What gene will bring

Belarusian geneticists not only study the DNA of the country’s population, but also help them be healthy

Today, the development of genomic research is a priority task for many countries around the world. In addition, this is not surprising, because we are talking about the need to personalise medicine and nutrition, highly productive agriculture and much more. Largely, there is a lot of work for geneticists. Our reporter learned about how Belarusian scientists are working in this direction from the Deputy Director for Scientific Work of the Institute of Genetics and Cytology of the National Academy of Sciences, PhD in biological sciences, Associate Professor Pavel Morozik.

Editing correctly 

Genome editing? Exactly. Belarusian scientists not only know everything or almost everything about genes, but also edit plant genomes. And, of course, potatoes are among them. The goal is to make it resistant to late blight. This is the next level of selection. Previously, the best plants were selected by hand and long work was carried out to develop a new variety. Today this is the task of geneticists.
“Genome editing allows us to do the same thing more efficiently and quickly. Moreover, the gene replaced using CRISPR/Cas9 technology can even be synthetic: one was cut out and another was inserted in its place,” the scientist explains.
The institute’s project continues for the second year. In the very near future, new plants will be planted on the test site. In addition, in a few more years they will head to the fields of our farms and delight us with the harvests.
“Genome editing technology is the same for plants, animals and humans. Already today in Belarus there are methods of combating oncology using our own edited cells. CAR-T therapy is used at the Alexandrov National Cancer Centre,” the interlocutor introduces the matter.

Cell biologist Nadezhda Bobrova in the bacterial-viral workings of the laboratory, where a cell product for CAR-T therapy is grown   BELTA

Belarusian scientists have mastered the technology of whole-genome sequencing. The point is to study the entire DNA sequence, including both protein-coding regions (exome) and non-coding ‘silent’ regions of the genome. This kind of research has been carried out, including on cattle, the interlocutor notes. Moreover, this knowledge is applied in practice. 
“We have developed screening methods for various hereditary diseases. Thanks to this, today in the country’s farms their frequency has decreased from 1.8 to 7 times, and for some items has completely disappeared. Problem animals do not interbreed and do not produce offspring. After our testing, each animal receives a genetic passport. Such documents are one of the institute’s brands,” Pavel Morozik says.


By the way, bison also received certificates. It was thanks to this that it was possible to improve the population of the forest giant. There are corresponding agreements on cooperation between geneticists and the Belovezhskaya Pushcha National Park. The fact that the bison is doing well is evidenced by the constantly growing population. Now scientists are preparing such documents for resettlers in the reserve of Bashkortostan.

The most popular research topic is humans

Nevertheless, humans are one of the most popular topics for research, says the deputy director of the institute, “Almost half of the research of Belarusian geneticists is devoted to the study of the human genome. From the prevention of socially significant diseases to the identification of dangerous mutations. We work very closely with doctors in terms of whole-genome sequencing. Thanks to such research, and today doctors often turn to us in controversial situations, it is possible not only to more accurately establish a diagnosis, but to save life and health.”
Geneticists collaborate with the Republican Scientific and Practical Centre ‘Cardiology’. Together, we identified a number of pathogenic mutations leading to cardiovascular pathology, shares Pavel Morozik, “The problem is that the symptoms of many genetic diseases are similar, but they are treated differently. Not long ago, we were contacted for advice regarding a four-year-old patient, and with the help of genetic research, we were able to correct the diagnosis — Barth syndrome. Thanks to this, the necessary treatment was prescribed. Relatives were also examined for carriage of the disease. Another patient, a 17-year-old girl, was able to avoid leg amputation thanks to timely treatment after identifying a pathogenic mutation and making an accurate diagnosis.”
 In general, per year, to help doctors, says Pavel Morozik, scientists conduct about 30 whole-genome sequencing. Research is expensive and time-consuming. Subsequently, the result is also subjected to bioinformatics research. This is another direction for the future, he emphasises. “The institute has already studied approximately 600 genomes. And each of them is a large array of data that needs to not only be saved, but also analysed. However, bioinformatics helps with this. A specialised sector was created at the institute several years ago. At BSU, in the master’s programme of the Biology Faculty, a new specialty has appeared for our tasks. The first graduates have already come to us. The plan is to open this specialty in graduate school so that the guys can defend themselves. We are planning a number of separate scientific projects on this topic.”

Sheiko Dynasty of Belarusian genetic scientists     Belta

The mystery of the genome

Scientists are also working to analyse the available data to establish the genetic profile of Belarusians, which will make it possible to form risk groups and carry out predictive planning of the morbidity structure in the future. So far, there is only fragmentary data. For example, we can say that Belarusians are characterised by the Leiden mutation - a predisposition to thromboembolism, thrombosis, preeclampsia, which increases the risk of thrombosis. The interlocutor notes that it occurs especially often among athletes. Often up to seven times higher than in the general population.
In more detail, within the framework of the Union’s DNA Identification programme, scientists were able to work on an ethnogenomic portrait of a compatriot. The resulting software and information complex, created on the basis of materials from Belarusian and Russian researchers, is already being used by investigators in the investigation of criminal cases. Today the complex accommodates more than 150 ethnic groups. By the way, this study showed: Belarusians and Russians are genetically very close. Similarities are also observed with our other closest neighbours.
Personalisation is also moving into the pharmacological direction. There is, according to Pavel Morozik, a technique that allows you to determine the effectiveness of medications for different people, “If earlier this was determined empirically, today there is an opportunity to save time. For example, bisphosphonates are the gold standard in the treatment of osteoporosis. Nevertheless, their effectiveness in practice can only be determined after two (!) years. Together with our fellow doctors, led by Professor Emma Rudenko, we have developed a technique that allows us to identify resistance to drugs in this group in advance and select an alternative medication.”
In general, the institute conducts a great deal of research. In particular, it issues genetic passports to our citizens for one or another group of diseases. By the way, thanks to this opportunity, more than 80 percent of patients with miscarriage were able to become mothers.

By Vera Arteaga