Sos Alikhanian
From genetics to industrial microbiology
Sos Alikhanian was a Soviet Armenian geneticist born in Baku in 1906. His early scientific career was closely connected with Moscow State University and Alexander Serebrovsky’s school of genetics. After military service during the Second World War, he returned to research and teaching.
He studied heredity, microbial genetics and gene activity. His work at the antibiotics research institute and later at the Kurchatov Institute helped connect genetic research with industrial microbiology and the study of useful microorganisms.
In 1968, Alikhanian established the Institute of Genetics and Selection of Industrial Microorganisms and became its first director, serving until 1975. He died in 1985. His legacy combines fundamental genetics, the organization of scientific institutions and research into microbial properties with practical applications.