A conference dedicated to the 100th anniversary of the discovery of bacteriophages was opened at Ivane Javakhishvili Tbilisi State University (TSU) on June 26. Rector of TSU, Giorgi Sharvashidze; Minister of Education and Science of Georgia, Aleksandre Jejelava; Minister of Labour, Health and Social Affairs of Georgia, Davit Sergeenko; Director of George Eliava Institute of Bacteriophage, Microbiology and Virology, Mzia Kutateladze; French Ambassador to Georgia, Pascal Meunier, foreign diplomats, government officials, professors and students attended the event.
Rector Giorgi Sharvashidze said that the bacteriophage phenomenon is being researched intensively for already 100 years. “I would say that it is a very interesting direction in terms of the development of modern medicine. It is very good that we have preserved George Eliava Institute of Bacteriophage. Together with this Institute, we have established the Masters School, where our students are undergoing studies and this is a good example of cooperation,” Sharvashidze said.
Minister of Education and Science of Georgia, Aleksandre Jejelava said that the development of bacteriophages is considered one of the very interesting and important directions worldwide. “During 100 years of existence of the George Eliava Institute, Georgian scientists have gained huge experience and knowledge and this knowledge has never been more important than today. Thus, this international conference and active cooperation with international scientists is a precondition for the development of our science. The today’s event and its topics confirm that the level of our science is extremely high and it is attractive and interesting for the entire world,” Jejelava noted.
“The possibilities available in Georgia in this direction are much more important. The experience and knowledge gained by the country is very important, because bacteriophage is not simply an abstract science, but it is very important in view of today’s challenges, when antibiotic resistance is a growing millennium challenge,” Healthcare Minister Davit Sergeenko said.
“This conference is very important. Famous foreign scientists from about 30 countries are attending it and I hope that this international conference will pave the way for new relations, new projects, new ideas and will help our Georgian scientists and students in their future research activities,” Director of George Eliava Institute of Bacteriophage, Microbiology and Virology, Mzia Kutateladze said.
The 100-year anniversary of the discovery of bacteriophages by Canadian scientist, Félix dHerelle is marked in 2117. A series of academic conferences will be held throughout the year to mark this anniversary date. The conferences will be organized by the Pasteur Institute and George Eliava Institute of Bacteriophage, Microbiology and Virology. Ivane Javakhishvili Tbilisi State University is a co-organizer of the Tbilisi conference.
In the 1930s, Félix dHerelle worked at presently George Eliava Institute of Bacteriophage, Microbiology and Virology and he was an Honorary Professor at the Tbilisi State University.
About 100 delegates from 25 countries attended the conference. The participants discussed the key directions of bacteriophage research, mechanisms of phage-bacteria interactions, ecological and evolutionary aspects of bacteriophages. They focused on the importance and possibilities of therapeutic, industrial and biotechnological application of bacteriophages.
In connection with the anniversary date, the university library organized an exhibition, where archival materials about Giorgi Eliava and Félix dHerelle were displayed. Among them were materials about Félix dHerelle’s visit to Tbilisi, photos, as well as his book “The Bacteriophage and the Phenomenon of Recovery” released by the University Publishing House in 1935. In addition, the library retrieved archival materials about these two great scientists and bacteriophages that were stored at the Ministry of Internal Affairs and the National Archives. Among them are the letter of then Rector of the University to People’s Commissar for Education, Giorgi Eliava on sending him abroad; documents depicting Soviet repressions against Giorgi Eliava, etc.
A two-day summer school will also be organized as part of the conference. It aims at acquainting students and young researchers with the structure of bacteriophages, their role in the environment and potential of their application, as well as modern methods of bacteriophage research. Lectures will be delivered by field specialists from England, Canada, Belgium and Georgia.
