Laboratory of Ecological Genetics and Biotechnology
Laboratory of Applied Genomics
Laboratory of Plant Cytogenomics
Laboratory of Molecular Genetics
Laboratory of Molecular Bases for Genome Stability
Laboratory of Cytoplasmic Heredity
National Coordination Biosafety Centre
National Coordination Centre on Access to Genetic Resources and Benefit-Sharing
(ABS NCC)
Republican DNA Bank of a Human, Plants, Animals, Microorganisms
The Shareable Core Facilities “GENOME”
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
February 5, 2026
Technological breakthrough: the launch of the DNBSEQ-G400 whole-genome sequencer at the Institute of Genetics and Cytology!
The emergence of a device of this class is a quantitative leap in research.
The DNBSEQ-G400 platform from MGI (BGI Group) is one of the world’s most in demand platforms, combining power and accuracy.
What does this mean for our scientists?
✔ Research scale: The device makes it possible to obtain up to 1440 GB of data in a single run. This means the simultaneous sequencing of dozens of human whole genomes or hundreds of exomes.
✔ Versatility: The sequencer supports a wide range of applications, from deep RNA analysis (transcriptomics) to the study of complex microbial communities (metagenomics).
✔ High quality (Q30 > 85%): Thanks to the unique DNA nanoball (DNB) technology, amplification errors are almost impossible, which is critical for finding rare mutations.
✔Flexibility: The double flow cell design allows the launch of multiple projects in parallel, optimizing turnaround time.
February 4, 2026
On February 4, Oleg Baranov, Academician-Secretary of the NAS of Belarus, gave a lecture «Methodological Foundations of Real-Time PCR» in the assembly hall of the Institute of Genetics and Cytology, NAS of Belarus, as part of a training workshop on genetic research and data processing for young scientists of the Department of Biological Sciences.
The lecture generated great interest among the audience and proved extremely useful not only for young scientists but also for more experienced researchers. Key methodological aspects and practical approaches to the application of real-time PCR were covered in detail expanding professional knowledge of participants and leading to a lively scientific discussion.
