The Invisible Guardians

75 Years of Microbial Marvels at Ukraine's Zabolotny Institute

How a Kyiv laboratory became the fortress protecting nature's tiniest allies

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Introduction Stages of Discovery Oil-Slime Experiment Scientist's Toolkit Conclusion

Introduction: The Microbial Library of Alexandria

In the heart of Kyiv lies a vault more precious than gold—a living library where 5,600 microbial "librarians" work silently in frozen slumber. Founded in 1928 by visionary scientist Danylo Zabolotny, the D.K. Zabolotny Institute of Microbiology and Virology celebrates its 75th anniversary as Ukraine's sentinel of microbial science . This institute safeguards something irreplaceable: the Ukrainian Collection of Microorganisms (UCM)—a treasury of microscopic life declared a National Asset of Ukraine whose loss would cripple science itself . From devouring oil spills to fighting infections, these unseen organisms hold keys to humanity's greatest challenges.

Microbiology lab
The Living Collection

5,600 microbial strains preserved at -196°C in liquid nitrogen vaults.

Danylo Zabolotny
Danylo Zabolotny

Founder of the institute and pioneer in plague and cholera research.

Stages of the Great Path: Three Epochs of Discovery

The Foundation Era (1928-1940s)

Danylo Zabolotny, a pioneer in plague and cholera research, established Ukraine's first dedicated microbiology hub. His radical vision: preserve non-pathogenic microbes as biological wealth. Early scientists traversed Ukraine's diverse ecosystems—Black Sea depths, Carpathian soil, and Danube estuaries—to build the UCM's founding collection. Despite wartime destruction, the microbial "backup" survived in hidden locations.

The Biotech Renaissance (1950s-1990s)

The Cold War ignited a race for microbial solutions. Institute researchers:

  • Isolated antibiotic-producing actinobacteria from Chernobyl's exclusion zone
  • Engineered pollutant-eating bacteria for Soviet industrial complexes
  • Cataloged 300+ Type Strains (microbial "reference books") for global science

In 1999, the Cabinet of Ministers declared the UCM a national treasure—Ukraine's answer to the Smithsonian .

The Genomic Age (2000s-Present)

Modern genomics revealed hidden powers in the collection:

  • Probiotics that outcompete pathogens
  • Antioxidant factories from Arctic yeast
  • Plastic-degrading bacteria from shipwrecks

Today, under Academician Mykola Spivak's leadership, the Institute bridges classical microbiology and AI-driven discovery 1 .

UCM's Microbial Diversity Reservoir
Taxonomic Group Strains Preserved Unique Assets
Bacteria 3,500+ Oil-degraders, probiotics
Fungi 1,100+ Antibiotic producers
Yeasts 1,000+ Antioxidant secretors

Source: Ukrainian Collection of Microorganisms

Experiment Spotlight: The Oil-Slime Assassin Strain

The Problem

When tankers spill oil, toxic sludge chokes marine life. Chemical dispersants often worsen ecosystems. Solution? Find microbes that eat contamination.

Methodology: Hunting the Hungry Microbe
  1. Sample Collection: Retrieve oil-contaminated soil from Odessa's industrial port
  2. Enrichment Culture: Grow samples in crude oil-infused broth
  3. Strain Isolation: Plate cultures on agar
  4. Bioreactor Testing: Scale top candidates
Degradation Efficiency Comparison
Strain 72h Sludge Reduction Toxin Neutralization
P. taiwanensis UCM B-150 94% 99% PAHs*
Industry Standard Strain 65% 78% PAHs

*Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (carcinogens)

Impact

This UCM strain became the core of "Biolavin"—Ukraine's leading bioremediation biopreparation now used in 12 countries.

The Scientist's Toolkit: Guardians of Microbial Immortality

Microbial preservation
Preservation Techniques

Advanced methods to maintain microbial viability for decades.

Laboratory equipment
Research Equipment

State-of-the-art tools for microbial analysis and preservation.

Essential Reagents in the UCM Preservation Arsenal
Reagent/Material Function Preservation Insight
Glycerol-Lysozyme Mix Cell wall stabilizer Prevents ice crystal damage during freezing
Cryobeads™ Porous ceramic carriers Allows instant thawing without viability loss
Modified PYGM Broth Resurrects "unculturable" microbes Mimics natural habitat chemistry
Liquid Nitrogen Vaults -196°C storage Halts microbial metabolism completely

Developed through 40+ years of UCM research

Conclusion: The Next Microbial Frontier

Carbon Capture

Engineering marine bacteria to capture carbon 20x faster than trees

Probiotic Consortia

Designing probiotics that prevent post-antibiotic infections

Digital Specimens

Digitizing specimens in the Global Microbe Directory (UCM #1203)

"The UCM isn't a museum. It's a time machine—preserving life that may solve tomorrow's crises."

Dr. Lydmila Lazarenko

For visitors, the vaults may look like rows of frozen vials. But peer closer: here lies a galaxy of silent, ancient, indispensable life—guarded by Kyiv's unsung science heroes 1 .

Contact the Institute:

154 Akademika Zabolotnoh St., Kyiv

secretar@imv.org.ua

+38 (044) 526-1179

References