The Academy of Sciences hosted the first meeting of the “CryoConnect” project partners. This is a regional initiative for a cross-border cryobank in the Western Balkans.

Researchers from Albania, Italy, the Czech Republic, Georgia, Serbia, Croatia, North Macedonia, and other regional countries took part in the event.

The project continues the work of the Scientific Research Center “Biotechnology & Genetics” (SRCBG), part of the Academy of Sciences. It also involves the University of Tirana and other Balkan and international partner institutions.

The meeting aimed to present the scientific research and experience in cryopreserving regional plant germplasm. It also defined the responsibilities of the involved parties.

After the welcome remarks by academics Anila Hoda and Genc Sulçebe, Dr. Lorenzo Maggioni (Executive Secretary of ECPGR) and Dr. Miloš Faltus (Chair of the Cryopreservation Working Group at ECPGR) highlighted the need for such collaborations. Moreover, they emphasized the importance of long-term preservation through cryopreservation of native plant germplasm.

Partner representatives also gave presentations. These included Dr. Darko Jevremović and Dr. Tatjana Vujović from Serbia, Dr. Zvjezdana Marković from Croatia, and Dr. Tekle Zakalashvili from Georgia.

The Albanian side presented a detailed overview of the latest developments in in vitro plant biotechnology. Academician Efigjeni Kongjika and Professor Dr. Valbona Sota emphasized the newest applications and the importance of long-term conservation. They also underlined the support of the Academy of Sciences of Albania for these new scientific initiatives in the country.

Finally, organizing this meeting in Albania formalizes the project’s implementation. It sets a shared foundation for collaboration among all partners.

/a.c/