The Robert Koch Institute offers diagnostic services not only in its National Reference Centres and Consultant Laboratories, but also in laboratories specialised for specific agents and diagnostic methods. The Robert Koch Institute hosts specialised laboratories for highly pathogenic bacterial microorganisms (e.g. Bacillus anthracis), microbial toxins (e.g. Botulinum toxins), for viral hemorrhagic fevers and retroviruses. In summer 2018, the Robert Koch Instiute’s new BSL-4 laboratory has become fully operational and is available for the diagnosis of viruses requiring the highest biosecurity level.