ACTIVITY STATEMENT:Development and implementation of molecular methods for detection and typing bacterial and viral pathogens. Interpretation of genetic variations to identify their biological significance (drug resistance/pathogenicity) and assessing these variations as possible targets to detect and characterize emerging pathogens using molecular methods and bioinformatics tools. Use of the testing results for surveillance purposes, outbreak investigations, and for identifying person-to-person transmission. Development and application of laboratory standards following best practices to improve public health.