LABORATORY GENETICS OF PROBIOTIC BACTERIA

Head: Prof. Svetla Danova, DSc

Tel.: +359 2 979 31 65; +359 2 979 31 19

E-mail: stdanova@yahoo.com

 

 

 

 

 

STAFF:

Lili Dobreva, PhD student

Tel.: +359 2 979 31 65

E-mail: lili.ivailova@gmail.com

 

RESEARCH AREA:  

Isolation and characterization of lactic acid bacteria (LAB) from various ecological niches – fermented milk (yoghurt, cheeses, kale, cumin, kefir) and non-milk products (acid rye test yeasts, raw dried lucans) and other lactobacilli. 

Molecular-genetic studies of lactic acid bacteria: species identification with classical and modern molecular methods (PCR dactyloscopy, DNA hybridization methods, sequencing and phylogenetic analysis); Typing and genetic mapping of highly-discriminatory methods (RAPD-PCR, ARDRA, ribotyping, etc.) of new isolates and collection strains; plasmids, genes. Biological activity, probiotic potential and laboratory evaluation of technologically important properties of lactic acid bacteria. Molecular mechanisms of beneficial and healthy effects at LAB. Probiotic supplements for use in functional foods and in medicine.

 

PROJECTS:

Completed within the last 5 years:

  • 2012-2013 Project of the Thracian University on “Investigating the Effect of Lactobacillus Probiotics on Serum Indicators and Tissue Functions in the Development and Progression of Experimentally Induced Type 2 Diabetes in Rats”.
  • 2014-2015 “In vitro interaction of probiotics with antibiotics and effect on the expression of proteins with antimicrobial activity at mRNA level in chickens” Project of Thracian University.
  • 2012-2015 WBI-Brussels, Belgium -BAN Bi-lateral project with the University of Liege, Belgium on “Molecular analyzes of new approaches to monitoring the microflora of fermented foods”.

 

SELECTED PUBLICATIONS:
  • Учебник:  „Пробиотици» с автори: Нели Гергиева, Светла Данова, издател ХТМУ – София, 2013, стр.190; ISВN 978-954-465-071-1