German Center for Infection Research

The German Center for Infection Research (DZIF) is a Germany-wide research network that serves the prevention, diagnosis and therapy of infectious diseases . More than 500 doctors and scientists work together on new methods for the prevention, diagnosis and therapy of infectious diseases. The center, founded as an association in 2012, is funded by the Federal Ministry of Education and Research and the seven federal states involved. The head office is in Braunschweig .

tasks

The purpose of the association in the field of research is translation: the effective transfer of research results to the clinic and vice versa. To this end, the DZIF has defined nine key areas in which important research questions arise. On the one hand there are the major infectious diseases HIV / AIDS , malaria , hepatitis and tuberculosis as well as diseases of the gastrointestinal tract, which each affect many millions of people. Another research focus is on newly emerging infectious diseases that often spread from animals to humans ( zoonoses ). The dengue fever , the MERS coronavirus and Ebola or Zika belong to this category. The three problem-related main research areas are relevant: " Hospital germs and antibiotic-resistant bacteria", "Infections in immunocompromised hosts" and "New antibiotics".

Service facilities for scientists

Eight “translational infrastructures” support the scientists at the DZIF. For example, the “Product Development” experts answer questions about approval and clinical needs. The “Clinical Study Centers” unit coordinates clinical studies on subjects for infectious diseases. The scientists can obtain sample material from tissues, body fluids or cells from DZIF's own “biobanks”. Defined bacterial strains are collected and analyzed by the "pathogen bank". Experts and institutions are also available internationally: With the African partner institutions, DZIF colleagues can research infectious diseases on site that are less common in this country.

International cooperation

The fact that infection researchers should think and act in an internationally networked manner is made clear by the constant emergence of new pathogens such as Zika , Ebola or MERS viruses: Pathogens know no national borders. The DZIF has been working with partner institutions in Africa and Europe right from the start. The DZIF cooperates with the French institute INSERM ( Institut national de la santé et de la recherche médicale ) in AIDS and hepatitis research. It is also one of nine founding organizations of the CARA initiative (Conscience of Antimicrobial Resistance Accountability) and is involved in the vaccine initiative Coalition for Epidemic Preparedness Innovations (CEPI). It is also involved in establishing the new "Global Antimicrobial Resistance Research and Development Hub" Based in Berlin, the DZIF is involved. Since the beginning of 2019, it has also been one of ten partners in the CARB-X accelerator network. CARB-X accelerates projects around the world to develop new drugs in the fight against antibiotic-resistant germs.

Promotion of young talent in the field of infection research: The DZIF Academy

According to the DZIF, there was little support for research at the interface between the laboratory and clinical infectious disease. The DZIF Academy therefore creates incentives for young scientists to devote themselves to infection research and awards scholarships to medical professionals so that they can become more involved in research. For example, the Academy awards clinical leave grants that support young doctors when they temporarily take a break from everyday clinical work in favor of research. Maternity leave grants are intended to enable young parents to return to research. The DZIF Academy also awards other grants and prizes. The scientific further education and training of the young scientists is also promoted through schools, workshops and coaching.

organization

The DZIF has the legal form of a registered association. The current chairman of the board is Hans-Georg Kräusslich . The institute is one of six German centers for health research . It bundles the capacities of around 500 scientists in 35 facilities at seven locations: