CRISPR-Cas Gene Editing Technology in Potato

Dr. Zagipa Sapakhova is a Leading Researcher at the Plant Breeding and Biotechnology Laboratory of the Institute of Plant Biology and Biotechnology. She received a Bachelor of Science in Biology and a Master of Science in Biotechnology from Al-Farabi Kazakh National University, Almaty, Kazakhstan, in 2002 and 2004, respectively. Furthermore, she received a Ph.D. in Soil Science and Agrochemistry from Kazakh National Agrarian University, Kazakhstan, in 2014. She is a specialist in plant productivity improvement, resistant varieties development, increasing resistance to diseases, the identification of resistance genes, and the assessment and identification of plant diseases. In addition, she completed an internship in the Kingdom of the Netherlands to study the inspection and certification system of fruit crop planting material in Naktuinbouw. Her research predominantly revolves around plant genetics and biotechnology, with a special emphasis on enhancing crop resilience and productivity in the face of environmental challenges, such as climate change and disease outbreaks. She has contributed significantly to understanding and identifying new sources of resistance genes in crops like wheat and peas, as well as exploring innovative mitigation strategies, such as the application of salicylic acid. Through her work, she aims to address food security concerns and advance sustainable agricultural practices, making vital contributions to global efforts in securing our food supply.

Dr. Dias Daurov is a Leading Researcher at the Institute of Plant Biology and Biotechnology. He currently works at the Laboratory of Breeding and Biotechnology at the Institute of Plant Biology and Biotechnology (IPBB). He received an MS in Biotechnology and a Ph.D. in Ecology from Kazakh National Agrarian University in 2017 and 2024, respectively. He conducts research in agricultural plant science. He also conducts research in the production of virus-free potato (Solanum tuberosum L.), sweet potato (Ipomoea batatas) plantlets, and creating resistant plants to biotic and abiotic factors using genetic engineering.

Prof. Dr. Kabyl Zhambakin is a Managing Director at the Institute of Plant Biology and Biotechnology. He graduated from the Kazakh Agricultural Institute (1983). He holds a Ph.D. in biology, gained in 2004. In 2010, he became a Professor. In 2017, he was a Member of the NAN RK. He has been the Director General of the Republican state enter­prise with the right for economic management “Ins­ti­tute of Plant Biology and Biotechnology” of the Committee of Science of the Ministry of Education and Sciences of the Republic of Kazakhstan from 2006 to present. Не has been awarded the following: The Medal «10 Years to Astana» (2008); The Medal “20 Years of Independence of the Republic of Kazakhstan” (2011); and The Medal «For Merits in the Development of Science of the Republic of Kazakhstan» (2014). His research interests include plant protection, plant biotechnology, and mutagenesis.