(1) Bacterial Resistance to Antibiotics
The project is ongoing since 1992 and up to now has been focused mainly on mechanisms of resistance to the newer β-lactam antibiotics (3rd and 4th generation cephalosporins, β-lactam/β-lactamase inhibitor combinations, and carbapenems) in gram-negative bacilli. Methodological approaches used in the laboratory include: (a) Biochemical characterization of resistance (investigation of the role and function of bacterial enzymes or other cellular components implicated in the manifestation of resistance). (b) Genetic characterization of resistance (analysis of resistance determinants and their carriers). (c) Molecular epidemiology for investigating factors affecting dissemination of resistance among nosocomial pathogens. Recently, the interests of the laboratory have also been extended to other mechanisms of resistance, emerging as serious public health problems during the last decade (e.g. MRSA staphylococci).

(2) Neisseria gonorrhoeae – Epidemiology and Antibiotic Resistance
Applied research project ongoing since 1982. The project aims to continuous epidemiological surveillance of gonorrhea through demographic and disease markers (incidence, characteristics and behavior of patients) and microbiological markers, such as types and antibiotic resistance profiles of N. gonorrhoeae strains circulating in the Greek community. The underlying mechanisms of resistance are also investigated, for newly recognized or widely disseminated resistance patterns. Due to these activities, the Bacteriology Laboratory of the H.P.I. constitutes, since 1987, the Greek National Reference Center for Neisseria gonorrhoeae (see also  National Reference Centers ).

Funds
Actiivities of the laboratory are supported by the annual budget of the H.P.I. Occasionally, there is complementary external funding from grants and from pharmaceutical companies. In the recent evaluation of Research Institutes and Centers by the General Secretariat of Research & Technology (GSRT), the Laboratory of Bacteriology was one among three laboratories of the H.P.I. which were evaluated as excellent and for this reason has been supported with the amount of 59.000 Euros for the three next years.