Department of Microbiology and Environmental Biotechnologies

The Department was founded in 1953 as part of the Higher Institute of Agriculture. Since the beginning it has been developing and searching for solutions of various educational and scientific issues. The Department has gained its full independence as a unit in 1994 under the name Microbiology. In 2003, due to its expanding activities in teaching and science, it was renamed Microbiology and Environmental Biotechnologies. At first, a preliminary course in microbiology has been offered. Later,  the teaching staff has developed and introduced several new courses: Ecology of Microorganisms; Microbial Methods for Purification; Biotechnologies; Microbial Agents in Agricultural Practice; Technology of Milk and Milk Products; Utilization of Agricultural Wastes; Storage and Safety of Farm Products and Food; Mycotoxins, etc.

Currently, the Department consists of one associated member of the Bulgarian Academy of Science, three associate professors, two assistant professors, as well as the administrative staff.

An important work aspect of the scientific staff is to retain and expand the international cooperation with leading European and world universities in the field of educational and research. The Department`s lecturers take part in European projects such as: Leonardo da Vinci programme, Erasmus programme, Sixth and Seventh Framework Programmes, South East Europe Programme, Balkan Mediterranean Transnational Cooperation Programme, as well as projects subsidized by Structural Funds, Scientific Funds and other national funds.
The main scientific research trends of the Department are as follows:

  • Isolation and characterization of new microorganisms and their application in agriculture;
  • Microbial control on diseases, insect pests and weeds;
  • Inactivation of pathogens by ecological methods;
  • Utilization of agricultural and food wastes;
  • Isolation and characterization of plant growth promoting bacteria;
  • Isolation and characterization of bacteria increasing quality of the crop productivity;
  • Bioremediation of heavy metal contaminated soils;
  • Study of pesticide and fertilizer effect on soil microorganisms;
  • Bio-pollutants in agri-food chain;
  • Study of traditional and new dairy products;
  • Bio wastes  composting

Bachelor, Master and PhD students have been trained in the Department. There have been developed and successfully defended 8 PhD dissertations and more than 60 Bachelor/Master`s graduation papers. The Department`s staff is continually improving the quality of educational and research processes. In order to fulfill this purpose, a laboratory for microbiological analyses has been created where various tests and experiments of food products, water, soil samples, etc. have been conducted. The laboratory for microbial biotechnologies deals with the technologies used in the production of microbial preparations, soil improvers and fertilizers in modern agriculture. Both laboratories have modern equipment.

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