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
Graalmann Lab
Immunology
Indirect effects of immunomodulatory drugs
Immunomodulatory drugs for rheumatic diseases specifically influence immune cells and messenger substances. This project investigates their effect on immune responses in order to find individually suitable therapies.
Graalmann Lab
Immunology
Cell-selective targeting of immune cells
Immunomodulatory drugs can have systemic side effects. This project is testing nanocarriers that deliver drugs specifically into myeloid immune cells in order to reduce side effects and increase the local effect.
Pessler Lab
Immunology
Cerebrospinal fluid biomarkers for early diagnosis and risk stratification of CNS infections
In collaboration with the Department of Neurology and the Metabolomics Department, the project is investigating metabolic products in cerebrospinal fluid in order to identify biomarkers for CNS infections and cell damage and to distinguish long COVID and viral from autoimmune diseases.
Pessler Lab
Immunology
Predictive biomarkers for a poor immune response to influenza vaccination in elderly individuals
Older people are at high risk of a poor immune response to the flu vaccine. Together with partners, we are looking for biomarkers and risk factors for this inadequate response and are investigating ways to improve the vaccination response.
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.
