The role of the NLRP3 inflammasome in the pathogenesis of complications in COVID-19 Studies launched in 2010 by scientists at the Institute of Biology and Immunology of Reproduction at the Bulgarian Academy of Sciences (IBIR-BAS) suggest that it is the overreaction of a protein complex called the NLRP3 inflammasome that underlies the severe complications with COVID-19. The inflammasome is a molecular sensor in cells that responds to a meeting with a pathogen and / or cellular damage resulting in the release of inflammatory signals, and a particular type of cell death, pyroptosis, can occur. In doing so, the cells burst and release a huge amount of inflammation and danger signals to which neighboring tissue cells and cells of the immune system respond. Normally, [...]

Scientists from the Institute of Molecular Biology of BAS are assisting the work of the newly opened Virology Laboratory at UMHATEM “N.I.Pirogov”, specially equipped for the diagnosis of COVID-19. The team is involved in the effective development of the laboratory, providing its research experience and knowledge in the field of virology. Scientists will work with their colleagues at the hospital on a daily basis in all stages of processing samples for the presence of coronavirus. In addition to researchers already in the lab, the Institute of Molecular Biology is also ready to provide more specialists. The team leader is Prof. Iva Ugrinova, Director of the Institute of Molecular Biology.

Center for Advanced Microscopy for basic and applied research in biology, medicine and biotechnology was opened at the Institute of Molecular Biology of BAS (IMB-BAS). The Center is part of the Euro-BioImaging Consortium (http://www.eurobioimaging.eu/), in which 14 European countries participate. The confocal microscope system Andor Dragonfly which is among the most advanced combined microscopic observation systems for the study of living cells by super-resolution was presented at the opening. The event was attended by the Minister of Education and Science Krasimir Valchev, the Deputy Minister of Education and Science Karina Angelieva, the President of BAS Prof. Julian Revalski, Member of the Academy, the Scientific Secretary of BAS of division “Biomedicine and Quality of Life” Prof. Nina Atanassova, scientists and journalists. Assoc. Prof. Stoyno Stoynov of [...]

New methodologies for the application of natural products of plant and animal origin from Bulgaria to support the therapy of some infectious, malignant and neurodegenerative diseases are developed by scientists from 7 institutes of the Bulgarian Academy of Sciences and 5 higher schools. Scientific cooperation is within the framework of the first national scientific program for biomedical research in Bulgaria "Innovative Low-Toxic Biologically Active Means for Precision Medicine (BioActiveMed)". Expectations, after its implementation, are related to developing new approaches in the treatment of socially significant diseases and reducing the cost of their treatment. Scientists from seven institutes of the Bulgarian Academy of Sciences participate in the Biomedical Research Program. Extracts from natural sources (such as herbs and snail mucus) will be used in the preparation [...]