Biology

Using state-of-the-art molecular biological methods, METAS characterises nucleic acids in a wide variety of samples. This enables reliable analyses in the fields of diagnostics, food safety, environmental monitoring and biotechnology.

The National Reference Laboratory for Food-Borne Viruses can detect the following pathogenic viruses at METAS: hepatitis A and hepatitis E viruses, norovirus (genogroups I and II), enterovirus and rotavirus. It investigates viruses that occur primarily on plant-based foods (fruit, berries, vegetables and lettuce), and on animal-based foods (sausage products, meat products, mussels), as well as in drinking water. Swipe samples are also examined for viral contamination.

The National Reference Laboratories at METAS have a wide range of analytical methods for detecting genetically modified organisms (GMOs) which is constantly being expanded. This means that all GMOs currently authorised in the European Union can be detected using specific procedures. They are based on standard methods that have been validated by the European Reference Laboratory as part of the approval process, i.e. they have been tested in terms of their suitability. The methods are published on the website of the European Reference Laboratory.