CoreNews – the TWINCORE Newspaper

The December 2024 issue of CoreNews is taking a look back on the Lower Saxony International Summer Academy 2024. It introduces two new colleagues in the management office, Elisa Boss and Dr. Danica Bergmann. Furthermore, it summarizes our activities in the field of sustainability and gives an update from the IT team.

The June 2024 issue of CoreNews commemorates the 75th anniversary of Germany's Basic Law, highlighting a lecture by Prof. Volker Epping on academic freedom. It introduces Dr. Annett Ziegler as TWINCORE's new Biological Safety Officer and celebrates the recognition of outstanding doctoral theses by TWINCORE scientists. Additionally, the establishment of a new clinical junior research group led by Dr. Leonard Knegendorf is announced.

The December 2023 issue of CoreNews features an interview with Josef Penninger, the new Scientific Director of the Helmholtz Centre for Infection Research (HZI), discussing his initial impressions of TWINCORE and his future plans for HZI and its branches. It also covers a workshop on stress reduction and mental strengthening conducted by occupational psychologist Christian Bock, highlights the 12th Lower Saxony International Summer Academy (LISA) held at TWINCORE, and reports on a cake bazaar organized by the sustainability working group to fund bird nesting boxes for the institute's outdoor area.

The June 2023 issue of TWINCORE's CoreNews highlights the institute's participation in the 11th German Diversity Day, emphasizing its commitment to diversity and inclusion. It also reports on securing funding from the COVID-19 Research Network of Lower Saxony (COFONI) for ongoing research projects. Additionally, the issue addresses initiatives against sexual discrimination and outlines steps towards enhancing sustainability within TWINCORE.

The December 2022 issue of CoreNews features an interview with Dr. Yannic Bartsch, who will lead the new junior research group "Antiviral Antibody-omics" at TWINCORE starting January 2023. The issue also discusses the enhancement of data protection measures at TWINCORE, shares experiences from the "Cytokines" conference in Hawaii, and outlines ongoing efforts to reduce energy consumption within the institute.

The June 2022 issue of CoreNews features an interview with alumna Sandra Ciesek, now head of the Institute of Virology at Frankfurt University Hospital, discussing her career path from TWINCORE to her current position. It also includes an interview with Georg Behrens, insights into alternative career planning, and a discussion on gender-fair language.

The December 2021 issue of TWINCORE's CoreNews highlights current antibody development research projects, including the MEMUMAB project aimed at isolating specific antibodies from the serum of vaccinated or recovered individuals. Additionally, it presents measures to promote sustainability at the institute, such as the transition to controllable LED lighting in laboratories, and initiatives to create more flexible workplaces, including the installation of table tennis tables for active breaks. The issue also reports on the successful online implementation of the "Lower Saxony International Summer Academy" (LISA), which attracted 33 participants from 20 countries.

The June 2021 issue of TWINCORE CoreNews introduces the new head of administration, Dr. Albrecht Goez, and reports on current SARS-CoV-2 research projects. Another article examines the role of social media in science communication, while the "TWINCORE blossoms" initiative presents efforts to create a more natural outdoor environment.

The December 2020 issue of TWINCORE's CoreNews features interviews with new RESIST professors Chris Lauber and Marco Galardini, discussing their bioinformatics research approaches. Another article examines the institute's COVID-19 management and associated challenges. Additionally, the experiences of a volunteer in the scientific year within administration are shared, and innovative workplace concepts at TWINCORE are presented.

The June 2020 issue of CoreNews covers the appointment of Prof. Thomas Pietschmann to the Leopoldina, highlights the career development of Dr. Christine Goffinet, discusses TWINCORE's adaptations to the COVID-19 pandemic, and introduces the institute's new presence on social media platforms.

The December 2019 issue of TWINCORE's CoreNews highlights the work of Dr. Patrick Behrendt, who serves as an assistant physician at the MHH Clinic for Gastroenterology while simultaneously conducting research at TWINCORE, effectively bridging the gap between clinical practice and laboratory research. Additionally, the experiences of postdoctoral researchers who have undertaken international research stays are discussed, along with the hiring of the center's first trainees. The issue also introduces new research groups that broaden the scientific scope of the center.

The December 2018 issue of TWINCORE CoreNews covers Christine Goffinet's move to Charité – Universitätsmedizin Berlin, a visit from the Institute of Farm Animal Genetics to TWINCORE, and staff participation in the "TWINCORE radelt" cycling initiative. Additionally, a helper initiative aimed at enhancing safety at TWINCORE is introduced.

The June 2018 issue of TWINCORE CoreNews covers the visit of Federal Research Minister Anja Karliczek and Lower Saxony's Minister of Science Björn Thümler to TWINCORE. One article presents the experiences of a Swedish-German postdoctoral researcher, while another discusses a study in collaboration with the Federal Office of Civil Protection and Disaster Assistance (BÄD). Additionally, the issue reports on the AMIBA program in Germany, an international master's program in infection biology between Germany and Argentina.

The December 2017 issue of TWINCORE News discusses the institute's consultation with the Paul-Ehrlich-Institut regarding the approval of an Argentine-produced therapeutic serum against Shiga toxin. Additionally, a Kyrgyz-German initiative to combat hepatitis B is presented. Another article explores the development of tailored protective measures against respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) for young children. Finally, long-time facility manager Uwe Herzig is bid farewell into retirement.

The May 2017 issue of TWINCORE News reports on the establishment of the Institute for Infection Epidemiology led by Gérard Krause, an intercontinental collaboration in public health, a joint hepatitis B vaccination study by TWINCORE, HZI, and MHH, and Panagiota Mamareli's success in the FameLab contest.

The December 2016 issue of TWINCORE CoreNews announces the transition of the Scientific Advisory Board's chairmanship from Maria Masucci to Jan Buer. An article features Hungarian DBU scholar Ádám Szabó, who shares his experiences at TWINCORE. Additionally, the introduction of the "Paper of the Month" series for TWINCORE scientists is announced, and a new administrative service in the intranet is presented.

The June 2016 issue of TWINCORE News covers a new "Young Academy" project accompanying a clinical study on the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis. Additionally, it presents the first clinical trial coordinated by TWINCORE, focusing on the efficacy of a new drug against influenza viruses in the elderly. Brazilian immunologist Dr. Maria de Lourdes Lôbo de Figueiredo is spending her sabbatical at TWINCORE to work on vaccine development. Another project connects school students with TWINCORE scientists to provide insights into infection research. Also, the experiences of technical assistants Nina and Marie are shared, who are working in Paris as part of an international exchange program.

The November 2015 issue of TWINCORE News reports on the relocation of the S3 laboratory to the Hannover Medical School (MHH) to ensure enhanced safety standards and improved collaboration opportunities. Christian Schneider, former head of the Paul-Ehrlich-Institut, has been appointed Director of the UK's National Institute for Biological Standards and Control (NIBSC). Additionally, the TRAIN Academy, a training program for translational scientists, and the bi-nationally organized AMIBA master's program in infection biology with partners from Germany and Argentina have commenced.

The June 2015 issue of TWINCORE News discusses the antiviral effect of stored breast milk against hepatitis C viruses, which was recognized with the "Nutricia Science Award." Additionally, it covers the "Day of Immunology" at MHH, where TWINCORE inspired students about infection research. A personal account from an Argentine scientist details her participation in the "Lower Saxony International Summer Academy" (LISA) and her subsequent career at TWINCORE. The issue also presents the relaunch of the TWINCORE website with a modernized design and new features. Also it reports on the TRAIN Academy, offering a training program for translational scientists.

The November 2014 issue of TWINCORE News highlights the integration of physicians into research through the "Junge Akademie" and the StrucMed program. One article details the collaboration between TWINCORE scientists and the MHH Children's Hospital in identifying genetic causes of rare immune system disorders. Additional pieces focus on the career paths of alumni, a team-building event called TTTwBBB, and a binational research program between Germany and Argentina.