Eine mikroskopische Aufnahme zeigt rote Blutzellen, von denen einige mit Malariaparasiten befallen sind.

©BNITM

Publication

A better understanding of malaria

Scientists from BNITM have developed an innovative system to better analyse the key virulence factor of malaria, providing more insight into how infected red blood cells attach to human blood vessels which leads to serious health complications.

Photo: Mosquitoes dance in the evening sun.

©Stock | Tunatura

Funding

Success in the 2025 Leibniz Competition

Mosquitoes use acoustic signals to flirt with each other. Changes in temperature, light cycles and rainfall patterns caused by climate change could disrupt their love life and thus their spreading. The Leibniz Association is funding a research project at the BNITM to investigate these connections. The aim is to develop new approaches to controlling mosquito populations and the diseases they can transmit.

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Photo of a conversation in Africa: a child is sitting outside on a chair, in front of them a woman in nurse's clothing, medical hairnet and nose-mouth protection is speaking.

©Stock | Yaw Niel

Publication

Ways to increase vaccination acceptance

Getting a jab is a deliberate intervention in a healthy body. The decision to have a vaccination requires knowledge and trust. Both need successful communication. A review by the Health Communication Working Group at the BNITM and the University of Erfurt shows that vaccination rates can be sustainably increased through targeted education, social incentives and respectful dialogue - while maintaining individual freedom of choice.

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Brown with white young adult African rat Mastomys Natalensis, standing side ways. Looking straight ahead. Isolated on white background.

©Stock | Nynke

Publication

Silent co-inhabitant Lassa virus

In West Africa, so-called multi-teat mice (Mastomys natalensis) repeatedly transmit Lassa viruses to humans, sometimes causing severe seasonal epidemics. The pathogen, on the other hand, does little or no harm to the host animal. How does the virus persist in the rodent population? What role do sex and age play? And what does this mean for rodent control? A research team at the BNITM has found new answers.

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©Memento Bündnis

Award

Memento Prize for research on loiasis

Prof. Michael Ramharter has been awarded the Memento Prize for Neglected Diseases for his research on the worm disease loiasis. The Loa loa parasite can remain in the body for years, causing numerous chronic symptoms. These are associated with a significant disease burden, inability to work and disability. Loiasis is widespread in Central Africa and has been underestimated for decades.

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©ECTMIH2025

Event

Science Congress

In October 2025, the Bernhard Nocht Institute for Tropical Medicine (BNITM) will celebrate its 125th anniversary. And how do researchers celebrate? With a scientific conference! After thirty years, the ‘European Congress on Tropical Medicine and International Health’ (ECTMIH) is returning to Hamburg. The organisers are expecting more than 1,000 participants at the Congress Center Hamburg (CCH). Take part and send in your session proposals!

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