The "European agile network for medical COUNTERmeasures Against CBRN Threats" (COUNTERACT) project is about developing medical countermeasures (MCMs) against major CBRN threats and deploying them when necessary. To this end, COUNTERACT brings together numerous European partners to form a robust and flexible network within the EU. The RKI contributes expertise on biological threats.

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The German Federal Foreign Office's Biosecurity Programme aims to prevent the misuse of pathogens and toxins, reduce the availability and spread of dangerous pathogens, and strengthen the national health capacities of partnered countries. The program consists of several individual projects that are implemented together with German institutions, including the RKI.

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In order to support the Secretary-General's Mechanism (UNSGM), the bioinformatics skills of laboratories are to be trained and expanded. To this end, bioinformatic data sets will be provided as part of a "dry lab" EQAE, which will be analyzed and characterized by the participating laboratories with regard to sequences and genomes of viral origin.

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The EFFO - CoE ("Center of Excellence") project strengthens the clinical management of High Consequence Infectious Diseases (HCID) in Rwanda. To this end, Rwanda's first special isolation station (SIS) is being set up and a suitable training program for Rwandan healthcare staff is being established. EFFO-CoE is funded as part of the Global Health Protection Program (GHPP).

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As part of the "European Virus Archive Global" (EVAg) project, the EVA was developed into an international non-profit organization. With the participation of the RKI, the laboratories involved in the project organize the production, distribution, characterization and preservation of biological material that can be used for virological studies in research and teaching.

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The IDEAnet project strengthens the diagnostic capacities for human pathogenic viruses in Sri Lanka. Measures are being developed to prevent outbreaks of highly pathogenic viruses and other pathogens in Sri Lanka. This includes in particular the establishment of a laboratory network to promote diagnostics, collaboration, knowledge sharing and quality control in laboratories across the country. IDEAnet is funded as part of the Global Health Protection Program (GHPP).

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The project "Implementation of a routine animal test replacement method for botulism diagnostics" (ImpliBoNT) aims to create acceptance for an innovative animal replacement method for botulinum neurotoxin diagnostics developed in preliminary projects. The project focuses on practical training courses for national and international laboratories as well as multi-center comparative studies.

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The project aims to sequence and analyze historical Variola vaccines (~1890 - 1976). The origin and evolution of the vaccinia virus, which was used for the worldwide eradication campaign, is still unknown.

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In the ISO-BT project, an isothermal amplification sequencing method is being implemented and evaluated using bioterror diagnostics as a model.

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The aim of the KRILAWI project is to strengthen our healthcare system's ability to respond to crises in exceptional biological hazard situations through the timely and targeted transfer of knowledge. A resource-efficient knowledge management system is to be developed to ensure that all stakeholders quickly receive the information relevant to them and are able to act.

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In several successive research projects, German health and security authorities are developing a concept for the management of biologically contaminated attack sites under the coordination of the RKI. As it is not only a question of identifying the perpetrators but also of protecting the health of the population, the police and the public health service share responsibility for managing such attacks. The aim of MEBBI is therefore to bring the different authorities together and to define the processes and practice the joint efficient management of biological attacks.

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The Franco-German joint project PLANT (Priority to threats posed by plant toxins: management, detection, forensics and therapeutics in a bioterrorism incident taken to the next level) aims to develop tools for the optimal management of the challenges associated with an attack involving the plant toxins ricin and abrin. The focus is on crime scene management, laboratory analysis, forensics, and therapy.

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The RefBIO project supports the laboratories nominated around the world by the UN member states for the Secretary-General's Mechanism (UNSGM) to prepare for diagnosis related to a biological attack. For example, RefBio offers laboratories the opportunity to train and develop their diagnostic skills in advance. Quality assurance exercises for the detection of bacteria, viruses, and toxins are also carried out annually.

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Using a One Health concept, the SPOT project aims to strengthen Tunisia and its neighboring countries in their ability to quickly identify and combat potential future zoonotic outbreaks. To this end, innovative data on the occurrence and spread of zoonotic viruses in Tunisia and neighboring countries will be generated and sustainable laboratory systems for the rapid identification of endemic and emerging pathogens will be established. SPOT is funded as part of the Global Health Protection Program (GHPP).

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The EFFO ("Efficiency through Training") project aims to combat diseases caused by High Consequence Infectious Diseases (HCID) by improving the capacity of healthcare systems through the provision of professional training for healthcare staff. EFFO has been implementing various sub-projects in African countries since 2014. Since 2018, project activities have focused on Rwanda.

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EKOS focused its research topic on the development of a new concept to ensure infectious patients with diseases caused by highly pathogenic pathogens in priority hospitals received safe medical care.

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In the EU project EQuATox ("Establishment of Quality Assurance for the Detection of Biological Toxins of Potential Bioterrorism Risk"), a European laboratory network was established that enables large EU-wide tests for the detection of biological toxins. Experts from security, health, and food sectors were involved in the network.

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The aim of the study was to devise supporting information material, which provided primary care clinicians with specific and evidence-based advice regarding unusual biological incidents. They will serve as templates for new material to be developed in the future as necessary.

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The EU project EuroBioTox (European programme for the establishment of validated procedures for the detection and identification of biological toxins) developed and validated improved analytical tools, reagents, and standard operating procedures based on realistic incident scenarios involving biological toxins. The project was coordinated by RKI.

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Under the leadership of the RKI and Charité Universitätsmedizin Berlin, clinics in Uzbekistan were able to benefit from a telemedical intensive care network and the advantages of web-based learning during the COVID-19 pandemic as part of the "FUTURE International UZB" project. Through telemedicine, urgently needed infectiological advice and modern intensive care became available at the clinics. "FUTURE International UZB" was funded as part of the Global Health Protection Program (GHPP).

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"Prompt, target group-oriented, and targeted information in a crisis: Effective communication of information in extraordinary biological hazard situations" - this is what the INFOKRI project stands for. The project developed effective information services for extraordinary biological hazard situations in order to strengthen communication with experts in the field.

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The Q-Co project identified barriers and facilitating factors for quarantine compliance. On this basis, evidence-based practical recommendations were created for the public health service to implement epidemic hygiene measures effectively.

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EVD-LabNet creates and maintains a (pro)active and flexible network of European specialized laboratories active in patient diagnostics and supporting public health activities related to research activities on (emerging) viral diseases. The network continues the former "ENIVD" collaboration.

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The Global Health Security Initiative (GHSI) aims to better prepare health authorities for the dangers of international terrorism with biological, chemical, or radio-nuclear (CBRN) agents as well as natural outbreaks with pandemic potential. At a technical level, the "Laboratory Network Action Group" (GHSAG LN) has the task of continuously developing the diagnostics of highly pathogenic pathogens with bioterrorist or pandemic potential. This includes in particular the exchange of information, diagnostic tools, and materials between the GHSI laboratories.

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The RKI participates in the Global Microbial Identifier (GMI) - a genomic epidemiological database for the global identification of microorganisms. The database stores WGS (Whole Genome Sequencing) data of microorganisms that can be used to identify relevant genes and compare genomes to detect outbreaks and emerging pathogens. In addition, practical training is offered and regions with limited access to NGS are supported.

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The RKI is a partner of the Global Virus Network (GVN). Leading scientific institutions and their scientists are organized in the GVN. The aim of this network is to improve medical virology worldwide and to strengthen the global response capacity for virologic threats and outbreaks.

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NaLaDiBA is a national laboratory network set up as part of a research project of the Federal Office for Civil Protection and Disaster Assistance (BBK). The network's activities focus on the detection of agents with bioterrorist potential from environmental samples.

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