IQ-park

Modern IQ Park in Ufa to Feature Advanced Molecular Bioengineering Laboratory

Set to be commissioned in December 2023, the modern IQ Park on Zaki Validi Street in Ufa will include a state-of-the-art molecular bioengineering laboratory. This research and education center focuses on creating genetically transformed plants with economically valuable traits and developing transgenic plant tissue cultures that produce valuable metabolites.

Key projects involve genetic engineering and CRISPR/Cas genome editing of soft wheat to enhance yield and stress resistance. Collaborating with the Ufa Federal Research Center and the All-Russian Institute of Plant Genetic Resources, researchers are currently working on genomic editing to improve resistance to fungal diseases and drought.

The laboratory aims to produce hairy root cultures of medicinal plants, such as Rhodiola iremelica and common chicory, which can grow indefinitely in bioreactors without forming leaves or stems. These roots are expected to yield valuable biologically active compounds, contributing significantly to agricultural and medicinal advancements.