An official memorandum of scientific cooperation was signed between the Institute of Molecular Biology and Biotechnologies of the MSE AR and the Max Planck Institute for Evolutionary Anthropology of Germany. The memorandum was signed by the Director General of the Institute of Molecular Biology and Biotechnologies of the MSE AR, Academician Irada Huseynova and the Executive Director of the Max Planck Institute, Professor Johannes Kraus. It is worth noting that the Max Planck Institute for Evolutionary Anthropology is headed by Professor Paabo Svante, who was awarded the Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine in 2022 for discoveries related to the genomes of extinct hominins and human evolution. According to the terms of the memorandum, the scientific cooperation between these organizations is initially foreseen for 5 years, which may be extended for a further 2 years if necessary. The memorandum provides for extensive academic cooperation, including training in palaeogenetics, archaeology, DNA/RNA sequencing, bioinformatics and other biomolecular methods, and the implementation of joint research projects. Joint research projects will aim to study the historical, evolutionary and biological significance of biological samples obtained from excavations at archaeological sites in Azerbaijan. In addition, in order to ensure the exchange of experience between the parties, members/students from both sides will participate in sample collection and laboratory work within the framework of the projects, and the organization of regular lectures by specialists from both sides is also included in the terms of the memorandum. The memorandum contains clauses on the rights and obligations, responsibilities of the parties, protection of intellectual property, protection of the confidentiality of the results obtained under certain conditions, until a certain date, etc.

It should be noted that Zarintaj Rustamova, a PhD student and research fellow at the Population Genomics Laboratory of the Institute of Molecular Biology and Biotechnologies of the MSE AR, was on a scientific visit to the Max Planck Institute for Evolutionary Anthropology in 2022 and 2023.