About us

The Bundeswehr Institute of Microbiology (IMB) is a research facility of the Bundeswehr for medical biosecurity. Our mission is to develop procedures and measures to protect soldiers from diseases caused by biological warfare agents and other dangerous pathogens.

We conduct scientific research on a broad spectrum of highly infectious pathogens and biotoxins, all of which could potentially be misused as biological weapons. These pathogens are rarely found in nature and can cause serious, sometimes fatal diseases. They are easily transmitted from person to person and are often difficult to treat.

 

Person in laboratory

 

The ultimate goal of our research is to detect and diagnose these pathogens and biotoxins beyond doubt. We develop methods and techniques to both determine the cause and origin of a disease outbreak as well as to diagnose naturally occurring infections.

We also develop novel treatment procedures for patients exposed to highly infectious pathogens and biotoxins.

Since 2010, Bundeswehr Institute of Microbiology, together with the Technical University of Munich, the Ludwig Maximilian University and the Helmholtz Centre, has formed the Munich partner site of the German Centre for Infection Research (DZIF).

 

Laboratory samples in person's hand

 

The research focus of the Bundeswehr Institute of Microbiology are highly infectious viruses and bacteria as well as agents of microbial origin (biotoxins). All these microorganisms and microbial agents of interest can cause life-threatening diseases in humans and animals and can be misused as biological warfare agents.

In particular we focus on translational research combining modern molecular biology, biochemistry, and biotechnology with microbiology and medical research. We develop new methods and techniques to detect, diagnose, and treat infectious diseases. These novel methods and techniques will immediately be applied in reconnaissance and verification, bioforensics and diagnostics.

We also conduct surveillance studies to investigate the dissemination of naturally occurring pathogens.


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Contact

Bundeswehr Institute of Microbiology
Neuherbergstr. 11 
80937 München 
Phone: +49 (0) 89-992692-3981 
Institutfuermikrobiologie@Bundeswehr.org