Heinrich Pette Institute, Leibniz Institute for Experimental Virology
| Heinrich Pette Institute, Leibniz Institute for Experimental Virology | |
|---|---|
.jpg) Heinrich Pette Institute (2011) |
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| Category: | research Institute |
| Legal form of the carrier: | Foundation, endowment |
| Membership: | Leibniz Association |
| Facility location: | Hamburg |
| Type of research: | Basic research |
| Subjects: | medicine |
| Areas of expertise: | virology |
| Management: | Thomas Dobner |
| Homepage: | Heinrich Pette Institute |
The Heinrich Pette Institute, Leibniz Institute for Experimental Virology (HPI) is dedicated to research into the biology of human virus species , the pathogenesis of viral diseases , the immune response of the organism and related problems.
As a foundation under civil law, the HPI is a non-profit and independent research institution that has been part of the Leibniz Association (WGL) since 1995 . On the federal side, the funding body is the Federal Ministry of Health , while the state side is represented by the Authority for Science, Research and Equal Opportunities in Hamburg .
research
The aim of research at the Heinrich Pette Institute is to understand virus-related diseases and to identify new approaches for improved therapies for viral diseases and virus-associated tumor diseases. Scientists at HPI research a wide range of viruses, such as hepatitis B virus , hepatitis C virus , herpes viruses (HCMV, HSV-1, EBV, KSHV), immunodeficiency viruses ( HIV-1 ) and DNA tumor viruses (MCV) . The practical application of the results in diagnostics and therapy is becoming increasingly important. This is reflected in the many collaborations with clinical institutes and industry.
Research mission statement of the HPI: “The HPI researches human pathogenic viruses. The aim of our research is to understand virus-related diseases and to develop new therapeutic approaches. "
The HPI is divided into six research departments, an independent research group and three junior research groups. Since May 2020 it has also had an associated group. The research spectrum is supplemented by four technology platforms.
Departments:
- Antiviral Strategies (Head: Joachim Hauber )
- Viral Transformation (Head: Thomas Dobner)
- Structural Biology of Viruses (Head: Kay Grünewald)
- Virus Immunology (Head: Marcus Altfeldt)
- Virus-host interaction (lead: Wolfram Brune)
- Viral Zoonoses - One Health (Head: Gülşah Gabriel )
Research group:
- Virus Genomics (Head: Adam Grundhoff)
Junior research groups:
- Dynamics of viral structures (Head: Charlotte Uetrecht)
- Systems biology of arboviruses (Head: Pietro Scaturro)
- Cell Biology of RNA Viruses (Head: Gabrielle Vieryes)
Associated group:
- Quantitative Virology (Head: Jens Bosse)
Technology platforms:
- Flow cytometry / FACS
- High throughput sequencing
- Small animal models
- Microscopy & Image Analysis
history
Founded in 1948 as the "Foundation for Research into Spinal Polio", the establishment of the institute is essentially due to two people: to the generous patron Philipp Fürchtegott Reemtsma , who set up a foundation from the maternal inheritance of his son who died of polio, and to the neurologist Heinrich Pette . Through him the scientific concept and development of the institute were shaped and shaped until his death in 1964. Logically, after the founder's death, “his institute” was renamed “Heinrich Pette Institute for Experimental Virology and Immunology at the University of Hamburg”. In addition to honoring Heinrich Pette, this name also illustrates the close connection between the institute and the University of Hamburg , with which a cooperation agreement has existed since 1993. Since March 2011 the institute has officially been named "Heinrich Pette Institute, Leibniz Institute for Experimental Virology". The institute buildings were renovated and expanded in 1967, 1995 and most recently in 2006.
In 1996 the institute was evaluated externally and independently by the Science Council and in 2002 by the Senate Committee of the WGL. The Science Council determined that there is a national, scientific and political interest in the research work of the HPI and recommended further funding as a “WGL Institute”. The HPI conducts nationally and internationally recognized high-quality research in its research area. The last evaluation of the institute by the Leibniz Senate took place in 2013.
Networking
The Heinrich Pette Institute is networked with other research institutions on a variety of levels. It is a member of the Leibniz Association (WGL).
The Heinrich Pette Institute is located on the campus of the University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf (UKE) and is closely linked to the University of Hamburg via a cooperation agreement. The department heads of the Heinrich Pette Institute are C4 or W3 professors who are appointed in a joint process with the departments of medicine, chemistry or biology at the University of Hamburg.
In addition to the Bernhard Nocht Institute for Tropical Medicine and the Research Center Borstel (FZB), the Heinrich Pette Institute is a founding member of the Leibniz Center for Infection Research , Leibniz Center Infection (LCI). Together the three institutes employ around 1,000 people, including around 400 scientists. The Leibniz Center for Infection Research aims to promote inventive and innovative basic research in infection biology in northern Germany.
The funding of infection biology research in the entire region of Northern Germany is pursued by the Northern Association of Infection Biology (NORDIB). In addition to the Heinrich Pette Institute, the Hannover Medical School (MHH), the Hannover Veterinary University Foundation , the Institute for Microbiology at the Technical University of Braunschweig , the Institute for Infection Medicine at the University of Hamburg , and the Institute for Medical Microbiology and Hygiene at the University of Lübeck , the Helmholtz Center for Infection Research Braunschweig (formerly: GBF), the Bernhard Nocht Institute for Tropical Medicine , the Research Center Borstel and the Hans Knöll Institute .
The Heinrich-Pette-Institut is linked with the Fördergemeinschaft Kinderkrebs-Zentrum Hamburg eV in the form of a cooperation agreement. On the basis of this public-private partnership, the funding association operates an independent research institute for pediatric hematology and oncology in the replacement and extension building II of the Heinrich Pette Institute.
In cooperation with the Max Planck Institute for Molecular Cell Biology and Genetics in Dresden, it was possible to demonstrate in the laboratory that it is possible to extract the genetic information of the virus stored in human DNA by the retrovirus HIV using an adapted enzyme ( recombinase ) from the genome remove individual cells. This evidence is seen as an important step in basic research in the development of a therapeutic method for the complete cure of AIDS (hence the removal or as far as possible containment of an HIV infection).
Web links
- Heinrich Pette Institute
- Heinrich Pette Institute - Leibniz Institute for Experimental Virology at Wissenschaft.hamburg.de