DEPARTMENT OF VIROLOGY

 

 

Head: Assoc. Prof. Ivanka Nikolova, PhD
Tel.: +359 2 979 31 09
E-mail: inikolova@microbio.bas.bg

SEMINARS:

 

NATIONAL SEMINAR OF GENERAL VIROLOGY

President: Assoc. Prof. Ivanka Nikolova, PhD
Tel.: +359 2 979 31 09
E-mail: inikolova@microbio.bas.bg

Vice president: Assis. prof. Petar Grozdanov, PhD
Тел.: +359 2 979 31 09
E-mail: grozdanov@microbio.bas.bg

Secretary: Assis. prof. Lora Simeonova, PhD
E-mail: losimeonova@gmail.com
Tel.:  +359 2 979 3194

 

LABORATORIES:

 

EXPERIMENTAL CHEMOTHERAPY OF ENTEROVIRAL INFECTIONS

Head: Assoc. Prof. Ivanka Nikolova, PhD
Tel.: +359 2 979 31 09
E-mail: inikolova@microbio.bas.bg

EXPERIMENTAL CHEMOTHERAPY OF INFLUENZA

Responsible head: Assist. Prof. Lora Simeonova, PhD
Tel.: +359 2 979 31 94
E-mail: losimeonova@gmail.com

DNA VIRUSES AND ONCOLYTIC VIRUSES

Head: Assoc. Prof. Neli Vilhelmova, PhD
Tel.: +359 2 979 31 86
E-mail: nelivili@gmail.com

BIOLOGICAL RESPONSE MODIFIERS AND PATHOGENESIS OF VIRAL INFECTIONS

Head: Prof. Milka Mileva, PhD
Tel.: +359 2 979 31 85
E-mail: milkamileva@gmail.com

 

CURRENT RESEARCH TOPICS:

 

• Experimental chemotherapy of viral infections: Wide-scope screening for antiviral activity of substances product of chemical synthesis and natural products.  Main antiviral models (enteroviruses, influenza viruses, toga- and flaviviruses (bovinе viral diarrhea virus, respiratory syncytial virus, human adenoviruses, herpesviruses, vaccinia virus) Development of new antivirals. Chemical structure – antiviral activity relationship. Combinations effects.  Mechanism of action. Drug resistance (phenotypic and genotypic characteristics of drug-resistant mutants). Animal models of enteroviral infection and influenza virus infections.

• Biological response modifiers (BRM) as antivirals: antioxidants, immunomodulators, interferon inducers; combination effects of antivirals and BRM.

• Virucidal microbicides: development of hand and space disinfectants.

• Oncolytic viruses: parvovirus H-1 – characteristics.

• Human papillomaviruses: role in cervical cancer and other neoplasma localisations; molecular genetic epidemiology.

• Balkan endemic nephropathy: role of viruses in pathogenesis.

 

PROJECTS:

 

Current

• New derivatives of 2-cyano-4-nitrobenzene and analogues with promising antiviral activity (2019-2022), Bulgarian Science Fund
  PI: Assoc. Prof. Georgi Dobrikov – Institute of Organic Chemistry,
  BAS. Team from SAIM: Laboratory of Experimental Chemotherapy of Enteroviral Infections.

• Biological activities of Bulgarian rose oils and approach to waste valorisation resulting from their production (2019-2022), Bulgarian Science Fund
  PI: Assoc. prof. Milka Mileva, PhD

• Novel biological approaches for limiting infectious pathology in fish relevant to aquaculture through probiotics and their post-metabolites (2019-2022), Bulgarian Science Fund
  PI: Assist Prof. George Atanassov,  PhD – Institute of Biodiversity and Ecosystem Research, BAS.
  Team from SAIM: Prof. Svetla Danova, PhD student Lili Dobreva, Dr. Neli Vilhelmova and Dr. Lora Simeonova. 

• Activity of combinations of enteroviral inhibitors with clarified mechanism of action and small RNA against enteroviruses
  PI: Associate Prof. Maria Stoyanova, PhD,  Team-leader for The Stephan Angeloff Institute of Microbiology – Prof. Angel S. Galabov

• Sirtuins (SIRT) – novel targets for selective epigenetic fine-tuning of joint inflammatory pathology during influenza viral infection
  PI: Associate Prof. Petya Dimitrova, PhD, Team-leader for Department of Virology- Assist.Prof. Lora Simeonova, PhD

Finished

• Project for young scientists: “Highly Efficient Chemotherapy of Coxackievirus B3 Infections” (2015-2017); Project leader – Adelina Stoyanova; Sponsored under the program “Supporting Young Scientists and PhD Students” 2016, at the Bulgarian Academy of Sciences

• Project for young scientists: “Study of the combined effect of oseltamivir and S-adenosyl-L-methionine (SAM) on oxidative damage in experimental influenza infection” (2015-2017), Project leader – Adriana Dimitrova, sponsored under the program “Supporting young scientists and PhD students 2016, at the Bulgarian Academy of Sciences

•  Project  DFNI B02 / 11: “Synthesis and anti-enteroviral activity of novel diaryl ethers and their complexes with cyclodextrins” (2014-2017); Project leader – Acad. Dr. Angel S. Galabov, PhD; Sponsored by the Science Fund; Collaborator “Institute of Organic Chemistry with a Center for Phytochemistry” at the Bulgarian Academy of Sciences

• Project DFNI B01-13: “New Approach to High Efficacy Chemotherapy of Enterovirus Infections” (2012-2017); Project leader – Acad. Dr. Angel S. Galabov, PhD; Sponsored by the Science Fund.

• Project DFNI B01-19: “A modern alternative for the prophylaxis and treatment of influenza virus infection – multitarget approaches with highly efficient combination of antiviral chemotherapeutics and biologically active compounds” (2012-2017); Project leader – Assist. Prof. Lora Simeonova, PhD; Sponsored by the Science Fund.

• Project: "Balkan endemic nephropathy", Project leader – Acad. Dr. Angel S. Galabov, at the Serbian Academy of Sciences and Arts (Interacademic project BAS – SASA)

• Project: “Balkan endemic nephropathy” Project leader – Acad. Dr. Angel S. Galabov, at the Macedonian Academy of Sciences and Arts (Complex program of scientific collaboration BAS – MANU).

• Project: “Genetic profile of the population in Bulgarian lands during the Thracian period: new perspectives in Bulgarian history” Project leader – Acad. Dr. Angel S. Galabov, sponsored by BAS.

 

PERSONAL PROFESSIONAL QUALIFICATIONS GRANTS:

 

• Associate Professor Milka Mileva, PhD:
  Specialization at National Institute for Quantum and Radiological Sciences and Technology, Tokyo, Japan (October-November, 2016)

• Assistant Professor Lora Simeonova, PhD
  Specialization  (June-July, 2014) “Influenza Viruses And Host Cell Signaling Pathways – Novel Targets For Antiviral Therapy” Institute Of Molecular Virology, Munster, GermanySupervisor: Prof. Stephan LudwigGrant: Project №BG051РО001/3.3-05-0001 Operational program „Development of human resources “, Project „Science-Business”, Ministry of Education and Science, Bulgaria
  Research fellowship (3 months, 2010) „Molecular Detection of Genetic Markers of Resistance of Influenza Viruses to Neuraminidase Inhibitors and Adamantanes“– France, Institut Pasteur Paris, Centre National de Référence du Virus Influenzae (Région France Nord). Supervisor: Prof. Sylvie van der WerfGrant- FEMS (Federation of European Microbiology Societies)

 

ACHIEVEMENTS:

 

• Organization of the 23rd International Conference on Antiviral Research, Sofia, May 2011.

• Preparing and editing of the monograph “Balkan Endemic Nephropathy: a Comprehensive View“ (Sofia 2016)

• Development of novel method for treatment of enteroviral infections: consecutive alternating administration (CAA) treatment course of triple combination of enteroviral inhibitors

• Development the highly effective antiviral microbicide Manorapid Synergy (cooperation with Antiseptica Ltd., Düsseldorf, Germany)

• Characteristic of the virolytic effect of parvovirus H-1 (collaboration with German Center for Cancer Research, Heidelberg, Germany)

• Establishment of synergistic combination effect of oseltamivir and a-tocopherol against influenza virus A(H3N2) infection

• Clearing-up of the mechanism of effectivity of the triple combination according to CAA treatment scheme in enteroviral combination

• Clearing-up the mechanism of drug-resistance of disoxaril at enteroviral in vivo infection

• Discovery of elagitanines as highly effective inhibitors of herpes simplex virus and establishment of their effects on acyclovir-resistant mutants of HSV

• Molecular genetic characteristics of the role of papillomavirus spectrum in the etiology of cervical cancer and pre-cancer states in Bulgarian women 

• Characteristics of antiviral effects of Esberitox N, a triple mixed herbal extract

• Clearing-up of the mechanism of action of oxoglaucine and MDL-860 on enterovirus replication (collaboration with National Institute of Infectious Diseases, Tokyo, Japan

• Characteristics of effect of siRNAs against enterovirus replication

 

AWARDS:

 

• Assist. Prof. Adelina Stoyanova:  Prize of the Foundation “Acad. Prof. Dr Stephan Angeloff” for the best publication of young Bulgarian scientist in the domain of microbiology (2015)

• Acad. Prof. Angel S. Galabov:   Awarded by the Bulgarian Academy of Sciences by the Sign of Honor “Marin Drinov” (2015)

• Acad. Prof. Angel S. Galabov:  Honorary medal of the Stephan Angeloff Intitute of Microbiology (2014)

 

PUBLICATONS:

 

• Vilhelmova, N, Simeonova, L., Nikolova, N, . Pavlova, E, Gospodinova, Z., Antov, G., Galabov, A.S,   Nikolova, I. Antiviral, cytotoxic and antioxidant effects of Tanacetum vulgare L. crude extract in vitro, Folia Mеdica, 2020, in press

• Grozdanov, P., Joffret, M.-L., Stoyanova, A., Polston, P., Achouri, E., Nikolova, I., Delpeyroux, F., Galabov, A.S. Genome analysis of coxsackievirus B1 isolates during the consecutive alternating administration course of triple antiviral combination in newborn mice,  Antiviral Chemistry and Chemotherapy,2020, 28, 2040206620906061

• Vilhelmova-Ilieva N., Galabov AS, Mileva M. Tannins as Antiviral Agents. In Tannins-Structural Properties, Biological Properties and Current Knowledge. IntechOpen, 2019

• Nikolova, I., Slavchev, I., Ravutsov, M., (…), Galabov, A.S., Dobrikov, G.M. Anti-enteroviral activity of new MDL-860 analogues: Synthesis, in vitro/in vivo studies and QSAR analysis, 2019, Bioorganic Chemistry.85, 487-497

• Pavlova, E., Simeonova, L, Serkedjieva, J. Antioxidant activities of Geranium sanguineum L. polyphenolic extract in chemiluminescent model systems. Inorganic Chemistry Communications, 2019, 108, 107518

• Grozdanov, P., Simeonova, L., Nikolova, I., Galabov, A. S. Detection of oral human papilloma viruses (HPV). Microbiology for a Better Health and Industry (70th Years Jubilee of the Stephan Angeloff Institute of Microbiology, BAS) (H. Najdenski, Ed.), 2017,194-198.

• Galabov, A. S., Vassileva, V., Karabasheva, V. Inhibitory effect of abitylguanide on adenovirus replication. Drug Res., 2017, 67(10):583-590.

• Angelova, A. L., Witzens-Harig, M., Galabov, A. S., Rommelaere, J. The oncolytic virotherapy era in cancer management: prospects of applying H-1 parvovirus to treat blood and solid cancers. – Frontiers in Oncology, 2017, https://doi.org/10.3389/fonc.2017.00093.

• Tchernuk, S., Cenac, N., Comte, M., Frouard, J., Errazuriz-Cerda, E., Galabov, A., Morange, P.-E., Vergnolle, N., Si-Tahar, M., Alessi, M.-C., Riteau, B. Formyl peptide receptor 2 promotes influenza A virus replication and contributes to viral pathogenesis. J. Inf. Dis., 2016, doi: 10.1093/infdis/jiw127.

• Galabov, A. S., Mileva, M., Simeonova, L., Gegova, G. Combination activity of neuraminidase inhibitor oseltamivir and α-tocopherol in influenza virus A(H3N2) infection  in mice. Antivir. Chem. Chemother., 2016, doi: 10.1177/20402066516656283

• Pavlova, E, Simeonova, L., Zografov, N. Comparative study on the antioxidant capacities of synthetic influenza inhibitors and ellagic acid in model systems. Biomedicine & Pharmacotherapy, 83, 2016, Elsevier Masson SAS, ISSN:0753-3322, 755-762.

• Stoyanova, A., Nikolova, I., Pürstinger, G., Dobrikov, G., Dimitrov, V., Philipov, S., Galabov, A. S. Anti-enteroviral triple combination of viral replication inhibitors: activity on Coxsackievirus B1 induced neuroinfection in mice. Antivir. Chem. Chemother., 2016, doi. 10.1177/2040206616671571.

• Grozdanov, P., Hadzhidekova, S., Dimova, I., Nikolova, I., Toncheva, D., Ganchev, G., Zlatkov, V., Galabov, A. S. Characterization of genomic changes in the cervical pre-cancerous lesions and tumors, induced by different types of human papillomaviruses”.Virus Diseases 27 (3), 2016, 271-276.

• Remichkova, M., Mukova, L., Nikolaeva-Glomb, L., Nikolova, N., Doumanova, L.,

• Mantareva, V., Angelov, I., Kussovski, V., Galabov, A. S. Virus inactivation under the photodynamic effect of  phthalocyanine zinc(II) complexes.- Zeitschr. Naturforsch. C, 2016, doi: 10.15.15/znc-2016-0119.

• Vassileva-Pencheva, R., Galabov,A. S. Effectiveness of the consecutive alternative administration course of a triple antiviral combination in Coxsakievirus B3 infections in mice. Drug Research,2016, doi10.1055/s-0042-112970.

• Galabov, A. S. Role of viruses in the etiology and pathogenesis. – In: Balkan Endemic Nephropathy / A Comprehensive View (V. Stefanovic et al., Eds), Sofia, Press Product Line, 2016, 105-130.

• Nesheva, D. V., Karachanak-Yankova, S., Lari, M., Yordanov,Y., Galabov, A., Caramelli, D., Toncheva, D. Мitochondrial DNA suggests a Western Eurasian origin for  Ancient (Proto-) Bulgarians. Human Biology 87(1), 2015, 19-28.

• Arita, M., Philipov, S., Galabov, A. S. Phosphatidylinositol 4-kinase III beta is the target of oxoglaucine and pachydipol (Ro 09-0179) for their anti-poliovirus activity, and locates at upstream of the target step of brefeldin A in poliovirus replication. Microbiol. Immunol. 59, 2015, 338-347.

• Gesheva, V., Chausheva, S., Stefanova, N.,  Mihaylova, N.,  Doumanova, L., Idakieva, K., Tchorbanov, A.  Helix pomatia hemocyanin – a novel bio-adjuvant for viral and bacterial antigens. Int. Immunopharmacol. 26(1), 2015, 162-8.

• Stoyanova, A., Nikolova, I., Galabov, A. S. Effect of consecutive alternative administration (CAA) of a triple anti-enteroviral combination on Coxsackievirus B1 neuroinfection in mice. Antivir. Res. 121, 2015, 138-144.

• Galabov, A. S., Gesheva, V., Negoita, T. Viruses in Antarctic habitats: occurrence and ecological importance.  Acta Microbiologica Bulgarica 31, 2015, 12-20.

• Karachanak-Yankova, S., Nesheva D., Galabov, A. S., Toncheva, D. Distribution of East Eurasian Y-chromosome and mitochondrial DNA haplogroups across Eurasia: insights into the genetic ancestry of Bulgarians.  Adv. Anthropol. 5, 2015, 205-266.

• Bankova, V., Galabov, A. S., Antonova, D., Vilhelmova, N., Di Perri, B. Chemical composition of Propolis Extract ACF® and activity against herpes simplex virus.  Phytomedicine 21, 2014, 1432-1438.

• Gesheva V., Chausheva, S.,  Mihaylova, N.,  Manoylov, I.,  Doumanova, L., Idakieva, K.,  Tchorbanov, A. Anti-cancer properties of gastropodan hemocyanins in murine model of colon carcinoma. BMC Immunol, 2014, 15-34, DOI: 10.1186/s12865-014-0034-3.

• Grozdanov, P., Zlatkov, V., Ganchev, G., Karagyozov, I., Toncheva, D., Galabov, A. S. (2014): HPV prevalence and type distribution in women with normal and abnormal Pap smear diagnosis in Bulgaria. J. Med. Virology, 2014, 10.1002/jmv.24020.

• Mileva, M., Krumova, E., Miteva-Staleva, Zh., Kostadinova, N., Dobreva, A., Galabov, A. S. Chemical compounds, in vitro antioxidant and antifungal activities of some plant essential oils belong to Rosaceae family. C. r. Acad. bulg. Sci. 67, 2014, 1363-1368.

• Vilhelmova-Ilieva, N., Jacquet, R., Quideau, S., Galabov, A. S. Ellagitannins as synergists of ACV on the replication of ACV-resistant strains of HSV 1 and 2. Antivir. Res. 110, 2014, 104-114.

• Karachanak, S., Grugni, V., Nesheva, D., Al-Zahery, N., Battaglia, V., Nici, C. Carossa, V., Yordanov, Y., Torroni, A., Galabov, A. S., Toncheva, D., Semino O. Y-chromosome diversity in modern Bulgarians: new clues about their ancestry PLOS ONE 8/3 (March 2013): e56779, 2013.

• Muratov, E. N., Varlamova, E. V., Artemenko, A. G., Polishchuk, P. G., Nikolaeva-Glomb, L., Galabov, A. S., Kuzmin, V. E. QSAR analysis of poliovirus inhibition by dual combinations of antivirals. Structural Chemistry 24, 2013, 1665-1679.

• Raynova, Y.,  Doumanova, L., Idakieva, K.  Phenoloxidase activity of helix aspersa maxima (Garden Snail, Gastropod) Hemocyanin. Protein Journal, 32, 8, 2013, 609-618  DOI:10.1007/s10930-013-9523-0.

• Милка Милева, Йордан Пашов, Димитър Масларов, Ръководство по долекарска помощ. Изд. РИК „Искра-М-И” 2013, ISBN 978-619-7095-03-06

• Karachanak, S., Carossa, V., Nesheva, D., Olivieri, A., Pala, M., Kashani, B. H., Grugni, V., Battaglia, V., Achilli, A., Yordanov, Y., Galabov, A. S., Semino, O., Tonchev,a D., Torroni, A. Bulgarians vs the other European populations: a mitochondrial DNA perspective. Int. J. Legal Med. 126, 2012, 427-503.

• Galabov, A. S., Nikolaeva-Glomb, L., Nikolova, I., Vassileva-Pencheva, R. Perspectives for effective chemotherapy of enterovirus infections. – In: New Trends of Microbiology (65th Anniversary of the Stephan Angeloff Institute of Microbiology (H. Najdenski, M. Angelova, S. Stoitsova, eds.). The Stephan Angeloff Institute of Microbiology, Bulgarian Academy of Sciences, 2012, 47-81.

• Simeonova, L., Gegova, G., Galabov, A. S. Prophylactic and therapeutic combination effects of rimantadine and oseltamivir against influenza virus A (H3N2) infection in mice. Antiviral Res. 95, 2012, 172-181.

• Petrov, N., Galabov, A. Conserved regions from Coxsackievirus genome as targets for gene silencing (RNAi).  Science & Technologies, Volume II, 1, Medicine, 2012, 32-36.

• Vilhelmova, N., Jacquet, R., Quideau , Stoyanova, A., Galabov, A. S. Three-dimentional analysis of combination effect of ellagitannins and acyclovir on herpes simplex virus type 1 and 2. Antiviral Research 89, 2011, 174-181.

• Nikolova, I., Petkova, R., Galabov, A. S., Chakarov, S., Atanasov, B. Disoxaril mutants of Coxsackievirus B1: phenotypic characteristics and analysis of the target VP1 gene.  Z. Naturforschung. 66c, 2011, 627-636.

• Grekova, S., Aprahamian, M., Daeffler, L., Leuchs, B., Angelova, A., Giese, T., Galabov, A., Heller, A., Giese, N., Rommelaere, J., Raykov, Z. Interferon-gamma improves the vaccination potential of oncolytic parvovirus H-1PV for the treatment of peritoneal carcinosis in pancreatic cancer. Cancer Biology & Therapy 12/10, 2011, 885-895.

• Petrov, N. M., Bamford, D. H., Galabov, A. S. Production of dsRNAs for induction of posttranscriptional gene silencing against Coxsackie virus B1 infection. Science & Technologies 1/1, 2011, 255-258.