Almost 8 million euros for seven new projects - this is the sum that the InfectoGnostics Research Campus Jena has raised for the next four years. The public-private partnership for innovative solutions in infection diagnostics is thus entering its third and final phase of the federal funding initiative.

InfectoGnosticsExternal link will be publicly funded by the Federal Ministry of Research, Technology and Space (BMFTR) for a further four years from October 2025 as part of the "Research Campus - Public-Private Partnership for Innovation" initiative. The jury particularly recognised the strategic development of the campus and its contribution to the clinical translation of innovative diagnostic solutions.

InfectoGnostics in Jena has been bringing together strong partners from science, such as Friedrich Schiller University, industry and clinical departments under one roof and on an equal footing for over eleven years. The common goal: to diagnose infectious diseases faster and more specifically, recognise antibiotic resistance before treatment and translate innovative research findings into practical solutions.

"We are delighted to have been recognised by a high-ranking jury of experts. The third funding phase gives us the opportunity to further expand our successful structures, transfer innovative diagnostic solutions to medical care in a targeted manner and consolidate the partnership," says campus spokesperson Prof Dr Jürgen Popp. "In this way, we are making an important contribution to overcoming global health challenges such as antibiotic resistance - with concrete benefits for patients and the healthcare system."

With seven new projects for next-generation diagnostics

InfectoGnostics is launching seven new lead projects in the third funding phase that address key challenges in modern infection diagnostics. Plans include rapid molecular tests for care facilities for the early detection of diarrhoea pathogens and quantitative on-site tests to determine inflammation markers, which can also be used as home tests.

Other projects are developing novel methods for pathogen diagnostics from cell-free DNA and a fully automated multiparameter analyser that combines protein- and DNA-based tests on an open platform. A Raman-based system for analysing the immune response is also being researched, which should enable the characterisation of T cells directly on patients. Another focus is the development of automated organ-on-chip platforms: These can be used as a diagnostic tool to test the effectiveness of substances against bacterial pathogens and thus help in the development of new effective antibiotics.

All projects are designed to make diagnostic technologies applicable in specific healthcare contexts. This is supported by an accompanying general medical transfer project that considers regulatory, clinical and economic implementation from the outset. In this way, InfectoGnostics is strengthening its role as a pioneer for practical and socially relevant diagnostic solutions.

Second phase lays the foundation for innovation and sustainable structures

The second funding phase, which will run until September 2025, was characterised by the development of open technology platforms, the expansion of shared research infrastructures and the increasing involvement of end users and external stakeholders in order to transfer diagnostic products into practice. Many developments from the research campus have already been trialled in clinical studies or further developed into demonstrators and marketable products, for example in the subject area|field of digital PCR, rapid test applications or wastewater monitoring.

About the InfectoGnostics Research Campus Jena

As a public-private partnership, the InfectoGnostics Research Campus Jena is breaking new ground in the on-site diagnosis of infections and pathogens such as viruses, bacteria and fungi. InfectoGnostics is supported by the BMFTR as part of the "Research Campus - Public-Private Partnership for Innovation" funding initiative. In addition, the Free State of Thuringia supports state-wide, industry-related activities of the InfectoGnostics innovation cluster. Around half of the required budget is financed by the partners involved.