Set up on June 6, 1990. Its main lines of research are:
studying molecular&biological and molecular&genetical mechanisms of plant cell functions with biotechnology methods; developing novel technologies in cell and genetic engineering; creating genetically modified plants with useful properties; developing methods of plant biodiversity conservation; studying genome functioning in genetically modified plants; investigating adaptive response of plants to biotic and abiotic stresses; studying the structure and functions of cell walls in higher fungi.
Results of international significance were obtained in plant cell engineering: biparental inheritance of cytoplasmic genes in plant somatic hybridization was proved. In biotechnology, methods of plant genetic transformation are improved; techniques of plastome transformation are elaborated as well as technologies for constructing transgenic plants with important traits. Research into chloroplast genome transformation is carried on. Transgenic plants of some agricultural species have been produced, with a view to practical breeding. A novel study area has been started – technologies of pharmacological protein production via their transient expression in plant systems. First edible plants producing recombinant vaccine antituberculousproteins were created.
In cell biology, studies of cytoskeleton protein structure and functions have been carried out to develop biotechnologies for improving plant resistance to biotic and abiotic stress factors. Posttranslational modifications of plant tubulin have been identified for the first time. Structural&biological approaches to constructing 3D plant tubulin models are developed. Bioinformatic methods are applied to identify new proteins of plant microtubules and tirosinkinases. Vertical gene transfer from transgenic plants to their wild relatives is studied. Methods to detect genetically modified components in plant material and food products have been elaborated and introduced.
Research in biophysics and radiobiology addresses molecular&biological basics of the processes induced by chronic irradiation and the role of molecular recognition reparation. Methods have been developed for phytomicrobial soil decontamination from radionuclides. Molecular mechanisms of perceiving microbial signals by plants are studied and biotechnological approaches to improving plant resistance to pathogens developed.
Structural and functional organization of higher fungi cell wall and biological action of its components is studied to develop new sorption materials for medicine and industry.
In the area of plant biodiversity conservation, plant gene bank of the world flora has been created, which has won the National Scientific Asset status.
Major research achievements of the Institute include: technologies of plant genetic transformation; production of recombinant proteins using plant systems; technologies of somatic hybridization; plant microclonal propagation; new marker systems for transgenic plant selection and detection of genetically modified components in plant material and food products; phytodecontamination of ecosystems from radionuclides; sorbents of heavy metals and radionuclides.