News

All current DZIF news can be found here.

Illustration of a mouse surrounded by: Bacteria-containing capsules; red and green agar plates with bacterial colonies smeared out and test strips and platelets; DNA sequence comparison behind; and the words "Antibiotics", "Microbiome", and "Evolution".

How the gut microbiome responds to antibiotics

Antibiotics affect the composition and dynamics of the gut microbiome. Treatment with antibiotics not only leads to a loss of biodiversity of microorganisms, but also often favours the selection of

Schematic structure of BTZ-043 with three six-membered rings and side chains.

Leibniz active agent of the year 2023 is a tuberculosis antibiotic candidate

The drug candidate BTZ-043 has a novel mechanism of action and belongs to a new class of substances. Discovered at the Leibniz Institute for Natural Product Research and Infection Biology (Leibniz-HKI

Transmission electron microscopy image of spherical cytomegalovirus virions grown in tissue culture. The virions are digitally stained blue.

A virus lurking in the connective tissue

It was previously believed that herpesviruses use certain body cells to replicate and other body cells to remain dormant, that is to remain inactive for a longer period of time. This dogma is now

Beige coloured rapid antigen test with an opening for sample drops as well as a viewing window in which up to four green stripes become visible if one to four resistance factors are detected in the sample..

A rapid diagnostic test to detect multiple resistance determinants against the important carbapenem antibiotics

Every year at least 700,000 people die as a result of infection with antibiotic-resistant bacteria—a figure which according to WHO forecasts could rise to ten million people by 2050 without new

Apply now: DZIF Prize for Translational Infection Research 2023

The German Center for Infection Research (DZIF) is again offering the DZIF Prize for Translational Infection Research. Scientists can apply to the DZIF Academy until 15 August 2023. A prize of 5,000

Infection with common cold coronaviruses can trigger broad cross-immunity against SARS-CoV-2 proteins

Researchers at the University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf have demonstrated cross-reactive immune responses to another SARS-CoV-2 protein besides the spike protein. The research team found a

European initiative INCATE: Phase II funding of a start-up for the development of antimicrobial proteins

The incubator INCATE (INCubator for Antibacterial Therapies in Europe) was founded by a consortium of academic institutions—including the German Center for Infection Research (DZIF)—and industrial

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