Heidelberg – Hamburg Infectious Disease Imaging Alliance (HHH-IDIA)

• Subject Area: Virology ; Medical Microbiology and Mycology, Hygiene, Molecular Infection Biology ; Parasitology and Biology of Tropical Infectious Disease Pathogens
• Term: since 2024
• Project identifier: Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft (DFG) - Project number 534770338

Light and electron microscopy is crucial for all aspects of infectious disease research, from basic research to diagnostics of clinical samples. Highly infectious pathogens, in particular emerging pathogens, typically fall into risk group 3 and can therefore only be examined in biosafety level 3 (BSL3) laboratories. Microscopy is a key component for shaping the early response against such pathogens, as demonstrated for example by the rapid development of microscopy-based assays for detecting anti-SARS-CoV-2 antibodies. However, the obligatory BSL3 biosafety measures entail several challenges. They necessitate the design of novel workflows to guarantee safe and simple sample handling, require extensive user supervision and training, and complicate equipment maintenance. Laboratories with comprehensive BSL3 microscopy infrastructure are extremely rare worldwide. In Germany, sites in Heidelberg (Infectious Disease Imaging Platform (IDIP), University of Heidelberg) and in Hamburg (Advanced Light and Fluorescence Microscopy (ALFM) Facility, University of Hamburg) provide a comprehensive portfolio of state-of-the-art light and electron microscopy instrumentation under BSL3 containment. In this project these two sites plan to jointly develop technologies and workflows for BSL3 microscopy, as well as to establish communication, coordination and knowledge transfer channels between the two sites to improve access to key microscopy technologies under BSL3 containment. This will be achieved through the following measures: - Standardization, quality control, and practical measures to enhance the throughput of BSL3 imaging infrastructures - Establishing workflows for live imaging technologies in complex 3D model systems under BSL3 containment - Establishing workflows for correlative light- and electron cryo-microscopy (cryoCLEM) technologies under BSL3 containment - Creating a support framework for registering BSL3 imaging projects. The project will bring together a critical mass of imaging-, biosafety-, infection biology-, and data analysis experts to improve the application of BSL3 imaging technologies. With this, the imaging platforms in Heidelberg and Hamburg will be able to offer their resources and support for BLS3 imaging projects to the infection research community. Well-equipped and well-operated BSL3 microscopy facilities are a crucial element for developing response strategies against emerging pathogens and for developing therapies against pathogens that keep burdening mankind since millennia. In this sense, an infectious disease imaging BSL3 infrastructure represents a strategic resource relevant for both the research community and public health. In summary, our project will benefit research on such important pathogens as SARS-CoV-2, influenza virus, HIV, hepatitis virus, dengue virus, Mycobacterium tuberculosis, and Yersinia pestis and improve preparedness for emerging pathogens.

• DFG Programme: Core Facilities
• Applicant Institution: Ruprecht-Karls-Universität Heidelberg
• Application Partner: Universität Hamburg; Technologieplattform Lichtmikroskopie
• Leader: Dr. Vibor Laketa
• Co-Investigator: Dr. Roland Thünauer