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
November 6, 2025
Public Service Announcement “Smoking Prevention”
A nationwide awareness-raising campaign runs in our country on November 3–21.
Its main goal is to raise awareness of a negative effect of nicotine-containing and tobacco product consumption on public health, particularly in the context of cancer development, to foster a negative attitude towards tobacco and other nicotine-containing products among the population, and to motivate the public to lead a healthy lifestyle.
This event is timed to No Tobacco Day and is held annually on the third Thursday of November upon initiative of the Union for International Cancer Control.
November 5, 2025
Belarusian scientists are working to revive the native forest bee of Belarus
Belarusian scientists are making enormous strides to revive the native dark forest bee spread in our region before the Great Patriotic War. Because of military operations and the subsequent introduction of other species, this unique subspecies virtually disappeared. However, recent findings of colonies in Polesie give rise to hope for its revival.
In the Belarus segonya, Elena Guzenko, Deputy Head for Science and Innovation, the Institute of Genetics and Cytology, the National Academy of Sciences of Belarus, PhD in Biology, Associate Professor, tells us about a team of scientists actively studying bee genetics and developing identification technologies that will not only contribute to preserving biodiversity but also improving the quality of honey and other bee products.
November 4, 2025
Cutting-edge potential of genetic testing in forensics
On November 4, a lecture on “Cutting-edge Potential of Genetic Testing in Forensics” was held at the Academy of Public Administration under the President of the Republic of Belarus. It was organized by the Department of Constitutional and Administrative Law of the Managerial Personnel Institute in collaboration with the Institute of Genetics and Cytology, the National Academy of Sciences of Belarus. Pavel Morozik, Deputy Director for Science at the Institute, addressed fourth-year students majoring in Public Administration and Law.
During his lecture, Pavel discussed the use of modern genetic techniques to identify individuals and the latest technologies developed under the Union State programme “DNA Identification” already being used in forensic science and its practical application.
The lecture generated keen interest among the students who actively asked questions about the project’s implementation and new research trends.
