Tasks

• Rapid diagnostic electron microscopy (EM) of pathogens: primary diagnostics, identification and differentiation of bacterial and viral pathogens in environmental and patient samples
• Morphological characterisation and classification of both novel and rare pathogens by EM
• Development, testing and standardisation of preparation methods for diagnostic EM of pathogens
• Organisation of an international quality assurance testing scheme and of advanced training courses to preserve and improve quality standards in diagnostic EM light and electron microscopy investigations of pathogens and mechanisms of their infectivity, pathogenicity or tenacity
• Core facility for digital photography, image documentation and for light and electron microscopy