On May 15, a preliminary discussion of the dissertation submitted by Aygun Aghaverdi Sadigova, researcher at the Laboratory of Biotechnology and Bioengineering of the Institute of Molecular Biology of the Ministry of Science and Education of Azerbaijan, was held. The dissertation, entitled “Development of a Biotechnological Propagation Method for the Indigenous Shirvanshahi Grape Variety,” was presented for the degree of Doctor of Philosophy in Biology in the specialty 2422.01 – “Biotechnology (including bionanotechnologies).”

The scientific supervisors of the dissertation are PhD in Biology Tofig Garagozov and PhD in Biology, Associate Professor Mahira Mammadova. Official reviews were presented by Doctor of Biological Sciences Hulkar Khalbekova, leading researcher of the Plant Cell Technology Laboratory of the Institute of Bioorganic Chemistry of the Academy of Sciences of the Republic of Uzbekistan, and PhD in Biology, Associate Professor Aynura Hajiyeva, leading researcher of the Department of Fruit Plants of the Institute of Genetic Resources of the Ministry of Science and Education of Azerbaijan.

After the Scientific Secretary of the institute, PhD in Biology, Associate Professor Durna Aliyeva, introduced the applicant’s biographical information to the participants, the floor was given to Aygun Sadigova.

The applicant presented the main provisions of the dissertation and provided detailed information on the relevance, objectives and results of the research. It was noted that the research enabled a comprehensive study of morphogenesis, microclonal propagation, rooting and ex vitro adaptation processes in the in vitro culture of Shirvanshahi, one of Azerbaijan’s indigenous technical grape varieties. Based on the conducted studies, a highly effective methodological approach ensuring the production of virus-free and genetically stable clones was developed. This approach creates opportunities for obtaining reliable source material for breeding programs and the mass propagation of rare grape varieties. A broad exchange of views was held on the dissertation. The applicant answered the questions raised and commented on remarks and suggestions. At the end of the discussion, a decision was adopted to submit the dissertation to the next stage of the defense process.