ZBS 1: Highly Pathogenic Viruses

Head:

Andreas Nitsche

Deputy:

Livia Schrick, Livia Schrick

Tasks

The unit ZBS 1 is engaged in the diagnostics and research of highly pathogenic viruses. A particular focus is on the exploration of

• viruses that could be used for bioterrorist attacks,
• viruses that were imported from endemic areas to Germany and Europe and
• genetically modified viruses.

The Specialised Laboratory for Highly Pathogenic Viruses and the Consultant Laboratory for Poxviruses (both accredited in accordance with DIN EN ISO/IEC 17025 and DIN EN ISO 15189) are both based in ZBS 1.

Projects

1. Diagnostics

Regarding diagnostics we provide

• detection of viruses belonging to the risk groups 3 and 4 as well as risk group 2 for differential diagnostic issues
• continuous optimisation and further development of our diagnostic methods
• provision of reference samples, standards and materials for diagnostics to interested laboratories and cooperation partners
• organisation, support and participation in interlaboratory comparisons for quality assurance

Information regarding the sending of samples for diagnostics is available on the pages of Specialised Laboratory for Highly Pathogenic Viruses and the Consultant Laboratory for Poxviruses.

2. Basic research

Our research covers

• pathogenesis mechanisms of highly pathogenic viruses, bio-weapons-grade wild viruses and genetically modified viruses
• (novel) viruses in different host species such as bats, rodents and ticks
• novel in vitro systems for characterisation of highly pathogenic viruses, e.g., 3D cell culture and organoids

3. Cooperations and international projects

We are involved in different (international) projects:

• Ancient Vaccines Project (InvOrigSmallPoxVac)
• German Biosecurity Programme of the Federal Foreign Office
• Efficient response to highly dangerous and emerging pathogens at EU level (EMERGE)/SHARP
• European Virus Archive – Global (EVAg)
• Emerging Viral Diseases-Expert Laboratory Network (EVD-LabNet)
• Global Health Security Initiative (GHSI) / Global Health Security Advisory Group (GHSAG)
• Global Health Protection Programme of the Ministry of Health, sub-projects Network for the Identification of Emerging Agents (IDEAnet) und Harnessing sequencing-based technologies for pandemic preparedness using a One Health-based approach in Tunisia and neighbouring countries (SPOT)
• Global Microbial Identifier (GMI)
• Global Virus Network (GVN)
• Establishment of specific multiplexed isothermal amplification methods to detect BT agents (ISO-BT)
• Coordination of the National Laboratory Network for the Diagnostics of BT Agents (NaLaDiBA)
• Secretary-General's Mechanism for Investigation of Alleged Use of Chemical and Biological Weapons (UNSGM) DryLab und Germany’s contribution to strengthen the bio-analytical reference laboratories in the UNSGM (RefBio)
• WHO Collaborating Centre (WHO CC) for Emerging Infections and Biological Threats
• Zecken und ihre Pathogene im Klimawandel (ZEPAK)

4. Teaching and promotion of young researchers

We offer

• undergraduate internship
• projects for student theses (bachelor, master)
• dissertation projects
• academic teaching, e.g., lecture course “Molecular diagnostics” at the TU Berlin
• involvement in the training of chemical laboratory workers
• scientific collaboration with visiting scientists