicine, sports and environmental protection
Study of biosafety, conservation of genetic resources and their use monitoring related issues
Study of the genome and microbiome interaction
Bioinformatics
News
March 10, 2026
Scientific and Educational Visit: Participants of the charity project «Women’s Leadership in Belarus: Inspiration, Development, Career» visited the Institute of Genetics and Cytology of the NAS of Belarus
🔹 The purpose of the visit was to familiarize the participants with the cutting-edge achievements of national science in the field of genomic technologies.
During the event, the administration and leading researchers of the Institute provided a detailed overview of the institution’s scientific and practical activities aimed at addressing the state’s strategic objectives.
In her address, Professor Lyudmila Makarina-Kibak, Doctor of Medical Sciences and Director of the Institute of Genetics and Cytology of the NAS of Belarus, emphasized the applied nature of the ongoing research:
«One of our primary areas of focus is the development of genomic biotechnologies for agriculture, medicine, sports, and environmental protection.»
🔹 Particular attention was given to the operations of the National DNA Data Bank. The attendees learned about the conditions for storing and cataloging genetic samples of humans, animals, plants, and microorganisms.
March 10, 2026
🇧🇾🇺🇿 The Institute of Genetics and Cytology of the National Academy of Sciences of Belarus is strengthening its cooperation with research centers in Uzbekistan. Previous joint projects focused on identifying genes that provide drought resistance in wheat varieties. Currently, scientists are focusing their efforts on studying genetic markers that indicate a predisposition to cardiomyopathy—a severe disease of the heart muscle. Identifying these markers is crucial for the early diagnosis and timely treatment of patients.
Oleg Levdansky, Head of the Bioinformatics Sector at the Institute of Genetics and Cytology of the NAS of Belarus: «The project itself will involve conducting high-throughput sequencing on both patients with cardiomyopathy and a control group. Then, through the bioinformatics processing of the obtained data, we will identify potential predisposition markers.»
