The Laboratory of Bioautomation, Bioinformatics and Bioengineering Systems was established within the scientific field of Electrical Engineering, Electronics and Automation as an interdisciplinary unit combining knowledge and competencies from the fields of biological sciences, biotechnology, food technology, medicine, veterinary medicine, and pharmacy.
Its main mission is the development and implementation of research and applied projects in the fields of biotechnology, bioengineering, and bioinformatics, which are of great importance for the development of the faculty, as well as for supporting the training in the module "Bioelectroengineering" at the bachelor's level. The laboratory creates conditions for the development of research and applied activities, improving the qualifications of the teaching staff, and participation in interdisciplinary projects together with academic and scientific organizations in Bulgaria and abroad.
The laboratory maintains close cooperation with the BioInfoTech laboratory at Sofia Tech Park. In addition to standard laboratory equipment, it is equipped with a 3 l laboratory bioreactor and a Motorola control system, a 15 l fermenter and an APLICON control system, computer configurations, and microprocessor systems for research and development. Through the partnership with BioInfoTech, access to the specialized equipment of Sofia Tech Park is also ensured.
The existing material base allows for conducting research in the fields of bioreactors and bioprocess systems, automation of data processing from biological and biomedical experiments, bioautomation, systems biology, and bioinformatics, with applications in industrial biotechnology, pharmacy, and the synthesis of target substances.
In addition to research activities, the laboratory is actively used for teaching, science popularization, and international cooperation. It provides logistical and expert support to the Bulgarian team in the international student competition in synthetic biology iGEM, participates in the Erasmus+ program, and other international initiatives.
In the educational process, the laboratory is used in the courses "Fermentation Technologies", "Assessment and Management of Biotechnological Processes", "Biosensor Systems and Analyzers", "Data Analysis and Systems for Automation of Fermentation Processes", "BioMEMS", and "Bioinformatics", as well as for the preparation of doctoral students and conducting postgraduate qualification courses.
