Greenish Sharepic with all event information

©Leibniz Association

Book a Scientist

Book a Scientist: Speed Dating with Research

Malaria, viruses, mosquitoes or neglected tropical diseases: At Book a Scientist, you can speak directly to scientists online. Book a one-to-one conversation with experts who work on your chosen topic. They explain their work, put current findings into context and offer insights into their everyday working life. Discover science at first hand, in a personal and accessible way.

Four‑panel figure: panels A and B show malaria parasites with fluorescent labels for HIC7 (green), HP1 (magenta) and DNA (blue, grey background), where HIC7 overlaps HP1 in untreated cells but becomes dispersed after drug treatment. Panels C and D show genome tracks on chromosome 12, with HP1 signal globally reduced and especially weakened at the ap2‑g gene that controls switching into the sexual stage.

©Ramón-Zamorano et al., 2026, Cell Host & Microbe 34, 1–20. CC BY 4.0

Publication

Malaria caught in the act of switching

The genome of malaria parasites determines whether they keep hijacking red blood cells or switch into the mosquito stage. A team from BNITM and Radboud University has now mapped more than 200 proteins that sit in this control centre. In doing so, the researchers have identified sensitive spots where the parasite appears to be particularly vulnerable.

Das Foto zeigt den fast voll besetzten Hörsaal des BNITM. Vorne steht eine Rednerin am Pult, im Hintergrund sieht man eine Folie der Präsentation.

©BNITM | Dino Schachten

Infoveranstaltung am 30.09.2026

Wo Wissenschaft auf Einsatz trifft

Erhalten Sie Einblick in die erfolgreiche Kooperation zwischen BNITM, Bundeswehrkrankenhaus Hamburg und Universitätsklinikum Hamburg-Eppendorf. Referent:innen der drei Institutionen berichten, wie zivile und militärische Medizin gemeinsam Fortschritte erzielen, die beiden Seiten nützen.

Bitte hier zur Veranstaltung anmelden

The picture shows a researcher observing a mosquito in a glass.

©BNITM | Dino Schachten

World Mosquito Day

Mosquitoes cannot do the maths. We can.

Where and when will West Nile virus appear next? Early career researchers at BNITM are looking for answers in the numbers. Their models combine temperature, bird migration and mosquito biology. They calculate where the virus could spread, when the mosquito season will peak and which measures could help. These young researchers show how mathematics can reveal risks earlier and turn data into a practical tool.

Fluorescent Malaria parasite: Grey picture with grey cells and yellow glowing parasite.

©BNITM

Publication

Malaria parasite: a protein keeps it alive – but not in the way we thought

For decades, researchers believed that the ‘haem detoxification protein’ helped the malaria parasite to neutralise the toxic waste product haem. However, researchers at BNITM have shown that it is essential for the parasite’s respiration. The study corrects a long-held assumption and provides new insights into the biology of the pathogen.

Auf dem Foto sind 12 Personen zu sehen, die vornehm gekleidet sind, lächeln und auf einem roten Teppich stehen.

©EAC

Outbreak Response

Standing together against viruses

The new East African Community (EAC) Virology Centre of Excellence at the Uganda Virus Research Institute has officially opened, a milestone for the region. BNITM provided planning support and continues to offer advisory expertise.

Learn more