History

The Department of Microbiology (the first name of the Department) was founded in 1959. The first head of the Department was Professor Gelberg Samuel Iosifovich, the founder of the scientific school whose scientific research was concentrated on the mycobacteria – the pathogens causing tuberculosis.

In 2000 the Department of Microbiology, Virology and Immunology was named after Gelberg S.I. to commemorate the achievements of this prominent scientist.

Main research fields developed at the Department were microbiological diagnostics of tuberculosis, immunology and specific prophylaxis of tuberculosis, as well as mycobacteriophages – the last field was main area of research of Professor Kosobutski Leonid Antonovich who was the head of the Department in 1973-1978.

Starting from 1998 until June 2020, the Department was headed by associate professor A.I. Zhmakin. Research study carried out under his leadership included the circadian rhythms in microorganisms, intestinal dysbiosis, the interaction of bacterial populations within the same habitat, as well as the study of immunological changes typical for dysbiotic infringements. 

From September 1999 until the end of 2004, the Department was involved into International collaboration with the Glycobiology Institute of Oxford University and with the Bialystok Medical Academy and took part in several International programs supported by International foundations (e.g., the British Royal Society, the European Molecular Biological Society and INTAS-grant). The visits of leading scientists from the Oxford University, Dr. Tony Merry, a member of the Royal Society of Chemists, and Professor Pauline Rudd were regularly arranged, who came to Grodno and gave the lectures at the GrSMU.  

From June 2020 to the present, the Department is headed by Professor Sheibak Vladimir Mikhailovich. Significant scientific progress has been achieved under his leadership in study of the role of free amino acid metabolism disorders in the development of pathological processes, and of the approaches to correction and prevention of metabolic changes using drugs based on free amino acids and zinc. Currently under the supervision of V.M. Sheibak the staff of the Department successfully completed the research work "Development of methods for the prevention of amino acid imbalance in the cells of the immune system when lead is injected into the body of animals”. The title of the new topic of research work planned at the Department is “The effect of individual amino acids and their complexes with microelements on the gut-liver axis”.