Alex Kochetov

Plants of the genus Miscanthus are a promising perennial energy crop, combining high biomass productivity, resistance to abiotic stress, and low agricultural technology requirements. This review summarizes recent advances in genomic and transcriptomic studies of the molecular genetic mechanisms underlying the economically valuable traits of Miscanthus . Data on whole-genome assemblies of key species – M. sinensis ( Msi ), M. sacchariflorus ( Msa ), M. floridulus ( Mfl ), and M. lutarioriparius ( Mlu ) – are presented using various technologies (Illumina, PacBio, Oxford Nanopore, Hi-C). Genomic studies have revealed the complex evolution of the genus, including paleoallopolyploidy, chromosomal fusions, and duplications, which accounts for the high genetic diversity of these species. Their genome assemblies at the complete chromosome level have become the basis for comparative genomics, establishing taxonomic relationships (including the recognition of Mlu as a subspecies of Msa and Mfl as a subtype of Msi ), and studying synteny with related crops such as sorghum. The information on the Miscanthus genome allows for the complete and accurate identification of a set of genes targeting breeding for the most important biotechnological traits. At the same time, the commercial hybrid M. × giganteus ( M × g ) is characterized by extremely low levels of genetic polymorphism, making it vulnerable to pathogens and climate fluctuations. The integration of genetic polymorphism data, phylogeography, and functional annotation of genomes opens up opportunities for the development of new, productive, and environmentally friendly Miscanthus varieties through interspecific crossings, ploidy modification, and genetic engineering. These advances contribute to the optimization of the biotechnological potential of Miscanthus for the production of biofuels and other biomaterials and the restoration of degraded lands.

The Fourth scientific forum "Genetic Resources of Russia" was held in St. Petersburg from May 12-15, 2026, at the St. Petersburg Branch of the Russian Academy of Sciences and under the auspices of the Vavilov Society of Geneticists and Breeders. The Forum included six plenary sessions and roundtables, as well as two parallel scientific events and poster sessions. A meeting of the Scientific Council of the Division of Biological Sciences of the Russian Academy of Sciences on biological (bioresource) collections was also held in the framwework of the Forum. More than 300 researchers from St. Petersburg, Moscow, Novosibirsk, Vladivostok, Tyumen, Ufa, Yakutsk, Petrozavodsk, Kursk, Yalta, Saratov, Krasnoyarsk, Sochi, Minsk, and other cities participated in the Forum. Over the course of four days, scientists from 29 regions of Russia, as well as the Republic of Belarus, presented more than a hundred oral reports to the scientific community, covering a wide range of topics – from genetic resources management technologies to their role in active longevity and bioeconomics. The Forum events included detailed discussions of research results and topical issues in the following areas: biodiversity conservation, genetic resources for active longevity, genetic resources for the bioeconomy, legal and ethical issues related to working with biological collections, training personnel for working with biological collections, and herbarium and museum genomics. The results of these discussions are presented in this publication as a Forum resolution.

Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is a complex neurodevelopmental condition characterized by impaired social interaction, communication deficits, and repetitive behaviors. Recent research highlights the role of the gut microbiota in ASD pathophysiology, particularly through the microbiota–gut–brain axis. The microbiota may influence neurodevelopment via multiple signaling pathways, including the GABAergic and serotonergic systems, as well as the mTOR signaling pathway. This analytical review examines current evidence on microbiota alterations in ASD and evaluates microbiota-targeted strategies for diagnosis and treatment, focusing on fecal microbiota transplantation (FMT), probiotics, and diet-based therapeutic approaches. The review also provides a critical appraisal of the microbiota–gut–brain axis in the context of autism spectrum disorder.

RNA interference (RNAi) is a powerful tool for gene silencing. It has recently been used to design promising plant protection strategies against pests such as viruses, insects, etc. This generally requires modifying the plant genome to achieve in planta synthesis of the double-stranded RNA (dsRNA), which guides the cellular RNA interference machinery to silence the genes of interest. However, given Russian legislation, the approach in which dsRNA is synthesized by the plant itself remains unavailable for crop protection. The use of exogenously produced dsRNA appears to be a promising alternative, allowing researchers to avoid genetic modification of plants, making it possible to implement potential results in agriculture. Furthermore, exogenous dsRNAs are superior to chemical pesticides (fungicides, insecticides, etc.), which are widely used to control various plant diseases. The dsRNA acts through sequence-specific nucleic acid interactions, making it extremely selective and unlikely to harm off-target organisms. Thus, it seems promising to utilize RNAi technology for agricultural plant protection. In this case, questions arise regarding how to produce the required amounts of pathogen-specific exogenous dsRNA, and which delivery method will be optimal for providing sufficient protection. This work aims to utilize exogenous dsRNA to silence the Nicotiana benthamiana phytoene desaturase gene. Phytoene desaturase is a convenient model gene in gene silencing experiments, as its knockdown results in a distinct phenotypic manifestation, namely, leaf bleaching. The dsRNA synthesis for this work was performed in vivo in Escherichia coli cells, and the chosen delivery method was root treatment through watering, both techniques being as simple and accessible as possible. It is surmised that the proposed approach could be adapted for broader use of RNAi technologies in agricultural crop protection.

The article describes the scientific and pedagogical career of Lyudmila Alekseevna Lutova, Doctor of Biological Sciences, and Professor of the Department of Genetics and Biotechnology at St. Petersburg State University (SPbU), who celebrated her anniversary in October 2025. It highlights key areas of her research in biotechnology and plant developmental genetics, including the development of the genetic bases of plant regeneration and the creation of pest-resistant forms and plants producing bioactive compounds. Particular attention is paid to her teaching activities, contributions to personnel training, and the popularization of advances in genetics. Colleagues from the Vavilov Society of Geneticists and Breeders (VOGiS) cordially congratulated Lyudmila Alekseevna on her anniversary and wished further creative success in her research and teaching, lots of energy, good health, and successful development of plant genetics and biotechnology at St. Petersburg University!

A brief overview of the development of RNA technologies in the field of biological control and their application in agriculture, data on RNA regulators in ecosystems, and prospects for the development of genetic tools based on the use of RNA is given.

Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) and Alzheimer’s disease (AD) are neurodevelopmental and neurodegenerative disorders, respectively. While exome sequencing is routinely employed during the early stages of ASD diagnosis, it rarely influences therapeutic strategies. To address this gap, we have reconstructed and analyzed the gene networks linking autism spectrum disorders, Alzheimer’s disease, and mTOR signaling. In addition, we have performed a phylostratigraphic analysis that reveals similarities and differences in the evolution of both ASD and Alzheimer’s disease predisposition genes. We have shown that almost half of the genes predisposing to autism and two-fifths of the genes predisposing to Alzheimer’s disease are directly related to the mTOR signaling pathway. Analysis of Phylostratigraphic Age Index (PAI) value distributions revealed a significant enrichment of evolutionarily ancient genes in both ASD- and AD-related gene sets. When studying the distribution of ASD predisposition genes by Divergence Index (DI) values, a significant enrichment with genes having extremely low DI = 0 has been found. Such low DI values indicate that most likely these genes are under stabilizing selection. Using the ANDVisio tool, both pharmacological and natural mTOR regulators with potential for ASD treatment were selected, such as propofol, dexamethasone, celecoxib, statins, berberine, resveratrol, quercetin, myricetin, mio-inositol, and several amino acids.

Alexander Vladimirovich Kilchevsky, Doctor of Biological Sciences, Professor, Honored Scientist of the Republic of Belarus, Chairman of the Belarusian Society of Geneticists and Breeders, laureate of the Prizes of the National Academy of Sciences of Belarus and the Union State Prize, Academician of the National Academy of Sciences (NAS) of Belarus, a talented scientist in the field of genetics and biotechnology, known in the country and abroad, the leader of the Belarusian scientific school in the field of genetics, genomics, biotechnology and plant breeding, Deputy Chairman of the Presidium of the NAS of Belarus, turned 70 on August 17, 2025. He was the first in the country to create the Department of Biotechnology and the Biotechnology Center at the Belarusian State Agricultural Academy; identified the main patterns of genotype-environment relationships that manifest themselves at different stages of breeding; developed principles and methods of ecological plant breeding using modern biotechnological approaches aimed at creating highly productive and environmentally sustainable plant varieties, and methods for marker-assisted selection of nightshade vegetable crops; co-authored creation of 79 plant varieties regionally adapted in Belarus, including 57 tomato and 18 pepper varieties. The results of his scientific activities have been published in more than 800 scientific papers, including 10 monographs, four books, and textbooks. Under the supervision of A.V. Kilchevsky, four doctoral and 22 candidate scientific papers were defended; also, the National Coordination Center for Biosafety, the Republican Center for Genomic Biotechnology, the Republican DNA Bank of Humans, Animals, Plants, and Microorganisms, and the Republican Center for Microbiome Research were established. His achievements are recognized both in the country and abroad. Academician A.V. Kilchevsky is a member of the Presidium of the Higher Attestation Commission of the Republic of Belarus, a member of the Board of the Foundation for Fundamental Research of the Republic of Belarus, an Honorary Doctor of the Belarusian State Agricultural Academy, an Honorary Professor of the University of Warmia and Mazury in Olsztyn, and an Honorary Member of the European Biotechnology Association. Alexander Vladimirovich has been awarded the Francysk Skaryna Medal, the Medal of the National Academy of Sciences of Belarus "For Achievements in Science," the I.V. Kurchatov Medal, 1st Class, and the N.I. Vavilov Medal, as well as certificates of honor from national and international agencies.