DECisions in Infectious DisEases

Projects in Research Area A focus on key decision I, whether the infection will be cleared or whether the infection process will continue. Molecular events that govern this step include, for example, an initial receptor–ligand interaction, which is required to establish contact between the pathogen and the host. In many cases key decisions are determined by traits of the affected individual, including age, microbiome composition, or pathological alterations and the ability to generate an adequate local immune response.

Projects in Research Area B focus on the transition of a pathogen from an actively replicating to a non-replicating state (key decision II). Usually, the immediate threat to the host is averted and the infection is typically contained. However, persisting pathogens are often invisible to the immune system, survive for extended periods of time in their niche, and can be reactivated later. The latter is one of the major reasons for recurring acute infections. In addition, persisting, non-replicating microbes are frequently tolerant to antimicrobial therapy, a well-known and still unsolved problem. 

Projects in Research Area C focus on decision points governing the key decision III in human infection that determines whether a pathogen is able to disseminate from a localised infection and spread to secondary sites. Pathogen spreading is frequently associated with a life-threatening course of disease, often resulting in sepsis and multi-organ failure. These events typically occur if the body’s defence lines are not able to contain the infection.