Yusuf Özkul, Professor at Erciyes University (Türkiye), delivered a masterclass on “Basic Molecular Genetic Methods: Next-Generation Sequencing (NGS) Technologies and Their Applications”, organized by the SABAH groups of the State Agency for Science and Higher Education and Baku State University (BSU).

The masterclass explored one of the key areas of modern biology and medical diagnostics — the analysis of genetic material and the study of the molecular basis of diseases. Professor Özkul emphasized that NGS technologies have revolutionized genomic research by enabling the high-precision analysis of large volumes of DNA and RNA in a short period of time. He noted that these technologies are widely applied in cancer genetics, the diagnosis of hereditary diseases, pharmacogenetics, microbiome studies, and the rapid identification of infectious agents.

The professor also provided a comprehensive overview of classical molecular biology methods, highlighting their importance in identifying genetic mutations, measuring gene expression, and analyzing diverse biological samples.

The event concluded with recommendations aimed at increasing student interest in scientific research, strengthening practical laboratory skills, and expanding opportunities for participation in international projects.