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DTox-Net – German Toxin Laboratory Network

Date:  11/11/2024

Logo DTox-Net.

© DTox-Net

The DTox-Net (Deutsches Toxin-Labornetzwerk; eng.: German Toxin Laboratory Network) is a nationwide network of institutions with expertise in the detection of biotoxins. The network was established in 2017 through association of around twenty laboratories from the public health service, biotechnological companies and the German Armed Forces. Coordinated by the Department of Biological Toxins (ZBS 3) of the Robert Koch Institute, the network focuses on establishing and strengthening laboratory capacities for the detection of relevant biotoxins in Germany.

Aim

The aim is to maintain and further develop the expertise of interested laboratories in Germany in the detection of biological toxins in addition to the pathogen-focussed National Laboratory Network for Diagnostics of BT Agents (NaLaDiBA).

Tasks

  • Detection of biological toxins with bioterroristic potential from clinical material, food, and environmental samples using immunological, functional, mass spectrometric, and molecular biological methods
  • Strengthening detection capacities in Germany by promoting the exchange of knowledge, experience, and quality-assured methods and reagents
  • Merging expertise through regular network meetings
  • Mutual further development and quality assurance of detection methods by regular laboratory training courses and exercises
  • Establishment of coherent standards and protocols for the detection and identification of biological toxins
  • Development of measures for sample management and transport as well as recommendations for reporting

Network coordination

Robert Koch-Institute

Participating laboratories, among others: