Laboratory of Virology and Immunology

Activity of the laboratory includes scientific research for human health and veterinary. The lab is working on study a humoral immunity status and protective immunoglobulins (IgA, IgG, IgM) for viral, bacterial and mixed infection. Correlation analysis of some representatives of the family of Herpes virus with other agents of non-viral ethology is one of the topics of the laboratory research.
Immune reactions of organisms in the process of therapeutic bacteriophage application, in particular, determination of non-specific and specific indicators of immunity are studied.
The groups is working on development of therapeutic-preventive immune-biological preparations (vaccines, sera).

Laboratory Personnel:

Sergo Rigvava, PhD – Head of the Laboratory Email:   (s.rigvava@pha.ge)
Nana Topuria, PhD – Leading scientist Email:   (n.topuria@pha.ge)
Dali Gogiashvili, PhD – Senior scientist Email:   (d.gogiashvili@pha.ge)
Helen Akhalaia, PhD – Junior scientist
Nana Sabauri – Senior lab technician
Lia Gubeladze – Lab technician

Participation in Scientific Grant Projects:

2019–2021 Project SRNSF AR-18-306: “ Development of polyclonal immunoglobulins for treatment of complicated staphylococcal infections”
2013-2016, FP7 “Anthrax environmental decontamination network” (PI: M. Kutateladze).
2013-2015, DTRA/CRDF, “Characterization of the mechanisms of adaptive phage-host coevolution using next generation sequencing and phenotypic profiling” (PI: M. Kutateladze)
2011-2013, STCU and French Defence Agency P486 “Application of bacteriophages against highly pathogenesis bacteria in model studies” (PI: M Tediashvili).

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2009-2012, ID: GG-18, “Ecology, genetic clustering and virulence of major bacterial and viral pathogens in the Republic of Georgia” (PI: M. Kutateladze).2007-2009, ISTC G-416 “Elaboration of an improved technology for obtaining anti-Anthrax polyclonal immunoglobulin” (PI: D. Gogiashvili).
2008, “Tbilisi Water” Ltd, Indication of viruses and bacteria causing intestinal infections in Tbilisi water supply system and epidemiological analysis (PI: N. Topuria).
2006-2007, CRDF GB2-2497-TB-03 “Selection of bacteriophages related to B.anthracis: Elaboration of the Phage Amplification Assay for rapid detection of bacteria in contaminated materials” (PI: S. Rigvava).
2005-2006, ISTC G416.2 “Elaboration of an improved technology for obtaining anti-Anthrax polyclonal immunoglobulin” (PI: D. Gogiashvili).
2002-2004, INTAS 0725, “An epidemiological study of outbreaks of B. anthracis in Georgia” (PI: S. Rigvava). GEB 25049 TB-05, Development and testing effectiveness of a phage preparation for the treatment of canine otitis caused by Pseudomonas aeruginosa (PI. N.Tophuria).

List of Selected Publications:

Gubeladze L,Gogiashvili D, Rigvava S, Natidze M, et al. The Isolation of Bacteriophages Lytic to B.anthracis from Environmental sources in Georgia, 3rd report: B.anthracis-specific phages isolated in 2012 in Georgia. Intern. J.of Current Research, 2018, vol.4, Issue 5, p.1-4. DOI:10:29941.2018.
N. Topuria-Nakaidze, I. Giorgadze, N. Odishelodze, N. Sabauri, E. Akhalaia L. Tkemaladze, T. Katukia – “Correlation analyses between Herpes Simplex Virus and other pathogens causing infections in females of reproductive age”, Experimental & Clinical Medicine, 2017, #4, p. 61-65.
S. Rigvava, L. Gubeladze, N. Vardzelashvili, D. Gogiashvili, M. Natidze – “Serological express diagnostics of bacterial sepsis”, Ninth International Symposium “New Steps in Critical Care Medicine”, Georgian Critical Care Medicine, #37, 18. http://CCCMJ.ge.
L. Gubeladze, D. Gogiashvili, S. Rigvava, M. Natidze, T. Kokashvili, G. Tsertsvadze, M. Tediashvili – “Comparative biological characterization of phages specific to B.anthracis isolated from environmental sources in Georgia”, Communication 1. B. anthracis –specific phages isolated in Georgia in 2008-2009, Journal of Experimental and Clinical Medicine, 2017, #3, 123–129.
L. Gubeladze, D. Gogiashvili, S. Rigvava, M. Natidze, G. Kamkamidze, G. Tsertsvadze, M. Tediashvili – “Comparative biological characterization of phages specific to B.anthracis isolated from environmental sources in Georgia”, 2ndreport. B anthracis specific phages isolated in Georgia in 2010-2011, The Black Sea, Scientific Journal of Academic Research, 2017, volume 37. p. 68-70.
Z. Kheladze, S. Rigvava, M. Danielov, S. Makharashvili, N. Chubinidze – “Immunosorbtion – new methods for treatments of Sepsis”, New Steps in Critical Care Medicine 2017, Georgian Critical Care Medicine, #37, 23. http://CCCMJ
M. Natidze, S. Rigvava – “Antibiotic sensitivity of Anthrax vaccine strains and some species belonging to the genus Bacillus”, Experimental & Clinical Medicine, 2017, #4, pp. 81–84.

PATENTS:

Giorgadze, T. Gabisonia, N. Topuria-Nakaidze, L. Tkemaladze. FERSISI bacteriophage. Trade mark. National Intellectual Property Center of Georgia “Saqpatenti”. 94348/35, 2017.
Giorgadze, T. Gabisonia, N. Topuria-Nakaidze, L. Tkemaladze. SES bacteriophage. Trade mark. National Intellectual Property Center of Georgia “Saqpatenti”. 94350/3, 2017.
Giorgadze, T. Gabisonia, N. Topuria-Nakaidze, L. Tkemaladze. FERSISI bacteriophage. Trade mark. National Intellectual Property Center of Georgia “Saqpatenti”. 94349/3, 2017.
Giorgadze, N. Topuria-Nakaidze, L. Tkemaladze. Technique for preparing bacteriophage suppositories. National Intellectual Property Center of Georgia “Saqpatenti”. 14532/2, AU 201714532, 2017.
Giorgadze, N. Topuria-Nakaidze, L. Tkemaladze. Technique for preparing bacteriophage ointment. National Intellectual Property Center of Georgia “Saqpatenti”. 14531/2, AU 201714531, 2017.
Giorgadze, T. Gabisonia, N. Topuria-Nakaidze, L. Tkemaladze. Technique for preparing bacteriophage “FERSISI”. National Intellectual Property Center of Georgia “Saqpatenti”. 14534/2, AU 201714534, 2017.
Georgadze, T. Gabisonia, N. Topuria-Nakaidze, L. Tkemaladze. Technique for preparing bacteriophage “ENKO”. National Intellectual Property Center of Georgia “Saqpatenti”. 14533/2, AU 201714533, 2017.
Georgadze, T. Gabisonia, N. Topuria-Nakaidze, L. Tkemaladze. Technique for preparing bacteriophage “SES”. National Intellectual Property Center of Georgia “Saqpatenti”. 14535/2, AU 201714535, 2017.