Scientific results of our projects bring concrete benefits to the health care system and to all of us.
High-throughput sequencing, a chance to quickly and accurately establish the causes of rare as well as widespread socially significant diseases in complex clinical cases, is performed. All stages of research are performed locally, without sending biomaterial abroad. This meets national biosafety targets and ensures that patients' personal data are protected.
Examination of children with orphan (rare) diseases has enabled accurate diagnosis and treatment. Genetic variants, previously unknown across the globe, have been identified. Twelve pathogenic mutations associated with osteogenesis imperfecta, discovered in the Belarusian population, have been described for the first time.
In conjunction with the Republican Scientific and Practical Center for Cardiology, we are studying the genetic causes of cardiomyopathies and channelopathies. A spectrum of mutations in over 200 genes has been identified. Such data help refine diagnosis, identify asymptomatic carriers of hereditary changes, and implement timely preventative measures.
In collaboration with the N.N. Alexandrov Republican Scientific and Practical Center for Oncology and Medical Radiology, we are studying molecular mechanisms for lung, bladder, and thyroid cancer. We have developed methods for predicting the course of disease that are used in clinical practice and help physicians select treatment strategies more accurately.
Collaboration with the Belarusian State Medical University (BSMU) on the analysis of microRNAs — small molecules that help differentiate between benign and malignant thyroid nodules — has improved the early detection of malignant changes and patient prognosis.
Maintaining reproductive health is a priority research area. Together with the Scientific and Practical Center "Mother and Child" and the Republican Scientific and Practical Center for Transfusiology and Medical Biotechnology, a test assessing the risk of reproductive loss based on the analysis of 26 genes has been developed. This method has already been implemented into medical practice and helps doctors select more accurate recommendations for successful pregnancy.
Together with the Scientific and Practical Center "Mother and Child", approaches, unique for Belarus, to diagnosing the genetic causes of male infertility have been developed.
We have developed a requisite scientific and technological foundation for preconception genetic screening — testing of individuals planning to get married and give birth to children. Genetic screening allows potential parents to learn about potential genetic risks, receive professional advice, and make informed decisions in the course of planning, which reduces medical and social implications and improves overall health.
The study of the human microbiome is a rapidly developing new field. Particular attention is paid to the interactions between the human genome and the microbiome. Such research allows us to understand how genetic characteristics influence the formation of the microbiota and, conversely, how the microbiome can modify the manifestation of a genetic predisposition to diseases. Our Institute is the leading center for the systematic study of this complex interaction in Belarus.
Pharmacogenetics, a field that studies how genetic characteristics influence a person's response to medications, is equally important. Our Institute has developed methods that make it possible to consider patient's genetic characteristics in the administration of more than 75 medications.
Today, anyone can have genetic testing at our Institute and learn about their individual characteristics and a predisposition to multifactorial diseases. We have issued over 27,000 genetic passports, which demonstrates that genetic technologies have already become part of real-world medical care.
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
April 17 , 2026
The Resolution of the Council of Ministers of the Republic of Belarus “On the procedure for providing (changing terms of) access to genetic resources” dated April 14, 2026, No. 187 approves the Provision on the procedure for providing (changing terms of) access to genetic resources.
To provide access to genetic resources, the provider and the user shall mandatorily apply with the National Coordination Centre on Access to Genetic Resources and Benefit-Sharing (ABS NCC) of the State Scientific Institution “Institute of Genetics and Cytology of the National Academy of Sciences of Belarus” and submit the following documents:
- An application form according to the established form (see the Resolution);
- A copy of the Genetic Resources and/or Associated Traditional Knowledge Transfer Agreement (an Agreement sample is available on the ABS NCC website);
- Consent of an individual of the Republic of Belarus who is the direct holder of traditional knowledge associated with genetic resources to the use and/or transfer of his knowledge, provided an application is submitted by the provider to whom such consent has been given.
The full Russian version of the Resolution of the Council of Ministers No. 187 is available here.
The samples of documents to obtain access to genetic resources and associated traditional knowledge are available on the website of the National Coordination Centre on Access to Genetic Resources and Benefit-Sharing at the following link.
Pursuant to clause 16.8 of the Decree of the President of the Republic of Belarus “On Administrative Procedures Implemented by Government Bodies and Other Organizations Upon Applications of Citizens” dated April 26, 2010, No. 200, the fee charged for obtaining access to genetic resources is 2 basic amounts, and pursuant to clause 16.9., the fee charged for changing genetic resources access terms is 1 basic amount.
March 20, 2026
CONGRATULATIONS ON YOUR VICTORY IN THE REPUBLICAN COMPETITION!
The pride of the Institute of Genetics and Cytology, NAS of Belarus, is our colleague Elizaveta Drozd, a research scientist of the Laboratory of Ecological Genetics and Biotechnology, who has become the winner of the 15th season of the “100 Ideas for Belarus” project!
Elizaveta has presented her project “Developing Tomato Plants with High Antioxidant Properties in Fruits” in the nomination “Agro-Industrial Technologies & Farming” (category: “Working Youth”).
This victory vividly confirms the high level of the Belarusian school of genetics and the importance of research in the field of healthy nutrition.
We wish Elizaveta new scientific discoveries, inspiration, and the successful implementation of her developments in production!
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.
