Newsroom

On average, every adult in Germany suffers from up to three respiratory infections per year. Although mostly caused by viruses, these infections are sometimes incorrectly treated with antibiotics. Dr. Stefanie Castell, deputy head of the HZI Department of Epidemiology, talks about a training project called WASA (“Wirksamkeit von Antibiotika-Schulungen in der niedergelassenen Ärzteschaft” – effectiveness of trainings on antibiotic prescription in primary care) that should improve the handling of antibiotic prescriptions.

"Infections and Drugs" is one of four research topics of the Technische Universität Braunschweig. This positions TU Braunschweig as a close partner of the HZI. Their cooperation was the basis of the Systems Biology Centre BRICS that was established jointly in 2011. In an InFact interview, BRICS speaker Dieter Jahn, who is a professor of microbiology, explains how the TU Braunschweig and the HZI may benefit from each other in the long term.

Silke Tannapfel has been the Administrative Director of the HZI since 01 October 2017. A lawyer with a focus on science management, she previously directed the division for extramural research support of the Bavarian State Ministry for Economy and Media, Energy and Technology in Munich. InFact spoke to her about her professional challenges and the first days at the HZI.

The Hannover Medical School (MHH) has seen a great deal of change over the past few years: The school has recently undergone a phase of economic consolidation which also included a change of leadership. Prof Christopher Baum took over the role of President from Prof Dieter Bitter-Suermann four years ago – and inherited a whole host of collaboration projects with the HZI in the process. Christopher Baum spoke to InFact about the developments at the MHH and his plans for expanding the partnership with the HZI.

More and more pathogens are developing resistances to antibiotics. There is therefore an urgent need for new anti-infectives. In this regard, Eva Medina of the Helmholtz Centre for Infection Research is looking for therapeutic alternatives that will circumvent the renewed formation of antibiotic resistance.