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:

Researcher wearing a cap, mask, and lab coat pipetting at a sterile bench
© Michael Wodak/Uniklinik Köln

Blood-based immunological signatures for extrapulmonary tuberculosis decoded

Two of the four winners of the Galenus von Pergamon Prize in the category of basic research—Dr. Alexander Simonis (center) and Prof. Dr. Florian Klein (second from right)—at the award ceremony. The Galenus Prize was presented by Professor Thomas Eschenhagen (second from left). The gala was hosted by Yve Fehring (left) and Matthias Gabriel (right). The individuals are standing next to each other on a stage in formal attire.
© Springer Medizin Verlag/Marc-Steffen Unger

Research into alternatives to antibiotics wins Galenus von Pergamon Prize

In the future, antibodies against the virulence factors of Pseudomonas aeruginosa may serve as an alternative to antibiotics. DZIF scientists at University Hospital Cologne have been awarded the 2025
The picture shows Markus Blume, Minister of Science and the Arts (right), presenting Professor Dr. Ulrike Protzer with the Federal Cross of Merit.
© StMWK/Axel König

Ulrike Protzer receives the Federal Cross of Merit

On October 28, 2025, Prof. Dr. med. Ulrike Protzer was awarded the Bundesverdienstkreuz (Federal Cross of Merit). This honor recognizes her outstanding contributions to the field of virology
portrait of Carolina Klett-Tammen
© HZI/Verena Meier

Vaccinated against polio - or not?

Poliomyelitis, also known as polio, is a contagious disease caused by the poliovirus. Thanks to the development of effective vaccines, the poliovirus has been largely eradicated and was endemic in
The DNAMR workshop speakers (from left to right): Prof. Dr. Mathias Pletz, Dame Sally Davies, Takuko Sawada, Dagmar Reitenbach und Dr. Marc Gitzinger.
© World Health Summit

World Health Summit 2025: Focus on antimicrobial resistance

The World Health Summit (WHS), held annually in Berlin, is a key forum for international exchange on global health policy. Representatives from science, politics, business, and civil society discuss
All news

What is the DZIF? Find out more in our

DZIF movie

More than 700 people work at the DZIF with the common goal of translating basic research into clinical practice. The well-being of the patient is our primary focus. Get more insights in our new DZIF film:

Watch the movie
A GIF animation with clips from the DZIF film.

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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

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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Location

Hamburg - Lübeck - Borstel - Riems

Research areas
Contact person
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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
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München Tübingen Heidelberg Giessen – Marburg – Langen Bonn – Köln Hannover – Braunschweig Hamburg – Lübeck Borstel – Riems