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The initiative “Immunology & Inflammation” unifies efforts in immunological research within the Helmholtz Association. 23 working groups from five Helmholtz Centres are joining forces to address some of the most complex problems in today's immunology in ways that can only be explored in collaboration.

The hospital germ Pseudomonas aeruginosa can cause serious wound as well as lung and urinary tract infections, especially in weakened individuals. Pseudomonas manages time and again to survive attacks of the immune system and antibiotic therapies. One key to the success of this persistent pathogen is its complex communication system as the bacteria use various signalling substances to communicate with each other and to control infection processes. Scientists from the Helmholtz Centre for Infection Research (HZI) in Braunschweig and the Helmholtz Institute for Pharmaceutical Research Saarland (HIPS) in Saarbrücken recently discovered how these bacteria produce a large part of the variety of signalling molecules: The ability of a single protein complex to change its shape allows the bacteria to process molecules of different sizes into signalling substances. If it is possible to develop an inhibitor for this complex, one could “freeze” its motion and interrupt the communication of the bacteria. The scientists published their results in ChemBioChem.

Necrotising fasciitis (NF) is the most severe form of tissue death caused by bacteria. The bacterium Streptococcus pyogenes is one of the main causes of this disease. The infections take a rapid course and are associated with devastating consequences for the afflicted individuals ranging from severe necrosis to toxic shock. The disease is often fatal. However, if detected at an early stage, it can be cured by treatment with medication and removal of the afflicted tissue. Scientists from the Helmholtz Centre for Infection Research (HZI) recently discovered the crucial role and protective effect of pathogen-specific antibodies in the first stage of the Streptococcus infection. Accordingly, early clinical application of a cocktail of human immunoglobulin G containing such specific antibodies might prevent the manifestation of tissue necrosis and the progress of the disease. The study was completed in cooperation with clinicians from the University hospitals in Bergen (Norway), Gothenburg and Stockholm (Sweden) and Copenhagen (Denmark) and was recently published in the Journal of Infectious Diseases.

Infections continue to be amongst the main causes of death throughout the world. Individually customised prevention and therapies promise to open up new options for curing diseases. But what is the current status of the research throughout the world and what are the most urgent questions – from an ethical, social and economic point of view? Experts will discuss these issues from 21 to 23 June in Hannover.

High-ranking visitors at the Helmholtz Centre for Infection Research (HZI) and the Hannover Medical School (MHH): Federal Minister of Research Anja Karliczek and Lower Saxony's Minister for Science and Culture Björn Thümler used their personal visit on 31 May 2018 to catch up on the state of modern infection research in Lower Saxony. They visited the study centre of the NAKO health study in Hannover, which is being coordinated by the HZI, and the TWINCORE, Centre for Experimental and Clinical Infection Research, an institution that is run jointly by the Helmholtz Centre for Infection Research in Braunschweig and the Hannover Medical School.

30 young scientists came together from 16 – 20 April 2018 at Bayer in Berlin for the ENLIGHT-TEN summer school on translational research and medicines development. The summer school introduced the participants to the knowledge, philosophy and tools needed in translational research and medicine development, empowering them to make a difference in translational medicine. A faculty of 13 high profile professionals from Industry, Academia and Biotech introduced the basics of the medicines development process including real life case studies.