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:

DZG at the BIO-Europe 2026
© DZG

DZG at BIO-Europe 2026: From Discovery to Application

A scanning electron microscope image showing a single red-stained T cell infected by numerous mustard-colored HIV particles adhering to its surface.
© NIAID

HIV’s genetic remnants are not as silent as they seem

HIV may be suppressed by antiretroviral therapy, but its genetic material remains in the body. New research by scientists at the Leibniz Institute of Virology (LIV) in Hamburg suggests that some of
Tubercle bacilli
© cdc/James Archer

25 years of TB genomics in Hamburg: Migration increases pathogen diversity, but local strains drive transmission

Migration has increased the genetic diversity of TB bacteria in Hamburg. Local transmission, however, has continued to be driven mainly by established strains. These findings are revealed in a long
The pathogen Clostridioides difficile
© CDC/Medical Illustrator: Jennifer Oosthuizen

Well-Known Natural Compound Shows Unexpected Effect Against a Dreaded Pathogen

Treatment with broad-spectrum antibiotics often leads to side effects, as it affects not only the pathogens but also the “good” bacteria in the gut. A research team from Hannover Medical School (MHH)
Portrait photos of Maura Dandri and Yazdan Yazdanpanah
© UKE/Eva Hecht, ANRS MIE/Sébastien Delarque

Joint call for proposals between ANRS MIE and DZIF on HIV, hepatitis B, and hepatitis Delta cure

Key points The French National Research Agency for HIV, Viral Hepatitis and Emerging Infectious Diseases (ANRS MIE) and the German Center for Infection Research (DZIF) are launching a joint call for
All news

Participants wanted for scientific study

HelicoPTER: Join the study

As part of the scientific HelicoPTER study, you can get tested for Helicobacter pylori infection. The DZIF study aims to improve the diagnosis and treatment of Helicobacter pylori infections.

Find out more about the study and how to register here.
Doctor pointing at an anatomical model of the stomach to illustrate a Helicobacter pylori infection.
© Phushutter/stock.adobe.com

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Research in Focus

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 | 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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Tübingen

New strategies for specific eradication of Staphylococcus aureus

In this project, researchers develop genetically engineered phage lysins and specific bacteriocins to eliminate healthcare-associated pathogens such as Staphylococcus aureus. They investigate their mechanisms of action and potential mechanisms of resistance. They also compare broad-spectrum and narrowly targeted agents to determine which are more effective at reducing nasal colonization [...]

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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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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
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

Heidelberg

Research areas
Contact person
More about this location
München Tübingen Heidelberg Gießen – Marburg – Langen Bonn – Köln Hannover – Braunschweig Hamburg – Lübeck Borstel – Riems