Since 1971, the Department of Plant Physiology with Head Prof. G. Georgiev has collaborated with the Institute of Plant Physiology (BAS), doing research on the growth and differentiation of plant cell, on the constant magnetic field effect on the metabolic processes in plants, on the interaction between genes and hormonal regulation in plants, etc. A new branches of scientific research have been established: Ecological Physiology of Plants (in 1984) by Prof. G. Kimenov, and Plant cell and tissue cultures by Prof. I. Ivanova (in 1986), further developed by Prof. V. Kapchina. Under the guidance of Assoc. Prof. G. Chaneva, studies in the field of Biotechnology and Physiology of Microalgae have been leaded since 2013.
Currently, in the department are developing the following research fields:
(1) Plant biotechnology - in vitro reproduction of rare and valuable medicinal plants of the Bulgarian flora; cryopreservation of endemic and endangered plants; cultivation and biotechnological application of microalgae; identification of secondary metabolites; study of the activity of plant extracts high biological activity; application of plant metabolites in practice (in pharamics, cosmetics, perfumery, to improve phytoimmunity, etc.).
(2) Regulation of plant growth and development - regulation of the productivity of cultivated and medicinal plant species; study of the mechanism of action of phytoeffects in the plant (signaling pathway, gene expression, phenotype); effect of environmental factors on functional status and secondary metabolism.
(3) Plant-microbial interactions - principles of mineral nutrition and factors of influence; the role of interactions with soil microorganisms and microalgae on plant functional status; bioremediation of heavy metals; inter-plant soil interactions (allelopathy).
(4) Stress and adaptation in plants - adaptive mechanisms of plant organisms in response to various stress effects: extreme temperatures, light intensities, heavy metals, acid rain, pesticides, etc .; general principles of stress perception, signal transduction and regulation of gene expression.
The team of the Department of Plant Physiology strives to maintain a good collegiate atmosphere. All members are nature lovers and study various aspects of phytobiology and plant biotechnology. The aim is to deepen the knowledge of cultivated and medicinal plant species as well as microalgae and to find ways to make effective use of their potential.
The department has a greenhouse, phytostat rooms and equipment for experimental activities with in vivo, in vitro and ex vitro plants.
The research work of the department includes activities with students from the Bachelor's and Master's programs of the Faculty of Biology, as well as doctoral students, foreign students and guests. Students have the opportunity to develop research projects jointly with members of the department, as well as in collaboration with other departments of the faculty, other universities, research institutions and business representatives. The obtained results are published in scientific journals, and are presented as posters and reports in various scientific forums (conferences, competitions).
During the period 2014-2019, 7 doctoral theses were defended in the department. 17 bachelor's and 19 master's theses were completed. Students participate actively in ongoing departmental projects, presenting work outputs in scientific forums and competitions, in publications, as well as in educational public relations and student events. There is an active exchange of Erasmus students and professors with the University of Ghent and the University of Antwerp in Belgium; University of Barcelona in Spain, University of Shtip in Macedonia, etc.
The research work of the department includes students from bachelor’s and master's programs, as well as doctoral students and foreign students and guests. Students have the opportunity to develop research projects jointly with the members of the department, as well as in collaboration with other departments of the faculty, other faculties, other research institutions and business representatives. The results obtained are published in the form of publications and presented as posters and reports in various scientific forums (conferences, scientific competitions).
The members of the department participate in projects funded by the Research Fund of Sofia University, the Research Fund of the Ministry of Education and Science, the European Union, and others.