125 Years of BNITM: Anniversary Series ‘Research, Healing, Teaching’ - Topic haemorrhagic fever viruses

This event takes place in German.

Haemorrhagic fever viruses such as Ebola, Lassa and Crimean-Congo viruses are among the most dangerous pathogens in the world. They have an exciting history of discovery and continue to pose a major challenge to global health today. At BNITM, we research how these viruses are transmitted, how they interact with host cells, and potential therapeutic approaches. At our upcoming information event, we will reflect on the past, share insights into our current research findings, and demonstrate how our work is advancing the understanding and control of these pathogens.

The next BNITM information event in the anniversary year 2025 will take place on Tuesday, 11 November 2025, from 6 to 8 p.m., in the institute's historic lecture hall (Bernhard-Nocht-Straße 74, 20359 Hamburg) and will focus on haemorrhagic fever virus research.

Speaker:

Prof. Dr. Petra Emmerich (laboratory group leader in the Department of Virology) will give an historical overview of the discovery and research of Marburg and Ebola viruses from 1967 to the present day. She will also present her research on the tick-borne Crimean-Congo virus in the Western Balkans, and report on her experiences from over twelve years as a consultant and project manager in the context of the Federal Foreign Office's biosafety projects. 

Dr Lisa Oestereich (junior research group leader in the Department of Virology and laboratory manager of the BSL4 laboratories) will provide an insight into research in a high-security laboratory. She will explain how research with dangerous viruses is conducted, how researchers at the BNITM investigate the interaction between viruses and host animals, and how they test new drugs and vaccines. 

Dr Till Omansen (physician and junior research group leader in the Clinical Research and Virology departments) reports on medical missions and clinical research in isolation wards in West Africa. His research focuses on dangerous viral diseases and improving the treatment of affected patients. This involves working with acutely ill patients and conducting post-mortem studies. 

Further information and registration details can be found on the BNITM website. Admission is free.