Global mapping of mycorrhizal fungi based on nearly 25,000 soil samples from 130 countries, comprising over 2.8 billion DNA sequences. Among them soil DNA isolated at Nazarbayev University by researcher Aigerim Soltabayeva, representing Kazakhstan’s biodiversity in this worldwide dataset.

Global map of mycorrhizal fungal diversity. DNA samples from Kazakhstan, processed at Nazarbayev University, contributed to the worldwide dataset guiding conservation priorities.

Kazakhstan’s biodiversity represented in landmark global study on soil fungi

In July 2025, Nature published a groundbreaking article from the SPUN (Society for the Protection of Underground Networks) Mapping Consortium one of the first global-scale efforts to chart the biodiversity of mycorrhizal fungi, organisms vital for soil health, plant growth, and resilience under stress. Among the co-authors and affiliations of this landmark publication is Dr. Aigerim Soltabayeva.

Kazakhstan’s Contribution

Dr. Soltabayeva joined the project in 2023, following an introduction by her colleague, Dr. Vadim Yapiev, to Dr. Bethan Manley from SPUN. That summer, soil samples were collected from different regions of Kazakhstan. The DNA isolation from these soils was carried out at Nazarbayev University’s laboratories, ensuring that Kazakhstan’s biodiversity would be represented in the global dataset.

Overcoming Challenges

Specializing in DNA extraction from plant tissues, Dr. Soltabayeva adapted protocols to soil a task she had never undertaken before. Without access to specialized equipment, she engineered a custom bead-beating system using a vortex, tape, and racks, successfully producing high-quality DNA free from contamination. Within a month, the samples were processed and shipped to the United States. Overcoming the bureaucratic hurdles of exporting biological material from Kazakhstan made the achievement even more significant.

From Local Efforts to a Global Stage

What began as a practical contribution providing high-quality DNA extractions grew into a collaboration of worldwide importance. Two years later, the project culminated in a Nature publication, a milestone in Dr. Soltabayeva’s career. Her contribution highlights both Kazakhstan’s unique biodiversity and the essential role of scientific networks.

“This experience shows how collaboration and trust can transform small acts of support into part of a global achievement. It is an honor to see Kazakhstan represented in such an important project,” says Dr. Soltabayeva.