Two speakers in front of a presentation on a screen
© HZI/Thiele
Thomas Pietschmann and Christian Scherf at the HZI One Lab Retreat in Hannover in October 2025
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HZI One Lab Retreat 2025 in Hanover: Research, exchange and future strategies

On 9 and 10 October 2025, the One Lab Retreat of the Helmholtz Centre for Infection Research (HZI) took place at the Wyndham Hannover Atrium. Researchers, managers and task force representatives from all HZI sites came together to present current scientific results, discuss interdisciplinary topics and further develop strategic cooperation.

After a welcome by Josef Penninger, Christian Scherf and Thomas Pietschmann, exciting science sessions followed, in which new findings on microbiomes, virus-host interactions and biomolecular mechanisms from new junior research groups were presented, among other things. A dedicated data science session and contributions to the NAKO health study demonstrated the breadth and depth of the HZI network.

Group photo with around 70 persons
© HZI
HZI One Lab Retreat in Hannover in October 2025

In the afternoon, the focus was on the four central One Lab topics: Precision Infection Medicine, Antimicrobial Resistance and Anti-Infectives, Changing Climate, Environment and Infection, and Pandemic Resilience. The day was rounded off with a demonstration of an AI chatbot by Marco Galardini and Kathrin de la Rosa.

The second day was devoted to workshops in which participants actively developed ideas and strategies. In the concluding plenary session, the results were presented and the next steps for joint research were defined.

The retreat provided an inspiring platform for scientific exchange, networking and the further development of the One Lab programme – with a clear focus on sustainable, interdisciplinary infection research at the HZI.

Susanne Thiele

Press contact

Susanne Thiele
Head of Staff Unit, Spokesperson
+49 531 6181-1400

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