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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:

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

Date: 21.08.2023

Additional Information

Accreditation

Selected methods are
accredited to
DIN EN ISO 15189
DIN EN ISO/IEC 17025
DIN EN ISO/IEC 17043

Akkreditierung ausgewählter Verfahren nach DAkkS

Logo für Akkreditierung des Labors