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
Meeting with the State Secretary of the Union State
On May 14, a meeting of Mr. Sergey Glazyev, the State Secretary of the Union State, and Ms. Lyudmila Makarina-Kibak, Director of the Scientific Institution, as well as the management team of the structural subdivisions of the Scientific Institution, took place at the Institute of the Genetics and Cytology of the National Academy of Sciences of Belarus.
The State Secretary of the Union State was introduced to the activities of the Institute of Genetics and Cytology, NAS of Belarus. Mr. Sergey Glazyev inquired about the progress of the Union State program “DNA Identification” the database and algorithms of work of which are successfully used by the investigative bodies of Belarus and Russia as well as forensic experts in their activity.
F1 Tomato & Sweet Pepper Varieties and Hybrids
The employees of the Laboratory of Ecological Genetics and Biotechnology of the Institute of Genetics and Cytology together with colleagues from the Belarusian State Agricultural Academy have developed F1 tomato and sweet pepper varieties and hybrids as part of research projects under the supervision of Academician Alexander Kilchevsky.
Since 2025, the following varieties and hybrids have been included in the State Register of Agricultural Plant Varieties:
- Large-fruited tomatoes for the protected ground: “Spatkanne F1”, “Geliodar”;
- Cherry tomatoes: “Basya F1”, “Sors F1”, “Redlord F1” and “Oranzhevy Topaz”;
- Open ground tomatoes: “Rada F1”, “Mansiata F1” and “Brusnichny F1”;
- Sweet pepper varieties “Krasnoval” and “Runa”.
The achievements of our scientists have surpassed state standard varieties in productivity and the taste of fruits.
We congratulate the Institute on receiving 11 certificates for the varieties developed, as well as breeder certificates for laboratory employees: A.V. Kilchevsky, O.G. Babak, N.A. Martinovskaya, N.V. Anisimova, K.K. Yatsevich, E.V. Drozd and T.V. Nikitinskaya.
