The photograph shows the hand of one of the Kenyan experts holding one of the plant specimens collected.

©Schultz et al. 2026

Publication

Shared knowledge of medicinal plants?

When wild elephants in Kenya’s Mount Elgon region fall ill, they appear to seek out and eat specific medicinal plants. They turn to many of the same species that local people also use for medical purposes. A study led by BNITM shows how closely animal health, human health and the protection of tropical habitats are intertwined.

Das Foto zeigt ein helles Gebäude mit grünen Bäumen im Hintergrund. Im Vordergrund ist ein großer brauner sich verzweigender Baumstamm zu sehen.

©BNITM

Publication

Schistosomiasis: Reaching young children earlier

Children can become infected with schistosomiasis even before they reach school age – yet treatment programmes often only reach school-age children. A study by the BNITM and its partners in Madagascar shows how treatment for even the youngest children can be integrated into existing healthcare services. The findings provide a basis for extending national treatment programmes to younger children.

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The photo shows a researcher observing mosquitoes in a glass tube.

©BNITM | Dino Schachten

Publication

New AI tool for identifying mosquito species

Researchers at BNITM have developed an AI supported software system that automatically measures mosquito wings and infers the species. It works quickly, reproducibly and with a precision comparable to that of an experienced human at the microscope. And the results are easier to compare between studies and laboratories.

Photo of Hamburg's First Mayor Dr Peter Tschentscher in the lecture hall of BNITM

Hamburg's First Mayor Dr Peter Tschentscher in the lecture hall of BNITM. ©BNITM | Dino Schachten

Cooperation

Academic ceremony

Reliable partnerships, shared structures and the trust built over 20 years of collaboration between the BNITM, the Bundeswehr Hospital Hamburg and the UKE are crucial to jointly combating infectious diseases, caring for patients and training specialists for global missions. An academic ceremony was held on 1 September 2026 to mark this anniversary.

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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.

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 klinische Expertise, tropenmedizinische Forschung und der Sanitätsdienst der Bundeswehr gemeinsam Fortschritte erzielen.

Bitte hier zur Veranstaltung anmelden