Download g. eliava institute of bacteriophage, microbiology and virology

G. ELIAVA INSTITUTE OF
BACTERIOPHAGE,
MICROBIOLOGY
AND VIROLOGY
T
he Institute is wellknown as a pioneer in the field of phage research and
applied microbiology. It was established in 1923 by the Georgian scientist
George Eliava and his FrenchCanadian colleague Felix D'Herelle, the discoverer
of bacteriophages. At present, the institute’s staff is more than 100 scientists, 38
PhDs. Its research is supported by the Georgian government and through grants
from international organizations. The Institute offers multidisciplinary expertise
focused on the isolation and use of phages against bacterial pathogens of human,
animal and plant origin (e.g. practical application of therapeutic, prophylactic
and diagnostic bacteriophages against a variety of bacterial infections) Further
more, the Institute has strong research programs in the field of food microbiolo
gy, environment, infectious immunology/virology, and biodefence.
More than 15 effective bacteriophage preparations were elaborated and produced
commercially at the Institute. For example, IBMV was used for prophylaxis and treat
ment throughout the former Soviet Union, in the Public Health network and in mil
itary forces. Throughout the 1970s1980s, phage preparations such as Pyophage,
Intestyphage, Pyoceaneus bacteriophages, Intravenous Staphylococcus
bacteriophage, Dysenterial bacteriophage were recognized at national and
international exhibitions and became brands known worldwide.
At present, the main research areas are the following:
• Investigation of the etiological structure of human and animal bacterial dis
Working on phage isolation
and screening
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eases, including antibioticresistant nosocomial infections;
ADDRESS
G.Eliava Institute of Bac
teriophage, Microbiology
and Virology
3 Gotua St.,
Tbilisi 0160, Georgia
Tel: +995 32 374227
+995 32 371782
Fax: +995 32 331609
+995 32 382762
www.geocities.com/
HotSprings/Spa/5386,
www.ibmv.caucasus.net
Marina Tediashvili,
Director
m_tediash.ibmv@
caucasus.net
• Selection and detailed characterization of a variety of spe
cific diagnostic and therapeutic bacteriophages;
• Elaboration of biological preparations; vaccines, immuno
logic serums, bacteriophages and enzymes against highly conta
gious human and animal pathogens;
• Ecological monitoring of the bacterial pollution in water
environments.
• Development of novel strategies for phagebased biocon
trol of plant bacterial diseases.
Technologies available for Licensing and/or Partnering:
(1) Therapeutic bacteriophages (phages) for prophylaxis and treat
ment of bacterial diseases such as Staphylococcus, Streptococcus, E. coli,
Pseudomonas, Proteus, Salmonella, Shigella, Serratia, Klebsiella, Enterobacter,
Yersinia sp., Erwinia, etc. Most of these phages have been commercially produced
and widely used in clinics throughout the countries of the former Soviet Union.
(2) Phage typing. A number of original phage typing patterns has been devel
oped for epidemiology studies (Salmonella typhimurium, Salmonella typhi,
Salmonella paratyphi A, B, Shigella, Proteus, Yersinia, Pseudomonas) for identify
ing the source of infection and its spread in the environment. A system con
structed for S. typhimurium (I. Chirakadze, 1979) has been adopted by the World
Health Organization and recommended for use in developing countries.
Bacteriophage specific to
Proteus vulgaris
(3) A Study of bioactive substances of bacterial origin. Hyaluronidase
isolated from Staphylococcus aureus strain has been successfully proved in clini
cal studies for treating postoperational and burn scars.
(4) Research on endemic Caucasian lactic acid bacteria. A collection enu
merating about 100 lactobacilli and lactococci has been created, among them
Lactobacillus delbrueki, ssp. Lactis, Lactobacillus acidophilus, Lactobacillus casei,
Streptococcus thermophilus, Enterococcus faecium, etc.
(5) Immune preparations (vaccine, serums, diagnosticums) for detection,
diagnostics, preventions and treatment of bacterial diseases like Anthrax,
Phages attacking Proteus vul
garis
Brucellosis, Staphylococcal infections, etc. have been elaborated at the Eliava
Institute.
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