4th DZIF Bridging Topic Workshop
Cell and Gene Therapies of Infectious Diseases
Based on our previous findings and ongoing projects in the clinical infectious disease laboratory at the Universitätsklinikum Gießen und Marburg GmbH (UKGM) in Gießen, we are pursuing the vision of developing an innovative, cell-based, and targeted therapy for acute lung injury and acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS). This ambitious endeavor is part of a national scientific effort to advance cell and gene therapies for infectious diseases into clinical practice, supported by the German Center for Infection Research (DZIF).
On November 12, 2025, the “4th DZIF Bridging Topic Workshop – Cell and Gene Therapies of Infectious Diseases” took place at the Clinical Research Center (CRC) in the vibrant metropolis of Hannover. The workshop covered a wide range of topics, including adenovirus vector- and T-cell-based gene therapies and their applications in the treatment of HIV, PML, HBV, CMV, EBV, and SARS-CoV-2.
Additionally, data on harnessing and tailoring the unique properties of stem cell-derived macrophages for next-generation immunotherapies in pneumonia and chronic lung diseases were presented.
We are grateful for a day filled with highly interesting lectures and lively discussions, as well as valuable insights into networking, regulatory and ethical frameworks, interdisciplinary thinking, and collaborations.
