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Core Facility of Comparative Medicine

To be able to investigate diseases, understand the relationships between pathogens and their host and to develop novel strategies against pathogens, the scientists at the HZI depend on experiments that involve the use of laboratory animals. For this purpose, the HZI operates a central animal facility on campus. The primary task of this service unit is the breeding and keeping of laboratory mice as well as provision of services for the scientists of the HZI, centered around laboratory animal science.

Prof Dr Anna K. H. Hirsch

Prof Dr Anna K. H. Hirsch Head of Research Group +49 681 98806 2100 E-Mail Anna Hirsch read Natural Sciences with a focus on Chemistry at the University of Cambridge and spent her third year at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, doing a research…

Viral Immunology

“Back then, I wasn’t ill so often”: With advancing age not only the skin loses its elasticity – many organs lose their functions. So does the immune system: Defense cells do not react promptly anymore, and immunological memory is not established. As a result, we are poorly protected by vaccines and more susceptible to infections, but at the same time suffer from inflammatory disease. While the mechanisms of immune aging remain unknown, chronic viral infections are environmental factors that may accelerate the age-related changes of the immune system. Read more about how pathogens may have an impact on the real age of our immune system.

Drug Design and Optimization

In order to combat the increasing number of resistant pathogens, the development of new anti-infective drugs is an important goal for pharmaceutical research. Efficient medications with novel modes-of-action to fight infectious diseases are urgently needed. Below, you may read more about the design, identification and optimisation of new drug candidates. This group is located at the Helmholtz Institute for Pharmaceutical Research Saarland (HIPS) .

Drug Bioinformatics

Bioinformatics is instrumental in all areas of molecular biology, from analysis of genome sequences towards predicting three-dimensional structure of drug-target complexes. We apply cutting-edge bioinformatics and computer science techniques for discovery of novel resistance mechanisms and predicting mode-of-action of bioactive compounds. This group is located at the Helmholtz Institute for Pharmaceutical Research Saarland (HIPS)

Central Facility for Microscopy

Light microscopy and electron microscopy are excellent high resolution tools to investigate the adhesion and invasion mechanisms of pathogenic bacteria. High resolution electron microscopy permits to examine and unravel pathogenicity mechanisms on a morphological basis. ZEIM offers equipment and highly sophisticated expertise for the preparation and observation of biological samples.

Prof Dr Josef Penninger

Prof Josef Penninger Scientific Director - Scientific Management +49 531 6181-1000 E-Mail Josef Penninger was born on 5 September 1964 in Gurten, Oberösterreich. After attending medical school in Innsbruck , he started his scientific career at the…

Press Contact

Press and Communication We offer you the latest information on the research topics of the Helmholtz Centre for Infection Research (HZI), get you in touch with our experts and arrange interview appointments. Press photos On our web pages we provide a…

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HZI

Understanding Infections - Fighting Pathogens The HZI: one interdisciplinary center - six sites About the HZI A research facility of the Helmholtz Association What are you looking for? Popular topics: Press Career Research groups HUMAN MICROSTAR Open Call:…