Microbiology and Molecular Biology

The Microbiology and Molecular Biology Division has provided contract research services to the Government and industry for more than 40 years. Our current emphasis is in the areas of biodefense, genetic toxicology, molecular biology, microbial pesticides, and immunology.

Microbiology: IITRI scientists have extensive experience in performing specialized microbiology testing, using both aerobic and anaerobic microbes. We conduct a wide variety of microbiological tests in our BSL-2 and BSL-3 laboratories for customers in government and the private sector.

Immunology: Working for the National Institutes of Health (NIH), IITRI participated in the validation of immunotoxicology techniques. Our efforts during this project led to the acceptance of related immunotoxicology guidelines by the EPA and the Food and Drug Administration (FDA).

Molecular Biology: IITRI has the experience to take on almost any task involving molecular biology. Specialized areas of expertise include quantitative real-time PCR (RNA and DNA based), microarray analysis (e.g., Affymetrix), and bioinformatics.

Microbial Pesticides: IITRI played a significant role in investigating methods for testing toxicity and virulence of microbial pest control agents under a cooperative agreement with the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). As a result, fewer animals were required for testing, and the interim sacrifice times for microbial clearance rates were reduced.

Biodefense: IITRI conducts a variety of experiments with BW agents in our state-of-the-art in vivo and in vitro biosafety level-2 (BSL-2) and BSL 3 laboratories. Areas of expertise include microbiology, virology, molecular biology, immunology, and aerosol physics.

Virology: IITRI scientists conduct a wide variety of virology tests (both in vitro and in vivo) in our BSL-2 and BSL-3 virology laboratories. Most of the virus Families are represented in our virus collection, and we have multiple isolates available for most viruses.

Genetic Toxicology: Recently, IITRI has substantially expanded its GLP capabilities in genetic toxicology. In vitro and in vivo models conforming to ICH/OECD Guidelines have been developed to examine mutagenesis, cytotoxicity, and chromosomal damage.