Prof. Dr. Ulrich Kalinke

Prof. Dr. Ulrich Kalinke is Managing Director of TWINCORE, Center for Experimental and Clinical Infection Research, where he also heads the Institute for Experimental Infection Research. After studying biology in Hanover, he completed his doctorate at the German Cancer Research Center in Heidelberg. Here he investigated peripheral T cell tolerance and the role of CD8 as a co-receptor in specific T cell recognition. Kalinke spent his postdoctoral period in Zurich, Switzerland, where he worked in the laboratory of Nobel Prize winner Rolf Zinkernagel. During this time, he analysed virus-neutralizing antibody reactions. He then spent four years conducting research at the European Molecular Biology Laboratory in Monterotondo (Italy). In this environment, he focused on the analysis of the innate immune response to viral infections. In 2002, he was appointed Professor and Head of the Department of Immunology at the Paul Ehrlich Institute in Langen. There he was responsible for all aspects of licensing monoclonal and polyclonal antibodies and therapeutic vaccines. In addition, he conducted basic research to better understand the interface between innate and adaptive immunity. During this time, Kalinke became involved in regulatory research, where he and his colleagues tackled topics such as the opportunities and challenges of biosimilar monoclonal antibodies and new developments in tumor vaccines. In his current position, he is developing a translational infection research program as a joint venture between the Helmholtz Centre for Infection Research in Braunschweig and the Hannover Medical School. Since 2013, he has headed the office of the Translational Alliance in Lower Saxony (TRAIN), which aims to (i) improve the research infrastructure, (ii) develop new teaching formats for postgraduates and (iii) establish TRAIN projects in the Hannover-Braunschweig region.