(Braunschweig – 2. September 2024): A growing and worrying antibiotics crisis is threatening people worldwide. Antibiotic resistance is on the rise globally and costing millions of human lives. Research groups around the world are searching for new antibiotics. Some such research is being carried out by the Department of Bioresources for Bioeconomy and Health Research headed by Prof Dr Yvonne Mast at the Leibniz Institute DSMZ-German Collection of Microorganisms and Cell Cultures GmbH in Braunschweig.
The WHO is not alone in recognising antibiotic resistance as a global threat to human health. At least 1.3 million people worldwide die every year because antibiotics are not (or no longer) effective against their infection. Science is facing up to one of the greatest challenges for health research: counteracting the emergence and spread of multidrug-resistant organisms (MDROs), developing new active substances (especially antibiotics) and advancing bacteriophage research. The Leibniz Institute DSMZ is the world's most comprehensive collection of bioresources and supports researchers in the life sciences worldwide – not only in antibiotics and bacteriophage research.
Since the subject area of antibiotics, resistance and infections is highly complex, on the 14th of November 2024, the scientists at the Leibniz Institute DSMZ are offering journalists the opportunity to take part in a journalists’ seminar in Braunschweig and gain important insights into modern drug research. Schedule of the journalists’ seminar “On the hunt for new antibiotics and active substances from bacteria: New antibiotics for the world!” on the 14th of November 2024, 10.00 to 17.00, Leibniz Institute DSMZ, Science Campus Braunschweig-Süd, Building B2:
Presentation of the most diverse collection of bioresources in the world and its research focus
News from drug research – the search for new antibiotics from actinomycetes etc., Prof Dr Yvonne Mast
Genetics and biology of streptomycetes as antibiotic producers, Dr Juan-Pablo Gomez Escribano
The diversity of actinomycetes and its significance, Dr Imen Nouioui
Guided tour of the actinomycetes laboratory, opportunity for photos and discussion with the researchers involved
Activation of silent antibiotic synthesis gene clusters for finding new active substances, Dr Roman Makitrynskyy
Screening for new phosphonate antibiotics from actinomycetes of the DSMZ, Alina Zimmermann
Antibiotic producers from the Antarctic, Ulrike Tarazona
Phages and their efficacy against pathogenic actinomycetes, Dr Clara Rolland/Dr Johannes Wittmann
Guided tour of the main building of the Leibniz Institute DSMZ (Departments of Plant Viruses, Human and Animal Cell Cultures, and Microorganisms)
Participation, including lunch, drinks and snacks, is free of charge. Travelling expenses cannot be covered. Registration until the 7th of November 2024, 10.00 am.
Press contact:
PhDr. Sven-David Müller, Head of Public Relations, Leibniz Institute DSMZ-German Collection of Microorganisms and Cell Cultures GmbH
Phone: ++49 (0)531/2616-300
Mail: press(at)dsmz.de
About the Leibniz Institute DSMZ
The Leibniz Institute DSMZ-German Collection of Microorganisms and Cell Cultures is the world's most diverse collection of biological resources (bacteria, archaea, protists, yeasts, fungi, bacteriophages, plant viruses, genomic bacterial DNA as well as human and animal cell lines). Microorganisms and cell cultures are collected, investigated and archived at the DSMZ. As an institution of the Leibniz Association, the DSMZ with its extensive scientific services and biological resources has been a global partner for research, science and industry since 1969. The DSMZ was the first registered collection in Europe (Regulation (EU) No. 511/2014) and is certified according to the quality standard ISO 9001:2015. As a patent depository, it offers the only possibility in Germany to deposit biological material in accordance with the requirements of the Budapest Treaty. In addition to scientific services, research is the second pillar of the DSMZ. The institute, located on the Science Campus Braunschweig-Süd, accommodates more than 87,500 bioresources and has almost 230 employees. www.dsmz.de
The Leibniz Association
The Leibniz Association connects 96 independent research institutions that range in focus from the natural, engineering and environmental sciences via economics, spatial and social sciences to the humanities. Leibniz Institutes address issues of social, economic and ecological relevance. They conduct basic and applied research, including in the interdisciplinary Leibniz Research Alliances, maintain scientific infrastructure, and provide research-based services. The Leibniz Association identifies focus areas for knowledge transfer, particularly with the Leibniz research museums. It advises and informs policymakers, science, industry and the general public. Leibniz institutions collaborate intensively with universities – including in the form of Leibniz ScienceCampi – as well as with industry and other partners at home and abroad. They are subject to a transparent, independent evaluation procedure. Because of their importance for the country as a whole, the Leibniz Association Institutes are funded jointly by Germany’s central and regional governments. The Leibniz Institutes employ around 20,500 people, including 11,500 researchers. The financial volume amounts to 2 billion euros. www.leibniz-gemeinschaft.de