Welcome to the DZIF -

the German Center for Infection Research

Research Areas

DZIF is doing research in nine areas:

Community-Acquired Infections at Mucosal Interfaces

Hepatitis

HIV

Infections of the Immunocompromised Host

Healthcare-Associated Infections

Malaria and Neglected Tropical Diseases

Emerging Infections

Novel Antibiotics

Tuberculosis

News

News and Press Releases:

DZIF and ANRS on the ECTMIH 2025
© DZIF

„Better health for all in a changing world“

Prof. Stephan Urban in the laboratory; the Chris McGuigan Prize trophy is added to the left of the picture.
© Universitätsklinikum Heidelberg/Cardiff University

Chris McGuigan Drug Discovery Award for Heidelberg virologist Stephan Urban

On September 18, Prof. Dr. Dr. h.c. Stephan Urban, DZIF Professor of Translational Virology at Heidelberg University's Medical Faculty, was honored with the McGuigan Award for Distinguished Work in
Logo of the German Center for Infection Research (DZIF) on a blue-violet background with the words “START-UP FUND” and the icon of a light bulb containing a capsule.
© hunthomas/Adobe Stock

The German Center for Infection Research establishes a new funding initiative

The German Center for Infection Research (DZIF) is launching the DZIF Start-up Fund, a new funding initiative to support spin-offs in translational infection research. The fund aims to develop
A scanning electron microscope image showing a single red-stained T cell infected by numerous mustard-colored HIV particles adhering to its surface.
© NIAID

How HIV enters the genome – Researchers identify previously unknown mechanism

Researchers at the German Center for Infection Research (DZIF) at Heidelberg University Hospital have decoded a previously unknown mechanism by which HIV-1 selects its integration targets in the human
Two house rats with black fur on straw
© By Kilessan, CC BY-SA 3.0, Wikimedia Commons

From Miami to Berlin: a stowaway rat reveals hidden global health risks

In 2017, a Miami–Berlin flight took an unexpected turn when passengers spotted a rat on board. After landing, the rat was captured and handed over to scientists at the Friedrich-Loeffler-Institut (FLI
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DZIF Prize for Translational Infection Research 2025

Apply now!

The DZIF Prize for Translational Infection Research honors special scientific contributions in the field of translational research. The prize is endowed with 5,000 euros. Applications can be submitted to the DZIF Academy until October 6, 2025.

More info
DZIF Prize for Translational Infection Research 2025
© hunthomas/Adobe Stock

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Research in Focus

Hannover - Braunschweig | Heidelberg | München | Tübingen

Transplant Cohort

Medical data and biological samples obtained from transplant patients are collected and managed across Germany with the help of the DZIF Transplant Cohort. The data and samples form the basis of scientific studies which investigate the connections between numerous factors influencing an organ’s susceptibility to infection and organ function. In [...]

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Hamburg - Lübeck - Borstel - Riems

Clinical Tuberculosis Center

The Clinical Tuberculosis Center provides the expertise and infrastructure for the optimization, prevention, diagnosis, and treatment of tuberculosis (TB) as well as for translating research results into clinical practice. The main objectives of the Clinical Tuberculosis Center include coordinating clinical research activities involving the DZIF TB cohort. This cohort includes [...]

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Hannover - Braunschweig

Preclinical development of Amidochelocardins

The challenge of antibiotic drug development today is the discovery and optimisation of novel bioactive compounds that do not show cross-resistances with clinically applied antibiotics, ideally due to a novel mode of action (MoA) which adresses unexploited microbial targets. In the case of chelocardin, this antibiotic substance was identified several [...]

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Tübingen

New strategies for specific eradication of Staphylococcus aureus

In this project, the scientists develop genetically engineered phage lysins and specific bacteriocins for the elimination of hospital germs such as Staphylococcus aureus, they clarify mechanisms of potential resistance mechanisms, and they analyse whether broad-spectrum or specifically acting agents have a more effective and lasting effect on colonization by [...]

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Our Partner Sites

Location

Heidelberg

Research areas
Contact person
Stephan Urban

Prof. Dr. Stephan Urban

Heidelberg University
Deputy Coordinator Hepatitis
DZIF Professor "Translational Virology"
Partner Site Speaker Heidelberg
E-Mail Send mail
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Location

Hamburg - Lübeck - Borstel - Riems

Research areas
Contact person
More about this location
Location

Bonn - Köln

Research areas
Contact person
Prof Achim Hörauf: Coordinator of the consortium "Neglected tropical diseases" at DZIF.

Prof. Dr. Achim Hörauf

University Hospital Bonn
Deputy Partner Site Speaker Bonn-Köln
Deputy Coordinator Malaria and Neglected Tropical Diseases
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Location

Hannover - Braunschweig

Research areas
Contact person
Silke Hartmann

Dr. Silke Hartmann

Hannover Medical School
Partner Site Manager Hannover - Braunschweig
Project Manager Community-Acquired Infections at Mucosal Interfaces
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München Tübingen Heidelberg Giessen – Marburg – Langen Bonn – Köln Hannover – Braunschweig Hamburg – Lübeck Borstel – Riems
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Databases- & Biobanks 2023