About the CiiM
The CiiM (Centre for Individualised Infection Medicine) is a joint scientific institution (§ 36 NHG) formed by the founding partners HZI and MHH and was established in 2015 with the signing of a Letter of Intent. The basic principles of the collaboration at CiiM are governed by a cooperation agreement between the HZI and the MHH.
Michael P. Manns, at that time Director of the Department of Gastroenterology, Hepatology and Endocrinology at MHH and Clinical Director of the HZI, established the primarily virtual network as CiiM Founding Director in collaboration with CiiM Coordinator Jennifer Debarry. In this first stage of establishment, the underlying concept of CiiM was specified and optimally adapted to local requirements and conditions in order to enable the hoped-for innovation at CiiM.
In the second stage of establishing CiiM, which is currently underway, the advised systematic workflow will be built up with the help of the already existing CiiM Groups and will be located in the new research building being constructed in Hannover. The focus will be on concrete projects, which will be used as examples to highlight and establish the various aspects. This implementation phase is accompanied by the two CiiM Directors Yang Li and Markus Cornberg together with the CiiM Coordinator since 2019.
Strategic decisions are analysed and evaluated with the Scientific Advisory Board and specific CiiM Boards, and decisions are made in the CiiM Directorate based on those recommendations.
What's behind it all
CiiM combines clinical and scientific expertise from infection research and medicine for a future-oriented individualised infection medicine.
The idea for a centre dedicated to individualised infection medicine first arose in 2013. Two years later, in 2015, the partner institutes of the HZI and the MHH signed the letter of intent for the joint establishment of CiiM and completed the foundation of the initially virtual CiiM.
The planned CiiM building will be constructed in close proximity to the Centre for Experimental and Clinical Infection Research TWINCORE and the MHH and will house modern laboratories, technology platforms and informatics interfaces on approximately 2,100 sqm of floor space upon completion.
The Helmholtz Association, the State of Lower Saxony and the Helmholtz Centre for Infection Research are providing €25 million for the construction of the CiiM building.
The founding director: Michael Manns
After the idea for the CiiM had been in development since 2013, the project took on a concrete organizational and academic structure with the appointment of Michael P. Manns as founding director in 2015. In this specially created role, he played a key role in shaping the center’s concept, guided its strategic development, and laid important groundwork for the CiiM’s subsequent establishment.In January 2019, Prof. Manns handed over the leadership of the CiiM to Markus Cornberg upon assuming the presidency of the MHH. He remained closely connected to the center, however, and supported its development until the very end with his experience, scientific counsel, and ideas. The renowned physician and scientist passed away on August 15, 2025, at the age of 73.
About the partner of the CiiM
The embedding of CiiM in the region's existing research network ensures access to patients, interdisciplinary expertise and state-of-the-art technology. Through the linkage, CiiM brings research closer to clinical questions on the one hand, and understanding about the potential of innovative developments in technology and science closer to clinicians on the other.
The strong network of partners in regional, national and international infection medicine research will support the development of innovative and high-quality approaches in individualized infection medicine and help to tap the interdisciplinary potential. The network includes various research institutions and networks as well as initiatives in personalized medicine and related areas such as data science.
