Еxpert laboratory for complex immunological analyzes

The newly equipped expert laboratory for complex immunological analyzes at the cellular, molecular and genetic level is focused in three main areas:

• immunopathology of chronic infections
• biomarkers of immune aging
• methods for non-invasive assessment of mucosal immunity

To this end, a complex approach is used including latest generation techniques such as: 21-parameter flow cytometry analysis with possibility of cell sorting; multiplex quantitative analysis of soluble mediators (cytokines and chemokines) and gene expression (mRNA), Luminex technology; a multifunctional platform for the measurement of soluble analytes by luminescence, spectrophotometry, time-delayed fluorescence and fluorescence polarization, as well as short-term cell cultivation for functional assay purposes.

Among the research projects, currently developed by the department’s team together with other Bulgarian and foreign teams, are:

• Immunological recovery in HIV+ART+ patients with undetectable HIV viral load
• Chronic fatigue syndrome and post-COVID syndrome – mechanisms and intersections
• Markers of protective immune response in protozoan and helminthic invasions
• Characterization of human blood plasma products - immunoprophylactic and immunotherapeutic potential
• Molecular mechanisms of signal transduction in IgE-mediated mastocytes activation
• Development of an innovative therapeutic vaccine against tuberculosis infection, together with a team from INSERM U and the Vaccine Research Institute – France

The Immunology Department team offers design and overall implementation of experiments and clinical studies related to the characterization and modulation of the immune response, as well as group and individual trainings in various aspects of analytical cytometry for advanced students and beginners.