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 fourth funding phase since April 2023.

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 Crimean-Congo hemorrhagic fever in animals.

Methods:

These overall objectives should be addressed in three work packages, which are represented by the two different institutes of the FLI (INNT and IBIZ), together with the two partner institutions in Ukraine. These are thematically WP1: strenghtening biosafety and -security in dealing with brucellosis, glanders, anthrax (FLI-IBIZ) and with Crimean-Congo hemorrhagic fever virus (CCHFV) (FLI-INNT) including the improvement of diagnostic tests for these pathogens. WP 2: capacity building of young scientists from Ukraine; WP 3: scientific exchange and collaboration on proliferation-critical pathogens.

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/sicherheitspolitik/abruestung-ruestungskontrolle/uebersicht-bcwaffen-node/biosicherheit

Involved INNT scientists:

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

Dr. Ansgar Schulz (PostDoc)

Ukraine:

State Scientific Control Institute of Biotechnology and Strains of Microorganisms (SSCIBSM): About us (biocontrol.com.ua)

State Research Institute for Laboratory Diagnostics and Veterinary and Sanitary Expertise (SSRILDVSE): vet.gov.ua