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
July 25, 2025
Digital Plant Phenotyping & Plant Spectral Analysis Workshop
On July 24, 2025, a digital plant phenotyping and plant spectral analysis workshop was held at the Institute of Genetics and Cytology, NAS of Belarus. Representatives of Fenomika LLC (Russia) spoke about hardware and software capabilities for the implementation of scientific projects.
The workshop was dedicated to a modern direction that studies the relationship between phenotype, genotype and environmental factors—phenomics.
The workshop participants had a chance to learn about technologies that allow collecting and analyzing data on external plant features (phenotype), such as machine vision, sensors and big data analysis.
Solutions for multi- and hyperspectral imaging of plants in the laboratory and in field conditions were demonstrated: Microscan (a mobile 3D multispectral scanner for plants), MUSES-9HS (a hyperspectral camera with adaptive illumination to analyze physiological state using spectral data) and a Phenocheck (a mobile scanner with built-in ring illumination).
July 25, 2025
Information Day
On July 24, 2025, the Institute of Genetics and Cytology, NAS of Belarus, had a Unified Information Day ― “Sovereign Belarus: from the Restoration of the National Economy to Innovative Projects of the Future.”
Sergei Sivets, Chairperson of the Standing Committee of the Council of the Republic of the National Assembly of the Republic of Belarus on Education, Science, Culture and Social Development, spoke to the staff members of the Institute.
In his speech, the speaker covered the stages of the formation of Belarusian sovereignty, significant achievements and innovative projects of sovereign Belarus in industry, technology, agriculture, medicine and other branches. It was discussed in detail how decisions made at the early stages of the history of independent Belarus influenced the development of our country and its current status.
