The Scientific Infrastructure for Cell Technologies in Biomedicine (INFRAACT), is a distributed research infrastructure in the field of biomedicine, health, and quality of life, included in the Bulgarian National Roadmap for Research Infrastructure. The project is implemented within the framework of the National Roadmap for Research Infrastructure and is aimed at promoting translational research through the development of innovative cell-based products, analytical approaches, and experimental models in the field of human reproductive and regenerative biomedicine. The consortium includes Sofia University “St. Kliment Ohridski”, the Institute of Biology and Immunology of Reproduction “Acad. Kiril Bratanov” – Bulgarian Academy of Sciences, and the Institute of Biophysics and Biomedical Engineering – Bulgarian Academy of Sciences.
The coordinator for IBIR-BAS within SICTB (INFRAACT) is Corr. Member Prof. DSc Soren Hayrabedyan (shayrabedyan@ibir.bas.bg).
1. Goals and objectives of SICTB. Financial framework
The main objective of SICTB/INFRAACT is to establish and further develop a high-technology research environment for translational biomedicine through the implementation of advanced cell-based, omics, bioinformatics, and imaging technologies. Within the infrastructure, a set of mutually complementary platforms is being developed, including cell technologies, omics technologies, bioinformatics, cryoconservation, and imaging analysis. The project is funded by the Ministry of Education and Science of Bulgaria through the financial instruments of the National Roadmap for Research Infrastructure.
2. Funding of IBIR-BAS under the National Roadmap for Research Infrastructure
The Scientific Infrastructure for Cell Technologies in Biomedicine (SICTB), newly renamed INFRAACT, is funded under the National Roadmap for Research Infrastructure programme of the Ministry of Education and Science as a consortium project led by Sofia University “St. Kliment Ohridski”, with the participation of the Institute of Biology and Immunology of Reproduction “Acad. Kiril Bratanov” – BAS and the Institute of Biophysics and Biomedical Engineering – BAS, in accordance with financial agreements DO1-154/2018, DO1-275/2019, DO1-399/2020, DO1-308/2021, DO1-178/2022, DO1-361/2023, and DO1-105/277/2025.
3. Research platforms at IBIR-BAS, available equipment, and technological applications
Within SICTB, IBIR-BAS has developed integrated platforms for humanised microphysiological models based on organ-on-chip and bioprinted systems. These are combined with platforms for epigenomic and epitranscriptomic analyses using long-read nanopore sequencing, single-cell transcriptomics, gene and protein expression profiling, as well as real-time imaging through label-free super-resolution refractive index analysis and confocal microscopy.
The infrastructure at IBIR-BAS provides integrated services for:
- microphysiological models of diseases and physiological conditions, including ADME studies;
- genomic, transcriptomic, epigenomic, and single-cell analyses;
- development of three-dimensional bioprinted model systems for drug testing;
- large-scale imaging studies and downstream analysis using machine learning methods.
In terms of technological applications, IBIR-BAS is developing:
- long-read single-cell transcriptomics, enabling the analysis not only of gene activity but also of specific transcript isoforms;
- methods for the identification of novel DNA modifications with potential applications in oncology;
- approaches for the simultaneous detection of proteins and RNA in single cells;
- bioinformatics workflows for third-generation sequencing data processing and for the extraction of features from multimodal datasets.
Since 2024, IBIR-BAS has been the first scientific organisation in Bulgaria to establish and further develop platforms for single-cell transcriptomics, including technologies based on:
- established commercial solutions such as 10x Genomics;
- sorted cells or small groups of cells in plates;
- cells captured in nanowells;
- scalable approaches for the simultaneous profiling of very large numbers of cells.
The Laboratory of Reproductive OMICS Technologies at IBIR-BAS, which forms the basis of the SICTB platforms established at the Institute, maintains active collaboration with leading international companies in the fields of microfluidics and single-cell transcriptomics, and participates as a beta tester in the implementation of new products and kits.
So far, four PhD degrees have been successfully completed by young researchers trained to work with the new research equipment. A further four PhD students are currently in training, while four researchers have progressed to the positions of Chief Assistant Professor or postdoctoral researcher.
At IBIR-BAS, research activities making use of the infrastructure are carried out through projects funded by the Bulgarian National Science Fund (KP-06-N33/4, KP-06-DK1/12, KP-06-N93, KP-06-M73/1, KP-06-N71/7, KP-06-N83/2, KP-06-N53/7, KP-06-N61/7), as well as through collaborations with partners from the academic and clinical sectors, including Sofia University “St. Kliment Ohridski”, Medical University – Plovdiv, the Institute of Biophysics and Biomedical Engineering – BAS, IEMPAM–BAS, IMicB–BAS, and a number of hospitals.
The infrastructure at IBIR-BAS is also engaged in collaboration with two international companies in the field of single-cell transcriptomics and one company in the field of microfluidics.