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Nitric oxide (NO) occurs naturally in the human body as a messenger substance. It is considered an all-rounder, as it performs numerous important regulatory functions, including immune defense against pathogens. The exact mode of action of this molecule has now been uncovered by immunologist Prof Andreas Müller from the Institute of Molecular and Clinical Immunology at the University Medical Center Magdeburg together with scientists from the Helmholtz Centre for Infection Research (HZI) in Braunschweig. The findings are crucial for the development of new therapeutic approaches for the treatment of infectious diseases, but also of diseases caused by excessive inflammation. The results were published in the renowned journal "Immunity".

The German Center for Infection Research (DZIF) and the Helmholtz Centre for Infection Research (HZI) have developed a concept to form a National Alliance for Pandemic Therapeutics (NA-PATH). They thereby wish to target research and development of widely effective therapeutics in order to be better prepared for future outbreaks due to viral pathogens having pandemic potential. Overcoming the current COVID-19 pandemic will be considerably more difficult due to the deficiency of antiviral active substances.

The Helmholtz Institute for One Health is a new HZI location in Greifswald, linking research into human and animal health with environmental factors.

It often takes many years before a new active compound from basic research hits the market as a drug. In order to accelerate this process, the Helmholtz Institute for Pharmaceutical Research Saarland (HIPS) and Saarland University will work together even more closely in the future. To this end, they have now founded the Translational Centre for Bioactive Compounds, in which scientists from both institutions will interact closely with the University Hospital in Homburg and the pharmaceutical industry.

In the coronavirus pandemic, older people are particularly at risk from severe courses of COVID-19. However, other infectious diseases also affect them more than younger people. On the occasion of the International Day of Older Persons on 1 October, Prof Luka Cicin-Sain, Head of the Department "Viral Immunology", talks about the ageing of the immune system.