BfR - Department 4: Biological Safety (BfR - BIOS)
Within the framework of the statutory remit of risk assessment in the field of food safety and consumer protection, the Department Biological Safety deals with health risks for humans which may arise in particularl from micro-organisms, the toxins formed by them and other microbial metabolites. The micro-organisms of interest include bacteria, yeast and mould but also viruses, parasites and TSE pathogens. This work encompasses not only food but also feed and consumer items (e.g. appliances for processing food, food packaging materials, tableware) as well as cosmetics including the processes for their collection, manufacture, processing and distribution as vehicles of biological risks. The tasks include diagnostic methods for the detection of the various pathogens in foods, their virulence properties, as well as work on the prevalence of microbiological risks in foods and qualitative and quantitative risk assessments. The Department is involved in establishing the cause of outbreaks of foodborne diseases and zoonoses (statutory task anchored in the Protection Against Infection Act). The Department has a number of reference laboratories for the diagnosis and fine typing of pathogens, antibiotic resistance and the microbiological contamination of foods (a task anchored in food and zoonosis legislation). Furthermore, it is responsible for carrying out and co-ordinating the collection of surveillance data in order to prepare the annual zoonosis trend report on the national and European levels. BfR-commissions: 'biological hazards' and 'hygiene'.
Parent institution:
Federal Institute for Risk Assessment (BfR) Details of BfR
Address
BfR - Department 4: Biological Safety (BfR - BIOS)
Diedersdorfer Weg 1
12277 Berlin
Berlin
Phone: +49-(0)30-18412-2151
Fax: +49-(0)30-18412-2951
email: 4(@)bfr.bund.de
Activities:
- Research
Focus of Research:
- Development of molecular biological detection methods, including microarrays
- Research on characteristics and virulence of pathogens associated food and for their tenacity and inactivation in foods
- Research on horizontal gene transfer in food-related microorganisms
- Research on the epidemiology of food-associated zoonoses, including the antibiotic resistance, development of monitoring programs and modeling methods
- Research to develop and evaluate new methods in food hygiene and the development and validation of security concepts in food technology
- Research to develop improved methods of exposure estimation and risk assessment
- Security research and research on bioterrorism
Coordinated projects
- 2010: Development and validation of an ELISA for the detection of Leptospira infection Details of 2010: Development and validation of an ELISA for the detection of Leptospira infection
- Analysis of cell wall structures of predatory bacteria and characterization of proteomic changes during the life cycle Details of Analysis of cell wall structures of predatory bacteria and characterization of proteomic changes during the life cycle
- Analysis of the migration of elastomers from food contact materials Details of Analysis of the migration of elastomers from food contact materials
- Analysis of the variability of antibiotic resistance profiles in Campylobacter Details of Analysis of the variability of antibiotic resistance profiles in Campylobacter
- Application of bacteriophages for the detection and isolation of pathogenic Y. enterocolitica strains in food Details of Application of bacteriophages for the detection and isolation of pathogenic Y. enterocolitica strains in food
- Application of Bacteriophages for the Reduction of Campylobacter on Food Details of Application of Bacteriophages for the Reduction of Campylobacter on Food
- Application of geographical information systems, GIS, for the analysis of epidemiological data Details of Application of geographical information systems, GIS, for the analysis of epidemiological data
- Behaviour of micro flora and pathogens following decontamination of poultry carcasses Details of Behaviour of micro flora and pathogens following decontamination of poultry carcasses
- Biofilm problem in meat processing using the example of Listeria monocytogenes Details of Biofilm problem in meat processing using the example of Listeria monocytogenes
- Campylobacter and E. coli ? a network project (CampEc-NET) Details of Campylobacter and E. coli ? a network project (CampEc-NET)
- Carry over of nasal Methicillin resistant S. aureus (MRSA) on the carcass of slaughter pigs at the abbatoir Details of Carry over of nasal Methicillin resistant S. aureus (MRSA) on the carcass of slaughter pigs at the abbatoir
- Changes in properties by gene transfer agents (e.g. E. coli, Yersinia) Details of Changes in properties by gene transfer agents (e.g. E. coli, Yersinia)
- Characterisation of Campylobacter lari strains Details of Characterisation of Campylobacter lari strains
- Characterisation of Salmonella Paratyphi B dT+ strains by phage typing Details of Characterisation of Salmonella Paratyphi B dT+ strains by phage typing
- Characterisation of the samples tested in selected official investigation centres (monitoring of antimicrobial resistance) Details of Characterisation of the samples tested in selected official investigation centres (monitoring of antimicrobial resistance)
- Characterization of biofilm formation by Listeria monocytogenes Details of Characterization of biofilm formation by Listeria monocytogenes
- Characterization of Methicillin-resistent Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) - isolates in respect of the presence of enterotoxin producing genes Details of Characterization of Methicillin-resistent Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) - isolates in respect of the presence of enterotoxin producing genes
- Characterization of predatory bacteria from the gastrointestinal tract of domestic animals Details of Characterization of predatory bacteria from the gastrointestinal tract of domestic animals
- Collaborative project ESBL- and (fluoro-)quinolone resitance in enterobactericeae (RESET). Project IP1 characterization of newly emerging mechanisms for transfer of resistance to ß-lactam antibiotics with extended spectrum (ESBLs) and (fluoro) quinolones in German-Salmonella enterica and Escherichia coli isolates from healthy poultry and pigs and products thereof Details of Collaborative project ESBL- and (fluoro-)quinolone resitance in enterobactericeae (RESET). Project IP1 characterization of newly emerging mechanisms for transfer of resistance to ß-lactam antibiotics with extended spectrum (ESBLs) and (fluoro) quinolones in German-Salmonella enterica and Escherichia coli isolates from healthy poultry and pigs and products thereof
- Collaborative project: Application of bacteriophages for quantitative reduction of Campylobacter in broiler chickens – Subproject 1 Details of Collaborative project: Application of bacteriophages for quantitative reduction of Campylobacter in broiler chickens – Subproject 1
- Collaborative Project: Development of innovative process integrated microbiological stage control systems for the reduction of Campylobacter spp. and Salmonella spp. in meat production - Subproject 2 Details of Collaborative Project: Development of innovative process integrated microbiological stage control systems for the reduction of Campylobacter spp. and Salmonella spp. in meat production - Subproject 2
- Collection of data fort he risk assessment on Salmonella in table eggs Details of Collection of data fort he risk assessment on Salmonella in table eggs
- Comparison of the specificity of a series of real-time methods for Campylobacter subsp. Details of Comparison of the specificity of a series of real-time methods for Campylobacter subsp.
- Cost-benefit analysis of measures to reduce the prevalence of salmonella-serotyps in population of pigs for slaughter and the effect of determining maximum values for undesirable substances in animal nutrition Details of Cost-benefit analysis of measures to reduce the prevalence of salmonella-serotyps in population of pigs for slaughter and the effect of determining maximum values for undesirable substances in animal nutrition
- Detection and characterization of noro- and rotaviruses of chicken as potential zoonotic food-borne pathogens Details of Detection and characterization of noro- and rotaviruses of chicken as potential zoonotic food-borne pathogens
- Detection of Bacillus cereus toxins Details of Detection of Bacillus cereus toxins
- Detection of non-coli/jejuni Campylobacter species in different food matrices Details of Detection of non-coli/jejuni Campylobacter species in different food matrices
- Detection of Norovirus in clinical samples of human provenience, in environmental and food samples to investigate virus transmission routes Details of Detection of Norovirus in clinical samples of human provenience, in environmental and food samples to investigate virus transmission routes
- Detection of Viruses in Food using 'Molecularly Imprinted Polymers' Details of Detection of Viruses in Food using 'Molecularly Imprinted Polymers'
- Development and validation of a Trichinella Western Blot for for the certification of pigs from fattening farms Details of Development and validation of a Trichinella Western Blot for for the certification of pigs from fattening farms
- Development of a method applicable to § 64 LFGB for the detection and isolation of enterohaemorrhagic E. coli (EHEC) from plant foods Details of Development of a method applicable to § 64 LFGB for the detection and isolation of enterohaemorrhagic E. coli (EHEC) from plant foods
- Development of a rapid method to detect Campylobacter on poultry farms and at abattoirs Details of Development of a rapid method to detect Campylobacter on poultry farms and at abattoirs
- Development of a Real-Time PCR system for identification and typing of bacteria be-longing to the ?Cereus- Group? from food. Details of Development of a Real-Time PCR system for identification and typing of bacteria be-longing to the ?Cereus- Group? from food.
- Development of a Variable-Number Tandem-Repeats (VNTR) analysis method for the subtyping of Salmonella enterica serovar Infantis und Virchow Details of Development of a Variable-Number Tandem-Repeats (VNTR) analysis method for the subtyping of Salmonella enterica serovar Infantis und Virchow
- Development of a Variable-Number-Tandem-Repeat Analysis (MLVA) typing system for Salmonella Enteritidis isolates Details of Development of a Variable-Number-Tandem-Repeat Analysis (MLVA) typing system for Salmonella Enteritidis isolates
- Development of harmonised schemes for monitoring and reporting of Echinococcus, Trichinella, Cysticercus and Sarcocystis in animals and foodstuffs in the EU (EFSA/Zoonoses/2007/01) Details of Development of harmonised schemes for monitoring and reporting of Echinococcus, Trichinella, Cysticercus and Sarcocystis in animals and foodstuffs in the EU (EFSA/Zoonoses/2007/01)
- Development of harmonised survey methods for foodborne pathogens in foodstuffs in the European Union (CFP/EFSA/Zoonoses/2008/2) Details of Development of harmonised survey methods for foodborne pathogens in foodstuffs in the European Union (CFP/EFSA/Zoonoses/2008/2)
- Development, improvement and assessment of PCR methods for detection and subtyping of Yersinia Details of Development, improvement and assessment of PCR methods for detection and subtyping of Yersinia
- Epidemiological studies as the basis for the risk assessment of agroterroristically relevant pathogens Details of Epidemiological studies as the basis for the risk assessment of agroterroristically relevant pathogens
- Epidemiological study on routes of introduction of Salmonella infection into the food production chain for table eggs Details of Epidemiological study on routes of introduction of Salmonella infection into the food production chain for table eggs
- Establishment of a MLST for the typing of Leptospira Details of Establishment of a MLST for the typing of Leptospira
- Evaluation of production methods for salami type sausages in the framework of risk assessment to evaluate the survival or growth of pathogens and the possible mycotoxin burdden of mould ripened sausages Details of Evaluation of production methods for salami type sausages in the framework of risk assessment to evaluate the survival or growth of pathogens and the possible mycotoxin burdden of mould ripened sausages
- Experimental studies on the effect of probiotics by means of challenge with pathogenic microorganisms Details of Experimental studies on the effect of probiotics by means of challenge with pathogenic microorganisms
- FOR 438 Subproject G: Experimental studies on the effect of probiotics by means of challenge with pathogenic microorganisms Details of FOR 438 Subproject G: Experimental studies on the effect of probiotics by means of challenge with pathogenic microorganisms
- Generation of norovirus-like particles as antigen for the development of detection systems for viruses in food Details of Generation of norovirus-like particles as antigen for the development of detection systems for viruses in food
- Genetic investigation of rough Salmonella Enteritidis strains Details of Genetic investigation of rough Salmonella Enteritidis strains
- Harmonisation of methods for the monitoring of VTEC and subtyping of stx2 genes Details of Harmonisation of methods for the monitoring of VTEC and subtyping of stx2 genes
- Hazard identification of Salmonella in the food chain (Subroject IP3 within the joint project Food-Borne Zoonotic Infections of Humans (FBI-Zoo)) Details of Hazard identification of Salmonella in the food chain (Subroject IP3 within the joint project Food-Borne Zoonotic Infections of Humans (FBI-Zoo))
- Identification of marker genes for important Listeria monocytogenes serotypes as a basis for the development of rapid molecular methods Details of Identification of marker genes for important Listeria monocytogenes serotypes as a basis for the development of rapid molecular methods
- Importance of new emerging serogroups of STEC / EHEC as contaminants of foodstuffs and potential pathogens of humans in Germany Details of Importance of new emerging serogroups of STEC / EHEC as contaminants of foodstuffs and potential pathogens of humans in Germany
- Improved bio-traceability of unintended micro-organisms and their substances in food and feed chains (Biotracer) Details of Improved bio-traceability of unintended micro-organisms and their substances in food and feed chains (Biotracer)
- Incidence and Characterization of Antibiotic Resistance Determinants in Salmonella Enteritidis Isolates from food and food-producing animals Details of Incidence and Characterization of Antibiotic Resistance Determinants in Salmonella Enteritidis Isolates from food and food-producing animals
- Induction and expression of Shiga Toxins in STEC and EHEC strains for their diagnosis and as parameter for risk assessment Details of Induction and expression of Shiga Toxins in STEC and EHEC strains for their diagnosis and as parameter for risk assessment
- Infection kinetics and host specificity of methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) in the pig Details of Infection kinetics and host specificity of methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) in the pig
- Integrated project: Epidemiological research network: Foodborne Infections in Germany; Project: Quantitative Risk Assessment fo human Campylobacter infections due to consumption of chicken meat Details of Integrated project: Epidemiological research network: Foodborne Infections in Germany; Project: Quantitative Risk Assessment fo human Campylobacter infections due to consumption of chicken meat
- Interdisciplinary Research Network (MedVetStaph)IP3 - MRSA in the food chain: Source attribution and transmission modelling based on molecularcharacterization of isolates from the food chain and from humans Details of Interdisciplinary Research Network (MedVetStaph)IP3 - MRSA in the food chain: Source attribution and transmission modelling based on molecularcharacterization of isolates from the food chain and from humans
- Investigation of food products illegally introduced into Germany by airport luggage for the presence of the non-endemic pathogens Brucella and ('2010:Trichinella'). Details of Investigation of food products illegally introduced into Germany by airport luggage for the presence of the non-endemic pathogens Brucella and ('2010:Trichinella').
- Investigation of occurrence, types and human pathogenicity of Shiga- toxin producing Escherichia coli (STEC) in meat samples from wild-life animals as a basis for risk assessment Details of Investigation of occurrence, types and human pathogenicity of Shiga- toxin producing Escherichia coli (STEC) in meat samples from wild-life animals as a basis for risk assessment
- Investigation of Shiga-toxin 2e (Stx2e) producing strains of Escherichia coli as potential human pathogenic bacteria and their significance as contaminants in the food chain Details of Investigation of Shiga-toxin 2e (Stx2e) producing strains of Escherichia coli as potential human pathogenic bacteria and their significance as contaminants in the food chain
- Investigation on contamination of raw consumed food of vegetable origin with VTEC / STEC / EHEC using serological and molecular detection methods Details of Investigation on contamination of raw consumed food of vegetable origin with VTEC / STEC / EHEC using serological and molecular detection methods
- Investigations of food (milk) for Listeria spp Details of Investigations of food (milk) for Listeria spp
- Isolation and characterization of the origin of transfer (oriT) of the Yersinia virulence plasmid pYV Details of Isolation and characterization of the origin of transfer (oriT) of the Yersinia virulence plasmid pYV
- Long-term study in pigs infected with salmonella Details of Long-term study in pigs infected with salmonella
- MALDI-TOF MS-based identification of microorganisms from complex samples Details of MALDI-TOF MS-based identification of microorganisms from complex samples
- Mass spectrometric characterisation/identification of microbial pathogens of Vibrio spp. '2010: Yersinia enterocolitica' Details of Mass spectrometric characterisation/identification of microbial pathogens of Vibrio spp. '2010: Yersinia enterocolitica'
- Metabolic activity in raw milk-biofilms with Listeria monocytogenes after a sub-optimal clean-ing with hydrogen peroxide Details of Metabolic activity in raw milk-biofilms with Listeria monocytogenes after a sub-optimal clean-ing with hydrogen peroxide
- Methicillin resistant and enterotoxic S. aureus in raw milk from dairy cows Details of Methicillin resistant and enterotoxic S. aureus in raw milk from dairy cows
- Microbial stress response of Campylobacter jejuni and its role in food processing Details of Microbial stress response of Campylobacter jejuni and its role in food processing
- Microbial stress response of Campylobacter jejuni and its role in food processing Details of Microbial stress response of Campylobacter jejuni and its role in food processing
- Mobile genetic elements of Brucella - bacteriophages Details of Mobile genetic elements of Brucella - bacteriophages
- Molecular characterization of porcine Campylobacter (C.) coli population. Extension of data situation as a precondition for the creation of risk assessment for C. coli Details of Molecular characterization of porcine Campylobacter (C.) coli population. Extension of data situation as a precondition for the creation of risk assessment for C. coli
- Molecular detection of the highly pathogenic zoonotic agent Brucella in cheese samples originating from endemic countries. Details of Molecular detection of the highly pathogenic zoonotic agent Brucella in cheese samples originating from endemic countries.
- Molecular epidemiology of MRSA from livestock ? detailed characterization and typing of isolates for the deduction of epidemiological correlations Details of Molecular epidemiology of MRSA from livestock ? detailed characterization and typing of isolates for the deduction of epidemiological correlations
- Molecular Risk Assessment of Shiga Toxin producing E. coli (STEC) from food and of attaching and effacing E. coli (AEEC) in regard to their human virulence and as a reservoir of new emerging enterohaemorrhagic E. coli types. Details of Molecular Risk Assessment of Shiga Toxin producing E. coli (STEC) from food and of attaching and effacing E. coli (AEEC) in regard to their human virulence and as a reservoir of new emerging enterohaemorrhagic E. coli types.
- Molecular subtyping of Listeria monocytogenes using pulsed-field gel electrophoresis (PFGE) Details of Molecular subtyping of Listeria monocytogenes using pulsed-field gel electrophoresis (PFGE)
- Molecular typing as an alternative method for the serological determination of flagellar antigens in E. coli Details of Molecular typing as an alternative method for the serological determination of flagellar antigens in E. coli
- Multiplex real-time PCR rapid method for serovar-typing and quantification of salmonellae Details of Multiplex real-time PCR rapid method for serovar-typing and quantification of salmonellae
- Multiplex-Real-Time PCR based rapid method for serovar typing and quantification of salmonellae Details of Multiplex-Real-Time PCR based rapid method for serovar typing and quantification of salmonellae
- Network for Prevention and Control of Zoonoses (Med-Vet-Net) Details of Network for Prevention and Control of Zoonoses (Med-Vet-Net)
- Pilot study investigating Leptospira serovars in wild boars Details of Pilot study investigating Leptospira serovars in wild boars
- Prevalence and diversity among temperate bacteriophages (prophages) in the genome of methicillin-resistent staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) isolates from the food-chain Details of Prevalence and diversity among temperate bacteriophages (prophages) in the genome of methicillin-resistent staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) isolates from the food-chain
- Promoting Food safety through a New Integrated Risk Analysis Approach for Foods (SAFE FOODS) Details of Promoting Food safety through a New Integrated Risk Analysis Approach for Foods (SAFE FOODS)
- Quantitative and qualitative detection of foodborne pathogens using real-time PCR and typing of the pathogens with DNA microarray Details of Quantitative and qualitative detection of foodborne pathogens using real-time PCR and typing of the pathogens with DNA microarray
- Rat hepatitis E virus as a model virus for studies on stability, pathogenicity and transmission pathways of human hepatitis E viruses Details of Rat hepatitis E virus as a model virus for studies on stability, pathogenicity and transmission pathways of human hepatitis E viruses
- Risk assessment for evaluation of STEC contamination in food Details of Risk assessment for evaluation of STEC contamination in food
- Risk evaluation for the quantitative estimation of the consequences of the oral application of antibiotics Details of Risk evaluation for the quantitative estimation of the consequences of the oral application of antibiotics
- Risk potential determination of Salmonella Paratyphi B dT+ strains for animals and humans Details of Risk potential determination of Salmonella Paratyphi B dT+ strains for animals and humans
- Safe pork and horse meat on EU-markets: early and unbiased diagnostic tests for Trichinella (TRICHOPORSE) Details of Safe pork and horse meat on EU-markets: early and unbiased diagnostic tests for Trichinella (TRICHOPORSE)
- Scientific and technical assistance relating to collection, reporting, compilation and analyses of data on food-borne outbreaks Details of Scientific and technical assistance relating to collection, reporting, compilation and analyses of data on food-borne outbreaks
- Second Generation Subtyping within the European Network PulseNet Europe: Development and Validation of a Multiple-Locus Variable-Number Tandem Repeat Analysis (MLVA) System for Non-O157 Shiga Toxin-Producing Escherichia coli Details of Second Generation Subtyping within the European Network PulseNet Europe: Development and Validation of a Multiple-Locus Variable-Number Tandem Repeat Analysis (MLVA) System for Non-O157 Shiga Toxin-Producing Escherichia coli
- SFB 852 Nutrition and intestinal microbiota ? host interaction in the pig (Collaborative research centre of the DFG)Individual Project A2: Influence of nutritional factors on the prevalence of viruses, including viruses with zoonotic potential, in faeces of clinically healthy pigs Details of SFB 852 Nutrition and intestinal microbiota ? host interaction in the pig (Collaborative research centre of the DFG)Individual Project A2: Influence of nutritional factors on the prevalence of viruses, including viruses with zoonotic potential, in faeces of clinically healthy pigs
- Storage of deep frozen meat with special regard to human health and quality aspects Details of Storage of deep frozen meat with special regard to human health and quality aspects
- Studies on the growth kinetics of Vibrio spp. in different matrices Details of Studies on the growth kinetics of Vibrio spp. in different matrices
- Studies on the occurrence of infections with pathogens of the Mycobacterium avium-intracellulare complex (mycobacteriosis) in slaughter pigs Details of Studies on the occurrence of infections with pathogens of the Mycobacterium avium-intracellulare complex (mycobacteriosis) in slaughter pigs
- Study on leptospirosis prevalence in dogs and humans Details of Study on leptospirosis prevalence in dogs and humans
- Support of the national broiler campylobacter monitoring Details of Support of the national broiler campylobacter monitoring
- Survival of Listeria monocytogenes in meat products Details of Survival of Listeria monocytogenes in meat products
- Temperate phages of Campylobacter jejuni Details of Temperate phages of Campylobacter jejuni
- Testing of Salmonella and E. coli isolates from pigs concerning their copper and zinc resistance Details of Testing of Salmonella and E. coli isolates from pigs concerning their copper and zinc resistance
- The impact of brucellosis as a foodborne disease Details of The impact of brucellosis as a foodborne disease
- The role of commensal microflora of animals in the transmission of extended spectrum ß-lactamases (ESBLs) Details of The role of commensal microflora of animals in the transmission of extended spectrum ß-lactamases (ESBLs)
- Toxin production of Vibrio spp. Details of Toxin production of Vibrio spp.
- Type IV secretion in Yersinia: Occurrence, molecular characterization and genotyping of Yersinia isolates harbouring a conjugative type IV system Details of Type IV secretion in Yersinia: Occurrence, molecular characterization and genotyping of Yersinia isolates harbouring a conjugative type IV system
- Validation of the BfR in-house ELISA for the detection of Leptospira infection originating from foreign countries Details of Validation of the BfR in-house ELISA for the detection of Leptospira infection originating from foreign countries
- VetCAb: Representative collection of consumption amounts of antibiotics in food-producing animals. Conception and preparation of a pilot study Details of VetCAb: Representative collection of consumption amounts of antibiotics in food-producing animals. Conception and preparation of a pilot study
Involved in research projects:
- Identification of proteins from spots of gel electrophoresis using mass spectrometry Details of Identification of proteins from spots of gel electrophoresis using mass spectrometry
- Structural analysis of cell wall components of predatory prokaryotes and life-cycle-dependent proteome characterization Details of Structural analysis of cell wall components of predatory prokaryotes and life-cycle-dependent proteome characterization
Coordinated collaborative projects:
- SiLeBAT - Ensuring feed and food supply chain at bio-and agro-terrorism (BAT) incidents Details of SiLeBAT - Ensuring feed and food supply chain at bio-and agro-terrorism (BAT) incidents
Work package leader of collaborative projects:
- DFG Collaborative Research Center 852: nutrition, intestinal microbiota and host interactions in pigs Details of DFG Collaborative Research Center 852: nutrition, intestinal microbiota and host interactions in pigs
- Network ESBL and (fluoro)quinolone resistance in Enterobacteriaceae (RESET): Resistance in animals and humans Details of Network ESBL and (fluoro)quinolone resistance in Enterobacteriaceae (RESET): Resistance in animals and humans