Bridging Topics
Important current and cross-research area developments—Bridging Topics—are addressed and coordinated by a panel of experts on an interdisciplinary basis.
Current developments in infection research challenge the scientific community: Many problems can only be solved if expertise from different disciplines comes together. To meet this challenge, the DZIF recently established interdisciplinary groups in which scientists from several research areas jointly discuss "Bridging Topics".
Each interdisciplinary group should include four to seven experts from the DZIF. A member of the Executive Board chairs the group, external experts can be invited if required. In regular workshops, the research needs for the Bridging Topic are defined and coordinated.
The following Bridging Topics have been established in the DZIF:
- Antibody-Based Therapies
Monoclonal antibodies have great potential to be used effectively to protect against and treat infectious diseases.
This group is coordinated by Prof. Dr. Florian Klein.
- Cell and Gene Therapies of Infectious Diseases
Cell and gene therapy treatment methods are expected to permanently eliminate or control viruses such as hepatitis B or Epstein-Barr viruses, which lead to previously incurable chronic infections.
This group is coordinated by Prof. Dr. Tobias Feuchtinger and Prof. Dr. Boris Fehse.
- Diagnostics
Improved and new diagnostic methods will ensure rapid and accurate detection and monitoring of pathogens.
This group is coordinated by Prof. Dr. Sandra Ciesek, Prof. Dr. Nicole Fischer and Prof. Dr. Christian Drosten
- Global Health and Climate Change
The Bridging Topic Global Health and Climate Change aims to provide critical understanding of complex relationships between climatic factors and patterns of infection.
This group is coordinated by Prof. Joacim Rocklöv and Prof. Johanna Hanefeld.
- Microbiome
Mediated by a growing understanding of the interactions between microbes and host, new anti-infectives can be developed, among other things.
This group is coordinated by Prof. Dr. Till Strowig and Prof. Dr. Lisa Maier.
- Vaccines
In the past, vaccines have repeatedly made crucial contributions to the prevention and control of infectious diseases. In order to be able to protect the health of people around the world, work on new vaccines, but also their continuous development and adaptation, is of great importance.
This group is coordinated by Dr. Klaus Schwamborn (Chair & contact), Prof. Dr. Marylyn Addo (Vice Chair) and Prof. Dr. Asisa Volz (Vice Chair).