Genetic Resources Institute of Azerbaijan National Academy of Sciences (AGRI)

Genetic Resources Institute of Azerbaijan National Academy of Sciences is a leading academic research institute responsible for survey, collection, preservation, conservation and documentation of biodiversity, and carries out fundamental researches on plant genetic resources of Azerbaijan. It is a national coordination institute, focal scientific center which plays coordinating role between the relevant institutions of the country which deal with biodiversity. Maintenance and sustainable use of the genepool and breeding are major directions of the institute as well. Among South Caucasus countries the first National Genebank of plant genetic resources was established in AGRI as a structural unit of the Institute. About 11.000 plant germplasm material, as well as fruit species are being conserved in National Genebank and Collection Gardens. AGRI has also established a molecular biology laboratory for analysis of genetic material using molecular technologies within the Institute. The laboratory is provided with modern molecular equipments such as NGS (Ion proton, Ion PGM, Minion), fragment analyzer, PCR, Real time PCR, gel documentation, electrophoresis, nanodrop etc. for carrying out molecular genetic investigations on plant and animal material on advanced level. AGRI has the necessary capacity and staff resources for biotechnological, molecular and genetic researches. It is a national coordination institute, focal scientific center which plays coordinating role between the relevant institutions of the country which deal with biodiversity.