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Biomolecular Measurement Methods for Pathogen Detection

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Digital PCR and qPCR platforms to quantify nucleic acids

 

Laboratory medicine is crucial for medical diagnosis and treatment. Clinical laboratories use different routine methods. Nevertheless, the same result for an analyte measured must be provided by any laboratory. A key step to assure this are external quality assurance (EQA) schemes. Another aspect is traceability of EQA target values to metrological higher order methods. Suitable reference materials can also provide traceability. Implementation of traceability in laboratory medicine secures results to be independent of time or location.

Pathogens are often present in clinical samples in a wide concentration range. Thus, detection and measurement can be difficult. Clinical samples can contain materials that influence the measurement. This is called matrix effect. In test development this must be considered. This applies to routine tests and metrological higher order methods as well.

We develop reliable, accurate and traceable measurement methods. We focus on diagnostics for the detection and quantification of pathogens. This includes the development of reference measurement methods. Ideally, they are traceable to SI units. The methods are validated in international studies of metrology institutes. The aim is to offer reference measurement values. One method we explore is digital PCR. This is used to quantify bacterial and viral pathogens (e. g. HIV, SARS-CoV-2).

The research results are also incorporated into standardization.


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Research/Development

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Services

The working group presently offers no external services.

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