Laboratory for Microbiology was established in 1956 within the Department of Technical Botany and Microscopy of the Faculty of Technology, University of Zagreb. Since 1980, after the Faculty of Food Technology and Biotechnology separated from the Faculty of Technology, University of Zagreb, it has been named the Laboratory for General Microbiology and Food Microbiology. Practical classes were initially held in shared spaces with the Laboratory for Technical Microbiology and Microscopy of the Chemical Technology Department of the Faculty of Technology in Zagreb, Kršnjavoga 25, and after moving to the new Faculty building in 1961, in a newly renovated and specially equipped laboratory with 25 workstations.
The Laboratory is networked into the Faculty's computer system and equipped with student microscopes, a sterile work chamber, a research microscope and other equipment for microbiological testing, and also possesses a microorganism bank.
The scientific research work of the Laboratory today encompasses the field of general and applied microbiology: microbial food spoilage and the antimicrobial activity of natural biopreservatives in food protection; water microbiology; isolation and identification of autochthonous microbial populations from raw materials to the final product; development and characterization of strains for application in the food and pharmaceutical industries; mycotoxin research; research into the potential of autochthonous microbial populations under climate change conditions; research into the antimicrobial and antioxidant potential of biologically active compounds from fungi and algae; protection of cultural heritage from microbial devastation.
The Laboratory's research has resulted in patented solutions and successful cooperation with the food and pharmaceutical industries, as well as with research institutes.