How RSV manipulates the immune response in respiratory cells
TWINCORE researchers investigate gene activity in host cells
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 will take place on 3 - 4 September.
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.
2026Plos Neglected Tropical Diseases20 (7) : e0013781
Hantavirus stability and inactivation
Vandenabeele L, Ayanwale A, Pietschmann T, Nilsson-Payant B
2026Liver International : Official Journal of the International Association for the Study of the Liver46 (7) : e70727
Acute HEV Infection Is a Relevant Cause of Decompensation and ACLF in Patients With Liver Cirrhosis
Dinkelborg K, Niehaus C, Bremer B, Wundes C, Tiede A, Petruch N, Deterding K, Kraft A, Hartleben B, Cornberg M, Wedemeyer H, Behrendt P, Maasoumy B
2026Science Advances12 (25) : eaed4499
Respiratory syncytial viral load drives ciliated cell dedifferentiation and suppresses antiviral immunity
Berg K, Haid S, Vafadarnejad E, Carpentier A, Geffers R, Wiegmann B, Saliba A, Erhard F, Pietschmann T
Kalinke Lab
Immunology
Towards the molecular mechanism of HBV vaccination non-responsiveness
The project will investigate the immunological and genetic causes of vaccination failure in 5% of HBV-vaccinated individuals in order to develop new strategies to improve vaccination protection.
Behrendt Lab
Virology
Prevention of HEV Infection
Studies in the cell culture model show that only a few disinfectants are effective against HEV, which provides important information on hygiene measures for HEV infections. We are also working together to test vaccines for pigs as HEV reservoirs.
Lauber Lab
Virology
Genetic determinants of severe RSV infection in infants
We are investigating how genetic variants influence the risk of severe RSV infections in infants. Exome sequencing and bioinformatic analyses are used to identify causal variants in immunity genes.
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.
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.
