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Displaying results 641 to 650 of 671.
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.
One Health Surveillance
The One Health Surveillance Core Unit facilitates the comprehensive long-term collection of samples and data on human, animal and environmental health. This sample collection serves as the basis for research in HIOH‘s departments, as well as for collaboration with our partners.
Ecology and Emergence of Zoonoses
Zoonoses, diseases transmitted between animals and humans, substantially threaten human health, but also domestic animals and wildlife. Influenced by climate change, globalization, anthropogenic disturbance and habitat fragmentation, contacts at human-animal interfaces become more frequent, thus increasing the risk of zoonotic emergence and, ultimately, pandemics. Our research aims to understand emergence and ecology of such zoonoses, i.e., how pathogens are transmitted between populations, landscapes and ecosystems. By incorporating data on the biotic and abiotic context of these transmissions, we generate evidence that allows us to contribute to pandemic preparedness and prevention. This department is located at the Helmholtz Institute for One Health (HIOH) .
Transgenic Mice
Genetically modified mice can provide information about the function of particular genes or individual genetic elements. Further, they can be specifically designed to mimic certain physiologic or pathologic conditions. The Service Unit "Transgenic Mice" (TGSM) creates such genetically modified mice for researchers of the center.
Model Systems for Infection and Immunity
In infection research experiments on cells and mice have a pivotal role. Frequently such model systems have to be tailored to allow tackling a specific scientific question. To this end, genetic modification of cell lines and mice is being pursued.
Molecular Cell Biology
The cytoskeleton is responsible for mechanical stabilisation of the cell, for its motility and intracellular transport processes as well as for maintenance and change of its overall shape. The research group Molecular Cell Biology focusses on one specific part of the so called cytoskeleton: the actin cytoskeleton. The dynamics and turnover of filaments of the actin cytoskeleton are particularly relevant for effective immune responses, and are also frequently targeted by pathogens. Understanding the molecular mechanisms mediating assembly and disassembly of this filament system is thus among the main goals of Klemens Rottner and his team.
Microbial Drugs
The majority of the medically important antibiotic drugs are derived from secondary metabolites, which are produced by bacteria and filamentous fungi. Despite intensive world-wide efforts using alternative approaches, no other concept could so far surpass the historically successful strategy to exploit biologically active natural products as candidates for anti-infective drugs. The recently observed, increasing resistance of the human pathogens against antibiotics has prompted us to intensify our search for novel lead structures from microorganisms and fungi, which can be used as anti-infective drugs.
Microbial Natural Products
Even today efficient drugs against many diseases are missing but finding new active substances is very complex. Support comes out of the ground. Myxobacteria are soil-living microorganisms that produce many active agents. Here you learn more about the search for new compounds with biological activity. This department is located at the Helmholtz Institute for Pharmaceutical Research Saarland (HIPS) .
Neuroinflammation and Neurodegeneration
What kind of role play infections and the associated inflammatory reactions for the progression or even for the onset of neurodegenerative diseases? Recurrent infections and the involved inflammation may trigger a series of processes in the brain that finally lead to neuronal damage due to the immune response. Thus, better understanding of neurodegenerative processes could improve the therapeutic approach in neurodegenerative disease.