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Displaying results 611 to 620 of 666.
Molecular Structural Biology
Combating infectious diseases depends critically on a deep understanding of the underlying molecular processes. Structural biology plays a crucial role in advancing biomedicine by providing valuable insights into the structure, function, and interactions of biological macromolecules at the atomic and molecular level. It combines state-of-the-art techniques such as X-ray crystallography, nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectroscopy and cryo-electron microscopy (cryo-EM) as well as advanced computer-based structure prediction methods to elucidate and analyze the three-dimensional structures of proteins, nucleic acids, and other biomolecules. Thus structural biology plays a critical role in infection research by providing a precise view on virulence factors, host-pathogen interactions, and the mechanisms of pathogenesis and host defense, paving the way towards the development of new anti-infectives and vaccines.
Molecular Bacteriology
Hospital-acquired infections are a major challenge and cause suffering, incapacity and death. In many cases the pathogens are resistant to antibiotics and, therefore, very difficult to combat. Read more about how bacteria join forces and what the researchers can do to avoid that. The group Molecular Bacteriology is based at the HZI and the TWINCORE in Hannover.
Sebastian Borgert
Experimental Immunology
Immune cell populations are characterized by a high degree of heterogeneity to enable efficient and specialized responses to the diverse set of pathogens. This is particularly true for cells of the adaptive immune system, but also innate immune cell populations are heterogeneous and can adapt to different environmental conditions. Adaptation of immune cells is often associated with epigenetic alterations that lead to the fixation of gene expression patterns, finally resulting in cells with highly specialized fates, phenotypes and functional properties.
Immune Regulation
Due to their physiological functions our mucosal surfaces are in direct contact to the environment and thus represent the major port of entry for pathogens. To protect the body from severe infections an effective mucosal immune system is indispensable. We are studying respiratory tract infections with the focus on influenza and pneumococci, which represent the most frequent viral and bacterial infectious agents for pneumonia in humans. A major focus of our research is to study molecular and cellular processes during coinfection with influenza and pneumococci and here in particular the immunological functions of the alveolar epithelium in host defense.
Cellular Metabolism in Infection
With a focus on applying mass spectrometry and tracing approaches, the research group “Cellular Metabolism in Infection” (CMII) headed by Prof Thekla Cordes tracks metabolic pathways, leading to discoveries about the role of small molecules influencing immune cell metabolism and function.
Actinobacteria Metabolic Engineering
The growing resistance towards established antibiotics presents a serious problem especially with infectious diseases. The development of new drugs is mainly based on known molecules and mechanisms, which allows bacteria to assimilate rapidly. Hence, scientists are looking for novel drugs. At the Helmholtz Institute for Pharmaceutical Research Saarland (HIPS) , a site of the Helmholtz Centre for Infection Research (HZI) at Braunschweig, the researchers develop new pathways, by which they force actinomycetes to produce hitherto unknown compounds.
Mouse Pathology
Histology is the science of tissues and pathology. In a sense, it is also the science of diseases and their pathogenesis. The major concern of histologists working in our service unit is helping other HZI researchers make this connection and work out the details of the relationship between histological changes at the tissue level and the infectious diseases they are studying.
Innovative Organoid Research
Organoids are miniature models of human organs cultivated from stem cells in laboratory settings. These delicate tissue structures mimic the three-dimensional architecture and function of real organs, offering researchers a unique opportunity to enhance their understanding of biological processes. Our aim is to advance the development of highly complex organoids incorporating immune cells and vessels. By doing so, we establish a platform, especially for investigating infections, conducting vaccine tests, and innovating therapeutic approaches.
