Stephan Angeloff Institute of Microbiology

The “Stephan Angeloff” Institute of Microbiology is an established national research center in the field of microbiological sciences. Modern fundamental and applied research on the most up-to-date, fast-growing and promising directions of microbiological science are conducted, namely: general, applied and infectious microbiology, virology, immunology, microbial and plant biotechnology, microbial ecology.

Some of the Institute’s most significant achievements are:

1. The new genus Nematodospora and two new, insect-isolated yeasts: Nematodospora algi and Candida cetonia have been identified and described.
2. Catalytic additive for hydrocarbon liquid fuels which provides high combustion efficiency when added to liquid fuels, engines and other combustion plants has been developed.
3. The cell-wall-localized enzymes fructans beta-fructosidases of lactobacilli with inulinic activity have been isolated and purified. Synchronous expression of genes encoding amylase and inulinase has been proved.
4. Laboratory method has been developed for obtaining hydrogen from wheat straw in anaerobic conditions with a selected microbial community and biomethane that makes it applicable for the biodegradation of organic waste and the industrial production of biofuels from renewable carbon sources.

History of the unit

IMicB was founded on March 7, 1947 by the distinguished Bulgarian scientist Academician Stephan Angeloff, initially with five units: bacteriological (for medical, agricultural and industrial microbiology), protozoological, virological, immunological and biochemical.

Prominent scientists who have worked or are working at the unit:

• Prof. Stephan Angeloff, Full Member of BAS – Honorary Member of the Hungarian Veterinary Association (1930), Doctor honoris causa of Berlin University (1932) and of the Hannover Veterinary Faculty (1940), Honorary member of the Sacri Romani Imperii Academia Caesareo-Leopoldina Naturae Curiosorum in Halle (1940), Corresponding-member of the Academy of Agricultural Sciences (Berlin) (1955), Rector of Sofia University “St. Kliment Ohridski “(1941-42), Corresponding-member of BAS (1943), Full member of BAS (1947), “Laureate of the Dimitrov Prize” twice – 1950, 1952.
• Prof. Angel Galabov, Full Member of BAS – Founder of Europe’s First Symposium Network on Antiviral Substances (1974-1990). Founder and First President of the Balkan Society for Microbiology (1998). Member of the Executive Office of the International Institut Pasteur Network and Coordinator for Europe (2007-2011). Honorary member of the Romanian Academy of Medical Sciences (2003). Corresponding member of the Bulgarian Academy of Sciences (2004), Full Member of the Bulgarian Academy of Sciences (2008). Recorded in the Golden Book of Inventors as the author of 35 inventions (2003). Director of IMicB for 17 years (1995-2011). Awarded twice the Honorary sign Marin Drinov on ribbon (2009, 2014).
• Prof. Ignat Emanuilov, Full Member of BAS – his main contributions are in the study of bacterial proteinases and their introduction in cheese making as substitutes of chymosin and pepsin for which he was awarded the Dimitrov Prize – 1951;
• Prof. Kaltcho Markov, Corresponding Member of BAS – work in the field of physiology and biochemistry of microorganisms, bacterial genetics and general microbiology. Honorary Scientist – 1985;
• Prof. Iliya Pashev, Full Member of BAS – Original contributions in the study of a number of infectious animal diseases and the creation of laboratory diagnostic methods. Laureate of the Dimitrov Prize – 1969;
• Prof. Alexander Toshkov, Corresponding Member of BAS – Development of methods to combat and diagnose a number of infectious diseases in bees. Honorary Scientist – 1986.

Doctoral programs

The Institute has accreditation in the fields of “Biotechnology”, “Microbiology”, “Virology”, “Immunology” from professional field 4.3.: Biological sciences, field of higher education 4. Natural sciences, mathematics and informatics.

Other educational initiatives

The Pasteur Laboratory Center is effectively used both for the training of PhD students from various research departments of the Institute as well as for the training of students of molecular biology from the Faculty of Biology at Sofia University, students from the Faculty of Veterinary Medicine of the University of Forestry and New Bulgarian university.

Scientists from IMicB are involved in the training of Bachelor students by direct tutorship and their participation in the research work of different groups, as well as in the training of Master students (graduates). In addition to delivering lectures and seminars at a number of universities in the country, they also provide facilities and conditions for the work over the respective Master’s theses. With their active participation in allowing Master students to use the material base and competence of the scientists from IMicB and to prepare their diploma theses there, as well as in appointing young specialists prepared mainly at BF of Sofia University “St. Kliment Ohridski “, the institute also assists in the program accreditation of universities.