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Prof. Budin Mihov and his world-renowned books on biochemistry and medicine

Human life can be extended by 100 or even more years, the molecular researcher believes

Molecular medicine, medicinal chemistry, biochemistry, molecular pathology, molecular pharmacology - these are some of the topics on which prof. Budin Mihov has been working for 30 years. He humbly describes himself as a world-class scientist, and the volume of his works proves that a person's true dedication to science is limited only by the horizon.

Prof. Budin Mihov published his first book "Electrophoresis. Theory and Practice" in German, and then it was republished in English by a publishing house in Great Britain. To this day it remains the most extensive research publication on electrophoresis in the world. The biochemist's real pride, however, is his "Encyclopedia of Molecular Medicine", which he has enriched over time.

One of his books has a particularly wide readership, worldwide in fact. This is his Chemistry in Medicine, which has been used by medical students, teachers and practitioners alike. The Cambridge University Press has also shown interest and has already signed a contract with the Bulgarian professor to publish his scientific work within the next six months.

Budin Mihov was fascinated by the beauty of science long before he started writing his books. He was raised in the family of Dr. Miho Mihov, one of the most famous medical doctors in Ruse. His interest in medicine began in childhood, and later, as a student at the Medical University of Sofia, he came to the insight that he needed to gain a thorough knowledge of cell molecules and atoms to understand pathogenesis*. This is the only way to understand the mechanisms of drugs, the professor believes to this day. "These mechanisms are at the root of diseases, but they are also the key to their treatment and explain how antibiotics, hormones, steroid drugs - everything is linked to the atoms and molecules in the cell - work," he says.


"Interaction mechanisms at the molecular level need to be explored more and more to find new drugs to treat previously incurable diseases - Prof. Mihov explained to Radio Bulgaria. - Whether by 100 or even more years, human life will be extended. Earlier nobody had any idea about the existence of antibodies, but today there is a lot of talk about immunology. It turns out that it is extremely important for protecting the human organism from various diseases. Progress has also been made with the discovery of antibiotics, and millions of people around the world have been saved through them. If human life used to be 40 years, now it is more than 70-80 years - this is thanks to the study of the same cellular mechanisms and getting to know the human organism."

Professor Budin Mihov describes writing a book that can be used by various medical professionals around the world as a great responsibility. "Besides, the Cambridge University programmes train students not only in England and the USA, but also in Canada, Australia and Asia," adds the scientist. His success comes after years of hard work and a thanks to his fluency in three foreign languages. He follows the latest publications of the leading university centres in Germany, USA, Russia, England. For his books, he does not rely on help from assistants and collaborators, but prepares and edits everything himself.

"Right now I am focused on publishing "Chemistry in Medicine", which will be of a super high level, because I consider it my vocation and duty - says Prof. Mihov. It will bw used by doctors and medical students. In addition, I have another contract with publishers from Boston and Berlin to publish "Molecular Medicine", which will be colossally large - 1600 pages. There is no way I can handle such an enormous amount of work without drawing strength and inspiration from nature. I love the mountains very much and I often go to the mountains near Sofia. That tones me up. That way I have fun and the rest of the time I work on my books."


*Pathogenesis is the process by which an infection leads to disease, or the mechanism of disease onset and development and its individual manifestations at different levels in the body, from molecular disorders to changes in organs and systems. 


Photos: Gergana Mancheva
Translated and posted by Elizabeth Radkova


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