The history of the Institute of Microbiology and Biotechnology began in 1946, when the Institute of Microbiology of the Latvian Academy of Sciences was founded on the basis of the serum station in Kleisti. In 1993, yeast and bacteria researchers of the institute decided to join the University of Latvia, establishing the Institute of Microbiology and Biotechnology. It was established in 1993, separating the A. Kirchenstein Institute of Microbiology from the Latvian Academy of Sciences. Its first director was Mārtiņš Beķers.
With the establishment of the new Faculty of Medicine and Life Sciences of the University of Latvia from July 2024, the institute operates as a structural unit of the faculty.
Main directions of research:
- metabolism, physiology and biotechnology of industrial producers microorganisms;
- microbial degradation and environmental biotechnology;
- food biotechnology;
- bioconversion of industrial and agricultural waste products and by-products;
- systems biology, application of computer modeling in biotechnology.