Researchers of the Institute of Molecular Biology and Biotechnologies of the Ministry of Science and Education of the Republic of Azerbaijan have identified interspecies recombination among phytoplasmas for the first time globally.

According to the Institute, for the first time in the country, the phytoplasma species Candidatus Phytoplasma solani, the causal agent of the dangerous grapevine disease 'Bois noir,' has been detected. As a result of studying its genetic diversity, four new genotypes have been recorded for science. Scientists have also provided scientific evidence for the first time in the world that the insect species Reptalus noahi is a vector of this phytoplasma.

Among the other achievements of the Institute are the study of wheat genotypes for resistance to stress factors using next-generation genomic technologies, the development of high-yielding varieties based on RNAseq and GWAS analyses, the patenting of the soft wheat varieties Lider and Yubiley-90, as well as the continuation of trials of the varieties Əbədiyyət-100 and Çıraq-95.

For the first time in Azerbaijan, a new nanovirus for science – Black medic leaf roll virus (BMLRV) – has been identified in chickpea, and the Faba bean necrotic stunt virus has been identified in Europe for the first time.

A new biotechnological propagation method for saffron has been developed, and the gene pool of the Şirvan-Şahi grapevine variety has been preserved and restored. As a result of molecular-genetic studies, the genetic structure of the Azerbaijani population has been determined, and the molecular basis of diseases such as diabetes, cancer, and coronavirus has been studied. Within the framework of cooperation with the University of Oxford, new scientific results have also been obtained on colorectal cancer.

It should be noted that the Institute of Molecular Biology and Biotechnologies was established in 2016 and currently operates under the Ministry of Science and Education. Modern research is carried out in 14 laboratories, including 5 international laboratories.