The DSMZ offers the identification of different organisms and cultures

Identification of prokaryotes plays a central role in various microbiological fields ranging from medical bacteriology to environmental studies. Depending on the place within the phylogenetic framework, a taxonomically unassigned strain needs to be characterised by a wide range of approaches to obtain a broad range of informative data from the genetic and epigenetic level, including morphology, physiology, chemistry, DNA patterns and sequences, and whole genome hybridisation.

Staff members of the DSMZ are experts in in the modern polyphasic approach to identification, applying state-of-the-art technologies. They have been among the first to use whole cell fatty acid analysis, amino acid analysis of cell walls, 16S rDNA sequence analysis, automated  riboprinting, variable number of tandem repeat analysis and DNA-DNA hybridisation.

New methods are constantly evaluated by more than seven scientists and ten technicians for their use in rapid and reliable diagnosis of unknown organisms for the benefits of internal quality control and assessment of novelty.