RESIST pursues research for people whose immune system is not strong enough for the defence against pathogens. These are, for example, newborns, seniors, people with a congenital immune deficiency and people whose immune system is attenuated for therapeutic reasons or who have been transplanted with an organ or stem cells.

RESIST scientists investigate pathogenic viruses and bacteria as well as the human defence mechanisms – and especially how both of them interact with each other. Our approach involves clinical and patient cohort studies as the basis for basic research.

We are pleased that RESIST is so international: many people in our RESIST team come from abroad and / or work with colleagues in institutions around the world, and many (post)doctoral students have also joined us from abroad. Read more about this on our page “Internationalisation”.

RESIST research is organised in four project areas:

Area A comprises all projects that deal with genetic factors: The role of human genes and gene variants for susceptibility to infections is investigated. Area B is all about the human immune system and why some people are particularly susceptible to infections with viruses and bacteria, for example newborns and elderly individuals. In areas C and D, pathogenic bacteria and viruses respectively are analysed: How do they “settle” permanently in the body and cause chronic infections – for example in the lungs, liver and on implants?

Patients are at the centre of all efforts: The common goal of all research areas is a better protection of vulnerable people by better prediction of the course of an infection or by improved diagnostic and therapeutic options.