Objective. To conduct molecular genetic studies of patients with myocardial infarction (MI) for polymorphisms of genes associated with the metabolism of antithrombotic drugs, and to evaluate their relationship with clinical and laboratory parameters.Materials and methods. The material for molecular genetic studies was venous blood of patients with acute MI who underwent percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) with stenting of the infarct-related artery. This data sample included 69 patients, of which 58 (84.1%) were male and 11 (15.9%) were female.The technology based on competitive allele-specific polymerase chain reaction (PCR) was used for genotyping. The analysis was performed for 26 polymorphisms of the genes CDC42BPA, RPS20P10, P2RY12, MED12L, PPM1K, LOC124900191, PACRG-AS1, LINC02854, SOCS5P1, ABCB1, PON1, NCOA2, CER1, LIPM, CYP2C18, CYP2C19, CYP2C9, CRTAC1, R3HCC1L, MICAL2, LOC105376637, CES1, ZFHX3-AS1 and WFDC1. The entire list of necessary clinical and laboratory tests was performed according to the protocols for examination and treatment of cardiovascular diseases of the Ministry of Health of the Republic of Belarus.Statistical analysis was performed using Microsoft Excel and SPSS v.20.0. The study design was approved by the Ethics Committee of the Republican Scientific and Practical Center “Cardiology” and the Bioethics Committee of the Institute of Genetics and Cytology of the National Academy of Sciences of Belarus.Results. In the presence of the minor allele G for the rs35835168 polymorphism, the level of alanine aminotransferase (ALT) was lower than in the presence of the CC genotype - 33.29 U / L and 55.45 U / L, respectively (p=0.023); in the presence of the minor allele G for the rs12598219 polymorphism, the atherogenic coefficient (AC) was higher than in the presence of the AA genotype - 4.66 and 3.79, respectively (p=0.032); in the presence of the GG genotype for the rs12598219 polymorphism, the prothrombin time (PT) was higher than in the presence of the alternative genotype - 19.50 and 12.30, respectively (p=0.002); in the presence of the TT genotype for the rs7584466 polymorphism, the PT indicator was higher than in the presence of the minor allele - 12.98 and 11.87, respectively (p=0.026); in the presence of the AA genotype for the rs303500 polymorphism, the thrombin time (TT) indicator was higher than in the presence of the alternative genotype - 17.99 and 15.30, respectively (p=0.039); in the presence of the AA genotype for the rs7714373 polymorphism, the TT indicator was higher than in the presence of the AG / GG genotypes - 24.75 and 16.38, respectively (p=0.018); For polymorphisms rs1799853, rs7584466, rs7714373 and rs139496757 there was an association with the fibrinogen level; in the presence of the minor allele A for rs7714373, the ASPI value was 15.82, in the presence of the GG genotype - 29.66 (p=0.003); in the presence of the CC genotype, the ASPI value was 62.00, which significantly exceeds the ASPI value in the presence of the CT/TT genotype - 24.92 (p=0.012).Conclusion. Therefore, we identified associations between clinical and laboratory parameters of patients with MI and a number of polymorphisms rs12248560, rs12598219, rs139496757, rs1799853, rs303500, rs35835168, rs55670713, rs71546150, rs7584466 and rs7714373.

The polymorphism of loci associated with cold resistance in representatives of the Brassicaceae family was studied. We used 11 SSR markers significantly correlated with relative electrical conductivity of tissue and MDA content, 4 SCAR-markers linked to the alleles of gene CCA1, as well as SSR Ol10 and SSR BnOl10, closely linked to QTLs associated with plant flowering start time, frost resistance, and winter survival. Verification of samples using the BoCCA1-1R1 SCAR marker showed that the BoCCA1-1 allele, which is characteristic of cold resistant varieties, is contained in the genomes of 26 out of 88 analyzed forms, including the Belarusian varieties of rapeseed Zenit, Dobrodey, Martyn. Work has begun on the determination of CNV for SSR markers associated with MDA content and relative electrical conductivity of tissues in representatives of the Brassicaceae family. It was found that the DNA markers BrGMS102 and BrGMS4511, which are not effective for detecting polymorphism at genetic loci associated with cold resistance in representatives of the Brassicaceae family, show less than one copy per genome. The effective marker BnGMs180-1 showed variability: from two to twelve copies per genome. Consequently, gene copy number has an effect on increasing resistance to low temperatures in representatives of the Brassicaceae family.

Узловые образования щитовидной железы обнаруживаются с высокой частотой, причем у 7–15% пациентов эти узлы оказываются злокачественными. Стремительный рост заболеваемости высокодифференцированными вариантами рака щитовидной железы, появление значительного количества пациентов с агрессивным клиническим течением этой опухоли, сложности дооперационной ее диагностики требуют выработки персонализированного лечебно-диагностического подхода. В настоящее время тонкоигольная аспирационная биопсия считается «золотым стандартом» диагностики, однако у каждого третьего пациента результат этого исследования не позволяет с достаточной степенью уверенности определить характер процесса и/или спрогнозировать дальнейшее течение заболевания. Успехи молекулярной биологии позволили приблизиться к пониманию молекулярных механизмов особенностей клинического течения рака щитовидной железы и описать ряд соматических мутаций, имеющих как диагностическое, так и прогностическое значение. Аналитический обзор имеющихся в литературе сведений о новых генетических маркерах рака щитовидной железы и возможности их использования для предоперационной диагностики дифференцированных форм этой опухоли, а также с целью прогнозирования течения заболевания и повышения эффективности лечения призван ознакомить широкую врачебную аудиторию с современным состоянием данного вопроса. Thyroid nodules are a widespread thyroid disorder, and in 7–15% of patients they are malignant. The rapid increase in the incidence of differentiated thyroid cancer, the emergence of a significant number of patients with an aggressive clinical course of these tumors, the complexity of its preoperative diagnosis require the development of a personalized diagnostic and treatment approach. Currently, fine-needle aspiration biopsy is considered the gold standard of diagnosis, however, in every third patient, the result of this study does not allow determining the nature of the lesion and/or predicting the further course of the disease with a sufficient degree of certainty. Advances in molecular biology have allowed to get closer to understanding the molecular mechanisms of the clinical course of thyroid cancer and to describe a number of somatic mutations that have both diagnostic and prognostic significance. An analytical review of the available information on new genetic markers of thyroid cancer and the possibility of their use for preoperative diagnosis of differentiated forms of this tumor, as well as for predicting the course of the disease and improving treatment efficiency, is intended to familiarize a wide medical audience with the current state of the issue.

The Article presents a review of literature data on the use of various methods for the taxonomic affiliation of the honey bee Apis mellifera L. The results of the study aimed at developing of identification methods by morphological and molecular-genetic traits of bees have been analyzed. A focus of attention is directed to the global problem of honey bee mongrelism and its effects on biodiversity conservation and the global economy. It was noted that in the conditions of increasing hybridization of honey bee breeds and lines, traditional morphometry methods are not sufficient for identification and it is necessary to apply state-of-the-art molecular methods to analyze the genome.

We determined copy number variation (CNV) per genome by five genetic markers BnGMS180, BrGMS102, BrgMS372, BrGMS4511 and SSRO110 associated with low temperatures and frost resistance for 51 cultivated plants of the Brassicaсeae family with a wide cultivation range. It was shown that the genetic marker BnGMS180 has the greatest range of variations in the CNV value. The range of values varied from 0.48 (rapeseed variety Martyn, Belarus) to 12.61 (rutabaga variety Sutton’s Favorite, Sweden). For other genetic markers, variation in CNV values is insignificant.

Based on the data presented in the public domain on the GEO-NCBI Platform for 21 projects to determine the genomewide DNA methylation profile using the Infinium Human Methylation 450K BeadChip (Illumina©), we calculated the prediction error for chronological age values in percentage terms and MAD using three different algorithms: linear regression, generalized regression neural networks and multilayer feedforward neural networks. For each algorithm, we have provided guidelines to select the samples for the study. We have also proved that the minimum and sufficient sample size, an increase in which does not lead to a significant decrease in the MAD value, is at least 200 people.

Based on bioinformatics and statistical analysis of GEO-projects on the determination of the genome-wide profile of human DNA methylation, a list of CpG dinucleotides with high predictive potential was formed to design models allowing to predict human age by sperm samples. The methylation level was determined for 467 males from the Republic of Belarus. The correlation coefficients R were calculated, and mathematical models for determining the age of an individual were constructed. The average value of the accuracy of age prediction by sperm samples using 5 CpG-dinucleotides was 3 years. The results obtained will be used as a basis for the development of calculators for predicting the age of an individual based on the traces of biological character for forensic experts.

On the basis of bioinformatics and statistical analysis of GEO projects to determine the genome-wide profile of human DNA methylation, a list of 41 CpG dinucleotides with high predictive potential was formed to create models for predicting human age from biological samples. The methylation level was determined for 1208 samples of individuals from the Republic of Belarus (275—blood, 466—buccal epithelium, 467—semen). The correlation coefficients R were calculated, and mathematical models for determining the age of individual were constructed. The mean value of the accuracy of age prediction from blood samples using 12 CpG dinucleotides was 3.4 years (3.3 for men, 3.5 for women); from buccal epithelium samples using 6 CpG dinucleotides, it was 4.6 years (4.5 for men, 4.7 for women); from semen samples using 5 CpG dinucleotides, it was 3.0 years. The results obtained will be used as a basis for the development of calculators for predicting the age of an individual based on traces of biological character for forensic experts.

Brassica rapa L. is a valuable and widespread species, but its cultivation in risk farming areas requires high-quality cold-hardy varieties to be developed. Mechanisms of the cold stress response in plants involve expression of numerous genes, including ribosomal ones, and are related to plant chromosome variability. FISH- and PCR-based methods were used to study intraspecific chromosome variability in the number and localization of 45S and 5S rDNA clusters and also to examine a set of molecular markers associated with cold-hardiness in winter B. rapa cultivars from high-risk farming areas. Several SSR (Na10-CO3 and BrgMS5339-1) and SCAR (BoCCA1-F/BoCCA1-1R1 and BoCCA1-F/BoCCA1-2R1) markers were identified as suitable for diagnosing cold-resistant and cold-susceptible genotypes in B. rapa. Compared with fodder cultivars, oilseed and leaf cultivars were shown to have more molecular markers associated with cold-hardiness and a higher level of polymorphism for the chromosomal distribution of 45S and 5S rDNAs, including chromosome heteromorphism. Thus, the least cold-resistant genotypes were found to display the lowest level of chromosome variability in the distribution of the 45S and 5S rDNA clusters and vice versa. The findings could be useful for the development of new cold-tolerant B. rapa varieties.

Background. Molecular identification of plant genomes, based on the use of DNA markers, is becoming a reliable tool for cultivar identification. Widespread application of DNA markers will ensure protection of breeders’ rights for plant breeding centers, purity of seed production processes, and transparency of the domestic crop seed market. The system of SSR markers is suitable to solve the problems of identification and genetic profiling of many crops; it could be successfully used on flax and linseed. The aim of this work was to study the polymorphism of a number of modern Russian common flax cultivars and develop their genetic profiles.Materials and methods. Among the large number of SSR markers (over 1300) used for common flax (Linum usitatissimum L.), the most informative for genotype identification is, in our opinion, the set of 11 SSR primers, characterized by their highest precision. This set of markers was used to study the polymorphism of eleven flax cultivars developed in three geographically diverse locations – Tver, Pskov and Tomsk.Results and discussion. In the studied group of cultivars 53 alleles were identified: 15 of these appeared to be rare, including 11 unique ones. Each flax sample contained its specific set of alleles. Using the alphabetic code for SSR markers made it possible to develop genetic profiles for more precise genotyping of flax samples hardly distinguishable morphologically, thus providing an opportunity to effectuate genetic profiling for all flax cultivars listed in the State Register of Breeding Achievements in Russia. Cluster analysis with a dendrogram showing genetic similarities helped to find differences among the studied flax samples in their distribution according to the place of their origination and the duration of their growing seasons.

The differentiation potential of 11 microsatellite loci Hmo11, Hmo13, Hmo15, Hmo25, Hmo26, Hmo31, Hmo33, Hmo34, Hmo36, Hmo37, Hmo40, to distinguish between silver carp ( Hypophthalmichthys molitrix Val.) and bighead carp ( H . nobilis Rich.) using molecular genetic analysis was assessed. The highest empirical F ST values were shown for the Hmo15 (0.5235), Hmo33 (0.4957), Hmo40 (0.3500), Hmo25 (0.3365), and Hmo31 (0.2458) STR loci. The accuracy of identification of bighead carp using these microsatellite loci was 99.5 ± 0.3% and of silver carp was 99.4 ± 0.8%. Using five STR loci, a scheme for hybrid identification between silver and bighead carps grown in aquaculture in the Republic of Belarus was proposed. This approach can be used as an express test in breeding and reproduction programs for these species of herbivorous fish.

In this work, the genetic diversity of silver (Hypophthalmichthys molitrix Val.) and bighead (Hypophthalmichthys nobilis Rich.) carps bred on the territory of the Republic of Belarus was estimated according to genotyping of 11 STR loci (Hmo11, Hmo13, Hmo15, Hmo25, Hmo26, Hmo31, Hmo33, Hmo34, Hmo36, Hmo37, Hmo40). The following indices were calculated: average number of alleles per locus, effective number of alleles, levels of expected and observed heterozygosity, Shannon’s information index value, and FIS fixation index. The results obtained indicate a moderate (for bighead carp) and sufficiently high (for silver carp) genetic diversity of the studied samples, up to the possibility to allocate several groups for subsequent work on obtaining linear material and further reproduction. To achieve these goals, special attention should be paid to the selection of pairs of producers taking into account the results of molecular-genetic analysis. The estimation of genetic diversity of these species of herbivorous fishes bred in the Republic of Belarus as compared with the results of other studies indicates a significant genetic resource of domestic producers.

Aim. Triticale is one of the main grain crops of the Republic of Belarus. Further progress in the selection of this culture involves the accelerated creation of highly productive early ripening varieties resistant to abiotic and biotic factors. The method of induced androgenesis in vitro makes it possible to obtain stable homozygous lines in a short period of time and to eliminate the lengthy process of inbreeding used in classical breeding to fix the desired traits. Methods. The tissue and cell culture methods for plants was used in the study. Results. The influence of the induction medium composition on the efficiency of in vitro induced androgenesis in varieties and lines of hexaploid triticale is assessed. The influence of three types of induction culture medium, the type of phytohormones and the presence or absence of cefotaxime in the medium are analyzed. Results. It has been shown that using the C-17 culture medium supplemented with 2.0 mg/l 2,4-D and 0.5 mg/l kinetin without adding cefotaxime is most effective for the anther triticale cultivation. Keywords: triticale, anther culture, induction nutrient medium, embryoids, calli, regenerant plants, cefotaxime.

Aim. The aim of the work was to compare the polymorphism of commercial varieties and populations of B. napus growing outside cultivation to assess the genetic diversity of feral rapeseed populations in Belarus. Methods. The study assessed genetic diversity according to the data of 7 microsatellite loci genotyping. Results. The results indicate a greater genetic diversity in feral oilseed rape populations. An analysis of the structure of the genotypes distribution in the STRUCTURE software showed the division into three clusters – commertial varieties, feral populations and samples of B. rapa. Conclusions. The established genetic divergence between feral populations and commercial varieties indicates that feral oilseed rape is able to maintain persistent populations in Belarus. In practice, this should be taken into account when assessing the environmental risk when transgenic rape is released into the environment. And in the cultivation of transgenic rapeseed, special attention should be paid to measures to prevent the occurrence of its free-growing populations. Keywords: oilseed rape, feral populations, microsatellite loci, genetic diversity.

In this study, we evaluated the genetic diversity of silver ( Hypophthalmichthys molitrix Val.) and bighead ( Hypophthalmichthys nobilis Rich.) carps grown in aquaculture in the territory of the Republic of Belarus. Genotyping was obtained for 11 STR-loci - Hmo11, Hmo13, Hmo15, Hmo25, Hmo26, Hmo31, Hmo33, Hmo 34, Hmo36, Hmo37, and Hmo40. The following parameters were calculated: the average number of alleles per locus, the effective number of alleles, the levels of expected and observed heterozygosity, the value of the Shannon information index and the fixation indexes F IS and F ST . The obtained results indicate a moderate (for silver carp) and sufficiently high (for bighead carp) genetic diversity of the studied samples of carps up to the possibility to allocate several groups for subsequent work on obtaining linear material and further reproduction, including commercial fish. However, to achieve these goals, it is necessary to pay special attention to the selection of pairs of producers taking into account the results of molecular genetic analysis. The scheme for the differentiation of hybrid individuals between silver and bighead carps and the use of molecular genetic analysis of STR-loci would be proposed. This approach can be used as a minimally invasive rapid test in breeding and reproductive programs for the studied fish species. Communicated by Academician A. V. Kilchevsky