On September 10, at the Dissertation Council BFD 1.07 operating under the Institute of Microbiology of the Ministry of Science and Education of the Republic of Azerbaijan, the dissertation defense of Gunay Ilman gizi Ismayilova was held for the degree of Doctor of Philosophy in Biology, specialty 2422.01 – Biotechnology (including bionanotechnology), on the topic “Study of epigenetic changes in isolated wheat culture under in vitro conditions”.

The scientific supervisors of the dissertation are PhD in Biology Tofig Garagozov and PhD in Biology, Associate Professor Mahira Mammadova. The official opponents are Full Member of ANAS Mammad Salmanov, Doctor of Biological Sciences, Associate Professor Saib Gulahmadov, and PhD in Biology Ulkar Neymatova.

At the meeting chaired by Corresponding Member of ANAS Penah Muradov, the applicant presented the main theses of the dissertation, noting that the main purpose of the research was to study epigenetic changes in cell cultures obtained under normal and stress conditions, as well as in regenerant and intact plants. The study revealed that genotype, explant size, phytohormone concentration, and the composition of the nutrient medium influenced callus induction, proliferation, and morphogenesis in plant tissue culture.

During the cultivation of wheat embryos in a selective system with NaCl salt, a negative correlation was observed between the intensity of callus proliferation and biomass accumulation. It was also determined that retrotransposons specific to rice (Houba), barley (Sukkula), and soybean (Sire1) are present in wheat genotypes, and their activity varies depending on the cultivation period.

After the speeches of the official opponents, a broad discussion was held around the dissertation, during which various suggestions and recommendations were voiced. The applicant responded to the comments and recommendations of the opponents and addressed the questions posed by the council members. The council members also expressed their opinions regarding the dissertation. After the applicant’s concluding remarks, a vote was held. Based on the voting results, a decision was made to petition the Supreme Attestation Commission, under the President of the Republic of Azerbaijan, to award Gunay Ismayilova the academic degree of Doctor of Philosophy in Biology.