Institute for Pharmaceutical Microbiology

At the interdisciplinary Institute for Pharmaceutical Microbiology (IPM), we investigate novel compounds and their mechanisms of action against bacterial pathogens. Based at the Faculty of Mathematics and Natural Sciences and the Medical Faculty at the University of Bonn, our research combines microbiology, molecular biology, biochemistry, and pharmacy. Drawing on insights into bacterial cell biology and its properties and functions, we develop innovative approaches to combat problematic infectious pathogens and their antibiotic resistance. An overview of our current research priorities is available here.

Our courses include modules in the following study programs: Pharmacy (State Examination), B.Sc. Molecular Biomedicine, M.Sc. Drug Research, and M.Sc. Microbiology. Further information on the courses can be found here.

About us

Research

Teaching

News

Development of a rapid test for diagnosing hard-to-treat VRE bacteria

Enterococcus faecium is a bacterium that is naturally resistant to many common antibiotics. Particularly in vulnerable patient groups, such as immunocompromised individuals, the bacterium can cause infections that are difficult to treat and therefore poses a significant problem as a nosocomial pathogen. Vancomycin-resistant Enterococcus faecium (VRE) is among the most concerning antibiotic-resistant pathogens, as treatment options are severely limited. The resistance is due to the VanA or VanB enzyme complexes, which render vancomycin ineffective. However, VanB is often not reliably detected in standard diagnostic susceptibility tests, which can lead to ineffective therapies and the further spread of VRE.

Bahnbrechende Forschung zu neuem Antibiotikum ausgezeichnet

Prof. Tanja Schneider, Leiterin des Instituts für Pharmazeutische Mikrobiologie am Universitätsklinikum Bonn (UKB), wurde mit dem mit 10.000 Euro dotierten PHOENIX Pharmazie Wissenschaftspreis ausgezeichnet. Der Preis, der als eine der renommiertesten Auszeichnungen in der pharmazeutischen Forschung gilt, wird jährlich in vier Kategorien an herausragende Projekte vergeben. Prof. Schneider, die auch an der Universität Bonn forscht, erhielt die Ehrung in der Kategorie „Pharmazeutische Biologie“ für ihre wegweisende Forschung zur Wirkweise des neuartigen Antibiotikums Clovibactin.

Possible alternative to antibiotics produced by bacteria

Many bacteria produce substances to gain an advantage over competitors in their highly competitive natural environment. Researchers at the University Hospital Bonn (UKB), the University of Bonn and the German Center for Infection Research (DZIF) have discovered a new so-called lantibiotic, namely epilancin A37. It is produced by staphylococci that colonize the skin and acts specifically against their main competitors there, the corynebacteria. This specificity is presumably mediated by a very special mechanism of action, which the researchers were able to decipher in detail. Their results have now been published in the renowned ISME Journal.

Mode of action of clovibactin

More and more bacterial pathogens are developing resistance. There is an increasing risk that common drugs will no longer be effective against infectious diseases. That is why scientists around the world are searching for new effective substances. Researchers from the University of Bonn, the German Center for Infection Research (DZIF), Utrecht University (Netherlands), Northeastern University in Boston (USA) and the company NovoBiotic Pharmaceuticals in Cambridge (USA) now have discovered and deciphered the mode of action of a new antibiotic. Clovibactin is derived from a soil bacterium. This antibiotic is highly effective at attacking the cell wall of bacteria, including many multi-resistant “superbugs.” The results have now been published in the renowned journal “Cell.”

The Research Groups

RG Schneider

The Schneider Research Group is investigating the bacterial cell wall as a site of action for (novel) antibiotics in order to identify the molecular mechanisms of action of active compounds and new antibacterial target structures.

RG Müller

The New Targets working group focuses on bacterial cell envelope, in particular, the capsule and the cell wall of Gram-positive pathogens, as target structures for novel active compounds.

In vitro gut community model - glam shot

RG Fließwasser

The Junior Research Group Pathogen Ecophysiology explores how bacterial pathogens adapt to survive in the complex environment of the human gut microbiome.

Funding

Courses

The IPM is integrated into a wide range of courses offered in various degree programs within the Faculty of Medicine and the Faculty of Mathematics and Natural Sciences. In addition, we supervise bachelor and master theses and doctoral dissertations.

Microbiology in Bonn

Microbiology at the University of Bonn spans a wide range of disciplines, with numerous research groups across seven institutes contributing to both cutting-edge research and the Master's program in Microbiology.

Contact

Address

Institute for Pharmaceutical Microbiology
Meckenheimer Allee 168
53115 Bonn
GERMANY

Opening Hours

Monday - Friday
09.30 am - 04.30 pm
Saturday - Sunday
Closed

Karina Boltersdorf

kbolters@uni-bonn.de

+49 228 73-7941

Office

R 1.004

Prof. Dr. rer. nat. Tanja Schneider

tschneider@uni-bonn.de

+49 228 73-5688

Head of the Institute

R 1.005