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Jena infection diagnostics receive long-term funding

Over the next five years, the InfectoGnostics research campus will receive up to ten million euro for its projects from the Federal Ministry of Education and Research (BMBF). The research campus received the positive news today about the continued funding for the first main phase through 2019.

Since October 2013, scientists from InfectoGnostics projects have been working on finding solutions for rapid and cost-effective on-site analysis of infections. After a one-year preparatory phase, the campus was examined and evaluated by a jury in early June in Berlin.  There, Prof. Dr. Jürgen Popp (Board Chairman and spokesperson for InfectoGnostics, Scientific Director of the Leibniz Institute of Photonic Technology and professor at the Friedrich Schiller University Jena) and Eugen Ermantraut (CEO, Alere Technologies GmbH) were able to convince the jury of the research campus’ concept for solving urgent problems in infection diagnostics.

"The future of Germany's innovative strength is in the networking of science and industry," said Federal Research Minister Johanna Wanka. "The research campuses demonstrate how this collaboration can benefit both sides over the long-term. Therefore, they are not only an impetus for the region and a driving force for science, but models for the research community."

The promised federal support of up to 2 million euro per year can be renewed after five years to a total of up to fifteen years. InfectoGnostics also receives additional support from the State of Thuringia which has already financed four projects involving infection issues.

"With this long-term funding, we can devote ourselves not only to intensive basic research, but along with the campus partners, contribute to the development of commercially viable methods to find better diagnostic solutions for infection," said Prof. Dr. Jürgen Popp.

With the Research Campus funding initiative, as part of its high-tech strategy the federal government is funding long-term and strategic cooperation between partners from science and industry under one roof. The BMBF supports ten research campuses throughout Germany over a period of up to 15 years.

InfectoGnostics – Jena Research Campus
The InfectoGnostics Research Campus Jena is developing new methods in the diagnosis of infections and pathogens, such as viruses, bacteria and fungi. In a triad of technology, application and production, more than 30 partners from science, medicine and industry in the Jena region’s public-private partnership are developing marketable solutions for rapid and cost-effective on-site analysis. More than 1,000 square metres of laboratory and office space in Friedrich Schiller University’s Centre for Applied Research are available to the participating partners. The InfectoGnostics Research Campus was created as part of the BMBF funding initiative "Research Campus - Public-Private Partnership for Innovation". It is funded by the BMBF with additional support from the State of Thuringia. About half of the required budget is financed by the participating partners.