Gießen - Marburg - Langen
DZIF staff at the Gießen - Marburg - Langen partner site identify emerging infectious diseases, develop innovative diagnostics, drugs and vaccines and investigate their mode of action in collaboration with scientists in the DZIF network and external partners. The aim is to develop strategies to combat emerging or re-emerging viruses and multi-resistant bacteria that are still and increasingly threatening societies worldwide. The focus in Marburg is on highly pathogenic viral pathogens such as the Ebola virus, in Gießen on multi-resistant bacteria and in Langen on research into novel vaccine concepts and their regulatory classification. The Gießen-Marburg-Langen site is strongly connected with the other DZIF partner sites, as evidenced by its significant contributions to cross-site vaccine projects and studies on multi-resistant bacteria. In addition, the scientists at the partner site contribute to five of the six DZIF Bridging Topics (Antibody-Based Therapies, Microbiome, Vaccines, Diagnostics, Medchem).
Research priorities at the partner site Gießen – Marburg – Langen
Overview of working groups and major projects in which the Gießen - Marburg - Langen partner site is involved.
Research areas
- Emerging Infections
In the DZIF research area Emerging Infections, antiviral agents and vaccines are developed at the partner site, along with suitable animal models, in order to be able to respond quickly to viral outbreaks. This also includes the development of therapeutic monoclonal SARS-CoV-2-specific antibodies, measles virus-based vaccines against influenza viruses, RNA-based vaccines against Ebola viruses and the testing of antiviral molecules such as cyclosporin A. The site is also collaborating with other sites in the search for broad-spectrum antiviral drugs (Nucleoside Booster Project). In the DZIF flagship projects MVA-MERS-S, MVA-SARS-S and MVA-SARS-ST, the partner site has contributed significantly to the development of vaccines against the Middle East Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus (MERS-CoV) and the Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2). The site's scientific activities included testing the efficacy of the three vaccines in MERS-CoV- and SARS-CoV-2-specific mouse models developed in the BSL-3/BSL-4 animal facility at the site; and on the other hand, the implementation of immune monitoring of the phase I clinical trials, in which the safety and immunogenicity of the vaccine candidates are tested using the partner site's own GCLP-compliant tests.
- Hepatitis
In the DZIF research area Hepatitis, viral antigens in serum are being investigated as potential new biomarkers and entry inhibitors and new diagnostic HDV tests are being developed. We are also collaborating with other partner sites in the Central Theme Hepatitis B – Cure.
- Healthcare-Associated Infections
In the DZIF research area Healthcare-Associated Infections, large observational studies on multidrug-resistant organisms (MDROs) (TIARA, FABULOUS, BLOOMY, R-Net 2.0, CITROBSI) are being conducted together with other sites, and research is being conducted into the epidemiology and diagnosis of these bacteria. Genome-based monitoring of MDROs plays a central role in the One Health concept, including the implementation of a high-throughput sequencing platform at the partner site. For example, resistance gene tests (KPC-2-Carbapenemase-IncN PCR, colistin resistance mrc-1 test) were developed and important plasmid-encoded resistance genes were characterised.
- Novel Antibiotics
In the DZIF research area Novel Antibiotics, new derivatives of the BamA inhibitor darobactin were developed at the site and tested for their antibiotic efficacy against multi-resistant Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Klebsiella pneumoniae bacteria, which can cause severe pneumonia.
Infrastructures
- Product Development (PDU)
The Paul Ehrlich Institute (PEI), located in Langen, contributes to the rapid translation of research results into practice with its expertise in the area of drug approval and development. The PEI is home to the "Office for Scientific and Regulatory Advice" (OSRA), which is part of the DZIF's Product Development Unit. OSRA supports the early phases of academic product development for vaccines and antibodies, as well as in vitro diagnostics, and drives their development forward. In addition to informal regulatory advice, various workshops are offered at the site.
The site's Clinical Study Centre is closely linked to the network "Koordinierungszentren für Klinische Studien" (Coordination centres for clinical studies ) and offers physicians and scientists comprehensive support in planning, applying for, conducting and evaluating clinical studies. Among other things, the infrastructure is participating in a multicentre observational study that focuses on examining the vaccination behaviour of dialysis patients (DOPPIO). In addition, studies on COVID-19 are being conducted.