PhD in Biology Aynura Pashayeva, Head of the International Proteomics Laboratory at the Institute of Molecular Biology and Biotechnologies of the Ministry of Science and Education of the Republic of Azerbaijan, participated as a keynote speaker at the 2nd International Conference on Plant Protection Sciences (ICPPS-2025), held on April 9–10, 2025, at Sindh Agriculture University in Tandojam, Pakistan. In her presentation titled “Regulation of Non-Photochemical Quenching through Phosphorylation of Thylakoid Proteins in Rice,” the scientist discussed new theories on how post-translational regulation of photosynthetic proteins affects photoprotection mechanisms in rice. She emphasized the importance of advanced proteomics strategies in uncovering the dynamic responses of thylakoid membranes under fluctuating light and stress conditions.

At the same time, other researchers from the Institute — PhD in Biology, Associate Professor Ulduza Gurbanova, PhD in Biology Nahida Aliyeva, and research associate Turana Isgandarova — also participated in the conference with online presentations.

Scientists and experts from Pakistan, China, Kazakhstan, Azerbaijan, and other countries who gathered at the conference discussed cutting-edge research in the field of sustainable plant protection and explored prospects for collaboration.

As the next step in promoting international scientific collaboration, it is planned to sign a Memorandum of Understanding on long-term cooperation in the fields of agricultural research and biotechnology between Sindh Agriculture University (SAU), one of the oldest universities in Pakistan, and the Institute of Molecular Biology and Biotechnologies (IMBB) under the Ministry of Science and Education of the Republic of Azerbaijan.

This five-year strategic framework aims to promote joint research and enhance research capabilities in key areas, including plant genetics and breeding, agricultural development, pest management, agricultural biotechnology, and food quality and safety.