First-hand knowledge: Review of the BNITM's public information events
In 2025, the BNITM once again opened its doors to anyone interested in global health and infection research. The four public information events not only offered exciting insights into the institute's current research, but - fittingly for BNITM’s 125th anniversary year - also highlighted the historical development of each evening’s key topic. From neglected tropical diseases to malaria and mosquito research to haemorrhagic fever viruses, the events provided a varied perspective looking back and ahead. All talks were recorded and are available on the BNITM YouTube channel. Anyone who missed an event or would like to explore individual topics in more depth can watch the presentations there at any time.
![[Translate to English:] Das Foto zeigt den historischen Hörsaal des BNITM. Auf den roten Stühlen sitzen Besucher:innen.](/fileadmin/_processed_/e/8/csm_Audience_a5f1e9e24c.jpg "[Translate to English:] Publikum")
Research on neglected tropical diseases (NTDs)
30 January 2025 – World NTD Day
The event series kicked off with an evening event on neglected tropical diseases (NTDs). Dr Jörg Blessmann (former research group leader at BNITM) covered topics ranging from the history of NTD research at BNITM to current challenges in the treatment of snake bite envenoming. Prof. Dr Dennis Tappe (head of the Zoonoses Research Group) focused on the parasitic worm diseases echinococcosis. Dr Mirjam Groger (head of a laboratory group in the Clinical Research Department at BNITM) reported on her clinical leprosy research, which she is conducting in collaboration with the Ghana Health Service. Overall, the evening provided a comprehensive overview of a topic that is often overshadowed by other global health issues.
Links to YouTube
Dr Jörg Blessmann: Neglected tropical diseases (NTDs)
Prof. Dr. Dennis Tappe: Worm infections Echinococcosis
Dr Mirjam Groger: Leprosy in Africa
Malaria research
24 April 2025 – Eve of World Malaria Day
The second event was dedicated to malaria, one of the most significant infectious diseases worldwide. Dr Nicole Gilberger (Department of Infectious Disease Epidemiology) gave a historical overview of more than 120 years of malaria research at the BNITM and highlighted the developments that have shaped the institute in this field. Dr Tobias Spielmann (Head of the Malaria Cell Biology Research Group) then explained how the malaria parasite evades treatment with the important drug artemisinin and gave the audience an insight into his cell biology research. Prof. Dr Rolf Horstmann (former Chairman of the BNITM) provided insights into human genetic studies and the clinical presentation of malaria. The evening highlighted the importance of the diverse research approaches at the BNITM for understanding malaria.
Links to YouTube
Dr Nicole Gilberger: History of malaria research
Dr Tobias Spielmann: The malaria parasite and the drug artemisinin
Mosquito research
4 September 2025
At the beginning of September, the focus of the evening event was on mosquito research. Dr Renke Lühken (head of the Arbovirus Ecology Junior Research Group and the Vector Control Group) looked back on more than a century of research at the BNITM: He traced how understanding of the role of mosquitoes in disease transmission has developed since 1912, the year the Department of Entomology was founded at what was then the Institute for Ship and Tropical Diseases. Dr Anna Heitmann (laboratory group leader in the Department of Arbovirology and Entomology and head of Arthropod Breeding) provided an insight into her work in the BSL3 insectary and explained which viruses native and invasive mosquito species can transmit in Germany. Finally, Kristopher Nolte (PhD student in the Vector Control Group) showed how artificial intelligence can help to identify mosquito species more quickly and improve early warning systems worldwide in the future. The evening highlighted the importance of modern technologies and long-term research for the control of vectors such as mosquitoes.
Links to YouTube
Dr Renke Lühken: History of mosquito research at BNITM
Dr Anna Heitmann: Current mosquito research at BNITM
Kristopher Nolte: Identification of mosquito species using AI
Research on haemorrhagic fever viruses
11 November 2025
At the end of the year, research on Ebola, Marburg, Crimean-Congo and Lassa viruses took centre stage. Prof. Dr Petra Emmerich (laboratory group leader in the Department of Virology) gave a historical overview of the discovery and study of Marburg and Ebola viruses since 1967. She also reported on her work on the Crimean-Congo virus in the Western Balkans and shared insights from her many years of experience in international biosafety projects. Dr Lisa Oestereich (head of the Lassa Virus Immunology Junior Research Group and laboratory manager of the BSL4 laboratories) presented the work carried out in the biosafety level 4 laboratory and explained how researchers investigate virus-host interactions there and test new drugs. Dr Till Omansen (physician and head of the Lassa Virus Pathophysiology Junior Research Group) described his missions in West Africa and explained how clinical research and medical care in isolation wards can help improve the treatment of seriously ill patients. The evening combined scientific expertise with personal experiences from international missions.
Links to YouTube
Prof. Dr. Petra Emmerich: History of the Marburg and Ebola viruses
Prof. Dr. Petra Emmerich: Crimean-Congo virus – Biosafety projects
Dr Lisa Oestereich: Lassa virus research
Dr Till Omansen: Clinical research on Lassa fever
The presentations are available to watch on YouTube
The videos offer an opportunity to review the content at your leisure or discover it for the first time. Take a look, subscribe to our channel and immerse yourself in the fascinating tropical medicine research of the BNITM!
Click here to visit the BNITM YouTube channel.
Contact person
Dr Anna Hein
Public Relations
Phone : +49 40 285380-269
Email : presse@bnitm.de
Julia Rauner
Public Relations
Phone : +49 40 285380-264
Email : presse@bnitm.de
