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Institute of Microbiology of the ASCR, v. v. i.
Institute of Microbiology of the ASCR, v. v. i.
Vídeňská 1083
142 20 Praha 4
142 20 Praha 4
Phone: +420 296 441 111
FAX: +420 244 471 286
E-mail: mbu@biomed.cas.cz
Chart: mbu_chart.pdf
The origins of this Institute go back to 1950 when a Department of Microbiology was established at the Central Institute for Biology, which was incorporated into the then Czechoslovak Academy of Sciences on January 1, 1953. As of January 1, 1962, the Institute of Biology was split into several independent institutes. Some of its former departments and laboratories served as the nucleus of the Institute of Microbiology. Pursuant to Act No. 341/2005 Coll., the Institute became a public research institution as of 1 January 2007.
The research work done at the Institute encompasses microbiology and immunology, with special reference to studies of fundamental aspects of microorganisms. These include microbial genetics, physiology, cell division, structure, ultrastructure, and morphological and biochemical differentiation of prokaryotic and eukaryotic microorganisms at the cellular and molecular levels.
Other aspects concern the effect of microorganisms and their components on plant and animal hosts including humans. Specific studies refer to the biotransformation and biodegradation activities of microorganisms, as well as to biologically active substances produced by microorganisms and the determination of their chemical structure. High-production microbial strains are constructed. The model organisms include bacteria, yeast, filamentous fungi, algae and higher eukaryotes. The Institute houses an internationally recognised collection of basidiomycetes.
Research in immunology is directed at finding ways to reinforce the immunity of the human organism and treat some disorders of the immune system. Targeted cytostatics and immunosuppressants are investigated and their clinical use is studied. For its immunological studies, the Institute possesses an animal house for raising germ-free animals. It also has equipment for elaborating microbiological and biotechnological processes and their scale up to the pilot plant level. The results of this basic research find their use in pharmaceutical and fermentation industries, in applied environmental science and in both human and veterinary medicine.science and in both human and veterinary medicine.
The research work done at the Institute encompasses microbiology and immunology, with special reference to studies of fundamental aspects of microorganisms. These include microbial genetics, physiology, cell division, structure, ultrastructure, and morphological and biochemical differentiation of prokaryotic and eukaryotic microorganisms at the cellular and molecular levels.
Other aspects concern the effect of microorganisms and their components on plant and animal hosts including humans. Specific studies refer to the biotransformation and biodegradation activities of microorganisms, as well as to biologically active substances produced by microorganisms and the determination of their chemical structure. High-production microbial strains are constructed. The model organisms include bacteria, yeast, filamentous fungi, algae and higher eukaryotes. The Institute houses an internationally recognised collection of basidiomycetes.
Research in immunology is directed at finding ways to reinforce the immunity of the human organism and treat some disorders of the immune system. Targeted cytostatics and immunosuppressants are investigated and their clinical use is studied. For its immunological studies, the Institute possesses an animal house for raising germ-free animals. It also has equipment for elaborating microbiological and biotechnological processes and their scale up to the pilot plant level. The results of this basic research find their use in pharmaceutical and fermentation industries, in applied environmental science and in both human and veterinary medicine.science and in both human and veterinary medicine.
