Institute for Infection Prevention and Control

We use whole genome sequencing (WGS) to look at the very makings of each bacterium. By deducing its genetic code we have the ultimate resolution to inform us about putative transmission events on hospital wards, which allows us to investigate outbreaks. Furthermore, we can use the data generated to learn about antibiotic resistance. We are also involved in a number of projects with internal and external collaborators. One of our main interests is the spread of Gram-negative multidrug resistant clones through hospital networks. For this, we collaborate closely with colleagues at the Wellcome Trust Sanger Institute (Cambridge, UK), Big Data Institute (Oxford, UK), University Medical Center Groningen (Groningen, Netherlands), Charité Berlin (Berlin, Germany), and Justus-Liebig-University Hospital (Gießen, Germany).

Areas of interest

•Evolution of bacterial within the health care system, their adaptation and survival strategies

•Whole genome sequencing as a support tool for infection prevention, control and hospital epidemiology

•Role of plasmids in infections

Technology

•Illumina MiSeq & Oxford Nanopore Technology GridION

•Expertise in bacterial whole genome sequencing and analysis

•Bioinformatics expertise