Institute for Virology at the University of Marburg
The Institute of Virology at the University of Marburg deals with research into viral infections , which are largely shaped by the pathogen exchange between animals and humans. These include a. the influenza viruses of humans and animals. In particular, the influenza viruses of birds (the causative agents of avian influenza ) pose a considerable threat, as they can cause global pandemics in humans. The Marburg virologists also deal with a number of other zoonotic pathogens, which are usually new viruses ( emerging viruses ). This work, which reached its first high point a long time ago with the discovery of the Marburg virus , was later expanded to include studies on Ebola viruses and Lassa viruses ( Lassa fever ) and thus systematically became a focus in the field of hemorrhagic fever and other dangerous viral infections expanded.
Attached to the Institute of Virology is the Parasitology Working Group , which deals with research work on plasmodia , trypanosomes and toxoplasma .
The tasks in teaching include the training of students of medicine and dentistry in preclinical and clinical lessons, the training of pharmacists, human biologists and biologists in basic and advanced studies.
In the field of indirect health care, the institute carries out virus diagnostic examinations for the clinic and for external senders. The institute is the consulting laboratory of the Robert Koch Institute for Filoviridae .
As of December 1, 2007, at the same time as the inauguration of the new institute building, the overall management of Marburg Virology was transferred from Hans-Dieter Klenk to Stephan Becker .
BSL4 laboratory
The institute has a high-security laboratory to carry out work on dangerous viruses . It should be possible to research highly dangerous pathogens here in an absolutely escape-proof manner in order to develop new diagnostic methods, vaccines and therapies. Up to four researchers in full protective suits can work side by side in the laboratory, which is secured by three locks - for up to three hours each.
The laboratory building has a usable area of 663 square meters, of which 285 square meters are laboratory space. The technical equipment that enables research on the middle floor is housed on four floors. The laboratory floor is a hermetically sealed area. Around half of the construction costs of 11.5 million euros, which were financed by the state and federal government, accounted for the costs of the technology.
With regard to the diagnosis of highly pathogenic viral diseases, the Marburg BSL-4 laboratory works closely with the competence center for imported highly pathogenic life-threatening diseases in Frankfurt and is thus connected to the isolation ward at the Johann-Wolfgang-Goethe University Clinic, which looks after patients with highly contagious life-threatening diseases across Hesse .
Web links
Individual evidence
- ↑ a b c Philipps University puts first German BSL 4 laboratory into operation (press article from the University of Marburg December 5, 2007)
- ↑ Philipps University puts first German BSL 4 laboratory into operation. Press release of the University of Marburg from December 5, 2007
Coordinates: 50 ° 48 ′ 42.4 " N , 8 ° 48 ′ 33.7" E