With the support of the Swiss National Science Foundation (SNSF), two new laboratories - mycological and molecular biology - have been established under the Department of Mycology and Lower Plants within the framework of a bilateral project between the Institute of Botany, MSERA and the Swiss Federal Institute for Forest, Snow and Landscape Research entitled “Tree-associated pathogenic fungi and oomycetes in Azerbaijan: diversity, distribution, local impact, and potential threat for European tree species”. The official opening ceremony of the new laboratories was held on October 16, 2025.

The event was opened by the Director General of the Institute, Doctor of Biological Sciences, Professor Sayyara Ibadullayeva, who welcomed the guests and provided extensive information about the activities of the Institute.

The Swiss Ambassador to Azerbaijan, Mr. Thomas Stähli, and the Head of Department, Cooperation with Scientific Institutions of the State Agency for Science and Higher Education of the Ministry of Education of the Republic of Azerbaijan, Iltifat Ibrahimov, highly appreciated the contribution that the new laboratories opened at the Institute will make to research work, and expressed their suggestions and wishes in this regard. The head of the project from the Azerbaijani side, Doctor of Biological Sciences, Professor Dilzara Aghayeva, and the leading scientific researcher of the project, Dr. Carolina Cornejo, presented detailed information on the work done over the past year, the design of the laboratories, job opportunities, and the training of personnel who will work in the laboratory.