The University of Georgia is taking another significant step toward strengthening the country’s scientific ecosystem — on October 25, at 10 a.m., within the framework of the university’s Scientific Hub, the Tsotne Javakhishvili Institute of Synthetic Biology will be inaugurated.
At the opening ceremony, the idea of establishing the Tsotne Javakhishvili Scientific Prize will be announced — an initiative dedicated to immortalizing the scientist’s name and encouraging innovative research. The prize will be awarded every three years to scientists in three natural science categories: Chemistry, Biology, and Physics.
The Tsotne Javakhishvili Institute of Synthetic Biology will operate as part of the University of Georgia’s Scientific Hub, which already includes the Institute of Molecular Medicine and the One Health Institute. The Hub serves as an interdisciplinary research space that unites scientists from diverse fields to foster innovation and technological development.
The Institute’s activities will focus on molecular engineering, genomic modifications, and biotechnological innovations, contributing to the expansion of the nation’s research potential and the deepening of international cooperation. Currently, the institute employs six scientific researchers — all former students of Tsotne Javakhishvili — who share his scientific principles and continue their work in accordance with his vision.
Tsotne Javakhishvili was an outstanding Georgian scientist, biotechnologist, and molecular biologist whose scientific work encompassed genomic technologies and the development of new approaches in synthetic biology. He studied at Tbilisi State University, worked at the Institute of Biochemistry of Georgian Scientists, and later continued his career in the United States, where he served as a researcher and scientific mentor at several leading research centers.In 2025, Professor Javakhishvili joined the University of Georgia’s scientific team and took charge of developing the synthetic biology direction.
A few months ago, Professor Javakhishvili disappeared while flying over the ocean. Despite the intensive efforts of international rescue teams, he has not been found to this day. The establishment of the Institute ensures the preservation and continuation of his name and scientific legacy, while the scientific prize bearing his name will stand as a symbol of innovation, courage, and scientific recognition.The prize, awarded every three years in the fields of Chemistry, Biology, and Physics, will honor scientists whose work significantly contributes to scientific progress and societal well-being.The founding of the Institute and the establishment of the prize mark another step for the University of Georgia toward aligning with international scientific standards, while also serving as a tribute to a man whose life and work were dedicated to expanding knowledge and shaping the science of the future.
