How do bacteria, viruses, parasites and fungi make us sick? How does our immune system defend our body? These are the questions we at the HZI want to answer. Our goal: To set up the basis for new diagnostic tools, new active agents and new therapies against infectious diseases.

Together with 150 guest scientists from all over the world, our researchers take on this urging task. With sophisticated laboratory techniques they observe pathogens and immune cells during the moment of infection. They analyse the molecular structure of the “weapons” that pathogen utilise to invade a host cell – and develop methods to defuse them. They seek for substances from the nature and the lab that neutralise pathogens, prevent infections or are even able to cure them.

They use high tech analytical devices and study the processes of infections in cell culture, in complex, elaborate computer simulations, and in mice – for a healthier future.