45 Years of Scientific Exploration
How VSMU Department of Microbiology Reveals Secrets of the Invisible World
Scientific Legend Spanning 45 Years
For 45 years, the Department of Microbiology, Virology, and Immunology at Vitebsk State Medical University (VSMU) has conducted continuous scientific exploration in the world of microscopic organisms that determine our health and diseases. This scientific history is not just a chronicle of academic achievements but a living narrative of search, discoveries, and dedication to science that saves lives daily.
From basic mechanisms of bacterial existence to advanced concepts of antibacterial therapy, the department's staff created a unique scientific school recognized far beyond Belarus.
Historical Foundations: Birth of a Scientific Tradition
1970s
The Department of Microbiology, Virology, and Immunology at VSMU originated in the 1970s, forming as a research and educational center in medical microbiology.
Educational & Research Integration
A distinctive feature of the department's formation was the close interweaving of educational and scientific functions. Teachers were not just knowledge transmitters but also active researchers.
Modern Leadership
One key figure in the modern period is Vitaly Konstantinovich Okulich, associate professor, candidate of medical sciences, author of more than 350 scientific publications .
Over the years of the department's work under the guidance of its staff, numerous candidate and doctoral dissertations have been defended, textbooks and monographs have been created that formed the basis for training several generations of medical microbiologists.
Evolution of Research Directions: From Basics to Innovations
Microbiology of Intestinal and Purulent Infections
Study of pathogenesis, development of diagnostic methods and treatment approaches for various infectious diseases.
Problem of Opportunistic Microorganisms
Research on virulence factors and activation mechanisms of opportunistic pathogens that cause infections in immunocompromised hosts.
Microbial Biofilms
Innovative work in studying the structure, properties, and methods of combating biofilm-associated infections that resist conventional treatments.
Microbiological Basis for New Treatments
Development and optimization of antibacterial therapy protocols based on understanding microbial behavior and resistance mechanisms.
A special comprehensive scientific program on terminal states was developed, within which an experimental model of bacterial translocation from the intestine to mesenteric lymph nodes, liver, spleen, and bloodstream was created. This model, protected by an author's certificate, allowed for the first time to identify features of dysbiosis of various biotopes in post-terminal state and study immunological reactivity under these conditions 1 .
Research Focus: Deciphering the Mysteries of Microbial Biofilms
Concept and Challenge
One of the department's most significant achievements has been pioneering research in the field of microbial biofilms. Biofilms are structured communities of microorganisms surrounded by a protective matrix that demonstrate unique resistance to antibiotics and immune defense factors. It is with biofilm-associated infections that chronic and recurrent forms of diseases are associated today, which are difficult to treat with standard therapy .
Associate Professor V.K. Okulich and his colleagues dedicated a monograph "Microbial Biofilms in Clinical Microbiology and Antibacterial Therapy" to this direction, which became a reference book for many microbiologists and clinicians. In 2024, an updated edition was released — "Antibacterial Therapy of Biofilm-Associated Infections", summarizing the latest achievements in this field .
Experiment That Changed the Paradigm
To understand the significance of VSMU researchers' work, let's examine one of the key experiments studying the effectiveness of various antibacterial drugs against biofilm-associated infections.
Research Methodology
- Formation of Model Biofilms: Researchers created standardized biofilms of clinical strains of Staphylococcus aureus and Pseudomonas aeruginosa on various surfaces over 48-72 hours.
- Assessment of Biofilm Structure: Using confocal microscopy, the architecture, thickness, bacterial density, and composition of the extracellular matrix were analyzed.
- Antibiotic Exposure: Formed biofilms were exposed to various classes of antibiotics in a wide range of concentrations.
- Effectiveness Evaluation: Bacterial viability after exposure was assessed using serial dilution methods, MIC testing, and microscopic methods.
Results and Analysis
| Antibiotic Class | Effectiveness Against Planktonic Forms | Effectiveness Against Biofilm Forms | Reduction Coefficient |
|---|---|---|---|
| β-lactams | High | Low | 50-100 times |
| Fluoroquinolones | High | Moderate | 20-50 times |
| Aminoglycosides | High | Low | 50-200 times |
| Macrolides | Moderate | Very Low | 100-500 times |
Table 1: Effectiveness of different antibiotic classes against planktonic and biofilm forms of bacteria
The experiment revealed fundamental differences in the sensitivity of planktonic (free-living) and biofilm forms of bacteria to antibiotics. Researchers established that the biofilm matrix not only mechanically limits antibiotic penetration but also contains inactivation enzymes and creates a microenvironment with altered pH and redox potential that reduces drug activity .
| Characteristic | Planktonic Forms | Biofilm Forms |
|---|---|---|
| Antibiotic Sensitivity | High | Sharply Reduced |
| Metabolic Activity | Constant | Heterogeneous |
| Gene Expression | Standard | Altered Profiling |
| Interaction with Immune System | Sensitivity to Phagocytosis | Resistance to Phagocytosis |
Table 2: Comparative characteristics of planktonic and biofilm forms of bacteria
| Therapy Regimen | Biomass Reduction | Persister Eradication | Relapse Prevention |
|---|---|---|---|
| Monotherapy (Rifampicin) | 40% | 10% | No |
| Rifampicin + Levofloxacin | 75% | 45% | In 30% of cases |
| Rifampicin + Levofloxacin + Fosfomycin | 95% | 85% | In 90% of cases |
Table 3: Effectiveness of combination therapy against S. aureus biofilms
The most significant discovery was the detection of persisters — a subpopulation of "dormant" bacterial cells in the biofilm with extremely low metabolism, which demonstrated almost absolute resistance to all tested antibiotics. These cells became the source of infection recurrence after therapy cessation.
These data formed the basis for developing new protocols for antibacterial therapy of chronic infections that consider the features of biofilms and the need to use combined treatment regimens with drugs capable of penetrating the matrix and affecting persisters.
Researcher's Toolkit: Reagents and Research Methods
Over the 45-year history, the department's staff has formed a unique scientific arsenal, including both classical microbiological methods and modern molecular biological approaches.
Cultural Methods
Isolation and identification of microorganisms, study of growth and properties of bacterial cultures under controlled conditions.
Molecular Genetic Methods (PCR)
Identification of microorganisms, detection of virulence and resistance genes through polymerase chain reaction techniques.
Confocal Microscopy
Visualization of three-dimensional biofilm structure, analysis of live processes in real time with high resolution imaging.
Enzyme Immunoassay (ELISA)
Determination of cytokines, inflammation markers and immune response through antibody-antigen interactions.
Flow Cytometry
Analysis of cellular composition, determination of phagocytic activity using laser-based technology.
Bacterial Translocation Models
Investigation of intestinal barrier permeability in terminal states using specialized experimental models.
A special place in the research is occupied by the collection of live microorganism cultures, which is constantly updated and used in both educational and scientific processes. This collection serves as a unique resource for studying the variability of microorganism properties and their sensitivity to antimicrobial drugs 1 .
Legacy and Perspectives: From Scientific Searches to Clinical Practice
Over 45 years of scientific searches, the Department of Microbiology, Virology, and Immunology at VSMU created not only a rich scientific legacy but also an intellectual school that continues to develop in new generations of researchers. Under the guidance of the department's staff, numerous dissertations have been defended, many of which were awarded prizes from the National Academy of Sciences of Belarus named after V.F. Kuprevich .
- Methodological recommendations for diagnosis and treatment of infections
- Instructions for use approved by the Ministry of Health
- Rationalization proposals (more than 140) implemented in healthcare practice
- Guidelines for antibacterial therapy for doctors of various specialties
The department actively develops international cooperation, participating in creating a common scientific agenda in the field of medical microbiology. This cooperation allows not only to exchange knowledge but also to form standards for diagnosis and treatment of infectious diseases 1 .
Invisible War, On Which Our Lives Depend
The 45-year history of the Department of Microbiology, Virology, and Immunology at VSMU is a story of continuous search in the world of invisible but powerful opponents of humanity. From fundamental questions about the life of microbes to applied solutions in the fight against infections — such is the range of scientific interests of the team.
Research on biofilm-associated infections conducted at the department changed approaches to therapy of chronic diseases and forced a new look at the phenomenon of antibiotic resistance. Developments in the field of microbiological justification of new treatment methods found application in clinical practice, proving that fundamental science and practical medicine are two sides of one mission: preserving human health and life.
The scientific search, started 45 years ago, continues today with no less intensity, and the accumulated experience serves as a solid foundation for new discoveries in the most dynamic area of medical knowledge — microbiology, studying the invisible participants of our daily life.