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:

The picture shows a scientist examining a Petri dish containing a bacterial culture. The person is in a laboratory; other laboratory equipment and sample containers can be seen in the background.
© DZIF/Martina Lienhop

Thinking beyond antibiotics in the treatment of urinary tract infections

Medical Laboratory Scientists Working with Blood Samples and Equipment in a Lab Setting
© AdobeStock/AS Studio

Tuberculosis: An immune signature in the blood indicates whether treatment is working

Researchers at the Research Center Borstel, Leibniz Lung Center (FZB) and the German Center for Infection Research (DZIF) have identified a novel whole blood-based immune signature that could improve
Black-and-white electron micrograph of a rod-shaped, dark gray bacterial cell surrounded by a thick layer of light gray filaments.
© Christoph Ernst.

From urinary tract infection to brain abscess: How bacterial subpopulations can spread to distant body sites

Researchers from the University of Cologne, the German Center for Infection Research (DZIF), and the Broad Institute of Harvard and MIT present a remarkable clinical case in the New England Journal of
The gloved hands of a person injecting a vaccine into a woman's arm.
© Alexandru Dobre/stock.adobe.com

COVID-19 vaccines remain effective despite helminth-induced immune modulation

More than a quarter of the world's population is affected by helminth infections, which can profoundly alter the immune system. In a preclinical study, researchers found that mRNA- and protein-based
On the left side of the image is the Falling Walls Science Summit logo; on the right is a portrait of Mark Brönstrup.
© Falling Walls Science Summit, HZI/Verena Meier

DZIF project nominated for the “Science Breakthrough of the Year 2026” award

The project “PROTON—Breaking the Wall of Deadly Bacterial Infections” has been nominated by the Falling Walls Foundation for the title “ Science Breakthrough of the Year 2026 ” in the Life Sciences
All news

What is the DZIF? Find out more in our

DZIF video

More than 700 people work together across the DZIF with the shared goal of translating findings from basic research into clinical practice. The well-being of patients is at the center of our work.

Watch our short video to learn more
A GIF animation with clips from the DZIF film.
© DZIF

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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. By [...]

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Hamburg - Lübeck - Borstel - Riems

Clinical Tuberculosis Center (ClinTB)

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

Hamburg - Lübeck - Borstel - Riems

Research areas
Contact person
Nicole Fischer

Prof. Dr. Nicole Fischer

University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf
Deputy Partner Site Speaker Hamburg-Lübeck-Borstel-Riems
Coordinator Bridging Topic "Diagnostics"
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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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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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Ullrich Bethe

Dr. Ullrich Bethe

University Hospital Cologne
Project Manager "Clinical Trial Office (CTO)"
Deputy Partner Site Manager Köln
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More about this location
München Tübingen Heidelberg Gießen – Marburg – Langen Bonn – Köln Hannover – Braunschweig Hamburg – Lübeck Borstel – Riems