GRK 685:  Infection Biology

• Subject Area: Basic Research in Biology and Medicine
• Term: from 2001 to 2010
• Project identifier: Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft (DFG) - Project number 273241

The research training group "Infection Biology" addresses especially infection biological questions of human and plant pathogenic microorganisms (bacteria and fungi). There are the following disciplines involved: biochemistry, botany, immunology, infection biology, medicine, microbiology, medical microbiology, and cell biology. The scientific aim is the characterization of virulence factors, patho-mechanisms, and parasitic/saprophytic behavior by using biochemical, genetic, immunological, microbiological, molecular, and cell biological approaches. A focus is the molecular and biochemical characterization of virulence factors involved in adhesion, invasion, phagosome escape, immune reaction, intra and extra cellular survival in the host, antibiotics and cell wall structures. In external cooperation some of the mutants will be investigated in defined animal models. Despite the variety of organisms and methods used, the framework for the research concept is clearly defined. In addition to performing research for the dissertation, students participate in a variety of seminars and courses. The postgraduates weekly present and discuss their work and take part in the weekly colloquium with invited guest speakers. Furthermore, interdisciplinary courses are offered so that the students can acquaint themselves with other experimental methods and models. Excursions to industry and research centers are occasionally undertaken to expose students to future job options.

• DFG Programme: Research Training Groups
• Applicant Institution: Eberhard Karls Universität Tübingen
• Spokesperson: Professor Dr. Friedrich Götz
• Participating Researchers: Professor Dr. Ingo Birger Autenrieth; Professor Dr. Gerd Döring (†); Professor Dr. Hans-Peter Fiedler; Professor Dr. Rüdiger Hampp; Professor Dr. Klaus Hantke; Privatdozentin Dr. Birgid Neumeister; Professor Dr. Thorsten Nürnberger; Professor Dr. Andreas Peschel; Professor Dr. Martin Schaller; Professor Dr. Wolfgang Wohlleben