New findings on spinal muscular atrophy
Researchers investigate the impact on the immune system.
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.
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
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.
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
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.
Behrendt Lab
Virology
Antiviral Strategies Against HEV
Together with the Department of Structural Biology at the University of Lübeck, human, strongly neutralizing antibodies against HEV were identified and characterized for the first time. These showed a protective effect in the mouse model and are currently being further developed for clinical application, including mRNA-based application methods.
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.
Kalinke Lab
Bartsch Lab
Behrendt Lab
Pietschmann Lab
Immunology
Platform for the rapid development of new pathogen-directed humanized or fully human monoclonal antibody candidates (MEMUMAB)
Monoclonal antibodies are transforming modern medicine. At Helmholtz Infection Medicine at MHH, bringing together TWINCORE and CiiM, advanced technologies and AI drive the development of next-generation human antibodies against major infectious diseases.
Seminar
TWINCORE Seminar - Systems Immunology
Dr. Verónica Durán
Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford
"Age-dependent immune landscape in dengue infection and disease progression"
---
Prof. Shirit Einav
Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford
"Targeting an understudied lipid kinase to restore lysosomal function in viral infection and neurodegeneration"
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.
