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Nachrichten, Termine, Experten
Nachrichten, Termine, Experten
Hamburg, 26 September 2025 – The Bernhard Nocht Institute for Tropical Medicine (BNITM) kicks off its anniversary week: the "European Congress of Tropical Medicine and International Health" begins on Sunday with the ECTMIH Academy for young researchers. This is followed in quick succession by an exhibition, anniversary concert, Senate reception and congress contribution.
For 125 years, the Hamburg Tropical Institute at the Landungsbrücken has been shaping infection research worldwide. Founded as the "Institute for Maritime and Tropical Diseases", its work was initially closely linked to colonial medicine. Today, the BNITM works in partnership with research institutions in Africa, Asia and Latin America. Joint research projects focus on topics such as the influence of climate change on infections, malaria, haemorrhagic fever viruses such as Lassa, Ebola and Marburg, and poverty-related and neglected tropical diseases (NTDs).
Events in the anniversary year
To mark the anniversary, public information events on various topics are being held in the historic lecture hall, the fourth and last of which will take place in November on haemorrhagic fever viruses. Former employees report on earlier research projects, while current institute members provide information on the latest developments in their disciplines.
For the infectious disease research community, the BNITM is organising an international conference in collaboration with the Federation of European Societies for Tropical Medicine and International Health (FESTMIH) and the German Society for Tropical Medicine, Travel Medicine and Global Health (DTG): the "European Congress on Tropical Medicine and International Health" (ECTMIH). The organisers expect around 1,300 experts from Germany and abroad to attend.
On 30 September, a sold-out jazz concert by the Beatrice Asare Quintet is scheduled to take place in the Recital Hall of the Elbphilharmonie. The founding day, 1 October, is also the highlight of the celebrations with a Senate reception in the Grand Hall of the City Hall. The 99-year-old co-discoverer of the Marburg virus, Dr Günther Müller, is also expected to attend. At the same time, an exhibition on the past, present and future of the institute will be held in the City Hall foyer until 20 October.
Federal Minister of Health Nina Warken: "The spread of tropical pathogens in the wake of climate change and the epidemics and pandemics of the recent past remind us time and again that health is the most important asset we have. For 125 years, the Bernhard Nocht Institute for Tropical Medicine has made an outstanding contribution to health in Germany and around the world. It stands for excellent health research across the entire spectrum – from basic research at the molecular level to patient care. On behalf of the entire Federal Ministry of Health, I would like to congratulate the BNITM on this anniversary and wish it all the best for a continued successful future."
Hamburg's First Mayor Dr Peter Tschentscher: "With the founding of the 'Institute for Maritime and Tropical Diseases' 125 years ago, the foundation stone was laid in the global trading city of Hamburg for a research centre that has developed into a leading international institute for tropical medicine and infectious disease research. The Bernhard Nocht Institute makes a major contribution to combating highly contagious diseases, controlling epidemics and protecting the population in developing and emerging countries. I warmly congratulate the Bernhard Nocht Institute for Tropical Medicine on its 125th anniversary and wish the entire team continued success and all the best for the future."
Hamburg's Minister for Science, Research and Equalities, Maryam Blumenthal: "The Bernhard Nocht Institute for Tropical Medicine is an integral part of Hamburg's scientific landscape and a leading international address when it comes to research into infectious diseases. Here at the Landungsbrücken, research is being conducted that is crucial for protecting people worldwide and addressing global health and justice issues. The BNITM's success story shows that internationally networked research can change our future. I would like to congratulate all employees on this anniversary!"
The President of the Leibniz Association, Prof. Dr Martina Brockmeier: "The Bernhard Nocht Institute for Tropical Medicine makes an outstanding scientific contribution to research and the fight against tropical and emerging infectious diseases. These successes impressively demonstrate how much the Institute stands for the values and goals of the Leibniz Association by promoting interdisciplinary and international cooperation in the service of global health. I would like to congratulate the Bernhard Nocht Institute for Tropical Medicine and all its employees on its 125th anniversary."
Research with an eye to the future
In addition to its anniversary, the BNITM is also pushing ahead with its structural renovation and expansion. In the past five years alone, the institute has grown from 280 to more than 400 employees. The listed old building on Bernhard-Nocht-Straße is to be comprehensively renovated in order to combine modern research conditions with the historic architecture. At the same time, a new building is being planned to create urgently needed laboratory and office space.
125 years of global infection research – in the heart of Hamburg
Chairman of the Board Prof. Dr Jürgen May: "The BNITM is deeply rooted in Hamburg. Like the people here, it combines a connection to the city with openness to the world. For 125 years, it has been dedicated to research, teaching and healthcare in the field of infectious diseases. Once based on a colonial system, tropical medicine is now one of the disciplines that is particularly committed to global justice and health. We are committed to this goal."
Discussion about the institute's name
In its anniversary year, the Bernhard Nocht Institute for Tropical Medicine is also discussing its namesake: Bernhard Nocht was the first director of what was then known as the "Institute for Maritime and Tropical Diseases". He had a decisive influence on both the Hamburg health system and tropical medicine in Germany. At the same time, he was involved in the colonial structures of his time. Against this background, the BNITM commissioned a historical expert opinion. At the end of January, historians discussed Nocht's legacy and the question of how scientific institutions should deal with problematic founding figures today in a public panel discussion. A commission will now develop recommendations.
The Bernhard Nocht Institute for Tropical Medicine (BNITM) is Germany's largest institution for research, care and teaching in the field of tropical and emerging infectious diseases. BNITM's research has always been focused on global health/One Health and translation – the transfer of basic research into application. This research approach is also reflected in the institute's five sections: Pathogen (infectious agents) -> Interface (immunology, host/infectious agent) -> Patient (clinical) -> Population (epidemiology) -> Implementation (successful establishment of knowledge). The Data Science Centre has just been newly established.
Current thematic priorities include malaria, haemorrhagic fever viruses, neglected tropical diseases (NTDs), immunology, epidemiology and the clinic of tropical infections, as well as the mechanisms of virus transmission by mosquitoes. The institute has laboratories with the highest biological safety level (BSL4) and a secure insectarium (BSL3) for handling highly pathogenic viruses and infected insects. The BNITM's mobile laboratories are available for global outbreak control of highly pathogenic or highly infectious viruses.
The BNITM is the National Reference Centre for the detection of all tropical infectious agents, a consultation laboratory for bornaviruses, a WHO Collaborating Centre for Arboviruses and Haemorrhagic Fever Viruses, a WHO Collaborating Centre for Behavioural Research to Promote Global Health, and an institute in the Leibniz Association.
Together with the Ghanaian Ministry of Health and the University of Kumasi, the BNITM operates a modern research and training centre in the West African rainforest, which is also available to external working groups. In addition, the institute maintains numerous other collaborations in Africa, Asia and Latin America.
Prof. Dr Jürgen May
Chairman
Bernhard Nocht Institute for Tropical Medicine
Tel.: +49 40 285380-260
chair@bnitm.de
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