Initiation of the Clinical Research Network 'German Study Network in Infectious Diseases' (DEutsches STudiennetzwerk INfektiologie, DESTINi)

• Applicant: Professor Dr. Siegbert Rieg
• Subject Area: Clinical Infectiology and Tropical Medicine
• Term: since 2019
• Project identifier: Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft (DFG) - Project number 429442627

To secure an up-to-date management of infectious diseases, innovative diagnostic and therapeutic approaches need to be investigated continuously by means of translational and clinical studies. In Germany, however, very few (non-industry-sponsored) clinical trials are initiated or conducted so far.In the current initiative we aim to establish a ‚German Study Network in Infectious Diseases‘ (Deutsches Studiennetzwerk Infektiologie, DESTINi). Clinical Infectious Diseases Departments of six German University Hospitals will join forces to set up a closely collarborating network that will allow to perform innovative clinical studies (including randomised controlled trials) with practice-changing potential. By bringing together an interdisciplinary team of clinicians, biostatisticians, translational researchers and by including young researchers (e.g. in clinician scientist programs) the DESTINi networks aims to become a productive scientific platform, that serves as attractive partner for national and international researchers and strengthens the clinical trials landscape in Germany.

• DFG Programme: Scientific Networks