New era for microbiology research in Moldova
Researchers at the Institute of Microbiology and Biotechnology (IMB) will now be working in modern conditions that are adapted to the current demands of science.
The institute's building, which was previously damaged by a fire that destroyed the roof, has been completely renovated and equipped with state-of-the-art technology designed to streamline and stimulate research and innovation. The IMB, part of the Technical University of Moldova (UTM), was established following the 2022 university reform.
The new two-story, 2,000-square-meter facility has been fully rehabilitated. It's equipped with modern laboratories, including one specifically designed for working with dampness in sterile conditions. In this controlled environment, microorganisms are cultured and then processed to obtain products—for example, in the medical field, such as extracts used in treatments.
"In the old building, we had a containment box, but it wasn't as high-performing. This one is a first for us. It has a UV lamp to sterilize the box. To obtain a pure culture of the microorganism, the box is completely sterilized before we begin the inoculation," said Oleg Chiseliță, a researcher.
Technological advancements have radically transformed the research environment, providing access to modern laboratories with cutting-edge equipment and much more favorable conditions for innovation.
"Previously, we didn't have separate microbiology rooms. These need to be in separate rooms, with bacteria in one and fungi in another," stated Tamara Sîrbu, a lab manager.
"Here we have flasks with soil, prepared for standardization through incubation before microbiological analyses. By measuring, we can determine the extent of microbiological activity in the given soil," explained Sergiu Cocimaru, a lab manager.
According to the institute's administration, this is just the beginning, with plans to launch other projects in the future to continue and expand this initiative.
"We have 11 ongoing projects with a larger budget and many projects that are already submitted and awaiting evaluation, which we hope will be successful. We are happy that we have reached this stage; we are optimistic," said Liliana Cepoi, the director of the IMB.
The total cost of the modernization is 11 million lei, with 8 million lei allocated by the Ministry of Education and Research. It is worth recalling that the fire at the Institute of Microbiology and Biotechnology took place in 2018, when a portion of the roof was engulfed in flames.
Translation by Iurie Tataru
