Bacteriology

Overview

The Department of Bacteriology is a central laboratory unit specializing in analyses and research in medical bacteriology. Equipped with state-of-the-art laboratories and expertise in micro- and molecular biology methods, whole genome sequencing, and bioinformatics, we are a key player in microbiological research, diagnostics, surveillance, and quality improvement. We maintain close collaboration with other departments within the Division of Infection Control. Our target groups are laboratories in medical microbiology in Norway, as well as administrative bodies and academia, both nationally and internationally.

Research and Development

We are actively engaged in research and method development on aspects important for public health, both nationally and internationally. Our research encompasses genome epidemiology, microbiology, vaccine development, and the development of antibiotic resistance. We collaborate with partners in Norway and abroad, including University of Oslo (NOR), Norwegian University of Life Sciences (NOR), Imperial College London (UK), the Technical University of Denmark (DK), UCL Genomics Institute (UK) and Harvard University (USA), among others.

National Reference Laboratory

As the national reference laboratory for 19 pathogenic bacterial species/genus, we receive samples from hospitals and primary laboratories for species determination, characterization, and resistance determination. Our data contribute to national and global monitoring efforts through NORM, WHO and ECDC.

National Biopreparedness Laboratory

The department operates the national Biopreparedness Laboratory, responsible for diagnosing high-pathogenic agents and bio-terror agents. We maintain a 24-hour preparedness guard for police and medical microbiological laboratories, contributing to the country's preparedness against microbiological threats.

Quality, Collaboration, and Professional Commitments

Through our participation in the National Forum for Medical Microbiology, we play a role in ensuring high quality and professional services within medical microbiology in Norway. Among other responsibilities, we are involved in the execution of the forum's annual strategy meetings and proficiency testing programs in bacteriology, mycology and parasitology.

The department has extensive collaboration with academia and administrative bodies, both nationally and internationally. We serve as deputy National focal points (NFP) for microbiology and hold several roles as Operational contact points (OCP) in microbiology and bioinformatics within ECDC's public health network. We participate in the National Forum for Medical Microbiology, the National Biopreparedness Committee, and the Norwegian Directorate of Health's advisory group for national reference functions in medical microbiology.

Organization and Management

The Department of Bacteriology is led by Department Director Trine Marie Labée-Lund Normann and consists of 47 employees organized into two sections. The sections are organized into operational groups based on methodology and subject areas. Bacteriology 1 is led by Ane Mohn Bjelland and includes the operational groups for bacteriological lab, PCR lab, support functions, and substrate production lab. Bacteriology 2 is led by Margarita Novoa-Garrido and includes the operational groups for mycobacteria/TB lab, immunology lab, NGS lab, bio preparedness lab, and R&D.

Selected R&D Projects

Nor-WGS: Improved infrastructure for whole genome sequencing - WP6 (EU4HEALTH 2023-2025)

The project aims to enhance and expand the Norwegian Institute of Public Health's capacity for microbial whole genome sequencing for surveillance and outbreak investigations. WP6 focuses on developing new NGS protocols and methods for microbial agents that can cause serious outbreaks or diseases, and also aims to develop NGS protocols for new and unknown agents. The project is in collaboration with the Department of Virology (NIPH) and led by Christine Genevieve Monceyron Jonassen.

• NOR-WGS: Improved infrastructure for whole genome sequencing

Predicting optimal antibiotic treatment regimens (FRIPRO 2017-2023)

This project's purpose is to contribute to three main goals for improving tuberculosis therapy using modeling and clinical data: i) identifying optimal dosing strategies, especially for bacteria resistant to first-line drugs; ii) shortening treatment duration; iii) minimizing the development of new resistance. The project is led by Pia zur Wiesch at UiT.

Disentangling penicillin resistance and compensatory adaptation in pneumococci (FRIPRO 2021-2025)

The project, led by Daniel Straume at NMBU, aims to identify new determinants for penicillin resistance and fitness compensation in pneumococci, using microbial GWAS and in vitro experiments.

• https://disentangling-amr-streptococcus.netlify.app/
• https://prosjektbanken.forskningsradet.no/project/FORISS/314720

PROGLYC - Protein glycosylation, glycan diversity, and immunogenicity in Neisseria (MRC & BBSRC, et al.)

The project, led by Bente Børud, explores the effect of glycosylation of bacterial surface proteins on human immune response and recognition. It focuses on the potential of glycans as vaccine antigens for vaccines against pathogenic Neisseria, especially N. gonorrhoeae.