Founded on May 30, 1928.
The Institute is the major science center of systematics, physiology, biochemistry and genetics of microorganisms, biotechnology, ecology and general virology in Ukraine.
The Institute carries out its work along three main lines:
- studies of physiological&biochemical and genetic biodiversity and biosynthetic ability of microorganisms of various systematic groups;
- elaboration of scientific fundamentals for obtaining new biotechnological products and developing processes for industry, agriculture, medicine and preservation of the environment;
- studies of molecular biology and genetic organization of bacteriophagues, adenoviruses and plants viruses, their structural&functional interaction with living systems and the environment.
Traditionally the fundamental research of Institute's scientists becomes the basis for developing new biotechnologies for industry, agriculture, health protection and environment preservation.
The Institute has accumulated the Ukrainian Collection of Microorganisms, which is one of the largest in the world. At present it has over 20.000 strains of microorganisms, used for studies in molecular biology and biotechnology.
The Institute hosts the depositary of microorganisms that are non-pathogenic for humans and animals.
The Institute is authorized to carry out studies towards hygienic standardization and regulation of biological preparations based on microorganisms and viruses. It has two accredited laboratories: the experimental laboratory of fungal resistance and microbiological testing of medical ware and materials; laboratory for expert examination of biological properties of industrial microorganism strains, which are quality indices of bacterial preparations, products and probiotics. Since 1934 the Institute has published the "Mikrobiologichny Zhurnal" (Journal of Microbiology).