Research to help the most vulnerable

Interdisciplinary science for people who are particularly susceptible to infections

We want a better protection of particularly susceptible people from viral and bacterial infections. With this goal in mind, we are conducting research with around 60 experts and our teams as the RESIST cluster of excellence in 30 projects at six institutions – passionately, across disciplines and at an internationally competitive level.

We work in research and clinical practice. This enables us to study viruses and bacteria down to the smallest detail, as well as human immune system and its genes. We are particularly interested in the interaction between the body and pathogens. Our findings are the basis for better therapies, diagnoses and prophylaxis.

Our research

Human and pathogen factors

Our research focuses is on people who are particularly susceptible to viral or bacterial infections. These include newborns, senior citizens and people with a weakened immune system. We want to better understand the individual causes of their increased susceptibility and are therefore investigating the underlying genetic and immunological aspects.

We are also investigating the factors of viruses and bacteria that contribute to increased susceptibility to infection. Our research focuses primarily on herpes, hepatitis and cold viruses, as well as various bacterial pathogens. In this way, we are laying the foundations for new drugs and treatments.

Our cohorts

Invaluable for the scientific database

To investigate the mode of action of pathogens, we collect data from more than 10,000 people in a dozen cohorts – groups of people with a specific disease or treatment. We have also established a cohort of older people. This is because they are often more severely affected or more susceptible to certain viral infections than younger people.

With the data from the cohorts, we can better understand individual susceptibility to infections and thus provide more targeted treatment. Our cohorts are so extensive that we will continue to gain numerous new insights from them – for current and future research priorities.

RESIST – News

  • Applications wanted

    June 25, 2025

    June 25, 2025

    June 25, 2025

    Planning studies, collecting data, processing and analysing data sets: Until 15 July, it is still possible to apply for the Master's programme "Biomedical Data Analysis".

    Planning studies, collecting data, processing and analysing data sets: Until 15 July, it is still possible to apply for the Master's programme "Biomedical Data Analysis".

    Planning studies, collecting data, processing and analysing data sets: Until 15 July, it is still possible to apply for the Master's programme "Biomedical Data Analysis".

  • New immune system players discovered

    June 19, 2025

    June 19, 2025

    June 19, 2025

    On the way to better therapies: Scientists have established a direct link between centromeres and immunity for the first time.

    On the way to better therapies: Scientists have established a direct link between centromeres and immunity for the first time.

    On the way to better therapies: Scientists have established a direct link between centromeres and immunity for the first time.

Seminars

  • RESIST Seminar guest lecture by Prof. Gert Bange

    17. July 2025 | 13:00 - 14:00

    17. July 2025 | 13:00 - 14:00

    17. July 2025 | 13:00 - 14:00

    Exciting topics, interestingly presented: Every first and third Thursday (except during school holidays), RESIST scientists or top-class researchers from external institutions present their topics at the RESIST seminar series. [...]

    Exciting topics, interestingly presented: Every first and third Thursday (except during school holidays), RESIST scientists or top-class researchers from external institutions present their topics at the RESIST seminar series. [...]

    Exciting topics, interestingly presented: Every first and third Thursday (except during school holidays), RESIST scientists or top-class researchers from external institutions present their topics at the RESIST seminar series. Attend these exciting seminars of the Cluster of Excellence RESIST, as a member of RESIST or as a colleague or [...]

RESIST – News

Seminars

  • Applications wanted

    June 25, 2025

    June 25, 2025

    June 25, 2025

    Planning studies, collecting data, processing and analysing data sets: Until 15 July, it is still possible to apply for the Master's programme "Biomedical Data Analysis".

    Planning studies, collecting data, processing and analysing data sets: Until 15 July, it is still possible to apply for the Master's programme "Biomedical Data Analysis".

    Planning studies, collecting data, processing and analysing data sets: Until 15 July, it is still possible to apply for the Master's programme "Biomedical Data Analysis".

  • New immune system players discovered

    June 19, 2025

    June 19, 2025

    June 19, 2025

    On the way to better therapies: Scientists have established a direct link between centromeres and immunity for the first time.

    On the way to better therapies: Scientists have established a direct link between centromeres and immunity for the first time.

    On the way to better therapies: Scientists have established a direct link between centromeres and immunity for the first time.

  • RESIST Seminar guest lecture by Prof. Gert Bange

    17. July 2025 | 13:00 - 14:00

    17. July 2025 | 13:00 - 14:00

    17. July 2025 | 13:00 - 14:00

    Exciting topics, interestingly presented: Every first and third Thursday (except during school holidays), RESIST scientists or top-class researchers from external institutions present their topics at the RESIST seminar series. [...]

    Exciting topics, interestingly presented: Every first and third Thursday (except during school holidays), RESIST scientists or top-class researchers from external institutions present their topics at the RESIST seminar series. [...]

    Exciting topics, interestingly presented: Every first and third Thursday (except during school holidays), RESIST scientists or top-class researchers from external institutions present their topics at the RESIST seminar series. Attend these exciting seminars of the Cluster of Excellence RESIST, as a member of RESIST or as a colleague or [...]

Career with RESIST

Our Cluster of Excellence as a springboard for the future

It is becoming increasingly important in medicine to be able to deal with large amounts of data. This is why the four-semester Master’s degree course “Biomedical Data Science” was created as part of RESIST. With this interdisciplinary and multi-professional course, we are specifically training experts for the interface between the life sciences, medicine and computer science.

In addition, students of natural sciences and medicine can write their doctoral thesis on the interactions between humans and viruses and bacteria as part of international doctoral programs. RESIST supports students who write their dissertation in a RESIST laboratory.

Welcome to the team

Advice for international researchers

We are always delighted when foreign researchers decide to join RESIST. Whether you are a professor or a (post) doctoral student, we provide all international researchers who are new to our team with lots of helpful information in our welcome area, so that you have a good start in Hannover!