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Infection research at the interface between clinical practice and basic research
TWINCORE was founded in 2008 by the Helmholtz Centre for Infection Research and the Hannover Medical School. We combine the expertise of medical professionals and scientists from a wide range of disciplines to find answers to the pressing questions in infection research. Our focus: translational research – the bridge between basic science and clinical application.
Research
We conduct translational infection research to improve the prevention, diagnosis and treatment of infectious diseases in humans. We focus on three areas that characterize our research work. Find out here how we proceed and what results we achieve.
Labs at TWINCORE
Under the leadership of our best scientists, various labs are working on different projects within our research topics.
2026Npj Vaccines : 10.1038/s41541-026-01390-3
Functional antibody signatures following therapeutic immunization in Simian and Human immunodeficiency virus infection
Ilan S, Bartsch Y, Jung W, Kliuchnikov E, Roy V, Bonifer R, Walker-Sperling V, Borducchi E, Nkolola J, Lauffenburger D, Stieh D, Barouch D, Julg B
2026Vaccine75 : 128241
The effect of BCG vaccination on systemic inflammation in neonates
Koeken V, Nissen T, Birk N, Boahen C, van Crevel R, Kumar V, Li Y, Aaby P, Benn C, Netea M
2026Nature Communications : 10.1038/s41467-025-67939-3
Longitudinal plasma proteomic signatures of elite and viremic spontaneous HIV controllers
Vadaq N, Groenendijk A, Dos Santos J, Mehta K, Wit F, Vos W, Blaauw M, van Eekeren L, Lambrechts L, Rutsaert S, Nelwan E, Xu C, Joosten L, de Mast Q, Matzaraki V, van Lunzen J, Rokx C, Verbon A, Netea M, Vandekerckhove L, van der Ven A
Bartsch Lab
Immunology
Harnessing antibody Fc effector functions as therapeutic target
The project is researching how the effect of monoclonal antibodies can be improved. These antibodies are already being used successfully against viruses. The aim is to optimize the so-called Fc effector functions in order to fight infections even more effectively.
Pessler Lab
Immunology
Cerebrospinal fluid biomarkers for early diagnosis and risk stratification of CNS infections
In collaboration with the Department of Neurology and the Metabolomics Department, the project is investigating metabolic products in cerebrospinal fluid in order to identify biomarkers for CNS infections and cell damage and to distinguish long COVID and viral from autoimmune diseases.
Pessler Lab
Immunology
Predictive biomarkers for a poor immune response to influenza vaccination in elderly individuals
Older people are at high risk of a poor immune response to the flu vaccine. Together with partners, we are looking for biomarkers and risk factors for this inadequate response and are investigating ways to improve the vaccination response.
Behrendt Lab
Virology
Antiviral Strategies Against HEV
Together with the Department of Structural Biology at the University of Lübeck, human, strongly neutralizing antibodies against HEV were identified and characterized for the first time. These showed a protective effect in the mouse model and are currently being further developed for clinical application, including mRNA-based application methods.
Career at TWINCORE
Want to become part of TWINCORE?
Take a look at our job advertisements to see if there is something suitable for you or send us an unsolicited application.
