Bernhard Nocht Institute celebrating 125 years of research

Hamburg News: But Robert Koch preferred to launch to the institute in Berlin, didn't he?

Prof Jürgen May: "That's right. But Hamburg fared well as a port city. London and Liverpool already had corresponding institutes and are port cities as well. The port was considered a gateway for infectious diseases from all over the world, which were spread by sailors. Located above the jetties, initially in the Seamen's Hospital, and in the Schumacher Building since 1914, the institute was perfectly positioned between the port and the Reeperbahn - the second most important source of infection."

Hamburg News: BNITM is a member of the Leibniz Association and co-operates with global institutes such as the World Health Organisation (WHO). Can you briefly outline your field of research?

Prof. Jürgen May: "It starts with basic research for which we have access to the world's best imaging techniques in the Centre for Structural Systems Biology (CSSB) in Science City Bahrefeld to investigate pathogens on an atomic level, and extends to implementation research. The question is why vaccines, medicines or other means of fighting disease sometimes fail and how we can change that.

Hamburg News: And how can that be changed?

Prof. Jürgen May: "We are exploring new research methods in e.g., medical anthropology, health communication and health economics to understand how limited resources can be used to enhance healthcare systems in the long-term. That applies not only to countries in the Global South, but also to countries in our own latitudes. Ultimately, global inequality poses a risk to everyone.

Hamburg News: Previously unknown vectors can now be found in our latitudes. How dangerous is, for instance, the tiger mosquito?

Prof. Jürgen May: "Many diseases are finding their way to us amid climate change and globalisation. In fact, mosquito research is a key field of research. Due to rising temperatures, mild winters and changing precipitation patterns, species that were previously only native to tropical and subtropical regions are increasingly being found in temperate zones. That includes the Asian tiger mosquito, which can transmit pathogens such as dengue, chikungunya and West Nile viruses."

Hamburg News: What research is being conducted at BNITM into this development?

Prof. Jürgen May: "Artificial intelligence (AI) uses pattern recognition to help identify mosquitoes faster. That involves analysing the wing pattern and the sound that mosquitoes make when flying. Genetic sequencing helps categorise the respective mosquito species. The mosquitoes and the pathogens are researched in our laboratories."

Hamburg News: Will you be advancing digital infection research there?

Prof. Jürgen May: "Precisely. The centre was launched on September 1. Professor Thomas Otto is head of the Computational Infection Biology department. We have a wealth of data from infection research that we want to analyse using innovative bioinformatics methods. A second professorship is planned for "One Digital Health". By combining AI and bioinformatics, we aim to develop new digital diagnostic methods and improve epidemic prediction, including the spread of malaria. We hope that these new possibilities will lead to significant healthcare innovations in poorer countries.

Hamburg News: BNITM developed the standard test for diagnosing malaria. Is the disease still a problem?

Prof. Jürgen May: "Absolutely. Every year, 600,000 people still die from this infectious disease, especially children under the age of five. The BNITM has been involved in malaria research since it was founded. It is part of our Strategy 2030, which outlines our goals and visions for the next five years. They include combating local and global epidemics, deciphering the structures and interactions of pathogens and combating poverty-related and neglected (tropical) diseases. Unfortunately, that still brings us back to malaria even though research has made great progress."

Hamburg News: What else is on agenda in future?

Prof. Jürgen May: "We are planning a new building in Science City Bahrenfeld because we are literally bursting at the seams. Over the past five years, we have grown from 280 to more than 400 employees. However, the listed Schumacher building on Bernhard-Nocht-Straße will be retained and extensively renovated in the coming years."

Hamburg News: Thank you very much for the interesting interview!
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Interview by Yvonne Scheller