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Helmholtz Centre for Infection Research

The Helmholtz Centre for Infection Research (HZI), whose main campus is located in Braunschweig, investigates the mechanisms of infectious diseases and their defenses. To this end, the scientists are researching viruses and bacteria such as the pathogens that cause tuberculosis and AIDS, Covid-19 and hepatitis. At the same time, the researchers are analyzing the human immune system and developing new drugs, diagnostic procedures and vaccines. An important concern of the HZI is to put new findings into practice as soon as possible: Innovative therapies should help patients quickly. To this end, the research center and its approximately 1,000 employees are working on individualized medicine and advancing the search for pathogens using AI. The aim of the HZI is to tackle the major societal challenges associated with infectious diseases: new pandemics, climate change, increasing antibiotic resistance and the use of modern precision medicine.

Main research areas:

  • Infection research
  • Drug research
  • Individualized infection medicine
  • Information and data technology for infection research

HZI in figures

1.069

employees (as of Dec. 31, 2023)

82

visiting scientist in 2023

515

publications were published in international, high-ranking scientific journals (2023)

Research program

News

  • Information, Aeronautics, Space and Transport, Health, Earth & Environment, Energy, Matter

    The year 2024 is coming to an end. We look back on ten special formative events. Some are surprising, others are encouraging and still others are thought-provoking. What all ten have in common,…

  • Health

    What opportunities will arise for medical research and the healthcare system of the future? To discuss this question, researchers from the Helmholtz Association met with decision-makers from science,…

  • Health

    The current outbreak of the Mpox virus originated in Central Africa. A first case has now been discovered in Europe. The WHO has declared the highest alert level. Fabian Leendertz, Director of the…

  • Health

    A daring e-mail took biochemist Mathias Munschauer from Mannheim to New York, to the laboratory of one of the world’s most renowned RNA researchers. Today, he is one of the most sought-after experts…

  • Health

    Physician and epidemiologist Berit Lange from the Helmholtz Centre for Infection Research, who has just been appointed to the STIKO, talks about bringing a breath of fresh air to the committee,…

  • Health

    Josef Penninger is the new scientific director of the Helmholtz Centre for Infection Research (HZI) in Braunschweig. Here is an interview about his ambitious plans, and why it took a torn ligament to…

Contact

Helmholtz-Zentrum für Infektionsforschung

Inhoffenstraße 7
38124 Braunschweig

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