How RSV manipulates the immune response in respiratory cells
TWINCORE researchers investigate gene activity in host cells
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.
TWINCORE Symposium 2026
This year's TWINCORE Symposium will take place on 3 - 4 September.
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.
2026Plos Neglected Tropical Diseases20 (7) : e0013781
Hantavirus stability and inactivation
Vandenabeele L, Ayanwale A, Pietschmann T, Nilsson-Payant B
2026Liver International : Official Journal of the International Association for the Study of the Liver46 (7) : e70727
Acute HEV Infection Is a Relevant Cause of Decompensation and ACLF in Patients With Liver Cirrhosis
Dinkelborg K, Niehaus C, Bremer B, Wundes C, Tiede A, Petruch N, Deterding K, Kraft A, Hartleben B, Cornberg M, Wedemeyer H, Behrendt P, Maasoumy B
2026Science Advances12 (25) : eaed4499
Respiratory syncytial viral load drives ciliated cell dedifferentiation and suppresses antiviral immunity
Berg K, Haid S, Vafadarnejad E, Carpentier A, Geffers R, Wiegmann B, Saliba A, Erhard F, Pietschmann T
Graalmann Lab
Immunology
Indirect effects of immunomodulatory drugs
Immunomodulatory drugs for rheumatic diseases specifically influence immune cells and messenger substances. This project investigates their effect on immune responses in order to find individually suitable therapies.
Kalinke Lab
Immunology
Cell-selective delivery of active compounds
The project is developing methods to specifically transport antibiotics into cells such as alveolar macrophages, which are important in Mycobacterium tuberculosis infections. The aim is to overcome resistance and reduce side effects.
Pietschmann Lab
Virology
Principles of HCV assembly and entry and their role in virus persistence
We are investigating how the association of HCV with lipoproteins contributes to the persistence of the virus by influencing entry into liver cells and protecting against antibodies. The aim is to gain new insights for the development of an HCV vaccine.
Galardini Lab
Bacteriology
Pangenome wide prediction of gene function
Thanks to high-throughput sequencing, genome sequences of hundreds of bacterial strains can be analyzed efficiently, revealing differences of up to 60 % in gene content, as in E. coli. With the help of machine learning, we want to better predict the functions of accessory genes and decipher their contribution to survival in specialized niches.
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.
