Germany
For an overview of GVN Centers of Excellence, click here.
Nordufer 20
D-13353 Berlin-Wedding
Center Director: Dr. Lothar H. Wieler
Member Researchers: Dr. Heinz Ellerbrok
The Robert Koch Institute is one of the central institutions for health protection in Germany. It serves the Federal Ministry of Health as a central scientific institution in the field of biomedicine. The Institute combines risk research with political advice. Its most important tasks include protection against infectious diseases and the analysis of the health situation in Germany. Scientists here have a “rapid task force” to investigate regional outbreaks of epidemics through the use of surveys and analysis of the quality of life and health risks for people in Germany. These analyses are channeled into regular health reporting, which – besides research into infectious diseases – has become one of the trademarks of the Institute. In addition, in April 2014, a team of interdisciplinary scientists arrived in Guinea to investigate a possible epidemic of Ebola hemorrhagic fever (EHF) amongst wildlife in the region where human cases occurred, in efforts of predicting the risk of virus transmission to humans.
Center Directors: Prof. Ulrike Protzer, M.D.; Prof. Oliver Keppler, M.D.; Prof. Michael Hoelscher, M.D.; Prof. Gerd Sutter, DVM
Member Researchers: Sabrina Schreiner, PhD; Asisa Volz, PhD; Michelle Vincendeau, PhD; Prof. Ruth Brack Werner, PhD; Dieter Hoffmann, M.D.; Prof. Andreas Pichlmair, PhD, DVM
Contributing Institutions: Technical University of Munich; Helmholtz Zentrum München; University of Munich
Institute of Virology, Technische Universität München / Helmholtz Zentrum München: Research at the Institute of Virology is geared toward pathogenic human viruses such as hepatitis viruses, HIV, poxviruses or SARS virus. Their study focuses on molecular details of the viral replication cycle, host-pathogen interactions and the role of immunity in viral diseases. The institute is equipped with state-of-the-art instrumentation, BSL2 and BSL3 laboratories and an immune monitoring unit. In spring 2013, the Global Virus Network met in Munich to discuss the topics of control of chronic and emerging viral infections. The workshop highlighted the Durability of Vaccine-induced Immune Response, and was led by GVN Co-Founder and International Scientific Advisor, Dr. Robert Gallo and Ulrike Protzer, among other speakers at the event.
Institute for Virology, Philipps-Universität Marburg
Institut für Virologie
Hans-Meerwein-Straße 2
D-35043 Marburg
Center Director: Prof. Stephan Becker
Member Researchers: Drs. Markus Eickmann, Eva Friebertshäuser, Hans-Dieter Klenk, Andrea Maisner, Mikhail Matrosovich, Thomas Strecker
Research at the Institute of Virology, Philipps-Universität Marburg, is focused on zoonotic viral infections which shuttle between animals and human beings. These include a wide array of emerging viruses. Among the research responsibilities, the Institute has a long tradition investigating molecular biology and pathogenesis of filoviruses, arenaviruses, Nipah virus, as well as human and avian influenza viruses. Another focus is translational research mainly in developing vaccines against novel and re-emerging highly pathogenic viruses. The Institute hosts a modern BSL-4 laboratory to investigate pathogenesis in small rodent models and the efficacy of vaccines and antivirals and fulfills its duties in providing routine diagnostics for the Marburg University Hospital and for patients with life-threatening viral diseases.
The Research Center for Emerging Infections and Zoonoses (RIZ)
University of Veterinary Medicine in Hanover
Bünteweg 17
30559 Hanover
Center Director: Ab Osterhaus
Member Researchers: Stefanie Becker, Bernd Lepenies, Martin Ludlow, Guus Rimmelzwaan, Imke Steffen and Georges Verjans
The Research Center for Emerging Infections and Zoonosis (RIZ) is a ‘one health’ research center embedded in the University of Veterinary Medicine in Hannover. RIZ has state-of-the-art research facilities, with more than 2000 square meters of biosafety level 2 laboratories divided over three floors with a total working area of more than 40 laboratories, all equipped with the most modern equipment. In addition, it has biosafety level 2 and 3 small and large animal facilities. RIZ research focuses on the identification and characterization of emerging animal and human viruses, and the development of intervention strategies to control their impact.