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Institute of Molecular Pathogenesis (IMP)

Working group Chlamydiae and Mycoplasmas

The Working group Chlamydiae and Mycoplasmas hosts the WOAH and National Reference Laboratory for Chlamydiosis and the NRL for Contagious Bovine Pleuropneumonia.

Main Research Topics

  • Zoonotic potential of chlamydiae – transmission routes of chlamydial infections from animals to humans
  • Direct identification of Chlamydia spp. from clinical samples by DNA microarray
  • Development of further microarray-based tests for genetic characterization of chlamydiae
  • Development and validation of tests for detection of Chlamydia spp. by real-time PCR
  • Validation / Batch testing of test kits
  • Chlamydia-associated diseases of cattle, sheep, and birds
  • In vitro model systems for investigation of molecular mechanisms in the pathogenesis of chlamydial diseases
  • WildTech – Detection of zoonotic pathogens in wildlife (7th European Framework Programme)
  • Persistence of chlamydiae as part of molecular pathogenesis
  • Identification of pathogenicity factors
  • Research on the molecular pathogenesis of mycoplasma infections, particularly of ruminants
  • Development and validation of new methods for direct detection of mycoplasmas (microarray test for all mycoplasmas relevant in veterinary medicine, EU/EMIDA project)
  • Improvement of serological diagnostics for contagious bovine pleuropneumonia (BMZ/GTZ project)
  • Improvement of molecular biological methods for DNA-based detection of the causative agent of contagious bovine pleuropneumonia