The Institute of Microbial Biotechnology

The Institute of Microbial Biotechnology of the Agricultural University of Georgia was established in 2019. It is headed by Professor Vladimir Elisashvili. The Principal Investigators leading the research activities are Dr. Eva Kachlishvili, Dr. Mikheil Asatiani, Dr. Eka Metreveli, Dr. Tamar Khardziani, Dr. Tina Jokharidze, Dr. Violet Berikashvili, and Dr. Aza Kobakhidze. The IMB is housed in the AUG Natural Sciences Building equipped with modern research facilities.

The IMB is recognized as one of the leading research units in Georgia, focusing on both fundamental and applied research in the physiology, biochemistry and biotechnology of microorganisms using them as microbial cell factories for the efficient bioconversion of a wide range of renewable plant raw materials into various value-added products. One of the main missions of the IMB is to promote creation of bio-based industry in Georgia. Another mission of the IMB is to train future research leaders to be competent in academic or industrial research. The IMB research interests are broad and include:

• Isolation, identification and characterization of Georgian wood-rotting and litter-decomposing basidiomycetes and creation of their culture collection which constitute a highly valuable resource for estimating the extent of microbial diversity of natural microbial communities as well as for the identification of novel genes, metabolic pathways, enzymes, and secondary metabolites. The IMB owns the only in Georgia collection of more than 300 live strains of basidiomycetes. Potential of dozen strains to produces hydrolytic and oxidative enzymes, antioxidants, polysaccharides, lectins, antibacterial and antifungal compounds was characterized.
• Bioconversion of agro-industrial lignocellulosic wastes/by-products into value-added products (enzymes, secondary metabolites, probiotics, food, feed, fertilizers).
• Investigation of physiological mechanisms regulating hydrolases (cellulases, xylanases, proteases) and oxidases (laccases and peroxidases) synthesis, development of low cost and competitive technologies of their production and application.
• Understanding of physiology and enzymology of edible and medicinal mushrooms growth and development of their production technologies.
• Production of pharmaceuticals and nutraceuticals (polysaccharides, lectins, antioxidants, dietary supplements) exploiting the medicinal mushrooms potential in submerged and solid-state fermentation of food industry wastes/by-products.
• Application of ligninolytic fungi, their consortia, and enzymes in bioremediation of wastewaters and soils polluted with emerging organic pollutants.

The IMB researchers collaborated and have joint publications with colleagues from the University of Haifa (Israel), Free University of Brussels (Belgium), Joint Bioenergy Institute (USA), University of Louvain (Belgium), Aix-Marseille University (France), Institute of Microbiology (Prague, Czech Republic), Institute of Microbiology (Sofia, Bulgaria), Institute of Biochemistry and Physiology of Microorganisms (Pushchino, Russia), Battelle Memorial Institute (USA), Institute of Botany (St Petersburg, Russia), University of Sherbrook (Canada), Kyoto University (Japan), Taichung State University (Taiwan), CBS-KNAW (Netherlands), University of Applied Sciences and Arts (Switzerland), Latvian State Institute of Wood Chemistry

Selected Publications

Khardziani T., Metreveli E., Didebulidze K., Elisashvili V. Screening of Georgian Medicinal Mushrooms for Their Antibacterial Activity and Optimization of Cultivation Conditions for the Split Gill Medicinal Mushroom, Schizophyllum commune BCC64 (Agaricomycetes). Int. J. Med. Mushr. 2020, 22, 659-669.

Elisashvili V., Kachlishvili E., Chikindas M.L. Recent Advances in the Physiology of Spore Formation for Bacillus Probiotic Production. Probiotics and Antimicrobial Proteins. 2019, 11:731–747.

Kachlishvili E., Kobakhidze A., Rusitashvili M, Tsokilauri A., Elisashvili V. Comparison of Mono- and Dikaryotic Medicinal Mushrooms Lignocellulolytic Enzyme Activity. Int. J. Med. Mushr., 2019, 21, 1115 – 1122.

Elisashvili1 V, Kachlishvili E, Asatiani MD, Kobakhidze A, Rusitashvili M, Tsokilauri A, Gogebashvili D. Lignocellulosic Waste Biorefinery for Unlocking the Biotechnological Potential of Basidiomycota. International Journal of Latest Trends in Engineering and Technology. 2019. 2278: 030-034.

Kobakhidze A, Asatiani MD, Kachlishvili E. Laccases and their application in bioremediation of organic pollutants (Review). Ann. Agr. Sci. 2019, 17, 383-396.

Kachlishvili E., Asatiani M.D., Kobakhidze A., Elisashvili V. Evaluation of Lignin-Modifying Enzyme Activity of Trametes spp. Isolated from Georgian Forests with an Emphasis on T. multicolor (Nees) Pilát Biosynthetic Potential. Int. J. Med. Mushr. 2018, 20(10):971–987.

Berikashvili V., Sokhadze K., Kachlishvili E., Elisashvili V., Chikindas M.L. Bacillus amyloliquefaciens Spore Production Under Solid-State Fermentation of Lignocellulosic Residues. Probiotics and Antimicrobial Proteins. 2018, 10, 755–761.

Elisashvili V., Kachlishvili E., Asatiani M.D. Efficient production of lignin-modifying enzymes and phenolics removal in submerged fermentation of olive mill by-products by white-rot basidiomycetes. Int. Biodeterior. Biodegrad. 2018, 134, 39–47.

Asatiani MD, Sharvit L, Barseghyan GS, Chan JSL, Elisashvili V, Wasser SP. ytotoxic Activity of Medicinal Mushroom Extracts on Human Cancer Cells. SF Journal of Biotechnology and Biomedical Engineering. 2018. 1(1): 1006.

Metreveli E., Kachlishvili E., Singer S.W., Elisashvili V. Alteration of white-rot basidiomycetes cellulase and xylanase activities in the submerged co-cultivation and optimization of enzyme production by Irpex lacteus and Schizophyllum commune. Bioresou. Technol. 2017, 241, 652-660.

Khardziani T., Kachlishvili E., Sokhadze K., Elisashvili V., Weeks R., Chikindas M.L., Chistyakov V. Elucidation of Bacillus subtilis KATMIRA 1933 potential for spore production in submerged fermentation of plant raw materials. Probiotics Antimicro. Prot. 2017, 9, 435-443.

Kobakhidze A., Elisashvili V., Corvini P.F.-X., Čvančarová M. Biotransformation of Ritalinic acid by laccase in the presence of mediator TEMPO. New Biotechnol. 2017. 43, 44-52.

Elisashvili V., Kachlishvili E., Asatiani M.D., Darlington R., Kucharzyk K.H. Physiological peculiarities of lignin-modifying enzyme production by the white-rot basidiomycete Coriolopsis gallica strain BCC 142. Microorganisms. 2017, 5, 73.

Kachlishvili E., Asatiani M., Kobakhidze A., Elisashvili V. Trinitrotoluene and mandarin peels selectively affect lignin-modifying enzyme production in white-rot basidiomycetes. SpringerPlus 2016, 5, 252.

Chien RC, Lin LM, Chang YH, Lin YC, Wu PH, Asatiani MD, Wasser SG, Krakhmalnyi M, Agbarya A, Wasser SP, Mau JL. Anti-inflammation off ruiting bodies and submerged cultured mycelia of culinary-medicinal higher Basidiomycetes mushrooms. International Journal of Medicinal Mushrooms. 2016. 18: 999–1009.

Kobakhidze A, Asatiani MD, Kachlishvili E, Elisashvili V. Induction and catabolite repression of cellulase and xylanase synthesis in the selected white-rot. Annals of agrarian science. 2016. 14: 169-176.

Chistyakov V., Melnikov V., Chikindas M.L., Khutsishvili M., Chagelishvili A., Bren A., Kostina N., Cavera V., Elisashvili V. Poultry-beneficial solid-state Bacillus amyloliquefaciens B-1895 fermented soy bean formulation. Bioscience of Microbiota, Food and Health, 2015, 34, 25–28

Elisashvili V., Kachlishvili E., Asatiani M. Shiitake medicinal mushroom, Lentinus edodes (higher basidiomycetes) productivity and lignocellulolytic enzyme profiles during wheat straw and tree leaf bioconversion.  International Journal of Medicinal Mushrooms, 2015, 17, 77–86.

Davitashvili E., Kapanadze E., Kachlishvili E., Mikiashvili N., Elisashvili V. Isolation and characterization of lectins formed by Cerrena unicolor (higher basidiomycetes) in solid-state fermentation of Sorghum and wheat straw. Int. J. Med. Mushr. 2015, 17, 427–434.

Chan JSL, Barseghyan GS, Asatiani MD, Wasser SP. Chemical composition and medicinal value of fruiting bodies and submerged cultured mycelia of caterpillar medicinal fungus Cordycepsmilitaris CBS-132098 (Ascomycetes). International Journal of Medicinal Mushrooms. 2015. 17: 649–659.

Chan JSL, Asatian MD, Sharvit L, Trabelcy B, Barseghyan GS, Wasser SP. Chemical composition and medicinal value of the new Ganoderma tsugae var. jannieae CBS-120304 medicinal higher Basidiomycete mushroom. International Journal of Medicinal Mushrooms. 2015. 17: 735–747.

Irbe I., Elisashvili V., Asatiani M.D., Janberga A., Andersone I., Andersons B., Biziks V., Grinins J. Lignocellulolytic activity of Coniophora puteana and Trametes versicolor in fermentation of wheat bran and decay of hydrothermally modified hardwoods. Int. Biodeter. Biodegr. 2014, 86, 71-78.

Elisashvili V., Kachlishvili E., Torok T. Overproduction of ligninolytic enzymes. U.S. Patent US 8,753,844 B2, 2014.

Kachlishvili E., Metreveli E., Elisashvili V. Modulation of Cerrena unicolor laccase and manganese peroxidase production. SpringerPlus 2014, 3:463, 1-7.

Cohen N, Asatiani MD, Varshney VK, Yu HT, Yang YC, Li YH, Mau JL, Wasser SP. Chemical composition and nutritional and medicinal value of fruit bodies and submerged cultured mycelia of culinary-medicinal higher Basidiomycetes mushrooms. International Journal of Medicinal Mushrooms. 2014. 16: 273–291.

Lin SY, Chen YK, Yu HT, Barseghyan GS, Asatiani MD, Wasser SP, Mau JL. Comparative study of contents of several bioactive components in fruiting bodies and mycelia of culinary-medicinal mushrooms. International Journal of Medicinal Mushrooms. 2013. 15: 315–323.

Janberga A, Irbe I, Biziks V, Kurnosova N, Asatiani MD, Andersons B, Andersone I. Biodegradation of treated softwood and hardwood species by brown rot fungi. Environmental and Experimental Biology. 2013. 11: 17–22. 

Elisashvili V. Submerged Cultivation of Medicinal Mushrooms: Bioprocesses and Products (Review). International Journal of Medicinal Mushrooms, 2012, 14, 211–239.

Elisashvili V., Irbe I., Andersone I., Andersons B., Tsiklauri N. Hydrolytic enzyme activity of EN113 standard basidiomycetes in the fermentation of lignocellulosic material and wood colonization. Holzforschung, 2012, 66, 841–847.

Davitashvili E., Kapanadze E., Kachlishvili E., Elisashvili V. Lectin activity of genus Cerrena strains in submerged fermentation of lignocellulosic materials. Intern. J. Med. Mushr. 2011, 13, 159-166.

Elisashvili V., Torok T., Kachlishvili E., Khardziani T., Metreveli E., Kobakhidze A., Berikashvili V. Evaluation and regulation of the lignocellulolytic activity of novel white-rot basidiomycetes. Global Journal of Biochemistry, 2011, 2, 134-141.

Asatiani M.D, Wasser S.P, Nevo E, Ruimi N, Mahajna J, Reznick A.Z. The Shaggy Inc Cap medicinal mushroom, Coprinus comatus (O.F.Mull.: Fr.) Pers. (Agaricomycetideae) substances interfere with H₂O₂ induction of the NF-kappaB pathway through inhibition of Ikappa-Balpha phosphorylation in MCF7 breast cancer cells. International Journal of Medicinal Mushrooms. 2011. 13: 19-25.

Elisashvili V., Kachlishvili E., Khardziani T., Agathos S.N.  Effect of aromatic compounds on the production of laccase and manganese peroxidase by white-rot basidiomycetes. J. Ind. Microbiol. Biotechnol. 2010, 37, 1091-1096.

Davitashvili E., Kapanadze E., Kachlishvili E., Metreveli E., Elisashvili V. Comparative study of the hemagglutinating activity of lectins isolated from different developmental stages of culinary-medicinal oyster mushroom, Pleurotus ostreatus (Jacq.: Fr.) Kumm. (Agaricomycetideae). Intern. J. Med. Mushr. 2010, 12, 43-50.

Kenkebashvili N., Elisashvili V., Hadar Y. Effect of nutrient medium composition on laccase and manganese peroxidase activity in medicinal mushrooms. Intern. J. Med. Mushr., 2009, 11, 191-198.

Elisashvili V., Kachlishvili E., Tsiklauri N., Metreveli E., Khardziani T., Agathos S.N.  Lignocellulose-degrading enzyme production by white-rot Basidiomycetes isolated from the forests of Georgia. World J. Microbiol. Biotechnol. 2009, 25, 331-339.

Mikiashvili N., Elisashvili V., Worku M., Davitashvili E., Isikhuemhen O. Purification and Characterization of a Lectin Isolated from the Submerged Cultivated Mycelium of Grey Polypore Cerrena unicolor (Bull.) Murrill (Aphyllophoromycetideae), Intern. J. Med. Mushr., 2009, 11, 61-68.

Elisashvili V., Kachlishvili E. Physiological regulation of laccase and manganese peroxidase production by white-rot Basidiomycetes. Review. J. Biotech. 2009, 144, 37–42.

Elisashvili V, Kachlishvili E, Wasser S. Carbon and nitrogen source effects on Basidiomycetes exopolysaccharide production. Appl. Biochem. Microbiol. 2009, 45, 5, 531–535.

Asatiani MD, Elisashvili V, Songulashvili G, Wasser SP. Higher Basidiomycetes mushrooms as a source of antioxidants. Progress in Mycology. 2009. Book pp 312-326.

Elisashvili V., Penninckx M., Kachlishvili E., Tsiklauri N., Metreveli E., Khardziani T., Kvesitadze G.Lentinus edodes and Pleurotus species lignocellulolytic enzymes activity in submerged and solid-state fermentation of lignocellulosic wastes of different composition. Bioresource Technology. 2008, 99, 457–462.

Davitashvili E., Kapanadze E., Kachlishvili E., Khardziani T., Elisashvili V. Evaluation of Higher Basidiomycetes Mushroom Lectin Activity in Submerged and Solid-State Fermentation of Agro-Industrial Residues. Intern. J. Med. Mushr., 2008, 10, 173-178.

Elisashvili V., Kachlishvili E., Penninckx M. Effect of growth substrate, method of fermentation, and nitrogen source on lignocellulose-degrading enzymes production by white-rot basidiomycetes. J. Ind. Microbiol. Biotechnol., 2008, 35, 1531-1538.

Asatiani MD, Elisashvili VI, Wasser SP, Reznick AZ, Nevo E. Antioxidant and free-radical scavenging activity of submerged mycelium extracts from aphyllophoroid mushrooms. Mycologia Balcanica. 2008. 4:79-84.

Asatiani MD, Kachlishvili E, Khardziani T, Metreveli EM, Mikiashvili NA, Songulashvili G, Tsiklauri ND, Wasser SP, Elisashvili V. Basidiomycetes as a source of antioxidants, lectins, polysaccharides, and enzymes. Journal of Biotechnology. 2008.  136S:  S717–S742.

Songulashvili G., Elisashvili V., Wasser S.P., Nevo E., Hadar Y. Basidiomycetes laccase and manganese peroxidase activity in submerged fermentation of food industry wastes. Enzyme and Microbial Technology. 2007, 41, 57-61.

Cabana H., Jiwan J.L., Rosenberg R., Elisashvili V., Penninckx M., Agathos S.N., Jones J.P. Elimination of endocrine disrupting chemicals nonylphenol and bisphenol A and personal care product ingredient triclosan using enzyme preparation from the white rot fungus Coriolopsis polyzona. Chemosphere. 2007, 67, 770-778.

Asatiani MD, Elisashvili VI, Wasser SP, Reznick AZ, Nevo E. Free-radical scavenging activity of submerged mycelium extracts from higher Basidiomycetes mushrooms. Bioscience Biotechnology and Biochemistry. 2007. 71: 3090-3092.

Asatiani MD, Elisashvili VI, Wasser SP, Reznick AZ, Nevo E. Antioxidant activity of submerged cultured mycelium extracts of higher Basidiomycetes mushrooms. International Journal of Medicinal Mushrooms. 2007.151-158.

Elisashvili V., Penninckx M., Kachlishvili E., Asatiani M., Kvesitadze G. Use of Pleurotus dryinus for lignocellulolytic enzymes production in submerged fermentation of mandarin peels and tree leaves. Enzyme Microb. Technol. 2006, 38, 998-1004.

Mikiashvili N., Wasser S., Nevo E., Elisashvili V. Effects of carbon and nitrogen sources on Pleurotus ostreatus ligninolytic enzyme activity. World J. Microbiol. Biotechnol. 2006, 22, 999-1002.

Mikiashvili N.A., Elisashvili V.I., Wasser S.P., Nevo E. Comparative study of lectin activity of higher basidiomycetes. Intern. J. Med. Mushr., 2006, 8, 31-38.

Kachlishvili E., Penninckx M.J., Tsiklauri N., Elisashvili V. Effect of nitrogen source on lignocellulolytic enzyme production by white-rot basidiomycetes under solid-state cultivation. World J. Microbiol. Biotechnol. 2006, 22, 391-397.

Songulashvili G., Elisashvili V., Wasser S., Nevo E., Hadar Y. Laccase and manganese peroxidases activities of Phellinus robustus and Ganoderma adspersum grown on food industry wastes in submerged fermentation. Biotechnol. Letters, 2006, 28, 1425-1429.

Elisashvili V., Rebhun M. Wood-rotting basidiomycetes for production of ligninolytic enzymes. US patent 20090311751 A1, 2009 (US Patent App. 11/919,175, 2006).

Elisashvili V, Penninckx M, Kachlishvili E, Asatiani MD, Kvesitadze G. Use of Pleurotus dryinus for lignocellulolytic enzymes production in submerged fermentation of mandarin peels and tree leaves. Enzyme and Microbial Technology. 2006. 38: 998–1004.

Mikiashvili N., Elisashvili V., Wasser S., Nevo E. Carbon and nitrogen sources influence the ligninolytic enzyme activity of Trametes versicolor. Biotechnology Letters. 2005, 27, 955-959.

Songulashvili G, Penninckx M, Wasser S, Metreveli E, Aladashvili N, Asatiani MD, Hadar Y, Elisashvili V. Bioconversion of plant raw materials into value-added products by Lentinus edodes and Pleurotus spp. International Journal of Medicinal Mushrooms. 2005. 7: 467-468.

Elisashvili V., Wasser S., Tan K.-K., Chichua D., and Kachlishvili E. Extracellular Polysaccharide Production by Culinary–Medicinal Shiitake Mushroom Lentinus edodes (Berk.) Singer and Pleurotus (Fr.) P. Karst. Species Depending on Carbon and Nitrogen Source. Intern. J. Med. Mushr. 2004, 6, 165–172.

Wasser S.P., Elisashvili V.I., Tan K.-K. Effect of carbon and nitrogen sources in the medium on Tremella mesenterica Retz.:Fr. (Heterobasidiomycetes) growth and polysaccharide production. Intern J. Med. Mushr. 2003, 5(1), 49-56.

Elisashvili V., Chichua D., Kachlishvili E., Tsiklauri N., Khardziani T. Lignocellulolytic enzymes activity during growth and fruiting of the edible and medicinal mushroom Pleurotus ostreatus (Jack.: Fr.) Kumm. (Agaricomycetideae). Intern. J. Med. Mushr. 2003, 5(2), 193-198.

Elisashvili V., Kachlishvili E, Bakradze M. Dependence of activities of polysaccharide hydrolases and oxidases from Cerrena unicolor on the source of carbon and aromatic acids in culture media. Appl. Biochem. Microbiol. 2002, 38(3), 210-213.

Wasser SP, Tan K-K, Elisashvili VI. Hypoglycaemic, interferonogenous, and immunomodulatory activity of Tremellastin from the submerged culture of Tremella mesenterica Retz.: Fr. (Heterobasidiomycetes). Intern. J. Med. Mushr. 2002, 4(3), 215-227.

Elisashvili V, Kachlishvili E, Tsiklauri N, Khardziani T, Bakradze M. Physiological regulation of edible and medicinal higher basidiomycetes lignocellulolytic enzymes activity. Intern. J. Med. Mushr. 2002, 4(2): 159-166.

Elisashvili V, Parlar H, Kachlishvili E, Chichua D, Bakradze M, Kohreidze N, Kvesitadze G. Ligninolytic activity of basidiomycetes grown under submerged and solid-state fermentation on plant raw material (sawdust of grapevine cuttings). Advances in Food Sciences. 2001. 23, 3, 117-123.