CellGenetics Laboratory

Polymed Medical Center

Dr. Lubomir Balabanski is a molecular geneticist with over 10 years of experience in next-generation DNA sequencing (NGS) and bioinformatic analysis of genomic data. He holds a Bachelor’s degree in Molecular Genetics from the University of Edinburgh, UK, and upon returning to Bulgaria, he completed his Master’s degree in Genetics and Genomics at the Faculty of Biology, Sofia University “St. Kliment Ohridski” in 2013. In 2022, he obtained his PhD from the Medical University of Sofia, with a thesis entitled: “Identification of Genetic Factors Predisposing to Longevity in Bulgarian Centenarians Through Whole Genome and Exome Sequencing Data Analysis.”

In 2012, he began working at Bulgaria’s first genetic laboratory, at SBALGAR “Dr. Malinov,” which was equipped with next-generation sequencing technology. There, he performed specialized genomic analyses and diagnostics for various genetic disorders. In 2021, he contributed to the establishment of the first laboratory in Bulgaria specializing in bioinformatic analysis and interpretation of whole genome sequencing data for medical diagnostics—GMDL “CellGenetics,” where he holds the position of Senior Geneticist. Since 2023, he is the head of the genetic laboratory at Polymed Medical Center, which specializes in comprehensive genomic profiling of tumor tissue in cancer patients to identify potential therapeutic opportunities.

Dr. Balabanski has also served as a consultant in genetics and bioinformatics at the Center for Competence in Personalized Medicine at the Medical University of Pleven, and at the Institute of Molecular Biology at the Bulgarian Academy of Sciences. He is the recipient of the “Acad. Tasho Tashev” award for young scientists, conferred by the Bulgarian Association for the Study of Obesity and Related Diseases. He is the author or co-author of over 20 scientific publications in various international journals and has been a speaker at numerous national and international conferences. His research interests include genetic diagnostics, oncology, aging biology, gene therapy, and bioinformatics.