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German scientists from the Helmholtz Centre for Infection Research (HZI) and the German Center for Infection Research (DZIF) in Braunschweig and Nigerian researchers are applying the new mobile information system for the first time to combat a monkeypox outbreak in Nigeria. The monkeypox epidemic has spread since September 2017 and, by now, afflicts 128 patients in 14 federal states in Nigeria. The name of the system, SORMAS, stands for "Surveillance, Outbreak Response Management and Analysis System". It captures and analyses data upon the outbreak of dangerous infectious diseases, recognises potential hazards and manages necessary control measures at an early point in time. In line with the technological status of West African countries, the system is based mainly on mobile tablets or phones. It allows laboratories and hospitals to network with each other and to exchange epidemiological data in real-time.

Pseudomonas aeruginosa is a major pathogen that can cause severe infections in various organs of the human body. The infection becomes particularly harmful when the bacteria agglomerate into biofilms: They do this not only to evade attacks of the immune system, but also to protect themselves from the effects of antibiotics. This results in chronic infections that are almost impossible to treat. Scientists from the Helmholtz Institute for Pharmaceutical Research Saarland (HIPS), a joint branch of the Helmholtz Centre for Infection Research (HZI) and Saarland University, developed a molecule, which binds specifically and irreversibly to a key bacterial protein in biofilms. By binding, this molecule blocks an important component of the biofilm and can also visualise the biofilm, when it is labelled with an appropriate dye. The scientists published their results in the international edition of Angewandte Chemie.

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.

Vaccination affords the best protection from many infectious diseases. Vaccines are usually administered with a syringe, but researchers are working on alternatives – like a nasal spray or a vaccination cream. These would not only avoid the unpleasant injection, but even increase the effectiveness. Vaccines usually contain killed or attenuated pathogens and are injected into the patient. This ensures that the entire vaccine truly ends up inside the body. Recognising the pathogens in the vaccine as dangerous foreign material, the immune system prepares itself for defence. The administration by injection with a syringe has its drawbacks as well: It is not the natural pathway of infection and the elicited immune response therefore does not always afford optimal protection from the pathogen. Vaccination also requires trained personnel that simply is not available everywhere and at all times, especially in less developed countries.

Salmonellae are dangerous pathogens that enter the body via contaminated food and can cause severe infections. But these bacteria are also known to target tumours and to colonise them. Researchers are aiming to make use of this property for cancer therapy, but they are facing a dilemma: Salmonella infections are life-threatening. Scientists from the Helmholtz Centre for Infection Research (HZI) in Braunschweig now undertook a successful step towards the clinical application. They developed a Salmonella strain that induces only a harmless infection, but activates the immune system strongly enough to fight the tumours. Their results were published in the journal OncoImmunology.

On 6 October 2017 the "Science Campus Braunschweig-Süd" has been solemnly inaugurated by Lower-Saxony's Minister for Science and Culture, Gabriele Heinen-Kljajić, and Braunschweig's Mayor, Ulrich Markurth. The ceremony was attended by guests from science, industry and politics and has been a highlight in Braunschweig's anniversary year "10 years City of Science" and an important milestone in the development of "Research Region Braunschweig". The future campus partners include the Helmholtz Centre for Infection Research (HZI), the German Center for Infection Research (DZIF), the Leibniz Institute DSMZ-German Collection of Microorganisms and Cell Cultures, the Technische Universität Braunschweig, the Fraunhofer Institute for Toxicology and Experimental Medicine ITEM and the Biotechnologische Schülerlabor Braunschweig (BioS). The new joint umbrella brand "Science Campus Braunschweig-Süd" is to expand the regional and Germany-wide visibility of the modern Life Science campus, promote the networking of the partnering institutions and attract new cooperation partners and young talent. In addition, with the support of the city of Braunschweig, a new signposting concept has been implemented off-campus.