News Archive

Environmental Microbiology Reports has published a study co-authored by several researchers from our institute. The paper, titled "Investigating the resistome of haemolytic bacteria in Arctic soils," examines antibiotic resistance in bacteria found in Arctic environments. We have also created a Visual Abstract that summarizes the key findings. Both the full publication and the Visual Abstract are available at the following link: HERE.

Key Message: Antimicrobial resistance in Arctic bacteria highlights the need for conservation, as novel resistance mechanisms may pose a threat if transferable between species or if they become widespread due to enviromental stress.

The time has finally come: from today on, DR. BRILL INSTITUTES is once again exhibiting at MEDICA in Düsseldorf, the world's largest and most important medical trade fair (11 - 14 November 2024). Dr. Florian Brill and Christoph Bantelmann are on site for you until Tuesday, then Dr. Kerstin Walendy-Gnirß and Manuel Jahn will take over. You find us again at the North German joint stand of the WTSH, this time in Hall 14, Stand D22 - but of course we will also be happy to come to your stand. We would be delighted to meet you spontaneously! Or you can make an appointment in advance, preferably by email to: info@brillhygiene.com. You can find all further information here: link

As part of the free Online Update #16 on the topic of "Materials science", you will have the opportunity to find out about important questions on the topic and exchange ideas with experts from the clinical, research, political and industrial sectors. The online update is a cooperative event with DR. BRILL INSTITUTES, MedWiss4you and HIHeal and will be held in German language. All information on the content and for your registration can be found under the following link:
#16 - Materials Science

The 27th Biocide Europe Conference will take place on December 2 and 3, 2024. Take the opportunity to meet Heike Schimmelpfennig, our expert on biocides from Dr. Brill Regulatory Services GmbH.

We would be delighted to see you again or meet you at the conference in Vienna. You are also welcome to make an appointment in advance. Link to the appointment request by e-mail: HERE.

A new COST action started and Dr. Matthias Buhmann and Dr. Florian H. H. Brill are members of the Management Committee of this new COST action CA 23152 “RegulatoryToolBox”. The purpose of this 4-years network project is building consensus on Biofilm Regulatory Decision Making. This means that we would like to give guidance about methods, definitions etc. that can substantiate claims for products such as biocidal products or medical devices. In this very strong European-wide network under the lead of Professor Dr. Darla Georges who is affiliated at the University of Porto and the Center for Biofilm Engineering of the Montana State University is an extra-ordinary potential for success.

The kick-off meeting was on September 26^th in Brussels. The COST action is closely related to our activities of the Biofilm Task Force within CEN TC 216 under the lead of Dr. Florian H. H. Brill.

Link: RegulatoryToolBox

Our image clip about Hydrotox - Labor für Ökotoxikologie und Gewässerschutz GmbH (Laboratory for Ecotoxicology and Water Protection) has just been completed. Take a moment to find out more about the wide range of services offered by the Freiburg laboratory and get to know some of our friendly colleagues and their tasks. Let yourself be inspired - here: Hydrotox Image Clip

On behalf of the Federal Maritime and Hydrographic Agency (BSH), our Institute for Antifouling and Biocorrosion on the island Norderney, in collaboration with Alex Jamil as film producer and Claudia James from HYGIENE COMPASS, is creating an online course (“e-learning tool”) for boat owners, clubs, associations and authorities as an awareness-raising, preventive measure for the spread of non-native species, as well as to minimize the entry of harmful substances from antifouling coatings and emissions. In five chapters, the causes, development and effects of biofouling, protection against biofouling, alternative anti-fouling systems, cleaning technologies, biofouling management plans, regulations and further information options such as the Fouling Atlas and Blue Angel are presented. The course will consist of a 25-minute film and an online questionnaire.

A short-term goal is to train “biofouling experts” in as many marinas as possible, who will inform users or club members about existing regulations and support them, for example, in the choice of antifouling system (AFS) or the cleaning and maintenance of the AFS.

The long-term goal is to reduce the discharge of pollutants into the waters (inland, North Sea and Baltic Sea), CO2 emissions and minimize the import and spread of non-native species without negatively impacting anti-fouling protection.

The program for our Conference of Applied Hygiene, Microbiology and Virology 2024 has been slightly expanded, and registrations are still possible! Celebrate with us this year's big anniversary of our successful annual CAHMV. The form for your registration and the latest version of the content-rich lecture program is availble on our website www.cahmv.com.

Keynote speakers are Professor Dr. Rasmus Leistner with a lecture on the hot topic of pro-biotic cleaning vs. disinfection, and Professor Dr. Ojan Assadian with his lecture "Relevance of Applied Hospital Hygiene from Hospital Management view". Additionally, Dr. Florian H. H. Brill will give his legendary presentation on the latest developments in the efficacy evaluation of antimicrobial products. There will also be a panel discussion on 25 years of biocide regulation in Europe, a presentation on the efficacy testing of PT18 and 19 insecticides and repellents, and a session “Hot topics Infection Prevention and Control” chaired by Professors Eike and Jörg Steinmann with presentations on the yellow fever virus and Candida auris. And of course, we will be discussing the current topics of biofilm test methods, resistance development in biocides and phase 3 tests.

This 10th conference is organized for the first time in collaboration with our partners from BioGenius, who will be celebrating their 20th anniversary there at the same time. Therefore, BioGenius invites you additionally to a pleasent Welcome reception at the evening before the conference starts. Take the chance to celebrate the 10th edition of our CAHMV with us. On 28 + 29 November 2024 (Pre-Evening Event: 27 November 2024), we would like to welcome you together with BioGenius again at the AMERON Hamburg Hotel Speicherstadt, as well as for a beautiful maritime evening program on the Elbe river. We are looking forward to your registration. Online participation is also possible. www.cahmv.com

Next week at SEPAWA in Berlin, you will have the opportunity to meet Dr. Kerstin Walendy-Gnirß, Scientific Director, and Dr. Britta Brands, Director of Laboratory - Applied Hygiene, in person. The congress is the most significant meeting point of the detergents, cleansers, cosmetics and fragrance industry in Europe and thus offers the perfect setting for a professional exchange on our range of services in this area. You are welcome to make an appointment in advance for a meeting in Berlin - simply send us an e-mail (link: here) or give us a call. Or you can come spontaneously to the BioGenius stand - Dr. Walendy-Gnirß and Dr. Brands look forward to seeing you there. Dr. Britta Brands will also be giving a presentation, which you should of course not miss:

"Behavior of Candida auris and other Candida species in laundry hygiene tests according to EN 17658"

European Detergents Conference | Fundamental Research
Dr. Britta Brands (Dr. Brill + Prof. Bockmühl GmbH Institute for Applied Hygiene)
16.10.2024, 11:25 - 11:45, Auditorium
In English, with simultaneous translation
Details: here

Everything else about SEPAWA 2024: SEPAWA 2024

The following new address now applies for our headquarters and laboratory in Hamburg: Street + No.: Grützmühlenweg 44, Postal Code + City: 22339 Hamburg, Germany. The old Hamburg address is no longer valid (Stiegstück 34, 22339 Hamburg, Germany). All other institute addresses remain unchanged. (Bremen, Norderney, Kleve, Freiburg)

At our beautiful site in the north of Hamburg, we have moved just a few houses away. In doing so, we have expanded again, to almost 1,000 square meters. Over the past few months, we have completely renovated Grützmühlenweg 44. With the now totally redesigned laboratory area and modern offices, we are convinced that we can further improve our service and its quality. You are cordially invited to come and see our fantastic new facilities for yourself - we look forward to your visit!

From November 11 to 14, 2024, DR. BRILL INSTITUTES will once again be exhibiting at MEDICA in Düsseldorf, the world's most important and largest medical trade fair. Use your visit to MEDICA for a direct exchange with us. Dr. Florian Brill, Dr. Kerstin Walendy-Gnirß and further colleagues will be there in person. Simply make an appointment, preferably by email to: info@brillhygiene.com. You will find us again at the joint North German stand of WTSH, this time in Hall 14, Stand D22 - or of course we would also come to your booth. It would be our pleasure to meet you in Düsseldorf! All further information can be found here: link

The publication of EN 17854 represents a milestone. It is the first norm to standardize a procedure for the efficacy testing of antimicrobial wound dressings at European level. It is an in vitro procedure with limited practical relevance, but nevertheless the first time ever that a standard has been set for an antimicrobial wound treatment product and now provides a good basis for evaluating the potential of these products.

Dr. Brill Institutes was and is active through Dr. Florian H. H. Brill in the CEN expert committee as a representative of DIN, which developed this procedure. Our laboratory was involved in the round robin tests and thus made an important contribution to the development of the standard.

Of course, we offer the test method for our customers and are happy to carry it out competently as part of our accreditation. Please do not hesitate to contact us.

The committee is currently discussing what the next projects will be. It is planned to develop and standardize further test methods for antimicrobial wound dressings.