BNITM Strategy 2030

Infections are a major cause of illness, disability and death worldwide. 

Particularly in low-to-middle-income countries, infections can lead to stigmatisation and poverty. We at BNITM are dedicated to make an impact in the fight against infectious diseases through cutting-edge research and in close collaboration with our partners worldwide. To achieve this goal, we place people at the heart of our research, continually evolving our strategy to leverage the latest technological advancements. The combination of laboratory and field research makes it possible for us to cover the entire translational spectrum: from experimental findings to clinical research in humans and public health interventions in the field. We take a two-pronged approach: exploring infections and immune responses across multiple scales, from molecular mechanisms to real-world implementation, while also examining the critical role of environmental and social factors in promoting global health.

Global infection research – for the future

Since 125 years the Bernhard Nocht Institute for Tropical Medicine (BNITM) has been Germany's largest institution for research, diagnostics, care and teaching in the field of tropical, neglected and emerging infections. At the heart of our mission lies our greatest strength: the integration of advanced molecular laboratory research with field studies in areas where tropical diseases are spread. This unique approach enables us to conduct world-class research that improves global strategies in infectious disease control – from molecule to implementation.

Global health is undergoing a rapid and profound transformation: Climate change, increased mobility, inequality and resource scarcity increasingly shape global infection dynamics while the unequal distribution of the disease burden continues to disproportionately affect low- and middle-income countries. Our research agenda responds to this, leveraging revolutionary advances in pathogen structure research, molecular biology, implementation research and computational sciences that are advancing beyond frontiers for understanding and combating infectious diseases. In this shifting research environment, the BNITM stands at the forefront as an innovative, interdisciplinary leader with a strong international involvement.

Our future perspective reflects this commitment: 

• to decipher smallest structures and complex functions of pathogens from highly infectious viruses to very complex parasites to inform the development of novel drugs, vaccines and diagnostics;
• to use metagenomics, mobile labs and digital tools, including artificial intelligence, to perform robust and informative infectious disease surveillance with all pathogen classes, host animals and in all transmission vectors worldwide (One Health);
• to perform complex epidemiological studies and clinical trials in resource-poor areas and outbreak situations with advanced statistical methods, and evaluating the best ways to bring effective measures to the people;
• to analyse the impact of an ever-evolving environment of infections spread and changing burden of infectious diseases and long-term effects of infections to improve health;
• to develop and implement bidirectional training and capacity-building measures that strengthen global collaboration and equip communities, researchers, and institutions alike.

Our vision is to gain a deeper, science-driven understanding of infectious agents and diseases. This knowledge is critical to designing effective, sustainable control measures, particularly in low-resource settings. We are committed to advancing tropical medicine through state-of-the-art techniques, modern digital tools and global interdisciplinary collaborations.

We believe that lasting progress is only possible through strong, equitable partnerships. Our vision is a global network of collaborative, empowered institutions united by a common goal: to reduce the burden of infectious diseases worldwide through innovation, scientific excellence, and shared commitment.