- Written by Ivan Dulgerov
Plant Cell Biotechnology
Plant in vitro technologies are considered as an attractive and cost-effective alternative to classical approaches (i.e., natural harvest and chemical synthesis) for the mass production of value-added plant-derived metabolites (“green factories” concept). Genetic modification in such a contained system can readily be applied without the regulatory barriers associated with field grown crops. Moreover, cell/tissue culture systems can be up-scaled in bioreactors with controllable bioproduction rates. The department closely interacts with the other CPSBB research Departments to better understand the plant biochemical machinery and to develop new means for sustainable bioproduction of high value molecules.
Overview of the research workflow in Plant Cell Biotechnology department
Alumni:
Publications:
2025
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Savova M.S., Todorova M.N., Binev B.K., Georgiev M.I., Mihaylova L.V. (2025)
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Curcumin enhances the anti-obesogenic activity of orlistat through SKN-1/NRF2-dependent regulation of nutrient metabolism in Caenorhabditis elegans. International Journal of Obesity. DOI: 10.1038/s41366-025-01724-6. (IF 4.2)
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2024
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Huang X., He Y., Zhang K., Shi Y., Zhao H., Lai D., Lin H., Wang X., Yang Z., Xiao Y., Li W., Ouyang Y., Woo S.H., Quinet M., Georgiev M.I., Fernie A.R., Liu X., Zhou M. (2024)
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Jha R., Zhang K., He Y., Mendler-Drienyovszki N., Magyar-Tábori K., Quinet M., Germ M, Kreft I., Meglič V., Ikeda K., Chapman M.A., Janovská D., Podolska G., Woo S.-H., Bruno S., Georgiev M.I., Chrungoo N., Betekhtin A., Zhou M. (2024)
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Global nutritional challenges and opportunities: Buckwheat, a potential bridge between nutrient deficiency and food security. Trends in Food Science and Technology. 145: 104365 (IF 15.1)
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Kozuharova E., Pasdaran A., Hamedi A., Batovska D., Georgiev M.I., Marchev A., Attard E., Gibernau M. (2024)
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Bioactive compounds and biological activities of Arum L.. In: Murthy H.N., Paek K.Y., Park SY. (Eds.) Bioactive compounds in the storage organs of plants. Reference series in phytochemistry. Springer, Cham. pp. 105-138.
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- Lai D., Zhang K., He Y., Fan Y., Li W., Shi Y., Gao Y., Huang X., He J., Zhao H., Lu X., Xiao Y., Cheng J., Ruan J., Georgiev M.I., Fernie A., Zhou M. (2024)
- Multi-omics identification of a key glycosyl hydrolase gene FtGH1 involved in rutin hydrolysis in Tartary buckwheat (Fagopyrum tataricum). Plant Biotechnology Journal. 5: 1206-1223. (IF 10.1)
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Marchev A.S., Stoykova I.D., Georgiev M.I. (2024)
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Large-scale production of specialized metabolites in vitro cultures. In: Loyola-Vargas V., Ochoa-Alejo N. (Eds.) Plant cell culture protocols. Methods in molecular biology. vol 2827. Humana, New York, NY, USA. pp. 303-322.
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Stoykova I.D, Koycheva I., Binev B., Mihaylova L.V., Benina M., Alipieva K., Georgiev M.I. (2024)
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Myconoside and calceolarioside E restrain UV-Induced skin photoaging by activating NRF2-mediated defense mechanisms. International Journal of Molecular Sciences. 25(4): 2441. (IF 5.6)
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Stoykova I.D, Koycheva I.K., Binev B.K., Mihaylova L.V., Georgiev M.I. (2024)
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Molecular approaches to prevent UV-induced premature skin aging: Focus on phytochemicals as photo-protectants. Phytochemistry Reviews. (IF 7.4)
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Todorova M.N., Savova M.S., Mihaylova L.V., Georgiev M.I. (2024)
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Icariin improves stress resistance and extends lifespan in Caenorhabditis elegans through hsf-1 and daf-2-driven hormesis. International Journal of Molecular Sciences. 25(1): 352. (IF 4.9)
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Todorova M.N., Savova, M.S., Mihaylova L.V., Georgiev, M.I. (2024)
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Nurturing longevity through natural compounds: Where do we stand, and where do we go? Food Frontiers. 5(2): 267-310. (IF 7.4)
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Todorova M.N., Savova M.S., Mihaylova L.V., Georgiev M.I. (2024)
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Yang Z., Tan D., Chen W., Hu J., Huang R., Wu X., Georgiev M.I., Bai W., Tian L. (2024)
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Fermentation characteristics and prebiotic potential of enzymatically synthesized butyryl-fructooligosaccharides. Carbohydrate Polymers. 324: 121486. (IF 10.7)
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Yaneva T.G., Wiczkowski W., Marchev A.S., Iserliyska D., Georgiev M.I., Tomlekova N.B. (2024)
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Evaluation of polyphenols synthesized in mature seeds of common bean (Phaseolus vulgaris L.) advanced mutant lines. International Journal of Molecular Science. 25(11): 5638. (IF 4.9)
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2023
- Ali K., Georgiev M.I. (2023)
- Editorial: Omics and its integration: a systems biology approach to understanding plant physiology. Frontiers in Plant Science. 14: 1324901. (IF 4.1)
- Amirova K., Dimitrova P., Leseva M., Koycheva I., Dinkova-Kostova Albena., Georgiev M.I. (2023)
- The triterpenoid Nrf2 Activator, CDDO-Me, decreases neutrophil senescence in a murine model of joint damage. International Journal of Molecular Sciences. 24(10): 8775. (IF 4.9)
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Boneva B., Marchev A., Amirova K., Ganova P., Georgiev M.I., Tchorbanov A., Mihaylova N. (2023)
- Chen C., Zhang K., Liu F., Wang X., Yao Y., Niu X., He Y., Hong J., Liu F., Gao Q., Zhang Y., Li Y., Wang M., Lin J., Fan Y., Ren K., Shen L., Gao B., Ren X., Yang W., Georgiev M.I., Zhang X., Zhou M. (2023)
- He Y., Zhang K., Li S., Lu X., Zhao H., Guan C., Huang X., Shi Y., Kang Z., Fan Y., Li W., Chen C., Li G., Long O., Chen Y., Hu M., Cheng J., Xu B., Chapman M.A., Georgiev M.I., Fernie A.R., Zhou M. (2023)
- Multiomics analysis reveals the molecular mechanisms underlying virulence in Rhizoctonia and JA-mediated resistance in Tartary buckwheat(Fagopyrum tataricum). The Plant Cell. 35(8): 2773-2798. (IF 10.0)
- Huda, M. N., Li, X., Jahan, T., He, Y., Guan, C., Zhang K., Gao A., Georgiev M.I., Zhou M. (2023)
- Acceleration of the genetic gain for nutraceutical improvement of adlay (Coix L.) through genomic approaches: current status and future prospects. Food Reviews International. 39(8): 5377-5401. (IF 6.043)
- Ivanova T., Marchev A., Chervenkov M., Bosseva Y., Georgiev M.I., Kozuharova E., Dimitrova D. (2023)
- Koycheva I.K., Marchev A.S., Stoykova I.D., Georgiev M.I. (2023)
- Natural alternatives targeting psoriasis pathology and key signaling pathways: a focus on phytochemicals. Phytochemistry Reviews. (in press). DOI: 10.1007/s11101-023-09886-9 (IF 7.3)
- Mladenova S.G., Todorova M.N., Savova M.S., Mihaylova L.V., Georgiev M.I. (2023)
- Maackiain mimics caloric restriction through aak-2-mediated lipid reduction in Caenorhabditis elegans. International Journal of Molecular Sciences. 24(24): 17442. (IF 4.9)
- Savova M.S., Mihaylova L.V., Tews D., Wabitsch M., Georgiev M.I. (2023)
- Targeting PI3K/akt signaling pathway in obesity. Biomedicine and Pharmacotherapy. 159: 114244. (IF 6.9)
- Todorova V., Savova M.S., Ivanova, S., Ivanov K., Georgiev M.I. (2023)
- Anti-аdipogenic аctivity of Rhaponticum carthamoides and it’s secondary metabolites. Nutrients. 15: 3061. (IF 4.8)
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Zhang K., He Y., Lu X., Shi Y., Zhao H., Li X., Li J., Liu Y., Ouyang Y., Tang Y., Ren X., Zhang X., Yang W., Sun Z., Zhang C., Quinet M., Luthar Z., Germ M., Kreft I., Janovska D., Meglic V., Pipan B., Georgiev M.I., Bruno S., Chapman M.A. Zhou M. (2023)
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Comparative and population genomics of buckwheat species reveal key determinants of flavor and fertility. Molecular Plant. 16(9): 1427-1444. (IF 27.5)
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- Zhao H., He Y., Zhang K., Li S., Chen Y., He M., He F., Gao B., Yang D., Fan Y., Zhu X., Yan M., Giglioli-Guivarc’h N., Hano C., Fernie A.R., Georgiev M.I., Janovska D., Meglic V., Zhou M. (2023)
- Rewiring of the seed metabolome during Tartary buckwheat domestication. Plant Biotechnology Journal. 21(1): 150-164. (IF 13.263)
2022
- Chen C., Liu F., Zhang K., Niu X., Zhao H., Liu Q., Georgiev M.I., Xu X., Zhang X., Zhou M. (2022)
- MeJA-responsive bHLH transcription factor LjbHLH7 regulates cyanogenic glucoside biosynthesis in lotus japonicus. Journal of Experimental Botany. 73(8): 2650-2665. (IF 7.298)
- Ding M., He Y., Zhang K., Li J., Shi Y., Zhao M., Meng Y., Georgiev M.I., Zhou M. (2022)
- JA-induced FtBPM3 accumulation promotes FtERF-EAR3 degradation and rutin biosynthesis in Tartary buckwheat. Plant Journal. 112(2): 323-334. (IF 7.091)
- He M., He Y., Zhang K., Lu X., Zhang X., Gao B., Fan Y., Zhao H., Jha R., Huda M.N., Tang Y., Wang J., Yang W., Yan M., Cheng J., Ruan J., Dulloo E., Zhang Z., Georgiev M.I., Chapman M., Zhou M. (2022)
- Comparison of buckwheat genomes reveals the genetic basis of metabolomic divergence and ecotype differentiation. New Phytologist. 235(5): 1927-1943. (IF 10.323)
- Liu J., Wang Y., Wu J., Georgiev M.I., Xu B., Wong K.H., Bai W., Tian L. (2022)
- Isolation, structural properties, and bioactivities of polysaccharides from mushrooms termitomyces: a review. Journal of Agricultural and Food Chemistry. 70(1): 21-33. (IF 5.895)
- Marchev A., Amirova K., Georgiev M.I. (2022)
- Genetic engineering of cell cultures for enhanced production of nutraceuticals. In T. Belwal, M.I. Georgiev, & J.M. Al-Khayri (Eds.). Nutraceuticals Production from Plant Cell Factory. (pp. 395-415). Springer, Singapore.
- Mladenova S.G., Savova M.S., Marchev A.S., Ferrante C., Orlando G., Wabitsch M., Georgiev M.I. (2022)
- Anti-adipogenic activity of maackiain and ononin is mediated via inhibition of PPARγ in human adipocytes. Biomedicine and Pharmacotherapy. 149: 112908. (IF 7.419)
- Perra M., Fancello L., Castangia I., Allaw M., Escribano-Ferrer E., Peris J.E., Usach I., Manca M.L., Koycheva I.K., Georgiev M.I., Manconi M. (2022)
- Savova M.S., Todorova M.N., Apostolov A.G., Yahubyan G.T., Georgiev M.I. (2022)
- Betulinic acid counteracts the lipid accumulation in Caenorhabditis elegans by modulation of nhr-49 expression. Biomedicine and Pharmacotherapy. 156: 113862 (IF 7.419)
- Sieniawska E., Georgiev M.I. (2022)
- Metabolomics: towards acceleration of antibacterial plant-based leads discovery. Phytochemistry Reviews. 21: 765-781. (IF 7.741)
- Zhou W., Georgiev M.I., Liao P. (2022)
- Editorial: Discovery, biosynthesis, regulation, transport, release and engineering of plant natural products. Frontiers in Plant Science. 13:1017808. (IF 6.627)
2021
- Amirova K.M., Dimitrova P.A., Marchev A.S., Krustanova S., Simova S., Alipieva K., Georgiev M.I. (2021)
- Biotechnologically-produced myconoside and calceolarioside E induce Nrf2-expression in neutrophils. International Journal of Molecular Sciences. 22(4): 1759. (IF 6.208)
- Atanasov A.G., Zotchev S.B., Dirsch V.M., Orhan I.E., Banach M., Rollinger J.M., Barreca D., Weckwerth W., Bauer R., Bayer E.A., Majeed M., Bishayee A., Bochkov V., Bonn G.K., Braidy N., Bucar F., Cifuentes A., D’Onofrio G., Bodkin M., Diederich M., Dinkova-Kostova A.T., Efferth T., El Bairi K., Arkells N., Fan T-P., Fiebich B.L., Freissmuth M., Georgiev M.I. et al. (2021)
- Natural products in drug discovery: advances and opportunities. Nature Reviews Drug Discovery. 20: 200-216. (IF 112.288)
- Ding M., Zhang K., He Y., Zuo Q., Zhao H., He M., Georgiev M.I., Park S.U., Zhou M. (2021)
- FtBPM3 modulates the orchestration of FtMYB11-mediated flavonoids biosynthesis in Tartary buckwheat. Plant Biotechnology Journal. 19(7): 1285-1287. (IF 13.263)
- Georgiev M.I., Vasileva L.V., Savova M.S. (2021)
- Antiobesity molecules of natural origin: Call for lead finding acceleration. Food Frontiers. 2(1): 23-24.
- He Y., Zhang K., Georgiev M.I., Zhou M. (2021)
- Ubiquitin proteins and the orchestration of transcription factors activity. Critical Reviews in Plant Sciences. 40(4): 366-377. (IF 6.289)
- Huda N.Md., Lu S., Jahan T., Ding M., Jha R., Zhang K., Zhang W., Georgiev M.I., Park S-U., Zhou M. (2021)
- Treasure from garden: bioactive compounds of buckwheat. Food Chemistry. 335: 127653. (IF 9.231)
- Koycheva I.K., Mihaylova L.V., Todorova M.N., Balcheva-Sivenova Z.P., Alipieva K., Ferrante C., Orlando G., Georgiev M.I. (2021)
- Koycheva I.K., Vasileva L.V., Amirova K.M., Marchev A.S., Balcheva-Sivenova Z.P., Georgiev M.I. (2021)
- Biotechnologically-produced Lavandula angustifolia Mill. extract rich in rosmarinic acid resolves psoriasis-related inflammation through JAK/STAT signaling.Frontiers in Pharmacology. 12: 680168. (IF 5.988)
- Li J., Meng Y., Zhang K., Li Q., Li S., Xu B., Georgiev M.I., Zhou M. (2021)
- Jasmonic acid-responsive RRTF1 transcription factor controls DTX18 gene expression in hydroxycinnamic acid amide secretion. Plant Physiology. 185(2): 369–384. (IF 8.005)
- Marchev A.S., Vasileva L.V., Amirova K.M., Savova M.S., Koycheva I.K., Balcheva-Sivenova Z.P., Vasileva S.M., Georgiev M.I. (2021)
- Rosmarinic acid – from bench to valuable applications in food industry. Trends in Food Science and Technology. 117: 182-193. (IF 16.002)
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Marchev A.S., Vasileva L.V., Amirova K.M., Savova M.S., Balcheva-Sivenova Z.P., Georgiev M.I. (2021)
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Metabolomics and health: from nutritional crops and plant-based pharmaceuticals to profiling of human biofluids. Cellular and Molecular Life Sciences. 78: 6487–6503 (IF 9.237)
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- Mladenova S.G., Vasileva L.V., Savova M.S., Marchev A.S., Tews D., Wabitsch M., Ferrante C., Orlando G., Georgiev M.I. (2021)
- Anti-adipogenic effect of Alchemilla monticola is mediated via PI3K/AKT signaling inhibition in human adipocytes. Frontiers in Pharmacology. 12: 707507 (IF 5.988)
- Savova M.S., Vasileva L.V., Mladenova S.G., Amirova K.M., Ferrante C., Orlando G., Wabitsch M., Georgiev M.I. (2021)
- Ziziphus jujuba Mill. leaf extract restrains adipogenesis by targeting PI3K/AKT signaling pathway. Biomedicine and Pharmacotherapy. 141: 111934. (IF 7.419)
- Sieniawska E., Sawicki R., Marchev A.S., Truszkiewicz W., Georgiev M.I. (2021)
- Tanshinones from Salvia miltiorrhiza inhibit Mycobacterium tuberculosis via disruption of the cell envelope surface and oxidative stress. Food and Chemical Toxicology. 156: 112405. (IF 5.572)
- Sieniawska E., Sawicki R., Truszkiewicz W., Marchev A.S., Georgiev M.I. (2021)
- Usnic acid treatment changes the composition of Mycobacterium tuberculosis cell envelope and alters bacteria redox status. mSystems. 6(3): e00097-21. (IF 7.331)
- Vasileva L.V., Savova M.S., Tews D., Wabitsch M., Georgiev M.I. (2021)
- Rosmarinic acid attenuates obesity and obesity-related inflammation in human adipocytes. Food and Chemical Toxicology. 149: 112202. (IF 5.572)
- Shi M., Liao P., Nile S.H., Georgiev M.I., Kai G. (2021)
- Biotechnological exploration of transformed root culture for value-added products. Trends in Biotechnology. 39(2): 137-149. (IF 21.942)
- Zhang K., He M., Fan Y., Zhao H., Gao B., Yang K., Li F., Tang Y., Gao Q., Lin T., Quinet M., Janovska D., Meglič V., Kwiatkowski J., Romanova O., Chrungoo N., Suzuki T., Luthar Z., Germ M., Woo S-H., Georgiev M.I., Zhou M. (2021)
- Resequencing of global Tartary buckwheat accessions reveals multiple domestication events and key loci associated with agronomic traits. Genome Biology. 22: 23. (IF 18.011)
2020
- Belwal T., Singh G., Jeandet P., Pandey A., Giri L., Ramola S., Bhatt I.D., Venskutonis P.R., Georgiev M.I., Clement C., Luo Z. (2020)
- Anthocyanins, multi-functional natural products of industrial relevance: recent biotechnological advances.Biotechnology Advances. 43: 107600. (IF 14.227)
- Gechev T., Georgiev M.I., Fernie A.R. (2020)
- PlantaSyst: Teaming-up for systems biology and biotechnology. Trends in Plant Science. 25(7): 621-624. (IF 18.313)
- Joshi D.C., Zhang K., Wang C., Chandora R., Khurshid M., Li J., He M., Georgiev M.I., Zhou M. (2020)
- Strategic enhancement of genetic gain for nutraceutical development in buckwheat: A Genomics-driven perspective. Biotechnology Advances. 39: 107479. (IF 14.227)
- Li J., Meng Y., Zhang K., Li Q., Li S., Xu B., Georgiev M.I., Zhou M. (2021)
- Jasmonic acid-responsive RRTF1 transcription factor controls DTX18 gene expression in hydroxycinnamic acid amide secretion. Plant Physiology. 185(2): 369–384. (IF 8.340)
- Marchev A., Yordanova Z.P., Georgiev M.I. (2020)
- Green (cell) factories for advanced production of plant secondary metabolites. Critical Reviews in Biotechnology. 40(4): 443-458. (IF 8.429)
- Sieniawska E., Golus J., Sawicki R., Georgiev M.I. (2020)
- Untargeted metabolomic exploration of Mycobacterium tuberculosis stress response to cinnamon essential oil. Biomolecules. 10(3): 357. (IF 4.879)
- Vasileva L., Savova M., Amirova K., Balcheva-Sivenova Zh., Ferrante C., Orlando G., Wabitsch M. , Georgiev M.I. (2020)
- Caffeic and chlorogenic acids synergistically activate browning program in human adipocytes: Implications of AMPK and PPAR-mediated Pathways. International Journal of Molecular Sciences. 21(24): 9740. (IF 5.924)
- Vasileva L., Savova M., Amirova K., Dinkova-Kostova A., Georgiev M.I. (2020)
- Obesity and NRF2-mediated cytoprotection: Where is the missing link? Pharmacological Research. 156: 104760. (IF 7.658)
- Wu L., Georgiev M.I., Cao H., Nahar L., El-Seedi H.R., Sarker S.D., Xiao J., Lu B. (2020)
- Therapeutic potential of phenylethanoid glycosides: a systematic review. Medicinal Research Reviews. 40(6): 2605-2649. (IF 12.994)
2019
- Amirova K., Dimitrova P., Marchev A.S., Aneva I.Y., Georgiev M.I. (2019)
- Clinopodium vulgare L. (wild basil) extract and its active constituents modulate cyclooxygenase-2 expression in neutrophils. Food and Chemical Toxicology. 124: 1–9. (IF 3.775)
- Chen C., Zhang K., Khurshid M., Li J., He M., Georgiev M.I. , Zhang X. & Zhou M. (2019)
- MYB Transcription repressors regulate plant secondary metabolism. Critical Reviews in Plant Sciences. 38: 159-170. (IF 4.189)
- Vasileva L., Ivanovska M., Murdjeva M., Saracheva K., Georgiev M. (2019)
- Immunoregulatory natural compounds in stress-induced depression: An alternative or an adjunct to conventional antidepressant therapy? Food and Chemical Toxicology. 127: 81–88. (IF 3.775)
