The Biology Division is concerned with protection against biological threats and hazards. This includes research, analysis and diagnostics of highly infectious pathogens and toxins as well as the respective biosecurity measures.

The Biology Division operates a certified testing laboratory for the detection of special biological agents. All analyses are carried out according to international standards and subject to internal and external quality controls.

Bacteriology

The Bacteriology Branch specialises in the rapid and reliable detection of human pathogenic bacteria of risk group 3 (Bacillus anthracis, Yersinia pestis, Francisella tularensis, Brucella abortus, Brucella melitensis, Coxiella burnetii, Burkholderia mallei and Burkholderia pseudomallei, among others).

Virology

The Virology Branch specialises in the detection of human pathogenic viruses of risk groups 3 and 4 (EBOV, MARV, CCHF, RVFV, etc.).

Toxinology

The Toxinology Branch focuses on the detection of ricin and saxitoxin, both substances that relate to the Chemical Weapons Convention (CWC). The scope of analyses also includes the potential biological warfare agents botulinum neurotoxin and staphylococcal enterotoxin B as well as other toxins from the food sector.