Baku:An international scientific conference titled "From Genes to Smart Agriculture Modern Biotechnologies for Sustainable Crop and Livestock Production" was held jointly by Gözel Seeds and ADA University. The event featured six leading scientists from Türkiye specializing in genetics and agricultural biotechnology.
According to Azeri-Press news agency, the conference focused on the role of advanced genomic technologies in enhancing regional food security, developing precision breeding methods, and entering international markets. Opening speeches were delivered by Tahir Gözel, the founder of Gözel Seeds, and Matteo Vittuari, Dean of the Faculty of Agricultural and Food Sciences at ADA University.
The scientific session included presentations from renowned professors such as A. Naci Onus, Anne Frary, Sami Doganlar, Levent Mercan, Musa Kavas, and Associate Professor Ibrahim Chelik from Türkiye, alongside ADA University's Professor Mehrac Abbasov. The topics covered included high-throughput genetic sequencing, bioinformatics, and CRISPR-Cas9 gene-editing technologies, highlighting their potential to accelerate the development of resilient plant varieties.
Tahir Gözel addressed the commercial and strategic challenges in agriculture, emphasizing the need for seed varieties adapted to local conditions due to the diversity of farming environments. He discussed investments by Gözel Seeds in Türkiye, including a laboratory specializing in double haploid (DH) technology and a molecular marker laboratory, and noted the growing use of machine learning in genomic data analysis. Gözel also stressed the importance of biotechnology in livestock farming.
The conference concluded with discussions on organizing a joint summer school in Baku, aiming to provide students with exposure to advanced research technologies and international academic experience. Gözel Seeds, known for its expertise in plant breeding, aims to contribute to Azerbaijan's agricultural development through modern breeding technologies and knowledge exchange.