Be prepared: Leibniz Lab to fight pandemics
The new Leibniz Lab "Pandemic Preparedness: One Health, One Future" combines excellent interdisciplinary and transdisciplinary research from 41 Leibniz Institutes. For the first time in Germany, pathogen-oriented sciences (virology, bacteriology, mycology, and immunology) are cooperating with other life sciences such as ecology, health technologies, health economics and educational research. This new instrument of the Leibniz Association will be funded for 3 years with 3 million euros. The aim is to combine research work in these areas to prepare for, prevent and respond to future pandemics and to make the knowledge gained available to policymakers in the form of evidence-based recommendations for action.
The Leibniz Research Centre for Working Environment and Human Factors (IfADo) is particularly involved in the field of immunology. The institute is contributing its expertise to the question of the population's immunity to new respiratory pathogens with pandemic potential. In addition, risk factors are being researched and how they influence immunity and the course of the disease. "For far-reaching decisions, such as those that need to be made in the event of a pandemic, valid and comprehensive information must be gathered quickly," explains Prof. Dr. Carsten Watzl, Head of the Immunology Research Unit at IfADo. "The coronavirus pandemic has clearly shown that knowledge about infections and how they spread is of great importance for containing infections. We will therefore also be looking at the instruments of science communication."
"In the Leibniz Lab, we will bring together the unique expertise of the Leibniz Institutes in Germany in researching respiratory pathogens (viruses, bacteria and fungi) and their influence on the acute course of the disease as well as possible long-term consequences. This pooling of knowledge was long due, considering that most pandemics in the past were triggered by respiratory pathogens, especially influenza viruses," says Prof. Dr. Gülşah Gabriel, Head of the Department of Viral Zoonoses-One Health at the Leibniz Institute of Virology, and spokesperson for the Leibniz Lab.
"Future pandemics must not lead to children and adolescents again developing major learning deficits and showing frequent psycho-somatic abnormalities. The work of educational and spatial research within the Leibniz Lab is therefore intended to generate knowledge on how the educational, care and upbringing mission of educational institutions can be maintained in the best possible way during pandemics," says Prof. Dr. Olaf Köller, Scientific Director of the Leibniz Institute for Science and Mathematics Education (IPN) in Kiel and co-spokesperson of the Leibniz Lab.
Leibniz Labs
The aim of Leibniz Labs is to make the best possible use of the Leibniz Association's interdisciplinary and transdisciplinary experience, expertise, and potential in order to make a strong contribution to solving pressing social issues. Leibniz Labs primarily rely on the integration of the diverse existing knowledge of all Leibniz institutions. Leibniz Labs cross disciplinary boundaries and incorporate knowledge and perspectives from politics, business, and society to develop products that support stakeholders in solving problems.
More information: https://www.leibniz-gemeinschaft.de/en/research/leibniz-labs