History of the Institute

A significant milestone in the development of microbiology in Uzbekistan was the establishment in 1965 of an independent Microbiology Department under the Academy of Sciences of the Uzbek SSR, with the status of an Institute. The Department comprised eight scientific laboratories and employed over 200 staff members. The organizer and first head of the Department was Professor S.A. Askarova, who made a substantial contribution to the formation and development of microbiological science in Uzbekistan.

During this period, research shifted from performing fragmented descriptive studies to the targeted solution of fundamental problems. New areas of microbiology were developed, including physiology and biochemistry under V.I. Runov; selection and genetics of microorganisms under A.G. Grinevich; yeast systematics under M.I. Mavloniy; and protistology under V.F. Nikolyuk. Initial scientific developments in technical microbiology were carried out by E.I. Kvasnikov. Biological methods for controlling pests and diseases of agricultural plants were also developed (Dikasova, Isamuhamedov).

In the Republic, a Scientific Council on Microbial Physiology and Biochemistry was established, with Professor S.A. Askarova as its first head. She also became the first president of the Microbiological Society of Uzbekistan.

The most important research achievements of this period include the study of the life activity of actinomycetes—well-known producers of antibiotics and other biologically active substances—the identification of ecological and geographical patterns of actinomycete distribution in various soil types of Uzbekistan, and the elucidation of mechanisms of plant interactions with phytopathogenic microorganisms that cause wilt, gummosis, root rot, and other plant diseases.

In 1971, a number of algology-profile laboratories from the Institute of Botany of the Academy of Sciences of the Republic of Uzbekistan were transferred to the Microbiology Department.

In 1977, the Microbiology Department was reorganized into the current Institute of Microbiology of the Academy of Sciences of the Republic of Uzbekistan. During this period, under the leadership of Academician A.M. Muzaffarov, large-scale research was conducted on fundamental and applied problems of experimental algology, and a renowned scientific school of algology was established. Priority studies were carried out on the systematics and cultivation of microalgae and their application in solving important national economic tasks. For achievements in this field, the team of authors led by Academician A.M. Muzaffarov was awarded the State Prize of Uzbekistan named after Abu Rayhan Beruni in 1979 in the field of science and technology.

With the appointment of the renowned biochemist and biotechnologist Academician A.G. Kholmurodov as Director of the Institute in 1986, the Institute was reoriented towards addressing priority fundamental and applied problems in microbiology and microbial biotechnology. During this period, existing laboratories were strengthened and new laboratories were established in the fields of biochemistry and biotechnology of physiologically active substances, genetic engineering, nitrogen fixation, aquatic microbiology, and microbial physiology.

The Institute’s research was focused on solving fundamental problems in the physiology, biochemistry, and genetics of bacteria, actinomycetes, yeasts, and microscopic fungi. Closely linked to practical applications, studies in microbial biotechnology were conducted, including the production of high-yield microbial strains using methods of selection, genetic, and cell engineering for microbiological, light, and food industries, agriculture, healthcare, and mining production. Development of low-waste and waste-free biotechnologies for producing feed and food protein, enzymes, vitamins, biofertilizers, plant and animal growth stimulators, and therapeutic-prophylactic lactic starter cultures was also pursued.

The biosynthetic pathways of valuable physiologically active compounds (vitamins, coenzymes) in microbial cells (A.G. Kholmurodov) and the mechanisms of cotton wilt pathogenesis were studied.

Over the 40-year historical path of the Institute, scientists such as S.A. Askarova, A.M. Muzaffarov, E.N. Kvasnikov, A.G. Kholmurodov, G. Nabiev, V.I. Runov, V.F. Nikolyuk, Zh.S. Safiyazov, M.M. Muradov, T. Yusupov, Sh.M. Musaev, A.G. Grinevich, E.T. Dikasova, P.T. Malakhova, and many others have made a significant contribution to shaping the current profile of the Institute.

At present, the main objectives of the Institute are:

• To study the diversity of the microbial world;

• To investigate the ecology, systematics, biology, physiology, cytology, and genetics of bacteria, actinomycetes, and fungi;

• To establish a regional collection and maintain practically valuable microbial cultures, enabling the development of environmentally friendly biotechnologies;

• To study the physiology and biochemistry of microorganisms, their biosynthesis of enzymes, proteins, vitamins, and antibiotics, and to develop new technologies based on these processes for producing physiologically active substances and super-producer strains;

• To address environmental protection issues through the study of microbial degradation of cyanides and other toxic chemicals;

• To further investigate the production of feed and food protein, including the bioconversion of plant waste to produce high-protein feed.

The Institute is equipped with modern scientific instruments and equipment and has specialized laboratories where highly qualified specialists ensure the effective operation of core divisions, obtaining information using advanced physicochemical methods, personal computers, and other modern technologies.