Gergana Mihailova
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Associate Professor Gergana Mihailova, PhDBuilding 21, Office 305, Lab 116 ORCID ID: 0000-0001-6006-6720 |
RESEARCH INTERESTS
Photosynthesis, chlorophyll fluorescence, resurrection plants, abiotic stress, protective mechanisms, antioxidant system, gene expression, protein synthesis.
EDUCATION AND ACADEMIC DEGREES
- 2004 – Bachelor in Molecular Biology, Faculty of Biology, Sofia University, Bulgaria
- 2006 – Master in Biochemistry, Faculty of Biology, Sofia University, Bulgaria
- 2012 – PhD in Biochemistry, Institute of Plant Physiology and Genetics, Bulgarian Academy of Sciences, Sofia, Bulgaria
Professional Background
- 2009 – Researcher, Acad. M. Popov Institute of Plant Physiology, Bulgarian Academy of Sciences
- 2014 г. – Assistant Professor, Institute of Plant Physiology and Genetics, Bulgarian Academy of Sciences
- 2024 г. – Associate Professor, Institute of Plant Physiology and Genetics, Bulgarian Academy of Sciences
Working on collaborative research projects in laboratories abroad
- Institute оf Molecular Biosciences, University of Frankfurt, Germany – German Academic Exchange Service (DAAD fellowship) – 2007, 2008
- Eötvös Lorand University, Budapest, Hungary – NATO fellowship – 2004
- Istituto di Biochimica ed Ecofisiologia vegetali, Monterotoondo Scalo, CNR, Italy – Human Frontier Science Program (HFSP) fellowship – 2001
- Istituto per l’Agroselvicoltura, Porano, Italy – CNR-NATO fellowship – 2000
- Institute of Botany, Karlsruhe University, Germany – DAAD fellowship – 1995, 1998, 2005
- Imperial College of Science, Technology and Medicine, London, UK – Royal Society fellowship – 1996
PROFESSIONAL MEMBERSHIPS
- Union of Scientists in Bulgaria, section Plant Physiology and Biochemistry
- Federation of European Societies of Plant Biology (FESPB)
PROJECTS IN THE LAST TEN YEARS
- 2026-2027 – IC-HU/03/2026-2027 – Joint research project within the frames of the bilateral cooperation between Bulgarian Academy of Sciences and Hungarian Academy of Sciences – Senescence, chloroplasts and autophagy: Avoidance of drought-induced chloroplast degradation in the desiccation tolerant Haberlea rhodopensis. Project leader
- 2025-2028 – КП-06-Н96/3 – Research grant from National Science Fund (NSF), Bulgarian Ministry of Education and Science – Relationship between drought tolerance and fungal pathogen resistance in crop and resurrection plants (ReLeaFun). Project leader
- 2025-2028 – КП-06-H91/4 – Research grant from National Science Fund (NSF), Bulgarian Ministry of Education and Science – Comprehensive study of the biological activity of an extract from lovage (Levisticum officinale) in models of metabolic and oncological diseases in experimental animals and cell cultures. Project participant
- 2023-2026 – 101086366 CropPrime (HORIZON-MSCA-2021-SE-01-01) – Stabilizing CROP yield under unfavourable conditions by molecular PRIM(E)ing. Project participant
- 2024-2026 – National TC project IAEA-Vienna – BUL5020 – Increasing the Yield and Quality of Main Vegetable Crops through Nuclear Technology to Withstand the Impacts of Climate Change. Project participant
- 2024-2025 – IC-HU/03/2024-2025 – Joint research project within the frames of the bilateral cooperation between Bulgarian Academy of Sciences and Hungarian Academy of Sciences – Protective mechanisms and reactivation of physiological processes in roots and leaves that contribute to the recovery of Haberlea rhodopensis from air-dry states. Project participant
- 2022-2023 – IC-HU/03/2022-2023 – Joint research project within the frames of the bilateral cooperation between Bulgarian Academy of Sciences and Hungarian Academy of Sciences – Defence mechanisms at root and leaf levels that allow the resurrection plant Haberlea rhodopensis to overcome the final stage of desiccation. Project participant
- 2020-2024 – National TC project IAEA-Vienna IAEA – BUL5016 – Improving the Productivity and Quality of Economically Important Crops through Mutation Breeding and Biotechnology. Project participant
- 2019-2023 – National Research Program – Healthy nutrition for a strong bioeconomy and quality of life. Project participant
- 2018-2023 – КП-06-Н26/11 – Research grant from National Science Fund (NSF), Bulgarian Ministry of Education and Science – Role of carotenoids for effectiveness and stability of photosynthetic apparatus of higher plants exposed to changes in environmental conditions. Project participant
- 2018-2023 – КП-06-Н21/8 – Research grant from National Science Fund (NSF), Bulgarian Ministry of Education and Science – Mechanisms of recovery from drought and frost-induced desiccation: strategies for survival of the resurrection plant Haberlea rhodopensis. Project participant
- 2019-2021 – Joint research project within the frames of the bilateral cooperation between Bulgarian Academy of Sciences and Hungarian Academy of Sciences – Detailed characterization of recovery processes from the drought-induced desiccated stage in the resurrection plant Haberlea rhodopensis. Project participant
- 2016-2018 – National TC project IAEA-Vienna – BUL5014 – Screening of cereal germplasm stress response and adaptation potential by advanced nuclear, omics and physiological approaches. Project participant
- 2016-2018 – Joint research project within the frames of the bilateral cooperation between Bulgarian Academy of Sciences and National Council of Research (CNR), Italy – Biochemical and physiological mechanisms of cold hardiness in the resurrection plant Haberlea rhodopensis Friv. Project participant
- 2016-2018 – Joint research project within the frames of the bilateral cooperation between Bulgarian Academy of Sciences and Hungarian Academy of Sciences – Physiological characteristics of cold resistance of plants with different susceptibility to drought. Project participant
PUBLICATIONS
Total number of publications: 47
Publications in Scopus/WoS: 43
Total JCR IF (WoS) – 117.997
Citations: 246 (Scopus); 239 (WoS), 469 (Google Scholar)
h-index: 9 (Scopus)
Gashi B, Kastrati F, Mihailova G, Georgieva K, Popova E, Çoçaj E, Lluga-Rizani K, Ramshaj Q. Recovery dynamics of photosynthetic performance and antioxidant defense in resurrection plants Ramonda serbica and Ramonda nathaliae after freezing-Induced desiccation. Plants 2025, 14 (17), 2760.
https://doi.org/10.3390/plants14172760
Keresztes Á, Sárvári É, Nyitrai P, Pham HD, Mihailova G, Szalai G, Sass L, Georgieva K, Vass I, Solti Á. Alternative oxidase activity and vacuolar intrusion of mitochondria represent a delayed mitophagy associated with the chilling stress in Haberlea rhodopensis. Plant Stress 2025, 18, 101093.
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.stress.2025.101093
Kastrati F, Gashi B, Mihailova G, Georgieva K, Popova E, Çoçaj E. Photosynthetic activity and antioxidative defense during cold and freezing stress of the resurrection plants Ramonda nathaliae and Ramonda serbica. Plant Stress 2025, 15, 100741.
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.stress.2025.100741
Georgieva K, Mihailova G. Acclimation of the resurrection plant Haberlea rhodopensis to changing light conditions. Plants 2024, 13 (22), 3147.
https://doi.org/10.3390/plants13223147
Popova AV, Stefanov M, Mihailova G, Borisova P, Georgieva K. 2024. Response of tomato plants, Ailsa Craig and carotenoid mutant tangerine, to simultaneous treatment by low light and low temperature. Plants, 13(14), 1929.
https://doi.org/10.3390/plants13141929
Illés L, Sági-Kazár M, Steinbach F, Hembrom R, Mihailova G, Georgieva K, Solymosi K, Barócsi A, Solti Á, Lenk S. 2024. Fluorescence lifetime of plant leaves with sub-nanosecond resolution. Measurement Science and Technology, 35(8), 085206.
http://doi.org/10.1088/1361-6501/ad49c1
Georgieva K, Mihailova G, Gigova L, Popova AV, Velitchkova M, Simova-Stoilova L, Sági-Kazár M, Zelenyánszki H, Solymosi K, Solti Á. 2023. Antioxidative defense, suppressed nitric oxide accumulation, and synthesis of protective proteins in roots and leaves contribute to the desiccation tolerance of the resurrection plant Haberlea rhodopensis. Plants, 12(15), 2834.
https://doi.org/10.3390/plants12152834
Kumanova E, Mihailova G, Todorovska EG, Georgieva K, Tsonev S, Christov NK. 2023. Oligo-dT anchored cDNA-SRAP and cDNA-SCoT aided identification of transcripts differentially expressed during the early stages of recovery of resurrection plant Haberlea rhodopensis Friv. from freezing-induced desiccation. Biotechnology & Biotechnological Equipment, 37(1), 2229450.
https://doi.org/10.1080/13102818.2023.2229450
Popova AV, Mihailova G, Geneva M, Peeva V, Kirova E, Sichanova M, Dobrikova A, Georgieva K. 2023. Different responses to water deficit of two common winter wheat varieties: physiological and biochemical characteristics. Plants, 12(12), 2239.
https://doi.org/10.3390/plants12122239
Mihailova G, Gashi B, Krastev N, Georgieva K. 2023. Acquisition of freezing tolerance of resurrection species from Gesneriaceae, a comparative study. Plants, 12(9), 1893.
https://doi.org/10.3390/plants12091893
Mihailova G, Tchorbadjieva M, Rakleova G, Georgieva K. 2023. Differential accumulation of sHSPs isoforms during desiccation of the resurrection plant Haberlea rhodopensis Friv. under optimal and high temperature. Life, 13(1), 238.
https://doi.org/10.3390/life13010238
Mihailova G, Solti Á, Sárvári É, Hunyadi-Gulyás É, Georgieva K. 2023. Protein changes in shade and sun Haberlea rhodopensis leaves during dehydration at optimal and low temperatures. Plants, 12(2), 401.
https://doi.org/10.3390/plants12020401
Georgieva K, Mihailova G, Fernández-Marín B, Bertazza G, Govoni A, Arzac MI, Laza JM, Vilas JL, García-Plazaola JI, Rapparini F. 2022. Protective strategies of Haberlea rhodopensis for acquisition of freezing tolerance: Interaction between dehydration and low temperature. International Journal of Molecular Sciences, 23(23), 15050.
https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms232315050
Mihailova G, Christov NK, Sárvári É, Solti Á, Hembrom R, Solymosi K, Keresztes Á, Velitchkova M, Popova AV, Simova-Stoilova L, Todorovska E, Georgieva K. 2022. Reactivation of the photosynthetic apparatus of resurrection plant Haberlea rhodopensis during the early phase of recovery from drought-and freezing-induced desiccation. Plants, 11(17), 2185.
https://doi.org/10.3390/plants11172185
Mihailova G, Vasileva I, Gigova L, Gesheva E, Simova-Stoilova L, Georgieva K. 2022. Antioxidant defense during recovery of resurrection plant Haberlea rhodopensis from drought-and freezing-induced desiccation. Plants, 11(2), 175.
https://doi.org/10.3390/plants11020175
Popova AV, Vladkova R, Borisova P, Georgieva K, Mihailova G, Velikova V, Tsonev T, Ivanov AG. 2022. Photosynthetic response of lutein-deficient mutant lut2 of Arabidopsis thaliana to low-temperature at high-light. Photosynthetica, 60(1), 110-120.
https://doi.org/10.32615/ps.2022.009
Georgieva K, Popova AV, Mihailova G, Ivanov AG, Velitchkova M. 2022. Limiting steps and the contribution of alternative electron flow pathways in the recovery of the photosynthetic functions after freezing-induced desiccation of Haberlea rhodopensis. Photosynthetica, 60(1), 136-146.
https://doi.org/10.32615/ps.2022.008
Popova AV, Borisova P, Mihailova G, Georgieva K. 2022. Antioxidative response of Arabidopsis thaliana to combined action of low temperature and high light illumination when lutein is missing. Acta Physiologiae Plantarum, 44, 10.
https://doi.org/10.1007/s11738-021-03342-x
Georgieva K, Mihailova G, Gigova L, Dagnon S, Simova-Stoilova L, Velitchkova M. 2021. The role of antioxidant defense in freezing tolerance of resurrection plant Haberlea rhodopensis. Physiology and Molecular Biology of Plants, 27(5), 1119-1133.
https://doi.org/10.1007/s12298-021-00998-0
Chipilski R, Uhr Z, Dimitrov E, Mihailova G, Georgieva K. 2020. Drought tolerance of two Bulgarian winter common wheat cultivars. Proceedings of II. International, Agricultural, Biological & Life Science Conference (AGBIOL 2020), 958-967. ISBN 978-975-374-279-5.
https://www.researchgate.net/publication/346486766
Georgieva K, Mihailova G, Velitchkova M, Popova A. 2020. Recovery of photosynthetic activity of resurrection plant Haberlea rhodopensis from drought-and freezing-induced desiccation. Photosynyhetica, 58(4), 911-921.
https://doi.org/10.32615/ps.2020.044
Mihailova G, Solti Á, Sárvári É, Keresztes Á, Rapparini F, Velitchkova M, Simova-Stoilova L, Aleksandrov V, Georgieva K. 2020. Freezing tolerance of photosynthetic apparatus in the homoiochlorophyllous resurrection plant Haberlea rhodopensis. Environmental and Experimental Botany, 178, 104157.
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.envexpbot.2020.104157
Mihailova G, Stoyanova Z, Rodeva R, Bankina B, Bimsteine G, Georgieva K. 2019. Physiological changes in winter wheat genotypes in response to the Zymoseptoria tritici infection. Photosynthetica, 57(2), 428-437.
https://doi.org/10.32615/ps.2019.054
Doltchinkova V, Andreeva T, Georgieva K, Mihailova G, Balashev K. 2019. Desiccation‐induced alterations in surface topography of thylakoids from resurrection plant Haberlea rhodopensis studied by atomic force microscopy, electrokinetic and optical measurements. Physiologia Plantarum, 166(2), 585-595.
https://doi.org/10.1111/ppl.12807
Mihailova G, Kocheva K, Goltsev V, Kalaji HM, Georgieva K. 2018. Application of a diffusion model to measure ion leakage of resurrection plant leaves undergoing desiccation. Plant Physiology and Biochemistry, 125, 185-192.
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.plaphy.2018.02.008
Georgieva K, Dagnon S, Gesheva E, Bojilov D, Mihailova G, Doncheva S. 2017. Antioxidant defense during desiccation of the resurrection plant Haberlea rhodopensis. Plant Physiology and Biochemistry, 114, 51-59.
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.plaphy.2017.02.021
Mihailova G, Abakumov D, Büchel C, Dietzel L, Georgieva K. 2017. Drought-responsive gene expression in sun and shade plants of Haberlea rhodopensis under controlled environment. Plant Molecular Biology Reporter, 35, 313-322.
https://doi.org/10.1007/s11105-017-1025-3
Georgieva K, Rapparini F, Bertazza G, Mihailova G, Sárvári É, Solti Á, Keresztes Á. 2017. Alterations in the sugar metabolism and in the vacuolar system of mesophyll cells contribute to the desiccation tolerance of Haberlea rhodopensis ecotypes. Protoplasma, 254(1), 193-201.
https://doi.org/10.1007/s00709-015-0932-0
Mihailova G, Büchel C, Dietzel L, Georgieva K. 2016. Desiccation induced changes in photosynthesis related proteins of shade and sun Haberlea rhodopensis plants. Comptes rendus de l’Académie bulgare des Sciences, 69(1), 2016, 37-44.
Georgieva K, Mihailova G. 2016. Drought Tolerance of Photosynthesis. In: Handbook of photosynthesis, Pessarakli M (Ed.), Third edition, CRC Press, Taylor & Francis Group, 683-696.
https://www.taylorfrancis.com/chapters/edit/10.1201/9781315372136-37/drought-tolerance-photosynthesis-katya-georgieva-gergana-mihailova
Rapparini F, Neri L, Mihailova G., Petkova S, Georgieva K. 2015. Growth irradiance affects the photoprotective mechanisms of the resurrection angiosperm Haberlea rhodopensis Friv. in response to desiccation and rehydration at morphological, physiological and biochemical levels. Environmental and Experimental Botany, 113, 67-79.
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.envexpbot.2015.01.007
Mihailova G, Velitchkova M, Doltchinkova V, Lazarova D, Georgieva K. 2015. Photosynthetic characteristics of the resurrection plant Haberlea rhodopensis from two habitats. Genetics and Plant Physiology, 5(1), 74-85.
http://www.bio21.bas.bg/ippg/bg/wp-content/uploads/2015/04/GPP_5_1_2015_74-85.pdf
Assenov B, Georgieva K, Mihailova G, Zagorchev L, Odjakova M, AbuMhadi N, Christov N, Valcheva D, Valchev D, Todorovska E. 2014. Physiological, biochemical and molecular studies on salt tolerance of Bulgarian 6-row barley cultivars. Scientific works of the Institute of Agriculture–Karnobat, 3(1), 45-54.
http://www.iz-karnobat.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/10/4.Assenov-Physiological.pdf
Solti Á, Mihailova G, Sárvári É, Georgieva K. 2014. Antioxidative defence mechanisms contributes to desiccation tolerance in Haberlea rhodopensis population naturally exposed to high irradiation. Acta Biologica Szegediensis, 58(1), 11-14.
https://abs.bibl.u-szeged.hu/index.php/abs/article/view/2811/2803
Sárvári É, Mihailova G, Solti Á, Keresztes Á, Velitchkova M, Georgieva K. 2014. Comparison of thylakoid structure and organization in sun and shade Haberlea rhodopensis populations under desiccation and rehydration. Journal of Plant Physiology, 171(17), 1591-1600.
http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.jplph.2014.07.015
Solti A, Lenk S, Mihailova G, Mayer P, Barócsi A, Georgieva K. 2014. Effects of habitat light conditions on the excitation quenching pathways in desiccating Haberlea rhodopensis leaves: an Intelligent FluoroSensor study. Journal of Photochemistry and Photobiology B: Biology, 130, 217-225.
http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.jphotobiol.2013.11.016
Velitchkova M, Doltchinkova V, Lazarova D, Mihailova G, Doncheva S, Georgieva K. 2013. Effect of high temperature on dehydration-induced alterations in photosynthetic characteristics of the resurrection plant Haberlea rhodopensis. Photosynthetica, 51(4), 630-640.
http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/s11099-013-0063-9
Mihailova G, Petkova S, Stefanov D, Georgieva K. 2013. Effect of desiccation of the resurrection plant Haberlea rhodopensis at high temperature on the photochemical activity of PSI and PSII. In: Photosynthesis: Research for Food, Fuel and Future – 15th International Conference on Photosynthesis. Kuang T, Zhang L, Lu C (Eds.). 540-543.
http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/978-3-642-32034-7_114
Georgieva K, Doncheva S, Mihailova G, Petkova S. 2013. Effect of light on the photosynthetic activity during desiccation of the resurrection plant Haberlea rhodopensis. In: Photosynthesis: Research for Food, Fuel and Future – 15th International Conference on Photosynthesis. Kuang T, Zhang L, Lu C (Eds.). 536-539.
http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/978-3-642-32034-7_113
Velitchkova M, Lazarova D, Mihailova G, Stanoeva D, Dolchinkova V, Georgieva K. 2013. Characterization of energy transfer processes and flash oxygen yields of thyalakoid membranes isolated from resurrection plant Haberlea rhodopensis subjected to different extent of desiccation. In: Photosynthesis: Research for Food, Fuel and Future – 15th International Conference on Photosynthesis. Kuang T, Zhang L, Lu C (Eds.). 531-535.
http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/978-3-642-32034-7_112
Georgieva K, Mihailova G, Petkova S. 2012. Photochemical efficiency of Photosystem II during desiccation of shade- and sun-adapted plants of Haberlea rhodopensis. Comptes rendus de l’Académie bulgare des Sciences, 65(5), 631-638.
Georgieva K, Doncheva S, Mihailova G, Petkova S. 2012. Response of sun-and shade-adapted plants of Haberlea rhodopensis to desiccation. Plant Growth Regulation, 67, 121-132.
https://doi.org/10.1007/s10725-012-9669-3
Péli ER, Mihailova G, Petkova S, Tuba Z, Georgieva K. 2012. Differences in physiological adaptation of Haberlea rhodopensis Friv. leaves and roots during dehydration–rehydration cycle. Acta Physiologiae Plantarum, 34, 947-955.
https://doi.org/10.1007/s11738-011-0891-9
Mihailova G, Petkova S, Büchel C, Georgieva K. 2011. Desiccation of the resurrection plant Haberlea rhodopensis at high temperature. Photosynthesis Research, 108, 5-13.
https://doi.org/10.1007/s11120-011-9644-2
Mihailova G, Petkova S, Stefanov D, Georgieva K. 2009. Light dependence of photosynthetic oxygen evolution of Haberlea rhodopensis desiccated at high temperature. General and Applied Plant Physiology, 35(3/4), 111-116.
http://www.bio21.bas.bg/ippg/bg/wp-content/uploads/2011/06/GAPP_v35_3-4_111-116.pdf
Mihailova G, Petkova S, Georgieva K. 2009. Changes in some antioxidant enzyme activities in Haberlea rhodopensis during desiccation at high temperature. Biotechnology & Biotechnological Equipment, 23(sup1), 561-564.
https://doi.org/10.1080/13102818.2009.10818487
Peli E, Mihailova G, Petkova S, Georgieva K. 2008. Root respiration in whole Haberlea rhodopensis Friv. plants during desiccation and rehydration. Acta Biologica Szegediensis, 52(1), 115-117.
https://abs.bibl.u-szeged.hu/index.php/abs/article/view/2599/2591
