Tasks

• Development and optimization of microbiological, molecular biological and immunological detection systems for the identification, characterization and differentiation of highly pathogenic bacterial pathogens, in particular pathogens that could be significant for biological hazard situations (see "Sample submission and diagnostic services" [in German])
• Detection of selected bacterial pathogens of risk groups 2 and 3 in environmental materials and clinical samples
• Diagnosis of rare bacterial diseases caused by bacterial pathogens of risk groups 2 and 3
• Maintaining a strain collection of highly pathogenic and other relevant bacterial pathogens and operating a laboratory at security level 3
• Operating the consulting laboratories for Bacillus anthracis (anthrax), Francisella tularensis (tularemia), Yersinia pestis (plague) and human pathogenic vibrios (cholera and infections with non-cholera vibrios)
• Overall organization of the examination of samples in cases of suspected bioterrorism for bacterial and viral pathogens and biological toxins within the ZBS
• Research in the field of epidemiology, pathogenesis and genetics of selected highly pathogenic bacteria with a focus on B. anthracis, F. tularensis and Y. pestis
• Investigation of cellular aspects of pathogen-host interactions of bacterial pathogens with a focus on F. tularensis (Heuner working group, see link under "Further information")
• Molecular epidemiological investigation of disease outbreaks caused by rare and highly pathogenic bacterial pathogens
• Tracing analyses in the event of deliberate release of highly pathogenic bacterial pathogens (microbial forensics)
• Establishment of methods for detecting genetically modified bacteria
• Development and testing of decontamination and disinfection processes, particularly for biological hazard situations
• Research in the field of aerosols and tenacity