BioInformatics
The laboratory develops innovative solutions in the fields of bioinformatics, bioautomation, and bioengineering, advancing the latest areas in biotechnology, synthetic and systems biology, biomedical instrumentation, and biological data analysis.
Services provided
- Creation of microfluidic prototypes and other microstructures;
- Metagenomic amplicon sequencing;
- Shotgun metagenomic sequencing;
- Whole-genome sequencing (WGS);
- DNA isolation for NGS;
- NGS data processing and analysis – from raw reads to ready-to-use graphs and interpretation;
- Bioinformatics software development;
- Design and testing of γ-, β-, and X-ray detectors;
- Software integration and setup of workstations for spectrometric analysis;
- Repair and maintenance of radiometric, dosimetric, and spectrometric equipment;
- Consulting and collaborative development in radiation technologies and radiation biology;
- Strain improvement according to client specifications;
- Genetic manipulation of microorganisms according to client specifications;
- Strain storage;
- Development of specialized research equipment;
- Design and 3D printing of laboratory devices on demand;
- Production of educational STEM kits – experiments, devices, and instructional materials;
- Organization of practical workshops for school and university students.
Activities
Implementation of cutting-edge technologies in fields such as genetics (next-generation DNA sequencing, CRISPR), metagenomics, biomedical equipment for reproductive medicine, microfluidics, new bioprocesses, and more;
Design and prototyping of new scientific instruments focusing on open technologies and local manufacturing, suitable for low-resource laboratories and educational institutions;
Development of accessible laboratory devices (FirmaLab) based on microfluidic technology;
Work with amplicon and shotgun metagenomic sequencing to study microbial communities;
Development of analytical pipelines and automated processing of genomic data;
Metagenomic and NGS-based analysis;
Creation of low-cost PCR machines, microscopes, and incubators compatible with smartphones and USB power;
Design and testing of open-source hardware for education and hobby science;
Design and prototyping of new scientific instruments focusing on open technologies and local manufacturing, suitable for low-resource laboratories and educational institutions;
Investigation of the effects of ultraviolet and ionizing radiation (photon and beta) on biological systems;
Development and testing of radiometric and spectrometric detectors for ionizing radiation;
Integration of software for gamma and X-ray spectrum analysis to create high-resolution workstations;
STEM education and experimental kits;
Development of educational kits with 3D-printed components, protocols, and video instructions for students;
Conducting practical trainings, demonstrations, and school projects;
Support for Bulgarian student teams in synthetic biology for the iGEM competition, with annual finals in Paris, France, where the team has returned six times with medals.
Publications
First Detection and Genomic Characterization of Linezolid-Resistant Enterococcus faecalis Clinical Isolates in Bulgaria. Microorganisms. 2025; 13(1):195
Strateva TV, Hristova P, Stoeva TJ, Hitkova H, Peykov S. https://doi.org/10.3390/microorganisms13010195
Low-Cost Three-Dimensionally Printed Inverted Plug and Play Optical Instrument for Microfluidic Imaging. Micro. 2023; 3(2):537-548;
Markov D, Grigorov E, Kirov B, Denev JA, Galabov V, Marinov MB. https://doi.org/10.3390/micro3020036
Chapter 2 – Design and characterization of synthetic promoters, Editor(s): Vijai Singh, New Frontiers and Applications of Synthetic Biology, Academic Press, 2022, Pages 11-21,ISBN 9780128244692;
Boris Kirov, Slavil Peykov, https://doi.org/10.1016/B978-0-12-824469-2.00007-5
First detection of a colistin-resistant Klebsiella aerogenes isolate from a critically ill patient with septic shock in Bulgaria. Acta Microbiologica et Immunologica Hungarica, 69(3), 209-214;
Peykov, S., Stratev, A., Kirov, B., Gergova, R., & Strateva, T. (2022). https://doi.org/10.1556/030.2022.01833
Novel Microfluidics Device for Rapid Antibiotics Susceptibility Screening. Applied Sciences. 2022; 12(4):2198;
Grigorov E, Peykov S, Kirov B. https://doi.org/10.3390/app12042198
Equipment
- Cell counter for live and dead cells;
- Epifluorescence microscope;
- Inverted contrast microscope for live cells;
- Controlled-rate freezer;
- Cryostorage system with liquid nitrogen;
- Automatic fluorescent scanner for biochips;
- Plasma cleaner;
- Interferometer / profilometer;
- UV/Vis spectrophotometer;
- Quantus fluorimeter;
- PCR machine;
- Horizontal and vertical electrophoresis systems;
- Laminar flow hood;
- PCR hood;
- Standard laboratory equipment for microbiology and molecular biology;
- Bioreactors.
Management
Assoc. Prof. Dr. Vasil Galabov
Scientific areas:
Bioautomation, automated information processing and control systems, production automation.
History:
In 1985, he graduated from Technical and Biomedical Cybernetics at TU Ilmenau, Germany.
He specialized in the laboratories of Interacoustics AD, Assens, Denmark.
Specializations and guest lecturer at Karlsruhe Institute of Technology, Germany.
He is the author of over 60 articles and publications and participated in over 10 completed projects in the field of his scientific activities.
