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
May 22, 2026
The theme of the International Day for Biological Diversity in 2026 is “Harmony with Nature and Sustainable Development.”
The Conference “Contribution of the Republic of Belarus to the Implementation of the 2030 Agenda and Achievement of Sustainable Development Goal 15” held in Volozhin was timed to coincide with the commemorative date.
The Republic of Belarus actively participates in the implementation of the Convention on Biological Diversity and consistently addresses issues related to the conservation of biodiversity, the sustainable use of biological resources, and the regulation of access to genetic resources and benefit-sharing.
At the Conference, Olga Malysheva, Head of the National Coordination Centre on Access to Genetic Resources and Benefit-sharing at the Institute of Genetics and Cytology, NAS of Belarus, presented a report entitled “Legal Framework for Genetic Resources Management as a Contribution to Conservation of Biological Diversity and Sustainable Development of the Republic of Belarus.”
The report examined:
∙ International approaches to managing genetic resources;
∙ Implementation of Nagoya Protocol provisions in the Republic of Belarus;
∙ Key mechanisms of the Law of the Republic of Belarus “Genetic Resources Management”;
∙ A system to monitor genetic resources utilization;
∙ Legal regulation contributing to the Sustainable Development Goal 15 – “Life on land.”
May 20, 2026
World Bee Day is celebrated on May 20
Every year, the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) sets a holiday theme. The 2026 theme is “Bee Together for People and the Planet – A Partnership that Sustains us All”. It aims to highlight the strong, centuries-long relationship between people and bees.
The Institute of Genetics and Cytology has developed molecular genetic methods for identifying and assessing the genetic state of honeybee populations. A project to study the natural resistance of honeybees to the Varroa mite has been launched.
Fun facts:
A bee has five eyes.
Albinos can be found among bees, distinguished by their white eyes.
A bee can detect the scent of nectar from a kilometer away.
The characteristic buzzing sound of insects is caused by the movement of their wings.
Bees pollinate approximately 90% of flowering plants.
