MOI V Kick Off Meeting

The fifth funding round of the international Manchot Graduate School “Molecules of Infection” (MOI) at Heinrich Heine University Düsseldorf (HHU) has been running since 2024. Its 18 scholarship holders six fellows associated with the graduate school are doing their doctorates on various aspects of infection biology and medicine. They have now met for the first time to discuss the latest developments in their field of research.

The research focuses on four areas: Mechanisms of viral infection; bacterial proteins in infection and infection control; molecular regulatory mechanisms in fungi; immune control mechanisms of infection. The overarching goal of all projects is to decipher the complex interactions between the host and the pathogen. A look at various species affected by infections shows that many mechanisms can be transferred and that the knowledge gained can enable therapies in other species in the future. 

Prof. Dr. Klaus Pfeffer, spokesperson of the graduate school: "The unique selling point of MOI has been the diversity of research topics for many years. This reflects the breadth of infectious diseases. Time and again, we find that our comprehensive interdisciplinary view enables valuable new insights into the understanding of the infection process: connections become clear that are not seen in the individual laboratory."

Such connections become particularly clear during lab rotations - work in other participating labs at HHU - and at joint events such as the recent scientific kick-off meeting for MOI members. The focus is on discussions between the doctoral students themselves, with their supervisors and, above all, with the scientific advisory board. 

At the meeting, the members of the international scientific advisory board presented their latest research findings on infectious pathogens such as Candida, Chlamydia, hepatitis viruses and Citrobacter to the graduates. They illustrated the importance of MOI's integrative research approach of looking at both the pathogens and the immune responses of the host. 

Prof. Dr. Johannes Hegemann, deputy spokesperson: "The members of the advisory board are top-class researchers. They bring an outside perspective to the discussion, support the young scientists with their experience and also help them with research stays abroad."