Forschungsteam Steinmetz

Forschungsschwerpunkt Molekulare Epidemiologie und Klinische Mikrobiologie

Teamleiter*innen: Ivo Steinmetz, Eva Leitner-Meyer, Gabriel Wagner-Lichtenegger, Karl Dichtl, Sabine Wagner-Lichtenegger

Fokus: Kenntnisse über die Verbreitung von Infektionserregern in der Bevölkerung und in Gesundheitseinrichtungen sind essenziell für eine zielgerichtete Patient*innendiagnostik und die Überprüfung von Präventionsstrategien. Eine State-of-the-art Methodik im Labor ist für die Identifizierung und Typisierung von Infektionserregern, neuen Erregervarianten und antimikrobiellen Resistenzen von zentraler Bedeutung. Es gibt auf diesem Gebiet eine Vielzahl neuer Entwicklungen die zum Ziel haben, die Schnelligkeit und Genauigkeit der Verfahren weiter zu verbessern. Ziel unserer Arbeiten ist es, diese Methoden weiter zu optimieren und deren zielgerichteten Einsatz zu evaluieren.

Vernetzung: Unsere Forschungsarbeiten finden in enger Kooperation mit den klinischen Kolleg*innen am LKH-Univ. Klinikum Graz und mit weiteren nationalen und internationalen Partner*innen statt.

Projekte

Whole genome-sequencing based molecular typing of high risk pathogens

High-resolution pathogen typing is essential for outbreak investigations and resolving patient-to-patient transmission events. It also provides data for analysing known virulence factors and antibiotic resistance markers. However, due to the high cost of devices and complex bioinformatics, broad standardized application is not yet feasible. In this project, we combine new whole genome sequencing technologies with an automated analysis in order to develop robust typification methods suitable for use in standard clinical microbiology laboratories for pathogens including Bordetella pertussis and Burkholderia pseudomallei.
Duration: Ongoing
Funded by: Med Uni Graz, ESCMID (European Society of Clinical Microbiology and Infectious Diseases).
Project partners: AGES – Austrian Agency for Health and Food Safety, Thanh Trung Trinh, Vietnam National University; Dag Harmsen, University Hospital Münster, Werner Ruppitsch, Medical University of Innsbruck

Association of Bordetella pertussis genomics with clinical course and vaccine status

Despite widespread vaccination programs, B. pertussis remains a significant public health concern largely due to pathogen adaptation and waning immunity. To address this, we establish a regional initiative for whole genome-based surveillance of B. pertussis across Germany, Austria, and Switzerland. This initiative will enhance our understanding of B. pertussis molecular epidemiology and provide a robust platform for targeted public health interventions.
Duration: Ongoing
Funded by: Med Uni Graz
Project partners: Werner Ruppitsch, Medical University of Innsbruck, AGES – Austrian Agency for Health and Food Safety

Ecology and global distribution of Burkholderia pseudomallei

Even 100 years after the discovery of B. pseudomallei, the global distribution of the pathogen remains unclear. By developing sensitive procedures for detecting B. pseudomallei, we aim to identify endemic regions, where the pathogen's presence is currently only predicted, as well as to decipher the environmental factors that correlate with its presence. This effort raise awareness of the disease, and most likely result in timely and adjusted intervention and a reduction in the high mortality rate of melioidosis.
Duration: Ongoing
Funded by: Med Uni Graz
Project partners: Médecins Sans Frontières; Thanh Trung Trinh, Vietnam National University; Direk Limmathurotsakul; Mahidol Oxford Tropical Medicine Research Unit (MORU), Faculty of Tropical Medicine, Mahidol University, Thailand;

Epidemiology and diagnostics of pathogenic fungi

We develop and evaluate new diagnostic assays to enhance biomarker-based detection of invasive fungal infections (IFIs). In collaboration with the Mycology Study Group (Division of Infectious Diseases) the ‘MucorPCR Study’ aims to test bronchoalveolar lavage samples using a Mucorales-specific PCR to improve detection sensitivity beyond standard culture methods. In the ‘MycomEIA Study’ urine samples from ICU patients are tested using a novel ELISA targeting Aspergillus antigens.
Duration: ongoing
Funded by: Med Uni Graz
Project partners: Martin Hönigl, Med Uni Graz; Johannes Wagener, Trinity College Dublin; Jane Misihairabgwi, University of Namibia

Rapid untargeted detection of pathogens in remote settings

This project focuses on mobile pathogen detection, identification and outbreak clarification. We develop a mobile, blackout-resilient workflow based on Oxford Nanopore Technology (ONT) untargeted and pan-targeted pathogen detection in clinical, environmental, food, and water samples. The system enables rapid identification of unknown or PCR-invisible agents, combining real-time sequencing with an offline-capable bioinformatics pipeline.
Duration: ongoing
Funded by: Med Uni Graz
Project partners: AGES – Austrian Agency for Health and Food Safety, Thanh Trung Trinh, Vietnam National University