Institute of Microbiology of the Academy of Sciences of the Czech Republic (IM AS CR) is the largest scientific institution involved in the study of microorganisms in the Czech Republic. It comprises 5 scientific divisions including two working places located outside Prague, viz. in Novy Hradek and Trebon. It has more than 300 employees, of which more than one-half are scientists. The research concentrates on cell and molecular biology and genetics of bacteria, fungi, algae and blue algae. Regulatory mechanisms involved in the morphological and biochemical differentiation of microorganisms, production of antibiotics, immunosuppressives, various enzymes and non-specific and specific humoral and cellular immunity are also investigated.