Bridging Topic: Vaccines
Our goal is to develop vaccine candidates against viruses, bacteria and other pathogens and to prepare for infectious outbreaks.
Vaccines have a long history dating back to the 18th century. Since their discovery, they have been instrumental in combating diseases such as smallpox, polio or diphtheria and have saved millions of lives. The most recent example is the use of vaccines in the COVID 19 pandemic.
The development of new vaccines is of immense importance to meet the challenges of the modern world. New pathogens and virus variants are constantly emerging and spreading increasingly faster due to globalisation and climate change. Multi-resistant bacteria also pose an ever-greater threat. The ongoing development and adaptation of vaccines to new challenges are thus of utmost importance to protect human health worldwide.
The DZIF is working on various prophylactic and therapeutic vaccines, such as vaccines against the Epstein-Barr virus, hepatitis B, MERS and malaria.
Mission of the Bridging Topic "Vaccines"
As an advisory body within the DZIF, the Bridging Topic "Vaccines" group consolidates and strengthens vaccine activities. Its discussions address innovative ideas, technologies and platforms as well as the challenges faced by ongoing projects.
For the DZIF research areas and the DZIF Executive Board, the group acts in a supportive way by mediating in vaccine development decisions, raising awareness and creating networking opportunities.
To this end, recommendations for vaccine priorities as well as for portfolio and strategy building will be discussed, elaborated and proposals prepared for the Board. The goal is to establish a development portfolio of high-quality vaccine projects and promising vaccine candidates. In this way, the group aims to help drive vaccine progress and efficacy.
