Das Foto zeigt einen Ausschnitt einer Zellkulturplatte, in denen Hirnorgoinde kultiviert werden. Es sind 8 Wells zu sehen, die mit rosanem Zellkulturmedium gefüllt sind. In den Wells sind jeweils ein Hirnorganoid, also runde hautfarbene Gebilde, zu sehen.

©BNITM | Lina Widerspick

Publication

Ebola in the brain: new insights

Ebola viruses can hide in the central nervous system and remain dangerous months or even years after infection. Researchers at BNITM and their collaborators have used human cerebral organoids to investigate the mechanisms behind this viral persistence. The results, published in Nature Microbiology, provide important clues about the long-term consequences of Ebola infection.

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Direct portrait photo of Dr Günther Müller smiling friendly into the camera

©BNITM | Dino Schachten

Milestone birthday

Co-discoverer of the Marburg virus turns 100

The Bernhard Nocht Institute for Tropical Medicine (BNITM) congratulates its former staff member Dr Günther Müller on his 100th birthday. As an expert in electron microscopy, he recognised a new virus in striking filamentous structures in 1967 – the virus later named Marburg. In doing so, he helped to describe a new type of virus: the filoviruses, which later came to include Ebola viruses.

©BNITM

Infoveranstaltung

30.06.2026 17:00-18:30 Uhr

Im Rahmen der Hamburger Nachhaltigkeitswoche können Sie bei uns spannende Vorträge zum Thema "Klima, Infektionskrankheiten und globale Partnerschaften" erleben. Forschende geben Einblick, wie eng Klimawandel und Gesundheit miteinander verknüpft sind und welche zentrale Rolle globale Partnerschaften und Wissensaustausch für die Entwicklung nachhaltiger Lösungen spielen.

Weitere Infos und zur Anmeldung

Satellite image of Ituri Province | Democratic Republic of the Congo

©Adobe Stock | Yarr65

Bundibugyo Virus

Ebola outbreak in the Democratic Republic of the Congo and Uganda: BNITM experts assess the situation

Journalists are currently turning increasingly to BNITM for expertise: rearchers explain the modes of transmission and risks of the Bundibugyo virus in a region marked by war, rebel groups and a fragile health system; they explain how mobility and behaviour influence the spread of the virus; and they provide context for the debate surrounding vaccines, a lack of preparedness and delayed clinical trials.

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Es ist eine Landkarte von Europa zu sehen. Eingezeichnet sind rote Flächen, die die Gebiete, in den das WNV vorkommt, zeigen. Mit schwarzen Linien sind die Ausbreitungen des Virus dargestellt.

©Nagy A. et al. 2026

Publication

West Nile virus in Europe: New study puts Hungary in the spotlight

Why is Hungary considered a key country for the spread of West Nile virus in Europe? A new study by BNITM and Hungarian partner institutions shows how closely bird migration, wetlands, mosquitoes and climate change interact, and how the virus spreads from Hungary to many European countries. A One Health approach and genetic analyses are crucial for future early warning and prevention strategies.

The photo shows a hand wearing blue laboratory gloves holding a test tube labelled ‘BDBV’. In the background is a blue-and-red-stained electron microscope image of Ebola viruses.

©Adobe Stock | JUN LI

Bundibugyo Virus

Ebola outbreak in the DR of the Congo and Uganda

In the Democratic Republic of the Congo and Uganda, the rare Bundibugyo Ebola virus is spreading in regions affected by violence. Multiple epicentres, population movements and communities that are difficult to reach are hampering diagnosis, contact tracing and the provision of care. Assessments by researchers at the German Centre for Infection Research (DZIF).