Animal and plant DNA bank created by NCFU and FNAC scientists

For the second year now, the joint laboratory of molecular genetic expertise, created on the basis of the North Caucasian Federal University (NCFU) and the North Caucasian Federal Scientific Agrarian Center (FNAC), has been operating. Thanks to the well-coordinated work of scientists from two major scientific institutions in the Stavropol Territory, success has been achieved in the field of both fundamental and applied genetics.

The laboratory is equipped with the latest equipment, including a new generation whole genome sequencer. it allows you to transfer research to the world level of science and apply them to the practical work of breeders in the Stavropol Territory. The team includes not only doctors and candidates of sciences, but also many young scientists who already have a number of publications in leading scientific journals.

- Only relying on the achievements of modern genetics, it is possible to solve national problems in the agro-industrial complex. The DNA bank of breeding animals and crop varieties created by our scientists is not only a guarantee of safety, but also a colossal prospect for the development of the industry. I am sure that in close cooperation with the Federal National Research Center we will contribute to the development of agriculture not only in the macroregion, but also in RUSSIA, - commented Dmitry Bespalov, Rector of NCFU.

Over the past year, the breeding value of more than 7,000 heads of sheep and cattle was confirmed at the molecular genetic level. An analysis was also carried out for the carriage of genetic anomalies in a large number of sires of both MEAT and dairy directions. Genotyping of fur animals from breeding farms in the South of Russia is being carried out. On the basis of the laboratory, a complete decoding of the genomes of five domestic breeds of sheep was performed: the Dzhalga and Manych merino, the North Caucasian meat-and-wool breed, the Stavropol breed, and the Russian Meat merino. The genomes of five more breeds will be fully sequenced this year.

- The importance of such a volume of genetic information cannot be overestimated - on its basis, selection will be carried out according to point genomic markers, and in the shortest possible time the productivity of these breeds can be increased by 20-25%. We expanded the activities of the joint laboratory in 2022 in the direction of research into the field of agricultural plant genomes,” said Valery Kulintsev, DIRECTOR of the North Caucasus Federal Scientific Agrarian Center.

NCFU experts, together with partners of the Federal National Research Center, have created a DNA library of agricultural plants for several thousand samples; studies are being carried out on productivity and disease resistance genes in domestic wheat varieties, fodder crops, and fruit plants. The plans for 2023 include a complete decoding of the genomes of the most popular varieties in order to improve their quality, based on the achievements of modern genetics.

It should be noted that the projects implemented in the laboratory of molecular genetic expertise of the NCFU are among the strategic ones within the framework of the state program "Priority 2030", which aims to achieve the national development goals of the Russian Federation for the period up to 2030.

For reference

The Governor of the Stavropol Territory set the task of creating a seed-growing center in the region, which would become the main supplier of domestic high-quality seeds and planting material, which in the future should replace foreign selection material.