Booster vaccination strengthens existing defences
Memory B cells play a key role in adapting to new coronavirus variants
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
Pathways to infection resilience
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.
2026Msystems : e0075425
High-resolution taxonomic profiling and metatranscriptomics identify microbial, biochemical, host, and ecological factors in peri-implant disease
Szafrański S, Joshi A, Steglich M, Yang I, Qu T, Behrens W, Muthukumarasamy U, Melidis D, Schaefer-Dreyer P, Grischke J, Hegermann J, Nejdl W, Häussler S, Stiesch M
2026Interdisciplinary Sciences, Computational Life Sciences : 10.1007/s12539-026-00855-2
Integrated Genome-Wide Association Study and Machine Learning Approach for Characterizing the Determinants of Biofilm Formation in Staphylococcus aureus
Sidarous L, Ibrahim M, Elhadidy M, Abouelfetouh A, Saif N, Aboelnaga N, Shehat M, Youssef M, Badr E
2026Nature Communications17 (1) : 7266
JN.1-adapted vaccination is associated with readjustment of ancestral memory B cells toward neutralization within the JN.1 antigenic space
Stankov M, Bruhn M, Hoffmann M, Salam A, Eichmann A, Nehlmeier I, Manthey L, Witte T, Pöhlmann S, Ahrenstorf G, Happle C, Dopfer-Jablonka A, Kalinke U, Behrens G
Kalinke Lab
Immunology
Regulation of acute hepatitis
The project investigates immune reactions in viral hepatitis, in particular the role of hepatocytes and myeloid cells. The aim is to understand immune processes in the liver and to develop diagnostic approaches for the clinic.
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.
Behrendt Lab
Virology
Prevention of HEV Infection
Studies in the cell culture model show that only a few disinfectants are effective against HEV, which provides important information on hygiene measures for HEV infections. We are also working together to test vaccines for pigs as HEV reservoirs.
Kalinke Lab
Bartsch Lab
Behrendt Lab
Pietschmann Lab
Immunology
Platform for the rapid development of new pathogen-directed humanized or fully human monoclonal antibody candidates (MEMUMAB)
Monoclonal antibodies are transforming modern medicine. At Helmholtz Infection Medicine at MHH, bringing together TWINCORE and CiiM, advanced technologies and AI drive the development of next-generation human antibodies against major infectious diseases.
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.
