Academician ATANAS IVANOV ATANASSOV
occupied position: Manager of JOINT GENOMIC CENTER
address: 8 Dragan Tsankov Blvd, Sofia 1164
contacts: tel.: 8193980; mobile tel.: 0884 852590
email: atanas_atanassov@jgc-bg.org
institute: Agrobioinstitute
address: 8 Dragan Tsankov Blvd, Sofia 1164
contacts: tel.: 9635411; mobile tel.: 0888 714154
email: atanas_atanassov@abi.bg
date of birth: 14.08.1943
place of birth: Dalgopol, Varna district, Bulgaria
marital status: Married with two children
EDUCATION
High school Agricultural college “Timirjazev”, Dobrich, 1961
Higher education Higher Institute of Agriculture, Agronomy Faculty, Sofia, 1967
Linguistic ability: English, Russian, French: written and spoken
FELLOWSHIP:
- 1969 – 1970 Institute of Plant Physiology, RAS’s, Мoscow, Russia, Acad. R. Butenko, 5 months.
- 1974-1975 CNRS Jif-sur-Yvette, France, Dr. Collet Nitch и INRA Versaille, Plant cell and tissue cultures laboratories, France, Dr. Jean-Pierre Bolrein – 5 months.
- 1981- Plant Physiology Institute, Byology Research Center, Szeged, Hungary, Prof. Denesh Dudits – 7 months.
- 1981 – 1982 – Genetic Engineering Laboratory, experimantation station, Оtawa, Canada, Dr. Wilf Keller – 9 months.
- 1987 – Molecular Genetics Laboratory, University of Gent, Belgium – Prof. Мark van Мontague and Dr. Dirk Inze – 4 months.
- 1992 г. – Guest Professor at the Institute of Plant Science CNRS, Gif-sur-Yvette, France, Prof. А. Кondorosy – 4 months.
SCINTIFIC QUALIFICATIONS AND POSITIONS
Bulgarian
- Academician – Bulgarian Academy of Sciences, 2003
- Corresponding Member of Bulgarian Academy of Sciences, 1997
- Researcher – Institute of Genetic Engineering, 2232 Kostinbrod, Agricultural Academy – 1989
- Dr.Sc. in Agronomy – Agricultural Academy, 1989
- Senior Researcher – Institute of Genetics, BAS, 1982
- Ph.D. in Biology – Institute of Genetics, BAS, 1977
- Research Assistant – Institute of Sugarbeet, 1969
International
- Member of The Russian Academy of Agricultural Sciences – 2003
- Doctor Honoris Causa of University of Agricultural Sciences and Veterinary Medicine, Cluj-Napoca, Romania – 2001
- Professor – De Montford University, Leicester, UK - 1994
- Member of The Ukrainian Academy of Agricultural Sciences– 1993
POSITIONS HELD
- 2007-present: Manager of Joint Genomic Center (to Sofia University “St. Kliment Ohridski”)
- 2008-2009: Chairman of the Scientific-Consultative Council of Agriculture and Counsellor of the Minister of Agriculture and Food
- 2001-present: Manager of AgroBioTech Park Ltd (with partners Sofia University “St. Kliment Ohridski” and AgroBioInstitute)
- 2001 – 2008: Director of Agrobioinstitute, Centre of Excellence to the EC, Kostinbrod, NCАS, Bulgaria
- 1994 – 2000: Director, Institute of Genetic Engineering, Agricultural Academy, Kostinbrod, Bulgaria
- 1993- 1994: head of “Cell Genetics” department, Institute of Genetic Engineering, Agricultural Academy
- 1988 – 1993: Director, Institute of Genetic Engineering, Agricultural Academy, Kostinbrod, Bulgaria
- 1985-1988: Director, Central Laboratory of Genetic Engineering, Agricultural Academy, Kostinbrod, Bulgaria
- 1974-1985: group coordinator on “Cell Genetics”, Institute of Genetics, BAS
- 1969-1974: chief of laboratory on “Tissue and cell cultures”, Institute of Sugarbeet
- 1967-1969: Institute of Sugarbeet, specialist in the laboratory on “Tissue and cell cultures” – a pioneer in giving the start of scientific research activities in the field of plant biotechnologies.
MAJOR SCIENTIFIC ACHIEVEMENTS
1) Development, adaptation and application of genetic engineering methods (tissue cultures, cell and molecular genetics) aiming to increase the effectiveness of the genetic and breeding programmes for increasing the efficiency of creation of valuable genetic diversity in economically important species, bearing carrying agronomically valuable traits like:
- Resistance to diseases (virus, fungal and bacterial), herbicides (in order to eliminate weeds and parasite plants), heavy metals and pesticides in soil, drought и freezing (low and high temperatures) in tobacco, tomato and grape;
- Improving plant qualities, used as food for humans (b-carrotin, licopin) and animals (consistance of aminoacids, proteins, lignin, lactoferrin, etc) in tomato and alfalfa;
- Improvement of early raping and productivity;
- Increasing the quality and quantity of biologically (secondary) active compounds in medical and herbal plants (Leucojum aestivum, Sideritis, Rosa damascene, menthe etc).
2) Development, adaptation and application of DNA marker methods for accelerating and improving the effectiveness of plant breeding process based on an early evaluation of the breeding material, derived from remote hybridization and somaclonal variations in economically important cultures: barley, wheat, sunflower, tomatoes, tobacco, roses, grape, strawberry, raspberry.
Development of highly effective methods for genotyping and evaluating the available genetic resources resources, keeping the purity and stability of the existing varieties and hybrids and the protection of the intellectual property rights.
3) Development, adaptation and application the methods of in vitro clonal micropropagation and virus diagnosis of valuable vegetatively propagated species and field crops and the development of prebasic and basic certified material for the respective nurceries and breeding programs. The final goal is to develop genetically authentic and phytosanitary healthy plant material in wheat, barley, maize, sunflower, grape, strawberries etc.
4) Development, adaptation and application of gene cloning methods for establishing a unique gene bank, containing genes determining economically important characters, needed for the improvement of plant breeding programmes through gene transfer techniques in tobacco, tomato, alfalfa, grape, potato, corn, barley, apple, plum, strawberry, roses, cotton and carnation.
5) Development, adaptation and application of genomics methods for unique national germlasm with high economical value by studying the expression and function of various metabolites in relation of the variations of the genotypes and the environment.
6) Establishment and application of biosafety regulations. Organization of the control in the use of genetically improved plants. Evaluation and management of the risk from developing and releasing GMO into the environment. Increasing the public knowledge and creating of national information system – biosafety database.
7) Establishment of the JOINT GENOMIC CENTER, with partners: Sofia university “St. Kliment Ohridski” and Agricultural Academy.
SCIENTIFIC PUBLICATIONS
- Publications in refereed journals – 180.
In Bulgarian – 119
In foreign - 61
- Reports presented at conferencies and symposia – 112
Bulgarian conferencies and symposia – 46
International conferencies and symposia - 66
- Posters presented at conferencies and symposia – 125
- Chapters of books – 9
- Manuals – 2
- Books – 3
- Proceedings – 6
- Brochures and bulletins – 4
Citation: 496 quotations are used in 52 publications, placed in 77 editions. 70 of these editions have the following impact factor
Total impact factor: 36.829
Bibliometrical analysis and educational expertise – personal impact factor 43 points (out of 50)
Geographic coverage of the experience – Bulgaria, Balkan (South East Europe) region, Black Sea region (since 2004 is serving as a President of Black Sea Biotechnology Association).
Agricultural aspects of the expertise – plant biotechnology (tissue culture, genetic engineering, genomics), biosafety, organic farming and renewable energy.
LECTURER’S EXPERIENCE
1982 – the present: Biology Department of Sofia University “Sv. Kliment Ohridski” – Sofia; Agrarian University – Plovdiv and The University of Chemical Technology and Metallurgy – Sofia as part-time lecturer, holding lectures and courses on plant cell and genetic engineering.
Under my supervision have been defended 21 bachelor and Ms diploma works, 32 PhD thesis, and 31 Bulgarian and 28 foreign post-graduate students on the application of plant genetic engineering methods.
MEMBERSHIP IN BOARDS AND SCIENTIFIC COUNCILS AND COMMITTEES
At national level
1988 – to the present: Chairman of the International Consultative Council of ABI
1997 – to the present: Member of the Board of Directors of the Agricultural Academy
2004 – to the present – Member of the Board of the Governors of the National Agrobiotech Park.
1985 – to the present: in different period of time – Member of the Scientific Councils of:
- Dobrudja Agricultural Institute, General Toshevo;
- Agricultural Institute – Shumen;
- Institute of Agriculture – Karnobat;
- Institute of Crop Cultures – Pleven, at present;
- Institute of Viticulture and Winery – Pleven;
- Institute of Fruit-growing – Plovdiv, at present;
- Institute of Agriculture – Kjustendil, at present;
- Institute of Cryobiology and Food Industry – Sofia, at present;
- National Institute for Wine Control and Analysis – Sofia, at present;
- Institute of Tobacco and Tobacco Products – Plovdiv.
1998 – 2005: Executive Secretary of Bulgarian Council for Biosafety of Genetically Modified Higher Plants.
2000 – 2005: Chairman of Scientific Council of LB Bulgaricum, Sofia.
2006 - to the present: Member of the Scientific Council of LB Bulgaricum, Sofia.
2001 – 2007: Chairman of the National Committee for Bioethics with the Ministry of Education and Science.
2001 – to the present: Co-establisher and participant in the management of the first AgroBioTech Park Sofia - between Sofia University “Sv. Kliment Ohridski” and AgroBioInstitute – AA.
2001 – 2009: Member of the Consultative Council of the Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry.
2002 – 2008: Chairman of the National Seed Association of Bulgaria.
2006 - 2009: Member of Higher Attestation Commission
At international level
1989 – to the present: Member of the board of Directors of the International Center for Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology (ICGEB), Trieste, Italy and executive of the ICGEB Affiliated Center of Bulgaria presented by AgroBioInstitute – Kostinbrod, Bulgaria.
1994 – to the present: Executive director of Bulgarian Center at the International Center on Plant Science “Norman Borlaug”, at The De Montford Institute, Leicester, UK
1995 – to the present: Coordinator of the Programme for Plant Biotechnologies for Bulgaria and the Balkan Countries.
2003 – to the present: Chairman of Black Sea Biotechnology Association
Expert and consultant
At national level:
2000 – to the present: Deputy executive of a Work group for preparing the law fro genetically modified organisms (GMO) at the Ministry of Agriculture.
2001 – to the present: Member of Working group № 17 “Science and Research” at the Ministry of Education and Science.
2001 – to the present: executive of a Working group at NCAS for the preparation of a programme for reorganization of NCAS.
2002 – Member of Working group for preparation of a law stimulating scientific research at the Ministry of Education and Science.
At international level:
2002, 3-6.10.: Member of an Expert group for building an infrastructure in the field of biosafety fulfilling the decisions taken by the Intergovernmental Committee for the Cartagena Protocol – Montreal, Canada.
2002, 14-15.10.: Member of Consultative Group at EURAGRI for for building a strategy for the development of agriculture in Europe.
2001, 29-30.09.: Member of Consultative Group at EC, Belgium, for building a strategy for biotechnology and life sciences development.
1998 – to the present: Nomination Advisor to the Japan Prize Selection Committee at the Foundation for Science and Technology of Japan.
1985, 1988, 1991, 1992 : Expert to the FAO’s Plant Biotechnologies Programme, Rome, Italy and the International Agency for Nuclear Energy (IAEA), Vienna, Austria.
2008- to the present: Expert, Member of the Evaluation Panel for the Agricultural and Forest Sciences area, The Portuguese Foundation for Science and Technology - FCT
MEMBER OF EDITORIAL BOARDS
1989 – to the present: Chief Editor of Biotechnology and Biotechnology Equipment journal – Bulgaria;
1995 – to the present: Member of the Editorial Board of “Journal Annals of Biology” – India;
1995 – to the present: Member of the Editorial Board of journal “Emerging Technology Trends: Biotechnology” UNIDO – Austria;
1995 - to the present: Member of the Editorial Board of journal “Journal Genetics” – Yugoslavia;
1996 – to the present: Member of the Editorial Board of journal Matica Srpska Proceedings for Natural Sciences – Yugoslavia;
1997 – to the present: Member of the Editorial Board of Journal “Agricultural Science” – Yugoslavia;
1998 - to the present: Member of the Editorial Board of journal “Bulgarian Tobaccos”, Bulgaria;
1998 - to the present: Member of the Editorial Board of journal “Bulgarian Journal of Agricultural Science” – Bulgaria;
2001 - to the present: Member of the Editorial Board of journal “Forest Science” – BAS, Bulgaria;
2001 - to the present: Member of the Editorial Board of journal “Journal of Agriculture and Forestry”, Turkey.
2001 – to the present: Member of the Editorial Board of journal “Acta Agricuturae Serbica”.
2003 - to the present: Honorary editor of “Journal of Natural Fibers”, Poland
2004 – Member of the Editorial Board of “Journal of Balkan Ecology”, Bulgaria
2005 – 2009: Мember of the Editorial Board of the journal ‘Plant Cell Reports’
Membership in international organisations
1. IPTCA – International Plant Tissue Culture Association
1985- 1992 – national correspondent
1992 – to the present – member
2. EUCARPIA – European Association for Research in Plant Breeding
1995- 2001 – national correspondent
2001 – to the present – member
3. IS – MPMI – International Society for Molecular Plant – Microbe Interaction
1993 – to the present – member
4. JSPP – Japan Society of Plant Physiology
1999 – to the present – member
5. ESNA – European Society for New Methods in Agricultural Research
1998 – to the present – member
6. EPSO – European Plant Science Association
2000 – to the present – national correspondent
7. 2004 – present: President of the Black Sea Biotechnology Association
8. 2004 – present: Member of the Steering committee of Public Research and Regulation Foundation.
OTHER AREAS OF EXPERTISE
- Reports following foreign invitation – 125
- Organized international activities – 67
- Projects with international foundations and organizations – 27
- Projects, bilateral and multilateral cooperation – 12
- Projects, contracts with foreign companies – 14
- Projects, contracts with Bulgarian companies - 9
- Projects financed by national organizations:
Agricultural Academy – 26
Ministry of Education, Youth and Science - 31
Ministry of Economics – 24.
HONOURS AND PRIZES
1970 – Diploma for successes achieved in the research work in the field of agriculture;
1996 – Nomination Advisor to the Japan Prize Selection Committee at the Foundation for Science and Technology of Japan;
1999 – Honorary member of the American Biography Institute;
1995 - Member of the Academy of Sciencies of New York;
1995 - Honored medal from the University of Izmir, Turkey
1995 – Honoured scholarship – prize from the Nuclear Agency, Vienna, Austria
1991,2004 – Honoured scholarship – prize from the Japanese Society for scientific development.
2000 – Diploma from EUREKA fair, Brussels 2000 for the innovations in the plant genetic resources program;
2001 – Honored as Expert on the problems of genetically modified organisms biosafety – ICGEB course, Florence, Italy.
2001 – 200 thousand USD donated to the Institute of Genetic Engineering (at present ABI) by the US Government to support the biological studies of American and Bulgarian seeds and plants.
2000 – EC Center of Excellence, Brussels. Estimated with the highest score of points among all the 176 candidates from Central and Eastern Europe.
2003 – Diploma from Ministry of Education and Science for activity ant success of the projects as a result of participation in the EC’s Fifth framework program for scientific research, technological development and demonstrations.
2003 – Complimentary address and plaquet from Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry for significant activity ant success of the projects within EC’s Fifth framework program for scientific research, technological development and demonstrations.
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Prof. Atanas Atanassov address: 8 Dragan Tsankov Blvd., Sofia 1164, Bulgaria tel. (JGC): +359 2 8193980, fax: +359 2 8193988 mobile tel.: +359 888 714154; +359 884 852590 |
