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Data Protection Declaration
Imprint
Improvement of next-generation sequencing methods for the detection of zoonotic pathogens (ZooSeq)
Project
Project code: 2819114019
Contract period: 01.12.2019
- 30.11.2022
Budget: 396,997 Euro
Purpose of research: Experimental development
Keywords: knowledge transfer, prevention, diagnostics, microorganisms, species in general, zoonosis
A key outcome has been the development of comprehensive probe panels for the targeted enrichment of viral pathogen nucleic acids ("VirBaits" and "VirBaits 2.0 One Health"), which can be used when the untargeted metagenomic approach does not allow sufficient pathogen characterisation and increased sensitivity is required. In addition, specific probe panels have been established for individual known viruses as well as newly discovered viruses (e.g. Rustrela virus). Regarding the depletion of host nucleic acids to improve the detection of unknown viral pathogens, comparisons were also made with commercial kits that can specifically reduce nucleic acids from specific hosts (e.g. human-mouse-rat). In addition, a universal protocol was established that can be used for host-independent depletion, thus enabling wider application. With regard to optimised nucleic acid extraction from Formalin-fixed Paraffin-embedded material, important basic principles were developed and an optimised protocol was established and further tested. The work on a protocol for nucleic acid extraction from very fatty materials (e.g. brain, food samples), which is now available, should also be emphasised. In particular, this will allow optimised processing of encephalitis samples as part of metagenomic analyses to detect previously unknown pathogens. All protocols and publications will be made available on the project network website (https://www.zoonosen.net/forschungsnetz/vernetzungsprojekte). All work packages provided support services for the genetic analysis of SARS-CoV-2 and thus contributed to the nationwide monitoring, research and provision of SARS-CoV-2 genomes.
Section overview
Subjects
- Animal health
Framework programme
Funding programme
Excutive institution
Friedrich-Loeffler-Institute - Federal Research Institute for Animal Health (FLI)
