The Infection Biology and Control program is conducted entirely in English. You will need to have knowledge of the English language at the B2 level in the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages and prove this when applying for a study pla

The Master's program Infection Biology and Control is only open to non-EU citizens.

The new Master's program Infection Biology and Control will start in the winter semester 2023/24 and is only open to non-EU citizens. It will take place entirely at the campus of the Centre de Recherches Médicales de Lambaréné (CERMEL) in Gabon. Every two years, 20 study places are available and will be awarded according to the applicant’s qualifications and experiences.

Infection Biology aims at characterizing the interaction between pathogens and their host with the aim of elucidating the mechanisms through which parasites, bacteria, viruses, and fungi invade their host and cause diseases. Infectious diseases contribute to great proportion of illnesses and death worldwide. Understanding how pathogens get access to their host, colonise and cause disease is an important step towards developing strategies for control. Sub-Saharan Africa has one of the highest burdens of infectious diseases world-wide.

The Master’s program in Infection Biology and Control is fully focused on the predominant causes of the infectious diseases burden in sub-Saharan African countries, e.g., major parasitic pathogens and emerging and re-emerging viruses with an added emphasis on translational aspects of infectious disease control in the Central African context. To successfully control infectious diseases, the underlying molecular, immunological, and epidemiological mechanisms first need to be better understood. The aim of this program is to equip young students with the knowledge and skills necessary to tackle biological and medical challenges. These include the timely identification of emerging drug resistance for many neglected parasites using novel tools in genomics, molecular biology such as the use of environmental DNA techniques for vector research and not least, urgent one-health related research questions.

The place of study will be the Cermel in Lambaréné, Gabon.

The Master's program in Infection Biology and Control is a DAAD-funded program within the framework of CAIDERA (Central African Infectious Disease and Epidemics Research Alliance).