Centre for Structural Systems Biology (CSSB)
Understanding Infection Together
Infectious diseases are a global threat that costs many lives and have a significant impact on society. The key to effectively tackling these diseases is gaining a detailed understanding of the underlying molecular mechanisms of various pathogens.
Scientists at the Centre for Structural Systems Biology CSSB study the structure and function of pathogens and their interactions with the human body. Through cutting-edge molecular infection research, CSSB aims to identify critical targets for therapeutic interventions—paving the way for novel treatments and preventive strategies.
A unique collaborative hub, CSSB brings together four universities and six research institutes, fostering interdisciplinary expertise to advance our fundamental understanding of infection biology. To achieve this, scientists leverage world-class research infrastructure at Science City Hamburg Bahrenfeld, complemented by five in-house core facilities.
About the location
The CSSB is an interdisciplinary centre where biologists, chemists, physicians, physicists and engineers explore the interactions of pathogens and their hosts. The centre is a collective initiative of nine northern German research partners:
Bernhard Nocht Institute for Tropical Medicine (BNITM)
Deutsches Elektronen-Synchrotron (DESY)
European Molecular Biology Laboratory (EMBL)
Hannover Medical School (MHH)
Leibniz Institute of Virology (LIV)
Helmholtz Centre for Infection Research (HZI)
University of Hamburg (UHH)
University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf (UKE)
Research Center Borstel (FZB)
The researchers focus on infection biology and medicine with the aim to find better treatment opportunities against bacterial and viral pathogens and to decode their mechanisms of attack. To reach this target mechanisms of important pathogenic processes are applied supported by imaging techniques.
