Centre for Biological Threats and Special Pathogens (Zentrum für Biologische Gefahren und Spezielle Pathogene, ZBS) at the Robert Koch Institute (RKI)

The Centre for Biological Threats and Special Pathogens is divided into seven units (ZBS 1-7). These are briefly described below.

ZBS 1, the Unit for Highly Pathogenic Viruses, is responsible for the establishment of diagnostic methods to detect high-risk pathogens, in particular imported viruses and viruses that could be used for bioterrorist attacks, for the establishment of methods to detect genetically modified viruses, for the development of antigen-based detection methods for risk category 3 pathogens (eventually, risk category 4 pathogens), for the development of rapid and sensitive nucleic acid-based detection methods for the identification, characterisation and differentiation of pathogens of high-risk groups, for the development of strategies for the combat and prevention of infections with highly pathogenic viruses, for research on these pathogens in order to improve both therapy and prophylaxis, for research on mechanisms of pathogenesis of both wild-type viruses and genetically modified viruses that could be used as bioweapons, for the development of SOPs (standard operating procedures) for diagnostics, for the provision of reference samples, standards and materials for diagnostics, for the quality management and further development of detection methods based on serologic or virologic parameters or the pathogen’s molecular biology including interlaboratory experiments, and for the organisation of collaborations with European and international high level disease safety laboratories. ZBS1 hosts the Consultant Laboratory for Poxviruses.

ZBS2, the Unit for Highly Pathogenic Microorganisms, is responsible for the organisation of the diagnostics of samples with bioterrorism suspicion within ZBS, for the development and optimisation of microbiological, molecular biological and immunological detection systems for the identification, characterisation and differentiation of highly pathogenic microorganisms, for the management of a culture collection with highly pathogenic and other relevant microorganisms, for the supply of reference materials for diagnostics of relevant microbial pathogens within the framework of cooperative projects, provides proficiency tests (in compliance to international standards described in the DIN EN ISO/IEC 17043) using material of highly pathogenic bacteria for quality assurance measures in the field of diagnostics (SHARP EU-DG SANTE, RefBio UNSGM), for research in the field of epidemiology, pathogenesis and genetics of selected highly pathogenic bacteria with a focus on B. anthracis-like bacteria (Bacillus cereus biovar anthracis) and F. tularensis, hosting the national Consultant Laboratories for Tularemia and for Bacillus anthracis pathogens, for a Working Group “Cellular interactions of bacterial pathogens” with a focus on F. tularensis and Legionella research, for the development and testing of decontamination and disinfection processes in particular for bioterrorist attacks, and for studies on the evidence and tenacity of highly pathogenic microorganisms under different environmental conditions. For these activities, the unit is running a BSL 3 laboratory.

ZBS3, the Unit for Biological Toxins, is responsible for the diagnostics of plant and 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, for the development of SOPs for diagnostics, for the provision of reference samples, reference bacterial strains and standards, and storage of diagnostic material, for the adaptation of the diagnostic materials to the expected sample material, for the development of strategies for the detection of novel and modified toxins and agents, for research on the pathogenesis of the diseases induced, for interlaboratory experiments to assure the quality of diagnostics, for decontamination, for contribution to the development of standard therapies, and for characterisation of adherence/colonisation factors in toxin-producing and tissue-damaging bacteria. Moreover, ZBS3 hosts the national Consultant Laboratory for Neurotoxin producing Clostridia (botulism, tetanus) and the Consultant Laboratory for C. botulinum and Botulinum Neurotoxin in Food of the German Veterinary Medical Society.

ZBS4, the Unit for Advanced Light and Electron Microscopy, is responsible for the rapid diagnostic electron microscopy (EM) of pathogens (primary diagnostics, identification and differentiation of bacterial and viral pathogens in environmental and patient samples), for the morphological characterisation and classification of both novel and rare pathogens by EM, for the development, testing and standardisation of preparation methods for diagnostic EM of pathogens, for the organisation of an international quality assurance testing scheme and of advanced training courses to preserve and improve quality standards in diagnostic EM, and for light and electron microscopy investigations of pathogens and mechanisms of their infectivity, pathogenicity or tenacity. ZBS4 is the core facility for digital photography, image documentation and for light and electron microscopy at the RKI. It hosts the Consultant Laboratory for Diagnostic Electron Microscopy of Infectious Pathogens.

ZBS5, the Unit for Biosafety Level 4 Laboratory, is responsible for operating the biosafety level 4 (BSL-4) laboratory within the RKI, for the establishment of diagnostic methods and diagnostic of pathogens in biosafety level 4, for the development of strategies for the prevention, decontamination and control of highly pathogenic viruses together with IBBS and ZBS 1, for the development of decontamination and disinfection measures for BSL-4 pathogens, for investigating the ability of BSL-4 pathogens to survive in biological andenvironmental samples, and for participation in and organisation of interlaboratory tests for quality assurance of diagnostics (national and international).

ZBS6, the Unit for Proteomics and Spectroscopy, is responsible for the characterisation of highly pathogenic microorganisms by means of proteomic techniques (MALDI-TOF mass spectrometry [MS] and LC-MS) and chem- and bioinformatics, for research on the molecular and structural bases underlying the proteinaceous seeding activity of prions and other self-replicating protein particles (“prionoids”) in transmissible and nontransmissible proteinopathies, for proteomics and molecular biology of proteinopathies and neurodegenerative diseases, for the rapid detection of pathogens by vibrational (infrared and Raman) spectroscopy and microspectroscopy, for the development of methods for the characterisation of agents with bioterrorism potential based on confocal Raman microspectroscopy (CRM) and for the characterisation of cells, cell clusters and tissue structures for pathologically and/or chronically degenerative processes by means of microspectroscopic techniques (Raman, IR microspectroscopy and imaging) in combination with modern methods of bioinformatics. ZBS6 hosts the Research Group “Prions and Prionoids”

ZBS 7 – Strategy and Incidence Response is responsible for strengthening national public health preparedness and response capabilities to biological threats caused by highly pathogenic or bioterrorism-related agents ("special pathogens"). ZBS 7 provides support for the public health sector regarding early detection, situation assessment and response to unusual biological incidents related to bioterrorism or any natural occurrence or accidental release of highly pathogenic agents. Key aspects of activity are 1) preparedness and response planning for incidents related to special pathogens, and 2) response to bioterrorism or any unusual biological incident caused by special pathogens. ZBS 7 heads the office of the German “Permanent Working Group of Competence and Treatment Centres for High Consequence Infectious Diseases” (Ständiger Arbeitskreis der Kompetenz- und Behandlungszentren für Krankheiten durch hochpathogene Erreger, STAKOB).

A list of highly pathogenic biological agents and toxins for which detection methods are established at the RKI can be obtained using the following link: http://www.rki.de/DE/Content/Infekt/Diagnostik_Speziallabore/speziallabo... (in German). The list contains abrin (Abrus precatorius), Bacillus anthracis, Brucella spp., Burkholderia mallei and pseudomallei, Clostridium botulinum toxins, Clostridium tetani toxin, Coxiella burnetii, Francisella tularensis, ricin (Ricinus communis), staphylococcal enterotoxin B (Staphylococcus aureus), Vibrio cholera, Yersinia pestis, and a number of viruses, e.g. dengue virus, yellow fever virus, Variola and other pox viruses, Venezuelan equine encephalomyelitis virus, viral haemorrhagic fever viruses, and yellow fever virus. Please note that for several of the agents listed only diagnostics are developed while no research on the pathogen itself is carried out, e.g. smallpox virus.

Outdoor studies of biological aerosols have not been conducted.