Welcome to the Institute for Infection Research and Vaccine Development - IIRVD

The Institute for Infection Research and Vaccine Development (IIRVD) was founded in January 2022 with the founding director Marylyn M. Addo . The IIRVD is part of the Center for Internal Medicine at the University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf (UKE).

The scientific focus of the institute is basic and translational infection and vaccine research . The interdisciplinary scientific team investigates emerging viruses, such as Ebola viruses and corona viruses – SARS-CoV-2 and the Middle East Respiratory Syndrome coronavirus (MERS-CoV), but also other viruses, including hepatitis B. The focus of research lies in the induction of immunity to viruses and vaccines, as well as sex-specific differences in immunity (DFG Research Unit 5068). In addition, early safety and efficacy studies of vaccines, as well as treatment and observational studies in the field of infectious dieseases are carried out at the institute.


Two BMBF-funded junior research groups are associated with the Institute for Infection Research and Vaccine Development: The junior research group "Genomics of Retroviral Infections" headed by PD Dr. Dr Ulrike Lange at the LIV and the working group "Infection & Immune Regulation" headed by Dr. Dr. Angelique Hölzemer, MD/PhD at the Center for Internal Medicine, I. Medical Clinic.

Our research partners and funding sources

Our research is funded by national and international institutions.


Our interdisciplinary team

Our interdisciplinary team consists of scientists, clinicians, technical assistance.


Clinical trials

We initiate and coordinate translational clinical trials, including immunological studies, vaccine development and testing of novel anti-infectives.


Research at the institute

Our research aims to investigate and develop vaccine strategies for infections with emerging viruses.