The Department of Biomedical Sciences consists of three research groups:

• Protozoology
• Microbiology
• Eco-epidemiology

We are recognised around the world as experts on parasites, (myco)bacteria and viruses. Together with our colleagues in the other departments and in collaborative networks outside ITM, we constitute a multi-disciplinary critical mass with direct impact on novel prevention and intervention strategies, as well as on health policies in low- and middle-income countries. We all share the philosophy to closely connect the excellence and relevance of basic and applied research with capacity strengthening and staff mobility between ITM and low- and middle-income countries.

• Vision. To reduce suffering from tropical infectious diseases through fundamental insights into the pathogenesis and spread of pathogens and their vectors, including translation to better diagnostics, treatments, prevention and control measures for the global community.
• Mission. To perform basic and translational research on the biology, ecology and epidemiology of selected pathogens.
• Hypothesis. Despite concerted prevention, control, and elimination efforts to date, many infectious diseases continue to (re)emerge or persist. We hypothesize that this is attributable to the unique adaptive capacity of pathogens and the dynamic interplay with other pathogens, their vectors, their hosts and the environment.