Staying One Step Ahead of Resistance
How bacteria develop resistance to antisense antibiotics - and how future therapies can be designed to reduce the risk of resistance
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.
Antibodies produced following the Ebola vaccination neutralise the current Bundibugyo virus variant
A team of researchers from Hamburg, Berlin, Göttingen and Hannover has provided evidence of possible cross-protection offered by an already authorised Zaire Ebola virus vaccine.
Booster vaccination strengthens existing defences
Memory B cells play a key role in adapting to new coronavirus variants
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.
2026Journal of Virology : e0111726
Arp2/3 complex-dependent actin remodeling is required for efficient RSV uncoating in A549 cells
Xie E, Schubert M, Reeb J, Seligmann B, Schaks M, Müsken M, Steffen A, Stradal T, Haid S, Rottner K, Sieben C
2026Molecular Therapy : The Journal of the American Society of Gene Therapy : S1525-0016(26)00714-8
ACC1 inhibition enhances BCG-induced trained immunity by reprogramming Acetyl-CoA metabolism
Baydemir I, Nikolka F, Bulut Ö, Ferreira A, Kilic G, Geckin B, Kramer R, Cuenca-Escalona J, Floor E, Báez-Magaña M, Matzaraki V, Deckers J, Anbergen T, van Elsas Y, Beldman T, Moorlag S, Charlotte J de Bree L, Spanou V, Andriopoulou T, Li Y, Karagianni E, Novakovic B, Sohrabi Y, Joosten L, Hiller K, Domínguez-Andrés J
2026The Journal of Clinical Investigation : e203540
Immune Cell-Specific SMN Expression and Sustained Immune Alterations in Treated Spinal Muscular Atrophy
Tapken I, Rahmel-Stein K, Ehlers C, Cieri F, Detering N, Schüning T, Bjelica B, Mindermann C, Neuhoff S, Schmitt L, Leo M, Hagenacker T, Illsinger S, Di Schiavi E, Graalmann T, Petri S, Kalinke U, Claus P
Pessler Lab
Immunology
Functional Biomarkers for respiratory infections
This project focuses on lung infections such as influenza, COVID-19, pneumonia and tuberculosis in order to improve diagnostics, patient stratification and therapy. RNA molecules and metabolites are being investigated as biomarkers and complementary therapies.
Pietschmann Lab
Virology
Host and viral factors that govern susceptibility to HCV and RSV
We are investigating why HCV infections sometimes heal spontaneously, but often become chronic, and why RSV infections are severe in some children. We use modern sequencing technologies to analyze the genetic characteristics of hosts and pathogens in order to understand susceptibility.
Lauber Lab
Virology
Deep exploration of the virosphere for novel viruses in humans and other eukaryotes
Using high-performance computers, we analyze NGS data to discover unknown viruses in the human and animal virome that could influence disease risks. We investigate the virome as a factor for infections and diseases such as cancer and immunodeficiencies.
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.
Seminar
TWINCORE Seminar
Prof. Naglaa Shoukry
University of Montreal
"Single-Cell RNA Sequencing Analysis of CD8+ T Cell-Mediated Protective Immunity During HCV Reinfection"
Seminar
TWINCORE Seminar
Prof. Heidi Drummer
University of Melbourne, Burnet Institute
"Development of hepatitis C vaccine candidates to generate neutralizing antibodies"
Lecture Series - Regulatory Science and Translational Research - Part 1
"Why is knowledge in regulatory science important for translational medicine and basic science?"
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.
