As part of this EMPIR project, METAS, for the first time, took part in a European research collaboration project in the field of health and life sciences. The present project was completed at the end of February 2023 after a no-cost extension to recover some of the delays incurred due to the corona pandemic. The present project is considered successful not only because METAS' own metrological capabilities in nucleic acid analysis were significantly improved, but also because further European collaborations have emerged from similar consortia (e.g. GenomeMET) with METAS participation. The septimet project was the first scientific project to utilize equipment purchased for the setup of the nucleic acid metrology laboratory at METAS.
As part of the SEPTIMET project, molecular detection methods for sepsis ("blood poisoning") pathogens were developed and improved and their measurement uncertainty was characterized at their detection and quantification limits. For this purpose, among other things, a marker system for the molecular detection of Neisseria meningitidis was successfully developed in-house. In addition, the measurement uncertainty with regard to the detection and quantification limits of various Neisseria dPCR markers were characterized in detail. In addition to the work originally planned in Septimet, which actually included the study of clinical samples but which could not be collected due to the pandemic, METAS also took part in proficiency tests to detect methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus pathogens. MRSA are known to cause sepsis in humans. As part of METAS' participation, an initial ring trial/interlaboratory comparison involving nucleic acid metrology laboratory (now biological analyses and references) was successfully undertaken for the first time: Results confirmed METAS capabilities. An interlaboratory comparison between LGC, NIB, PTB and METAS was carried out as part of the INSTAND ring test "Bacterial genome detection - MRSA or cMRSA 539". For this, a DNA reference material was developed in the laboratory as an internal control material. This material contains the identical genetic markers as in the Instand comparison material. The externally synthesized DNA was characterized, amplified and purified by sequencing. In this context, a homogenization study was also carried out in order to exclude possible causes of inhibition and to optimize the internal RM development. As part of a SEPTIMET work package meeting (WP3 with METAS participation), NMI partners expressed the desire to publish the results of this interlaboratory comparison in a joint publication. A manuscript (led by the Slovenian NIB and with the participation of PTB and LGC) has not yet been prepared. As a further METAS deliverable, a draft for a Point-of-care Testing (POCT) guidance document was completed. This guidance document is intended to be a recommendation for the implementation of improved traceability and accelerated sepsis pathogen detection in MRSA diagnostics, but must be revised before possible publication.