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The
Eliava Institute was founded in 1923 by a distinguished Georgian physician,
bacteriologist and phage researcher, professor George Eliava. Famous French-Canadian
scientist Felix D'Herelle - the discoverer of bacteriophages, played an
extraordinary role in the development of the Eliava Institute.
The idea of these two scientists was creation of the World Centre of Phage
Research and Phage Therapy in Tbilisi, Georgia. Unfortunately, this was
the time of Stalin's Terror. In 1937 Eliava was executed, likewise his
other contemporaries, and D'Herelle never came back to Georgia.
During
its long history the Eliava Institute has been known under different titles.
The most well-known and developed was Scientific-Industrial Union (SIU)
“Bacteriophage". The SIU "Bacteriophage" was formed
of the two major parts - Research Institute and Industrial Department,
the last consisted of 10 manufacturing units. Altogether about 800 people
used to work at the SIU "Bacteriophage", 120 engaged in the
research. After the collapse of the Soviet Union the Industrial Department
was partly privatized.
During the Soviet period the Eliava Institute played an important role in elaboration of the novel biological preparations and manufacturing of the products against almost all major bacterial and viral diseases, such as anthrax, rubies, tuberculosis, brucellosis, salmonellosis, dysentery, etc.
During the Soviet period the Eliava Institute played an important role in elaboration of the novel biological preparations and manufacturing of the products against almost all major bacterial and viral diseases, such as anthrax, rubies, tuberculosis, brucellosis, salmonellosis, dysentery, etc.
The
Eliava was the leading organization in Bacteriophage Research, production
of the phage preparations and their practical application. Contribution
of the Eliava IBMV scientists in production of diagnostic, prophylactic
and therapeutic preparations (bacteriophage “cocktails”, biological
anti-bacterial and immunological medications) against bacterial infections
and their application in different fields (medicine, veterinary, environmental
protection) is recognized worldwide.
At present Eliava Institute has the status of legal entity of public law and acts under the authority of the Ministry of Science and Education of Georgia.
At present Eliava Institute has the status of legal entity of public law and acts under the authority of the Ministry of Science and Education of Georgia.