The Stephan Angeloff Institute of Microbiology is a national research center in
microbiological sciences. Ever since its foundation 60 years ago, the Institute’s strategic lines
have been: (1) investigations on problems implicated in public health and biotechnology; (2)
teaching activities and training of PhD students. In 2004, The Institute was accepted as a
member of the Institut Pasteur (Paris) family.
. The institute is recognized as a leader in the field of applied microbiology – microbial
biosynthesis and biotechnologies. The microbial genetics, biochemistry and fine structure are
examined by modern methodologies physiology and biosynthetic capacity of extremophilic
microorganisms are extensively studied. Investigations on various aspects of microbial
ecology are carried out. Infectious microbiology research is focused on bacterial
pathogenicity and virulence, and the activities of novel plant, microbial, or synthetic
antimicrobial substances. Modern food control methodologies are developed. General
virology studies are directed to antivirals mode of action and to viral proteins. The etiological
role of some viruses in human pathology is investigated as well. The immunological studies
are concentrated on autoimmunity mechanisms and on the characterization of novel natural or
synthetic immunomodulators. Mathematical modeling of microbiological processes is
developed. The research of the Institute is in accordance with modern trends in biology like
bioactive substances, biotechnologies, molecular and cell biology, biomedicine, ecology and
bioresources. They are closely related with national priority topics – ecology and
environment, health protection, agriculture and food industry.
HISTORY
The Institute of Microbiology was founded on March 7, 1947 in response to the need of a
national research center for investigations in the rapidly developing and prosperous branches
of microbiological science. The outstanding Bulgarian scientist Prof. Stefan Angeloff,
Member of BAS, was the founder and the first director of the Institute for 15 years. Initially,
the Institute comprised five units: bacteriological (medical, agricultural and industrial
bacteriology), protozoological, virological (investigation of viruses and viral diseases in man,
animals and plants), immunological and biochemical. Initially (1947 - 1962), the studies were
directed to the problems of infectious pathology of domestic animals and humans, under the
leadership of Prof. S. Angeloff and his first collaborator Prof. Ilia Kujumgiev. These studies
contributed significantly to the knowledge on the etiology and the development of diagnostic
methods and immunoprophylactic preparations for different infections. Bacteria, mycoplasma
and L forms, the antibiosis and the antibacterial medicinals, as well as the agents causing
protozoic invasions were studied. The investigations in the field of infectious immunology
started by Prof. Vladimir Markov, Member of BAS. The industrial microbiology studies were
initiated Prof. Ignat Emanuilov, Member of BAS, who worked on the microbiology of milk
and dairy products, biochemistry and physiology of lactic acid bacteria and the application of
bacterial enzymes (proteinases) in cheesemaking. Along with bacteria as producers of
biologically active substances filamentous fungi were investigated. About 1964 the research
activities were grouped into two principal problems: I. Metabolism and biosynthesis of
microorganisms and their regulation; II. Nature and regularities of the interactions between
the microorganisms and the macroorganism. Since then:
In the field of microbial morphology electron microscope data were collected for bacteria,
filamentous fungi, yeasts and cells of the immune system of the macroorganism. The
investigations in microbial biochemistry aimed the elucidation of the main peculiarities in the
physiology and biosynthetic capabilities of microbial cells. These studies included enzymes
(ribonucleases, acid and alkaline phosphatases from yeasts, bacterial neuraminidase and
luciferase), proteinase and nuclease inhibitors, microbiological transformation of steroids;
protein-lipid interactions in bacterial membrane in relation to secretion of extracellular
enzymes. As a result of the systemic investigations carried out by Prof. Simeon Galabov and
his collaborators the relationship between antigenic structure and biological properties of
bacterial endotoxins were clarified by the use of different methods for their detoxication. Data
were obtained about the medical application of endotoxins, based on their antigenicity
(diagnostic kits), immunogenicity (vaccines), interferon-inducing activity and tumor necrotic
action. The research work in the field of microbial genetics was developed by Prof. Kaltcho
Markov, Corresponding Member of BAS. The investigations were connected with the
problem of prophage interference, genetic transfer in Bacillus thuringiensis and Streptococci
from group A, hybridization of Actinomyces sp. in order to increase their productivity,
construction of gene maps of Streptomycetes - producers of antibiotics, molecular
identification of microorganisms by the use of PCR, as well as genomic differentiation by
M13 DNA fingerprinting and ribotyping. The Institute of Microbiology has always played a
leading role in applied microbiology. Microbial producers of a wide spectrum of biologically
active substances were isolated: enzymes, aminoacids proteins, carotinoids, and various
antibiotics with different spectrum of activity were isolated. Physiology and biochemistry of
microbial producers, including extremophilic bacteria (thermophilic and alkalophilic) as well
as the properties of the synthesized products were studied in detail. A wide spectrum of
methods for immobilization of enzymes and microbial cells, producers of biologically active
substances, were elaborated. The investigations in infectious bacteriology concentrated on the
changes provoked in the pathogen during the course of infectious and immunizatory process
(Prof. Alexander Toshkov, Corresponding Member of BAS, and collaborators). Later, studies
were focused on the factors and mechanisms of bacterial virulence and bacteria-host
interactions using the models of Yersinia, Salmonella and Burgholderia pseudomallei
infections (Prof. Dimitar Veljanov and collaborators). At the beginning of 60th years started
investigations in the field of the experimental chemotherapy of viral infections. Search for
viral replication inhibitors from Bulgarian medicinal plants (tested mainly on influenza
viruses) was extended later with systemic studies on the creation and characterization of some
new effective antivirals (vs. influenza, toga and other virus groups), on the combined effects
of viral inhibitors (efficient against herpes and picornaviruses) and their mechanisms of
action. The pioneer for the Bulgarian immunology works carried out by Prof. Vladimir
Markov were continued with investigations on cell immunity and L-forms of bacteria under
the guidance of Prof. Valchan Valchanov and Prof. Assen Toshkov. A wide-spectrum
immunopharmacological screening was performed aiming the selection of new active
substances.
THE STEPHAN ANGELOFF INSTITUTE OF MICROBIOLOGY 60 YEARS AFTER
Nowadays, the Institute comprises 11 departments and a staff of 170 including 4 professors,
one of them Corresponding Member of BAS, 34 associate professors and 52 research
scientists. The expertise areas are: morphology and ultrastructure, genetics, biochemistry,
physiology and ecology of microorganisms, mycology, virology, infectious microbiology and
immunology. In the recent years, the Institute has structured its research activity to reflect
both European and national bioscience priorities. The efforts are currently concentrated on
some key practical problems of public health (tuberculosis, actual viral infections,
autoimmunity and autoimmune diseases, vaccines), drug design (screening and development
of antivirals, antibiotics and other antimicrobial agents, biological response modifiers), food
safety, biotechnology, and environmental protection.
The research work of the Institute consists of research projects funded by foreign and
Bulgarian grants. Presently, a total of 33 projects are funded by foreign institutions (2 by FP6
of the EC, 9 by NATO grants, 1 by UNESCO, 3 by Institut Pasteur, 1 by the French
Government, 1 by the Swiss Government, and 6 by companies abroad), and 40 – by the
National Science Research Fund at the Ministry of Education and Science, Bulgaria.
The educational activities of the Institute include: doctoral studies (35 PhD students within
the last five years); training courses for young scientists from the Balkan countries at the
Atelier Pasteur; participation in the Leonardo da Vinchi Programme of EC. Thirteen scientists
give lectures at nine Bulgarian universities.
Scientists from the Institute participate in scientific councils, editorial boards, councils of
organizations and scientific societies in Bulgaria and abroad (such as WHO, IUMS, FEMS,
etc.). IMicB is the initiator of the establishment of the Balkan Society for Microbiology, and
is the head quarter of this society and the Bulgarian Society for Microbiology. Consultancy is
provided for many institutions (governmental, university, private etc) about public health,
agriculture, food industry, ecology and environment. Scientists are included in the work of
many expert groups among which Expert Council for Prevention of the Population from
Natural Disasters and Catastrophes, Expert Council for Epidemiological Control of Infectious
Diseases and Immunoprophylaxis, Commission for Eradication of Polyomyelitis at the
Ministry of Public Health, Expert Group on Countering the Effects of Biological and
Chemical Terrorism at EC, National Agencies of Standardization and Authorization, etc.