125 Years of Global Infection Research
125 Years of Tropical Medicine: for good health of all
125 Years of Tropical Medicine: for good health of all
On October 1, 1900, the "Institute for Ship and Tropical Diseases" began its work. Today, in Hamburg alone, more than 400 colleagues are dedicated to combating tropical, poverty-related, or newly emerging infectious diseases.
Our anniversary year 2025 is an opportunity to bring science and society closer together — with a diverse programme of scientific and public events.
Explore the history of BNITM on this website, learn more about our work, and discover how we plan to continue our commitment to the health of all in the future.
“Global health is a crucial foundation for economic development, social justice, and peace. This knowledge spurs us on.”
The BNITM has had a chequered history: Founded during the colonial era and in the wake of the 1892 cholera epidemic, it is today an international centre for global infection research. Using state-of-the-art methods, we break pathogens down into their smallest building blocks, determine their functions, and search for starting points for new active substances. We study the interplay between tropical parasites, viruses, or bacteria and our immune system. In our high-security laboratory, we investigate hemorrhagic fever viruses such as Ebola, Marburg, Nipah, and Lassa viruses in order to find approaches for drugs and vaccines that diminish the terror these deadly viruses inspire. We want to understand how how infectious agents are transmitted and what will happen when climate change causes higher temperatures, longer heat waves and altered precipitation patterns. And we research how the insights gained can be put into practice.
We warmly invite you to experience our diverse anniversary programme, which includes our public information events and an exhibition in the town hall foyer, the ECTMIH Scientific Congress, and a concert at the Elbphilharmonie.
Immerse yourself in the history of the BNITM here on our anniversary website and learn more about our vision for the future. Global infection research for all, but especially for neglected population groups in countries with limited resources – that is and always will be our mission.
We look forward to celebrating this special anniversary with you.
Prof. Dr Jürgen May, Chairman of the Board of the Bernhard Nocht Institute for Tropical Medicine
The Tropical Institute is celebrating. Come and join the party!
Did you know that the standard test for diagnosing malaria was developed at the Tropical Institute? Or that it was here that an expert in electron microscopy first made the Marburg virus visible? Or why there was hardly any mosquito research in Germany for decades – until it was re-established at the BNITM? You can learn exciting history and stories like these in the anniversary editions of our popular information events.
In addition, an exhibition in the city hall foyer starting in October will provide information about historical and current developments at the institute. On 30 September, the Beatrice Asare Quintet will give a concert in the small hall of the Elbphilharmonie. And how do scientists celebrate? With a scientific congress, of course!
Our Research is Global and Interdisciplinary
The Bernhard Nocht Institute for Tropical Medicine (BNITM) is Germany's largest institution for research, healthcare, and education in the field of tropical and emerging infectious diseases. BNITM has always approached its research with a focus on Global Health and One Health, as well as the principle of translation—the transfer of fundamental research into practical application. This research approach is reflected in the institute’s five core sections: Pathogen (Infectious Agent) → Interface (Immunology, Host-Pathogen Interaction) → Patient (Clinical Research) → Population (Epidemiology) → Implementation (Successful Knowledge Application).
Current key research areas include malaria, Lassa and other hemorrhagic fever viruses, neglected tropical diseases (NTDs), immunology, epidemiology, clinical aspects of tropical infections, and the transmission mechanisms of mosquito-borne viruses. To study high-risk pathogens and infected insects, the institute operates biosafety level 4 (BSL-4) laboratories and a high-security insectary (BSL-3). BNITM's mobile laboratories are deployed worldwide to combat outbreaks of highly pathogenic or highly infectious viruses.
History of the BNITM
©BNITMThe Port Doctor on the Way to the Ship’s Crew
In the late 19th century, the Port of Hamburg became a hub for Germany's colonial goods trade—along with previously unknown pathogens. The 1892 cholera epidemic, the last in Europe, served as the final impetus for change: The Senate and citizens accelerated the construction of a new sewage system and reformed the healthcare system. Additionally, they established the position of Port Doctor and appointed naval physician Bernhard Nocht to the role.
©BNITMThe Seamen's Home
In its early years, the institute was housed in the former administration building of the Seamen’s Hospital at the Hamburg Landungsbrücken. From the very beginning, it focused on research, teaching, and the treatment of tropical diseases. At that time, malaria-stricken sailors made up about 40 percent of the patients, making the improvement of malaria therapy one of the primary focuses of its research efforts.
©BNITMInauguration of the Fritz Schumacher Building
The renowned Hamburg architect Fritz Schumacher was commissioned in 1910 to design a new building for the now significantly expanded institute. It was inaugurated on May 28, 1914.
©BNITMHeavy Damage
During the Hamburg bombing raids of 1943, the building was heavily damaged. Materials from the entomology department, the museum, the photography lab, and other departments had been moved in time to Reinbek. Works from the institute's library were sent to Tübingen. Many institute departments and scientific facilities were relocated to nearby hospitals. (Sven Tode: Forschen Heilen Lehren. 100 Jahre Hamburger Tropeninstitut)
©BNITMReconstruction and New Beginning
Despite the extensive destruction, the institute resumed its operations immediately after the liberation in 1945. The staff members participated in the reconstruction, even if it meant using nothing but their bare hands.
©BNITMThe Ninties
After criticism from the Science Council in 1986, the institute established additional departments for immunology and molecular biology.
©BNITMExpansion with High-Security Laboratory
In 2009, the extension building with the new Level 4 high-security laboratory and other modern laboratories was inaugurated. Research groups from immunology and virology moved in.
