19.05.2026
Research Center Borstel contributes to international ECDC training on genomic analysis of non-tuberculous mycobacteria
Non-tuberculous mycobacteria (NTM) are increasingly recognized worldwide as emerging opportunistic pathogens, posing major challenges for diagnostics, treatment, and public health systems. To strengthen expertise in the genomic analysis of these pathogens, the European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control (ECDC) organized an international virtual training course in collaboration with the Research Center Borstel, Leibniz Lung Center.
Dr. ir. Margo Diricks, postdoctoral researcher in the group Molecular and Experimental Mycobacteriology headed by Prof. Stefan Niemann, led a two-day course on the genomic analysis of NTM. The training provided both theoretical background and practical experience in the application of whole genome sequencing (WGS)-based bioinformatic tools for the identification, typing, transmission analysis, plasmid and antimicrobial resistance prediction of NTM. Both freely available web-based tools as well as the bioinformatics pipeline NTMseq, developed in Borstel, were demonstrated.
More than 550 participants from more than 35 countries registered for the course, with almost 200 participants attending the two half-day live sessions. The audience included researchers, clinicians, bioinformaticians, veterinary and public health professionals, industry representatives, PhD candidates, and students, highlighting the broad international and multidisciplinary interest in NTM research and genomic surveillance.
By contributing to international training initiatives such as this ECDC course, the Research Center Borstel, Leibniz Lung Center continues to support the global dissemination of modern genomic approaches in infectious disease research and to strengthen international collaboration in addressing emerging bacterial pathogens.
Further information: https://learning.ecdc.europa.eu/course/view.php?id=1239
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