Phages – “bacteria eaters” against dangerous infections
Description
At the Helmholtz Centre for Infection Research, scientists investigate the mechanisms of infectious diseases and their defenses. We systematically develop the results of basic research towards medical applications. The scientific questions we work on include:
- What turns bacteria or viruses into pathogens?
- Why are some people particularly susceptible and others resistant to infections?
- How can we intervene in infection processes?
- How do we transfer our findings to application in humans?
To clarify such questions, we are investigating pathogens that are medically relevant or that can be used as models for research into infections. Understanding these mechanisms will contribute to combating infectious diseases with new drugs and vaccines.
Aims
The Centre's mission is to contribute to overcoming the challenges that infectious diseases pose to medicine and society in the 21st century. The HZI has defined its research priorities in the Infection Research Program. The program places particular emphasis on the transfer of research results into application, on individualized infection medicine and the application of information and data technologies for infection research.
If you would like to find out more about the HZI, take a look at www.helmholtz-hzi.de/en!
United States
