| Staff: | Ph.D. in biology, assoc.professor, leading researcher Samira Mahammadrahim Rustamova Ph.D. in biology, leading researcher Gulnara Shammad Balakishiyeva doctor of biological sciences, assoc.professor, principal researcher Tofig Idris Allahverdiyev Ph.D. in biology, assoc.professor, leading researcher Nargiz Fakhraddin Sultanova Ph.D. in biology, senior researcher Samra Tahir Mirzayeva Ph.D in biology, researcher Nargiz Kamal Bayramova researcher Turana Yashar Isgandarova researcher Saida Tofig Zulfugarova researcher Shahriyar Fateh Sadigov researcher Esmer Elchin Husseynova researcher Naima Namaz Nİyazova junior researcher Gulnar Rizvan Abdullayeva junior researcher Aysel Mushfig Madadli junior researcher Khayala Siyavush Aliyeva |
| Main scientific achievements: | - The molecular-genetic mechanisms of the processes of synthesis, assembly and formation of pigment-protein complexes of the photosynthetic membranes of higher plants were studied, and the possible role of photosynthetic changes in their adaptation to extreme conditions was determined.
- As a result of studying the temperature-dependent dynamics of ascorbate-glutathione cycle components during the day in contrasting wheat genotypes under conditions of high temperature and water shortage, it was found that plants resist stress by regulating the activity of antioxidant enzymes and the amount of ascorbate and glutathione. The complete restoration of the thylakoid membrane proteome in drought-tolerant wheat genotypes during the rehydration process reflects their more dynamic self-regeneration ability.
- The effective genes of tolerance to brown, yellow and stem rust were revealed as a result of the analysis of wheat genotypes using STS, SCAR and SSR molecular markers and KASP genotyping technology;
- Race composition in the causative of the stem rust disease was molecularly characterized in wheat plants from various regions of Azerbaijan. SNP (Single nucleotide polymorphism) genotyping based on single nucleotide polymorphism was not revealed the Ug99 race group. Genetic diversity was observed in 54 samples of 17 multilocus genotypes. It was found that 12 samples belonged to TKTTF race group, whereas 42 samples belonged to a new, unidentified race group;
- During joint research on nanovirus diseases of cultivated and wild beans, conducted in several European countries, a new nanovirus-Black medic leaf roll virus (BMLRV) was identified and its complete genome was sequenced in chickpea plants collected in Ganja. As a result of the complete sequencing of five isolates of Faba bean necrotic yellow virus (FBNYV) in bean samples from Azerbaijan and Spain and four isolates of Faba bean necrotic stunt virus (FBNSV) in chickpea, green pea, lentils and bean samples from Azerbaijan, it was proved that the FBNSV nanovirus was identified in Europe for the first time;
- For the first time in Azerbaijan, nucleotide sequence of the citS gene encoding malate/citrate simporter protein was established using the "Chromosome Walking" method and a new Nested PCR method was developed to determine the Stolbur group (XII). For the first time in the world, interspecies recombination for phytoplasmas was observed in 'Ca. P. pyri' and 'Ca. P. prunorum' phytoplasma species detected in a pear tree in Azerbaijan.
- For the first time in Azerbaijan, isolates of Candidatus Phytoplasma solani causing dangerous Bois Noir disease were detected in grape plants, and as a result of multilocus sequence analysis of their genetic diversity, 4 new genotypes for the Stamp gene and 3 new genotypes for the secY gene were found. In Azerbaijan, the spread of the phytopathogen "Candidatus Phytoplasma solani" by "Hyalestes obsoletus" and "Reptalus noahi" insect vectors was identified based on barcoding using the "mtCOI mitochondria" marker. This is the first report in the world about the insect species "Reptalus noahi" spreading the phytoplasma "Candidatus Phytoplasma solani".
- As a result of the sequence analysis of the non-ribosomal stamp-gene of pepper (Capsicum annuum) AZ2012-PV2 sample, a mixture of two stolbur isolates of phytoplasma differing in single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) was identified;
- For the first time, tomato yellow leaf curl virus (TYLCV) was identified in the tomato plant, and the virus isolate was deposited in GenBank under registration number KY412552;
- For the first time, Watermelon mosaic virus (WM) belonging to the Potivirus family was identified in Cucumis melo L. as a result of sequential analysis of amplification products synthesized with specific primer pairs to the C-terminus of RdRp and Nib-proteins of the viral genome and the N-terminus of the capsid protein-CP (registration numbers in Genbank: MG964114-MG964228). At the same time, recombination between groups G2/G1 was found in WMV isolates;
- The Dreb transcription factor gene was isolated from Triticum urartu (Au), Aegilops speltoides (B) and Aegilops tauschii (D), which are considered genome donors of bread wheat, from local wild diploid wheat Barakatli 95, durum (Triticum durum Desf) and bread wheat (Triticum aestivum L) genotypes, sequenced, and studied in silico. As a result of amino acid sequence analysis of the AP2/ERF domain of the Dreb gene, single nucleotide polymorphism sites (SNPs) and microindels, conservative functional amino acid residues (14th valine and 19th glutamine, 2 tryptophan loops), nuclear localization signal (NLS), Ser/Tre-rich sites were designated, and one α-helix and three β-bend areas were found in the secondary structure of the domain. Data on nucleotide and amino acid sequences of Dreb gene in the mentioned genotypes were confirmed and registered in the NCBI Database with accession numbers MZ935737, MZ935738, MZ935739, and MZ935740.
- The expression of the Ces-A2, Csl-D3,2, Csl-D3,1 genes significantly increased, while the expression of the Csl-H1 gene decreased due to combined stress effects in tomato genotypes inoculated with TYLCV (tomato yellow leaf curl virus) and ToCV (tomato chlorosis virus) and exposed to drought stress.
- 371 plant samples infected with Plum pox virus (PPV) with RNA genome were collected from different regions of Azerbaijan, and the virus was not detected in 7 of them. Among them, 6 samples belong to P. fenzliana (AZ_203_5; AZ_205_4; AZ_210_1; AZ_210_2; AZ_215_1; AZ_219_1), a relative of the almond plant, and one sample belongs to P. persica (AZ_092). Possible allelic variants of eIF4E and eIFiso4E genes of genomic DNA isolated from plants were investigated, and alleles potentially associated with PPV resistance were identified.
- GWAS (genome-wide association studies) analysis - 188 wheat genotypes were genotyped using 135k SNP-Array-Chip to determine associations with valuable traits across the whole genome. Using digital phenotyping technology, the physiological state of plants was assessed non-invasively (based on the calculation of 25 parameters), Manhattan plots were constructed, and valuable QTLs were discovered.
- Analyses of the transcriptome induced by drought and heat stress were performed in stress-resistant and sensitive wheat genotypes using the RNAseq method.
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