Research

Research into antibiotic resistance underway in Hamburg and Marseille

29 May 2023
Cities form research collaboration to develop antibiotic agents

The University of Hamburg, the University of Aix-Marseilles and the Hamburg Fraunhofer Institute for Translational Medicine and Pharmacology (ITMP) signed a Memorandum of Understanding Thursday (May 25, 2023) in Marseille to develop new active substances. Researchers in Hamburg specialising in antibiotics are developing new means of measurement while the French scientists are focusing on clinical microbiology. Around 1.3 million people die every year because antibiotics are no longer effective against infections, according to the World Health Organization. Antimicrobial resistance occurs when bacteria, viruses, fungi and parasites change over time and stop responding to medicines and is. now one of the greatest health hazards, according to the EU. 

Collaboration to boost exchange and new antibiotics

Speaking during in Marseilles, Katharina Fegebank, Deputy Mayor of Hamburg, stressed: "Antibiotics must work in life-threatening situations such as blood poisoning. We achieve this, on the one hand, by only using antibiotics when absolutely necessary and, on the other hand, by developing new, effective drugs." The partners also agreed to promote the exchange of students and PhD students etween Hamburg and Marseille.

Developing new active substances and eliminating resistance

"Developing new therapies against infections with multi-resistant bacteria is of enormous importance, as these can only be treated to a limited extent with conventional antibiotics, and in some cases not at all. We want to develop novel active substances that eliminate bacterial resistance mechanisms and significantly improve the effect of antibiotics in close co-operation with universities in Hamburg and Marseille," said Prof. Dr Björn Windshuegel, Fraunhofer ITMP. The Faculty of Mathematics, Informatics and Natural Sciences at the University of Hamburg is among the collaborators. 

nj/sb/pb

Sources and further information

Similar articles

Grand neoclassical building with columns and arched windows under a clear sky and green tree branches.

EUR 3.1 million for research into meat industry

German government funding young researchers at University of Hamburg
Rows of labelled plastic laboratory tubes in black racks on a lab bench.

EU-backed HALRIC research alliance secures EUR 11 million in funds

North Germany and Scandinavia forge closer co-operation in life sciences backed by EU
Modern hospital building with people sitting on benches and bicycles parked outside on a sunny day.

EUR 4 million for UKE-run National Autopsy Network

German government funding joint project to boost response to pandemic
Close-up of a gloved hand placing a microscope slide under the objective lens for examination.

EUR 7.5 million ERC Advanced Grants for UKE and University of Hamburg

EUR 2.5 million each for three cutting-edge research projects
The Consent Management Platform (https://app.usercentrics.eu/) we use could not be loaded. This can happen if AdBlockers incorrectly block this URL. Some features such as maps, proximity search or forms, cannot be used this way. To use these features, please deactivate your AdBlocker or allow access to *.usercentrics.eu.