Fraunhofer Institute for Toxicology and Experimental Medicine

Due to the institute’s proximity to the Hannover Medical School, researchers at Fraunhofer ITEM in Hannover have the opportunity to work directly with human lung tissue from operated patients, to extract living lung slices and cultivate these in the laboratory. These "mini-lung pieces" are used to simulate infections, to investigate interactions of the pathogens with human tissue and thus to test the efficacy of new drugs.

Here you can find more information about respiratory infections. 

The Fraunhofer Institute for Toxicology and Experimental Medicine ITEM is one of approximately 70 institutions of the Fraunhofer-Gesellschaft, Europe's leading organization for applied research. Protecting man from health hazards in our industrialized world and contributing to the development of novel therapeutic approaches are the aims Fraunhofer ITEM is pursuing with its contract research. With a focus on airway research, our R&D portfolio includes three thematic areas: drug development, chemical safety, and translational biomedical engineering. In addition, our scientists in Regensburg do research in the field of personalized tumor therapy.

With a staff of approximately 300 at its locations in Hannover, Braunschweig and Regensburg, the institute cooperates with industry, service providers, and public authorities in projects that drive economic development and serve the wider benefit of society.

More information about Fraunhofer ITEM