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Ebola viruses are among the most dangerous known human pathogens. Three species of Ebola virus have repeatedly caused major outbreaks on the African continent. Most outbreaks have been caused by the Zaire Ebola virus. Medicines and vaccines are available for this virus species. However, there are as yet no treatments or vaccines against the Bundibugyo Ebola virus, which is causing the current outbreak in the Democratic Republic of the Congo. This makes it considerably more difficult to combat the outbreak, which is already the largest Bundibugyo Ebola virus outbreak ever documented. A team of researchers at the German Primate Centre – Leibniz Institute for Primate Research (DPZ), at TWINCORE Centre for Experimental and Clinical Infection Research in Hannover, as well as at the University Medical Centre Hamburg-Eppendorf and the Charité – University Medicine Berlin has now investigated how the Bundibugyo Ebola virus enters cells and whether there is cross-protection from an already approved Zaire Ebola virus vaccine. The study was published in the journal The Lancet Infectious Diseases.

25.08.2026

TWINCORE

A scientist operates a bioreactor in the lab

News

The DZIF flagship project PANTIPA has reached an important milestone. Following successful preclinical work at the University Hospital Cologne and the Helmholtz Centre for Infection Research (HZI), the project is now entering the next stage of development, including process development and GMP-compliant manufacturing of a monoclonal antibody targeting Pseudomonas aeruginosa. The Celonic Group has been selected as a partner for process development and production. The goal of PANTIPA is to advance an innovative antibody therapy to the clinical trial stage, thereby creating new treatment options for patients with severe infections.

25.08.2026

HZI Campus

Two people in the lab, smiling at the camera

News

The SARS-CoV-2 coronavirus is constantly mutating. As a result, vaccines become less effective and need to be regularly adapted. This was the case in 2025 with the JN.1 variant. An interdisciplinary team from Hannover and Göttingen has now investigated how the immune system responds to adapted vaccines. The findings were published in Nature Communications.

17.08.2026

TWINCORE

Two petri dishes containing myxobacteria are held aloft, one in each hand

News

Most antibiotics used clinically are based on natural compounds produced by bacteria and other microorganisms. At the Helmholtz Institute for Pharmaceutical Research Saarland (HIPS), researchers are using soil-dwelling myxobacteria as a source of new active ingredients. They are able to discover new active compounds primarily in bacteria that have not yet been extensively studied. Through decades of work, a HIPS research team has significantly expanded the biological diversity of myxobacteria. They are now making these microorganisms and their genetic data available to the entire research community, as they provide the basis for the discovery of new bioactive compounds. The researchers published their findings in the journal Advanced Science.

12.08.2026

HIPS

News

At first glance, mucus sounds more unpleasant than essential. In fact, it forms an important protective layer on our mucous membranes: It transports dirt, bacteria, and viruses out of the body and makes it difficult for pathogens to penetrate our cells in the first place. Prof. Christian Sieben, head of the research group “Nano Infection Biology” at the Helmholtz Centre for Infection Research (HZI), is studying this crucial moment in an infection in great detail. Using state-of-the-art microscopy, he observes individual virus particles and investigates how they interact with our cells. In this episode of InFact, he explains how respiratory viruses overcome our natural barriers and why influenza viruses in particular have significant pandemic potential.

23.07.2026

HZI Campus

A view inside a laboratory; two hands wearing blue gloves working with a pipette

News

Bacteria have spent decades evolving resistance to virtually every antibiotic we have thrown at them. To stay ahead, new drugs must hit targets that existing antibiotics have never touched. A research team at the Helmholtz Institute for Pharmaceutical Research Saarland (HIPS) has now developed a series of synthetic drug candidates that do exactly that: By blocking an essential molecular supply system, these molecules cut off the bacteria's essential vitamins supply and starve them to death. The team published its findings in two studies back to back in the Journal of Medicinal Chemistry.

21.07.2026

HIPS

HZI in the media

... Medizinischen Hochschule Hannover (MHH) und des Helmholtz-Zentrums für Infektionsforschung (HZI). Dafür setzten die Forschenden sechs ...

19.08.2026

Pharmazeutische Zeitung

... Arbeiten am Universitätsklinikum Köln und am Helmholtz-Zentrum für Infektionsforschung startet nun die Entwicklung und GMP- ...

19.08.2026

DeutschesGesundheitsPortal

available genomic resources. HIPS is a site of the Helmholtz Centre for Infection Research (HZI) in collaboration with Saarland University.

14.08.2026

News Medical

... verfügbaren genomischen Ressourcen erheblich. HIPS ist ein Standort des Helmholtz-Zentrums für Infektionsforschung in Zusammenarbeit ...

12.08.2026

DeutschesGesundheitsPortal

... nennen wären da zum Beispiel das Helmholtz-Zentrum für Infektionsforschung oder aber das Deutsche Zentrum für ...

11.08.2026

news38

Ein Forschungsteam am Helmholtz-Institut für Pharmazeutische Forschung Saarland (HIPS) hat nun eine Reihe synthetischer ...

07.08.2026

ZMK - Zahnheilkunde Management Kultur

des HIRI kooperieren hierbei mit dem Helmholtz-Zentrum für Infektionsforschung (HZI) und dem Helmholtz-Institut für One Health (HIOH). Ein

06.08.2026

Börse Express

... beschleunigen

Das DFKI hat zusammen mit dem Helmholtz-Institut für Pharmazeutische Forschung Saarland (HIPS), der ...

02.08.2026

SR Saarländischer Rundfunk

... Forschungszentrum Fahrzeugtechnik (NFF) oder dem Helmholtz-Zentrum für Infektionsforschung (HZI).

Am 24. März 19973 ...

01.08.2026

t-online.de

... including to Germany, for further testing. Professor Fabian Leendertz at the Helmholtz Institute for One ...

31.07.2026

Deutsche Welle

Spannend: Am Exponat des Helmholtz-Instituts Saarland kann man nach Bodenbakterien suchen. | Foto: Ilja C. ...

30.07.2026

Die Rheinpfalz

Sprachmodellen und Einzelzellanalysen bei, das Helmholtz-Institut für Pharmazeutische Forschung Saarland übernimmt die chemische Synthese ...

29.07.2026

Deutsches Ärzteblatt

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