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Here you can find out more about the scientific results of the HZI in the research topics ”Bacterial and Viral Pathogens”, “Immune Response and Interventions” and “Anti-Infectives”.
The coronaviruses are a family of viruses that includes a series of very different pathogens. These viruses usually infect mammals, rodents, and birds, but only few coronaviruses adapted to humans. They did this with great success: About one third of all typical "common colds" and some cases of diarrhoea as well are caused by these RNA Viruses, which are the largest of their kind. We have compiled more information about the coronaviruses for you.
With the pathogen SARS-CoV-2, a novel virus that can cause respiratory diseases and pneumonia has been spreading worldwide since the end of 2019. Here we will keep you informed about current developments in research and provide answers to the most important questions.
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2021-02-23
Around 71 million people worldwide are infected with the hepatitis C virus (HCV). One reason why no vaccine against the virus has been found to date is that there are numerous virus variants, some of which differ by more than 30 percent from each other. Scientists from the Helmholtz Centre for Infection Research (HZI) in Braunschweig, TWINCORE and the Hannover Medical School (MHH) have now…
2021-01-28
The group behind the article includes Viola Priesemann from the Max Planck Institute for Dynamics and Self-Organization in Göttingen, Melanie Brinkmann from the Helmholtz Centre for Infection Research in Brunswick, and Andreas Peichl from the ifo Institute. “A determined and coordinated European response to the pandemic is also necessary from an economic point of view due to…
2021-01-20
Essentially, we are never alone – because they are always with us: billions of microorganisms – such as bacteria, viruses or fungi – inhabit our bodies. They live on our skin, in our mouths, noses or intestines – depending on the preferences of our tiny cohabitants and the demands they make of their environment. “For the most part, the microbiota consists of bacteria that are…
2021-01-07
Yersinia pseudotuberculosis is a microbe that causes food poisoning and is considered a parent of Yersinia pestis, the causative agent of the plague. To cause disease, it uses a toxin named cytotoxic necrotizing factor (CNF) by its ability to cause necrosis when injected into the skin. Several pathogenic strains of Escherichia coli also produce CNF. “Despite different pathogenic…
2020-12-22
Control of the coronavirus pandemic by vaccines, which are currently close to approval, is not expected until later in 2021. Until then, SARS-CoV-2 case numbers must be controlled through non-pharmaceutical measures such as contact reductions, hygiene measures and case tracking. A recent statement calls for these measures to be coordinated across Europe. This is to avoid repeated…