Institute of Microbiology & Virology

August Kirchenstein Institute of Microbiology and Virology is an Academic Division of the Riga Stradins University. The institute is managing and carrying out theoretical and practical research projects and programs in microbiology, virology, biotechnology, molecular biology and medical nanotechnology, with a great emphasis on oncovirology. At the present scientists of the Institute are involved in realization of the State Research Programme, 5 research projects supported by the Latvian Council of Sciences and 3 joint research projects – two of them are international, with Bulgaria and Belarus. The Institute participates also in the realization of three projects supported by EC (6th Framework program, a project of European Regional Development Fond and a project of European Social Fond). One of the main tasks of the Institute is to support and promote acquirement and improvement of scientific qualifications in mentioned above fields, therefore bachelor, master and doctoral studies are supervised by the leading researchers of the Institute. The Institute’s scientists are members of many international societies and associations. During 2007-2009 they have published 28 papers in peer-reviewed journals, have participated with oral or poster presentations in 83 conferences/congresses. New methods in virology, immunology and medical technology are developed at the Institute and introduced in clinical practice. For example, two originally developed immune modulators – Lariphan and Rigvir are applied in oncology and for virus related pathologies. In 1996, August Kirchenstein Institute of Microbiology and Virology was accepted as an associate UICC member.