Press Releases
10.02.12
Targeting the bacterial protective shield
Research consortium set on developing new drugs that target bacterial biofilms
Slime-like and near impenetrable are biofilms built by a number of bacterial cells during the course of an infection. Typically, they are composed of long molecular strands called polymers. Many different species of bacteria, among them dangerous pathogens like Pseudomonas and Staphylococcus, use biofilms to shield themselves against the host's immune system attacks and antibiotics'...
03.01.12
Treasure Hunt in the Bacterial Genome
EU funds research on Actinomycetes with 1.5 million Euro
A research project aimed at finding new medical compounds in bacteria has now been granted financial support from Brussels. The European Research Council (ERC) will fund the work of Dr. Andriy Luzhetskyy, a junior scientist investigating the genetics of Actinomycetes. This particular group of microorganisms produces a variety of important natural products which play a pivotal role in modern...
04.12.11
Understanding the molecular production line
How natural polyketides are produced “in assembly lines”: HZI researchers decode the molecular structure of synthesizing enzymes
From deadly toxins to curative antibiotics: The polyketides, a class of biologically active compounds, comprise a multitude of metabolites from plants, fungi, bacteria and other organisms. How does nature produce this remarkably broad spectrum? Researchers of the Helmholtz Centre for Infection Research (HZI), Braunschweig, the Helmholtz Institute for Pharmaceutical Research Saarland (HIPS)...
25.08.11
The Lung in a Cell-Culture Model
New research project aims to help in replacing animal experiments
Following infections of lung cells through various pathogens in the culture dish: this is the goal of a new joint project of two Helmholtz research groups. The scientists are attempting to reconstruct lung cells from mice in a stable in vitro model, in order to conduct research on the intrusion of pathogens such as viruses and bacteria and to test new active pharmaceutical ingredients. The...
14.05.10
Helmholtz Centre for Infection Research receives project funding from the Bill und Melinda Gates Foundation
Innovative nanoparticles release vaccine through perspiration
The Helmholtz Centre for Infection Research (HZI) has received a grant through the current round of the funding programme “Grand Challenges Explorations” of the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation. The programme is supporting a global health project for development of nanoparticles that release the vaccine active ingredients through the skin upon contact with perspiration. The Braunschweig...
