News

All current DZIF news can be found here.

Schematic representation of two agar plates, each with a paper strip. On the left plate, an inhibition zone can be seen around the paper strip.

Targeting resistance to a crucial reserve antibiotic

Colistin is a last-line reserve antibiotic for the treatment of infections caused by extremely multidrug-resistant (XDR) Gram-negative bacteria. The recent emergence and global spread of the mobile

Victoria Ingham in the lab holding a suction flask full of Anopheles mosquitoes.

DZIF malaria researcher gains funding

Dr. Victoria Ingham from Heidelberg University Hospital and the German Center for Infection Research (DZIF) is investigating the potential dual effect of a new insecticide for mosquito nets. The

Electron micrograph of a cluster of rod-shaped bacterial cells in gray.

New drug candidate found against persistent intestinal pathogens

Infections with the bacterium Clostridioides difficile (C. difficile for short) frequently recur due to permanent stages remaining in the intestine. A drug that also effectively combats the permanent

Electron micrograph of two H. pylori cells in yellow binding to human gastric epithelial cells (stained red below).

Targeting Helicobacter: nipping stomach cancer in the bud

The pathogen Helicobacter pylori, which is responsible for highly prevalent diseases such as gastric ulcers or cancer, has a weak spot that could be used to produce new drugs. This was discovered by a

Launch of the EU-funded project eWHORM – enabling the WHO Road Map: Eliminate worm infections in Sub-Saharan Africa

African and European partners join forces to enable the World Health Organisation’s (WHO) “Road Map for Neglected Tropical Diseases” (NTDs) and reduce the burden of disease associated with worm

Schematic representation in 3D of the transcription factor Rv0678. Some spiral amino acid chains are highlighted in purple or gold.

Identifying and combating new antibiotic resistance in tuberculosis early on

The antibiotic Bedaquiline (BDQ) was approved in 2014 specifically for the treatment of multidrug-resistant (MDR) tuberculosis (TB) and has since been an important component of successful MDR TB

Female doctor in consultation with a female and a male person

German Centers for Health Research support declaration on patient participation of the Health Research Forum

Patients can participate in medical research as active partners. Researchers should consider their needs and their unique expertise in the research process, as it is a valuable resource. The Health

Preparing for the next pandemic: Targeted computer modelling to accelerate antiviral drug development

Effective drugs against viral diseases like COVID-19 are urgently needed now and in the future. The emergence of viral mutants and yet unknown viruses could push vaccines to their limits. The DZIF

Fluorescence microscope image of round bacterial cells. In the center of each bacterial cell, a red-stained partition can be seen.

Blocking of cell wall formation by antibiotics stops bacterial cell division

We still do not understand exactly how antibiotics kill bacteria. However, this understanding is necessary if we want to develop new antibiotics. And that is precisely what is urgently needed, because

Fünf gezeichnete Personen (Ärztinnen, Wissenschaftler und Patient:innen) auf rotem Hintergrund, mit hoffnungsvollen Gesichtsausdrücken

World Tuberculosis Day 2023: Yes! We can end TB!

According to the World Health Organisation (WHO), approximately 1.5 million people die each year from tuberculosis (TB), a disease of the lungs caused by Mycobacterium tuberculosis. People with a