The aim of this review is to introduce current knowledge in the field of sturgeon genetics. The first section deals with sturgeon cytogenetics, reviewing karyotype organization and polyploidization events during evolution of Acipenseriformes. The second section concerns the results of applications of molecular biology to studies of phylogenetic relationships between extant species, intraspecific analysis of wild populations and stocks for conservation purposes, together with characterization of molecular markers for species identification, relevant to forensic and conservation issues.