Fraunhofer Institute for Translational Medicine and Pharmacology ITMP

Bacteria are becoming increasingly resistant to antibiotics. This is particularly problematic in the context of recurrent urinary tract infections. One alternative is treatment with viruses that exclusively infect bacteria, known as phages. This is where the REPhRAME research project comes in. A new study will investigate whether combining phage therapy with restoration of the gut microbiome can help prevent recurrent urinary tract infections. The project is funded by the European Parliament and supported by the Council of the European Union.

With MACROHEV, researchers aim to develop new active substances against the hepatitis E virus (HEV). They are pursuing two innovative and complementary approaches: small molecules that block a central mechanism of viral replication, and short RNA molecules that are specifically targeted against the virus. The funding builds directly on the results of the predecessor project MACROVIR. The upcoming project MACROHEV, funded with around one million euros, will run from 1 January 2027 to 31 December 2028.

The German Stem Cell Network (GSCN) has awarded the publication "Pluripotent stem-cell-based screening uncovers sildenafil as a mitochondrial disease therapy" with the GSCN Publication of the Year Award 2026. The study impressively demonstrates how patient-based stem cell models can reveal new therapeutic options for rare diseases and translate findings from the laboratory into clinical application.