Burgas is taking a new step towards establishing itself as a scientific and innovation center with the construction of a Genome Center at Burgas State University “Prof. Dr. Asen Zlatarov”. The new bioinformatics laboratory is expected to start operating later this year, with the team aiming to have it fully operational by mid-2026. Its creation will provide modern conditions for conducting complex genomic and bioinformatic research, which is crucial for the development of personalized medicine, biotechnology, and food safety.
The rector of the university, Prof. Sotir Sotirov, points out that the initiative began about six years ago when, together with partners from Sofia University, the Technical University of Sofia, and the universities of Ruse and Shumen, a project was won to create a center of excellence. Several laboratories have been built during the first phase, including a prototype laboratory, an embedded systems laboratory, and an artificial intelligence laboratory. According to him, the new bioinformatics laboratory is a natural continuation of this work and enables the accumulated knowledge in the field of artificial intelligence to be applied in real-life applications related to human health.
Project leader Prof. Stanislav Simeonov notes that the team has already gained experience through its work in a biosensor and bioinformation processing laboratory. He emphasizes that the university has significant computing resources, second in Bulgaria in terms of computing power, which allows for the processing of large volumes of genomic data and creates conditions for the development of research in the field of sequencing and analysis of biological information.
One of the main goals of the future laboratory is to support medical institutions in the region. According to Prof. Simeonov, many hospitals currently use external laboratories for genomic testing, which are expensive and difficult to access for some patients. The new center aims to create conditions for these studies to be conducted locally, which will facilitate the work of leading medical institutions in Burgas and the region and enable the expansion of activities to other parts of the country.
Currently, the procedure for delivering the equipment and preparing the premises, which must meet specific requirements, is underway. The team expects the laboratory to start operating within a few months after the completion of the preparatory activities.
The future head of the Genome Center will be Assoc. Prof. Katya Gabrovska. She emphasizes that the laboratory will have equipment that is unique in the country, which will enable highly specialized research to be carried out. These include analyses supporting cancer diagnosis and tumor profiling for targeted therapy, chromosomal screening in invitro procedures, and diagnosis of rare hereditary diseases. She believes that this will enable both medical facilities in the region and throughout the country to be served.
Prof. Sotirov adds that, in addition to the practical benefits for healthcare, the center will also play a significant scientific role, as the data collected will enable more in-depth research into health trends and diseases among the population in the region, which is essential for future scientific developments and policies in the field of public health.