Main scientific studies of the Department of Genetics and Molecular Biology are conducted in the following directions:

• 1. Plant chromosome engineering.
• 2. Plant genetics.
• 3. Genetics of Drosophila melanogaster.
• 4. Molecular genetics.
• 5. Human and animal genetics and cytogenetics.
• 6. Radiation and ecological genetics.

Two laboratories function on the basis of the department: the laboratory of the plant genetics and selection and the laboratory of molecular biology.

Basic scientific goals of the laboratory of the plant genetics and selection include:

• Development of technology of interline replacement of chromosomes for improvement of used and perspective sorts of local selection;
• Localization of genes, controlling economically significant wheat characteristics;
• Obtaining morphologically marked aneuploid lines for acceleration and facilitation of involving much labor efforts cytogenetic studies;
• Selective trial and breeding of valuable parent forms and substituted wheat lines, obtained using methods of interline replacement of chromosomes and mutagenesis.

Basic scientific goals of the laboratory of molecular biology include:

• Study of molecular-genetic mechanisms of programmed plant cell death;
• Development of nanobiotechnology for obtainment of recombinant vaccines and proteins for their prospect use in medicine;
• Cloning cellulase genes and their increased expression in genetically modified organisms (pro-, eukaryotes) for obtainment of enzymes, used in bioethanol production from cellulose containing plant material;
• Study on activity regulation of enzymes, involved in plant DNA reparation, specific to oxidative base damage.

Department of Genetics and Molecular Biology collaborates with two scientific-research institutions, located under supervision of the al-Farabi Kazakh National University, School of Biology: "Scientific Research Institute for Issues in Ecology" and "Scientific Research Institute for Issues in Biology and Biotechnology".