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

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

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

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

Electron micrograph of two H. pylori cells in yellow binding to human gastric epithelial cells (stained red below).

Targeting Helicobacter: nipping stomach cancer in the bud

The pathogen Helicobacter pylori, which is responsible for highly prevalent diseases such as gastric ulcers or cancer, has a weak spot that could be used to produce new drugs. This was discovered by a

Launch of the EU-funded project eWHORM – enabling the WHO Road Map: Eliminate worm infections in Sub-Saharan Africa

African and European partners join forces to enable the World Health Organisation’s (WHO) “Road Map for Neglected Tropical Diseases” (NTDs) and reduce the burden of disease associated with worm

Schematic representation in 3D of the transcription factor Rv0678. Some spiral amino acid chains are highlighted in purple or gold.

Identifying and combating new antibiotic resistance in tuberculosis early on

The antibiotic Bedaquiline (BDQ) was approved in 2014 specifically for the treatment of multidrug-resistant (MDR) tuberculosis (TB) and has since been an important component of successful MDR TB

Female doctor in consultation with a female and a male person

German Centers for Health Research support declaration on patient participation of the Health Research Forum

Patients can participate in medical research as active partners. Researchers should consider their needs and their unique expertise in the research process, as it is a valuable resource. The Health