Relevance

The main idea of the project is to conserve and propagate Ribes janczewskii, an endangered species listed in the Red Book of Kazakhstan, using biotechnological approaches. Kazakhstan is one of the leading Central Asian countries in terms of plant biodiversity. Many species are under threat due to habitat degradation, overharvesting, and climate change. Approximately 12% of Kazakhstan’s flora is endemic, and many of these species are rare or endangered.

Ribes janczewskii previously grew in mountain gorges and river valleys of Central Asia (Tian Shan, Pamir-Alay). It is now critically endangered and listed in the Red Book of Kazakhstan. This species is notable for its late blooming (which protects it from spring frost), resistance to pests and diseases (such as powdery mildew and leaf spot), and its fruits contain high levels of ascorbic acid, polyphenols, and anthocyanins, exceeding those in cultivated varieties.

Biotechnological tools such as in vitro culture and cryopreservation have proven valuable for large-scale propagation, conservation, and reintroduction of endangered plant species.

Objective

To develop biotechnology-based methods for micropropagation, medium-term storage, and cryopreservation of Ribes janczewskii for conservation and reproduction.

Expected results

For the first time, a micropropagation technology for Ribes janczewskii will be developed. Optimal conditions for in vitro multiplication and rooting will be established. Techniques for acclimatization and soil substrate adaptation of rooted clones will be developed. 1000 clones will be micropropagated, 500 will be rooted in vitro, and 300 will be adapted to soil substrate.

A medium-term in vitro shoot storage technology for Ribes janczewskii will be developed for the first time. Nutrient media, temperature, lighting, and growth retardants will be studied. Media supporting viability after storage will be identified. An in vitro collection of 500 shoot samples will be established.

A cryopreservation technology for Ribes janczewskii explants will also be developed for the first time. Cryoprotectant types and concentrations, freezing rates, and explant types will be selected. Post-cryopreservation viability media will be tested. A cryocollection of 500 explant samples will be created.

Project leader

Aidana Nurtaza, PhD, H-index – 3. https://www.scopus.com/authid/detail.uri? authorId=56016939200 https://orcid.org/ 0000-0002-6796-5136

Research team members

Almagul Kakimzhanova, Head of the Plant Biotechnology and Breeding Laboratory, Doctor of Biological Sciences, expert in biotechnology, plant breeding, and molecular biology. Author of over 225 scientific works, including 11 articles in top journals (e.g., In Vitro Cellular & Developmental Biology-Plant, Current Opinion in Biotechnology, BioMed Research International). H-index – 4. (https://www.scopus.com/authid/detail.uri?authorId=56031411400). http://www.researcherid.com/rid/I-3841-2017  http://orcid.org/0000-0002-7797-6867

Gulmira Magzumova, agronomy specialist, author of 20 scientific works, including 2 in foreign impact factor journals and 5 in KZ-recognized journals. https://orcid.org/ 0000-0002-3563-1844

Asel Yessimseitova, MSc in Biology, author of 25 scientific works, including 3 in high-impact international journals and 7 in KZ-recognized journals. Completed a molecular biology internship in Lithuania. https://orcid.org/0000-0002-5428-1915

Venera Karimova, MSc in Agricultural Sciences, author of 18 scientific works including 3 in international journals and 5 in national journals. Completed internships in Ufa (RAS Institute of Biochemistry and Genetics) and Voronezh State University (Russia). https://orcid.org/ 0000-0002-6713-6709

Damira Dyussembekova, MSc in Technology, junior researcher, co-author of 11 publications and 1 patent in Web of Science and Scopus. Completed a research internship at Adam Mickiewicz University (Poznan, Poland), H-index – 3. https://orcid.org/0000-0002-1621-0577

Publications and intellectual property related to the project

1. Nurtaza A.S., Dyusembekova D.A., Islamova S.S., Samatova I.N., Umirzakova A.T. Optimization of conditions for microclonal propagation and medium-term storage in vitro of a rare species of Yanchevsky currant for conservation. Bulletin of Karaganda University. Series: Biology. Medicine. Geography, 2023, No. 3 (111), pp. 125–137. https://doi.org/10.31489/2023BMG3/125-137 (In Russian)
2. Nurtaza A., Dyussembekova D., Islamova S., Samatova I., Zhanybekova Z., Umirzakova A., Magzumova G., Muranets A., Kakimzhanova A. In Vitro conservation and genetic diversity analysis of rare species Ribes janczewskii. Scientific Reports, 2024. https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-024-82320-y
3. Method of microclonal propagation and preservation of Yanchevsky currant. Utility model RK No. 9742 dated 24.07.2024. Authors: Nurtaza A.S., Dyusembekova D.A., Islamova S.S., Samatova I.N., Umirzakova A.T. (In Russian)
4. Nurtaza A.S., Islamova S.S., Samatova I.N., Kakimzhanova A.A. Propagation and conservation by tissue culture technique of the rare species of Ribes janczewskii – The International Conference on Plant Biology and Biotechnology. – Алматы, 2024. – 31 с.
5. Samatova I., Dyusembekova D., Islamova S., Kakimzhanova A. Selection of Ribes janczewskii explants for cryopreservation – International scientific conference “Astana Biotech 2024”. – Astana, 2024. – 164 p. (In Russian)

Achieved results

For the first time, a micropropagation technology for Ribes janczewskii was developed, resulting in the production of 1000 clones, with 500 clones rooted in vitro and 300 clones successfully adapted to soil substrate. A medium-term storage technology for Ribes janczewskii shoots in vitro was developed, and a collection of 500 samples was established for conservation and reproduction. A cryopreservation technology for Ribes janczewskii explants was developed, leading to the creation of a cryocollection consisting of 500 samples for long-term storage.