
Optimised active substances against RSV
OPERA research project launched to further develop antiviral active substances

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.
The LISA Summer School 2026 takes place from 23 August to 11 September 2026. Registration is open until 31 March.
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.
Under the leadership of our best scientists, various labs are working on different projects within our research topics.
Waqas F, S da Costa L, Zapatero-Belinchón F, Carter-Timofte M, Lasswitz L, van der Horst D, Möller R, Dahlmann J, Olmer R, Geffers R, Gerold G, Olagnier D, Pessler F
Elwy A, Abdelrahman H, Specht J, Ewert G, Friebus-Kardash J, Dhiman S, Falkenstein J, Christ T, Wiebeck E, Shamoon A, Leimkühler N, Gramberg T, Russ A, Kalinke U, Kuang F, Sutter K, Kopf M, Mack M, Hansen W, Nimmerjahn F, Lang K
Zhang Y, Matzaraki V, Vadaq N, Blaauw M, Vos W, Groenendijk A, van Eekeren L, Stalenhoef J, Berrevoets M, Rokx C, Delporte M, Otten T, Joosten L, Xu C, Li Y, Vandekerckhove L, van der Ven A, Netea M
Immunomodulatory drugs can have systemic side effects. This project is testing nanocarriers that deliver drugs specifically into myeloid immune cells in order to reduce side effects and increase the local effect.
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.
We develop high-throughput screening assays to identify antiviral molecules against RSV and SARS-CoV-2. We use compound libraries, investigate new mechanisms of action and strive for innovative therapies.
The CoViPa consortium uses computer-assisted high-throughput virus discovery and evolutionary analyses to identify RNA viruses with high spillover risk and potential animal host reservoirs and to investigate new pathogenicity factors.

