This project is a continuation of a cooperation between the FLI and the two Ukrainian institutes SSRILDVSE and SSCIBSM in Kiev, which are responsible in the field of veterinary diagnostics and handling of highly pathogenic biosecurity-relevant pathogens. The project is funded by the German Foreign Office under the German Biosafety Partnership Program and is in its third funding phase since the beginning of 2020.

Objectives:

The project aims to strengthen the capacity in partner countries to diagnose bacterial infections such as anthrax, brucellosis, and glanders, and viral infections such as African swine fever and Crimean-Congo hemorrhagic fever in animals.

Methods:

These overall objectives should be addressed in three work packages, which are also represented by the three different institutes of the FLI (INNT, IVD and IBIZ), together with the two partner institutions in Ukraine. These are thematically WP1: Brucellosis, glanders, anthrax (FLI-IBIZ) WP 2: African swine fever (ASF) (FLI-IVD) WP 3: Crimean-Congo hemorrhagic fever virus (CCHFV) (FLI-INNT). Molecular and serological methods are used to test the samples.

Results:

Endemic, proliferation-critical pathogens should be able to be reliably diagnosed and typed by the end of the project using serological and molecular biological methods. In addition, awareness of biosafety in the partner laboratories is to be increased, e.g. through appropriate workshops and training courses. Finally, bilateral cooperation with the partner institutes is to be further expanded.

Further information on the program: : https://www.auswaertiges-amt.de/de/aussenpolitik/themen/abruestung-ruestungskontrolle/uebersicht-bcwaffen-node/biosicherheit

Further information on the project implementation can be found here: PDF

Involved INNT scientists:

Dr. Kerstin Fischer
Dr. Martin Eiden
Dr. Markus Keller
Prof. Dr. Martin H. Groschup

Dr. Ansgar Schulz (PostDoc)