SEMVAC – Safety and effectiveness of MVA-BN vaccination

In our SEMVAc study, we analyze the safety and efficacy of MVA-BN vaccination against symptomatic MPXV infections in at-risk individuals in Germany.

COVIM – COllaboratiVe IMmunity Platform of the NUM

At the beginning of the pandemic, it was unknown whether and for how long an infection with SARS-CoV-2 would produce immunity. Due to the emergence of viral variants over the last two years, this question has become increasingly complex and is being investigated at many university hospitals in Germany. Therefore, an essential part of the project was the networking and harmonization of these research approaches as well as the establishment of central platforms for the integration of immunity-relevant data and competences. Therefore, the Germany-wide collaborative project „COVIM – COllaboratiVe IMmunity Platform of the NUM“ was developed under the leadership of Prof. Dr. Florian Klein (University Hospital Cologne) and Prof. Dr. Leif Erik Sander (Charité – Universitätsmedizin Berlin). The project combines the expertise and data of many scientists from different disciplines, such as immunology, virology, clinical infectiology, pneumology and microbiology from all over Germany.

COVIM is one of 14 collaborative projects within the Network University Medicine (NUM) and is funded by the German Federal Ministry of Education and Research (Research Network University Medicine on Covid-19, FKZ: 01KX2021). The NUM unites the forces of the 36 university hospitals in Germany.

IRTG 2290 – Crossing Boundaries: Molecular Interactions in Malaria

The Berlin-Canberra alliance addresses fundamental issues in malaria through an International Research Training Program (IRTG 2290). Molecular insights into Plasmodium infections can generate novel evidence-based strategies to develop curative and prophylactic drugs, and immunization strategies that elicit lasting protection against the disease.

The program covers four research areas:

1. Nutrient Uptake and Metabolism
2. Parasite Genetics and Adaptations
3. Immune Responses
4. Host Genetics and Drug Discovery

SFB-TR 84 “Innate Immunity of the Lung: Mechanisms of Pathogen Attack and Host Defence in Pneumonia“

Pneumonia is truly a wide spread disease. Important new aspects are a rising medical threat due to steadily increasing rates of multi- and pan-drug resistant bacteria, the emergence of viruses with pandemic potential and the current demography. Thus, novel strategies against pneumonia are sorely needed. This unmet scientific and clinical need is directly addressed by the SFB-TR84 and our interdisciplinary consortium is committed to comprehensively decipher the central role of the innate immune system for the pathogenesis of pneumonia. We will exploit insights, derived from basic research as well as patient-derived observations for novel diagnostic, preventative and therapeutic strategies.