The DZIF mourns the loss of Professor Michael P. Manns
With the passing of Professor Michael P. Manns, the research community has lost a highly committed and outstanding scientist who played a key role in advancing hepatitis research at the DZIF.
The former President of Hannover Medical School (MHH) and Clinical Director of the Helmholtz Centre for Infection Research (HZI), Prof. Michael P. Manns, passed away on 15 August 2025. Manns succumbed to a tumor disease at the age of 73. He was a leading figure in infection research for decades and, as an excellent communicator, enriched both the German and international research landscape. Michael Manns was also involved in the founding of the German Center for Infection Research (DZIF), and as the founding coordinator and speaker of the research area Hepatitis, he had a lasting influence on its strategic development.
With the passing of Prof. Dr. Michael P. Manns, the scientific community has lost an outstanding physician, researcher, and internationally renowned expert in liver disease and infectious medicine who played a crucial role in shaping hepatitis research in Germany.
Manns was passionately committed not only to research, but also to promoting young scientists. He inspired many young colleagues to pursue research careers and guided the next generation of infection researchers towards success. “Michael Manns was my mentor, for which I am eternally grateful,” said Prof. Dr. Heiner Wedemeyer, Director of the Clinic for Gastroenterology, Hepatology, Infectiology and Endocrinology and DZIF scientist. “Michael Manns was an incredibly good motivator—not just for me. Chief physicians and doctors throughout Germany benefited from his expertise, his encouragement and, above all, his immense personal support. And last but not least, so many people owe their lives to him. My deep sadness is accompanied by gratitude.”
“Michael Manns was an extraordinary personality who shaped, built, and supported the DZIF from the very beginning on. His spirit of research and his outstanding commitment to science leave a deep void at the DZIF. We will all miss him greatly" says DZIF Chair Prof. Dr. Dirk Busch.
Professor Manns was Director of MHH Clinic for Gastroenterology, Hepatology and Endocrinology from 1991 to 2020. He had a decisive influence on the clinic for almost three decades. His focus was on liver diseases, in particular viral hepatitis, autoimmune diseases of the liver, hepatocellular carcinomas, transplant medicine and regenerative medicine. Among other things, he was involved in clinical trials for new standard therapies for chronic hepatitis and established the national competence network Hepatitis (Hep-Net), which was consolidated through the founding of the German Liver Foundation. In 2019, Professor Manns took over responsibility for the entire MHH as President. He handed over the office at the end of 2024 to the current MHH President, Prof. Dr. Denise Hilfiker-Kleiner.
We express our deepest sympathy to his family, colleagues, and companions.
The German Center for Infection Research
Sources: press releases from Hannover Medical School and Helmholtz Centre for Infection Research
