Infections by pathogens cause approximately one third of all human fatalities worldwide. An ongoing emergence of new pathogens such as HIV, SARS and the avian influenza strain H5N1, and the recurrence of diseases previously believed to be extinct such as tuberculosis and diphtheria meet an alarming scenario of declining rates in vaccinations as well as an increasing resistance of germs to antibiotics. Despite considerable advances in medicine, this situation calls for extensive research and new approaches to the prevention and therapy of infectious diseases.

In order to address this need, the Center for Infection Biology (ZIB) was founded in September 2002 as a joint co-operation between well renowned research institutions: Hannover Medical School, the Helmholtz Centre for Infection Research (HZI) in Braunschweig, the University of Veterinary Medicine Hannover, Foundation, and the University of Hannover. In 2005 the "Centre for Experimental und Clinical Infection Disease Research", Twincore, was founded as a joint research institution established by HZI and MHH. The Twincore combines basic research in infection biology performed by research groups of HZI and MHH with specialist knowledge in the field of clinical infectiology at MHH.

The Center’s objective is to extend the existing research and teaching potential of the affiliated institutes and participating disciplines within the field of infection biology and to systematically exploit the resulting synergies to provide a platform for qualified research projects and concomitant scientific education. In addition to the clinical aspects of infectious diseases, members of the ZIB address basic questions relevant to infection biology.

The members of the ZIB Executive Committee are:

Prof. Dr. Reinhold Förster (Speaker) (Hannover Medical School)
Prof. Dr. Thomas Schulz (Deputy Speaker) (Hannover Medical School)
Prof. Dr. Asisa Volz (University of Veterinary Medicine Hannover, Foundation)
Prof. Dr. Peter Valentin-Weigand (University of Veterinary Medicine Hannover, Foundation)
Prof. Dr. Thomas Pietschmann (Helmholtz Centre for Infection Research, Braunschweig)
Prof. Dr. Susanne Häußler (Helmholtz Centre for Infection Research, Braunschweig)
Dr. Günter Bernhardt (Hannover Medical School)
Dr. Volker Winstel (Hannover Medical School)