Tasks include:

• Diagnostics of microbial toxins that could be used for bioterrorist attacks using techniques based on cell biological, genetical and serological parameters, as well as chromatographic methods and mass spectroscopy
• Development of SOPs for diagnostics
• Provision of reference samples, reference bacterial strains and standards, storage of diagnostic material
• Adaptation of the diagnostic materials to the expected sample material
• Development of strategies for the detection of novel and modified toxins and agents
• Research on the pathogenesis of the diseases induced
• Interlaboratory experiments to assure the quality of diagnostics
• Contribution to the development of standard therapies
• Characterisation of adherence/colonisation factors in toxin-producing and tissue-damaging bacteria