Institute for Infectious Diseases

IFIK Gebäude

The Institute integrates research, education, and diagnostic services over the full spectrum of microbiology, including virology, bacteriology, mycology, parasitology, molecular diagnostics, and infection serology.

To the Institute’s website

Director

Prof. Stephen Leib

Profile

  • Certified by Swissmedic and accredited for patient care in public hospitals by ISO/IEC 17025 (STS 0363).
  • Host institution for the Swiss Centre for Antibiotic Resistance (anresis.ch) and the Swiss National Reference Centre for Pneumococci, both mandated by the Federal Office of Public Health.
  • WHO Collaborating Centre for Biosafety and Biosecurity.
  • Fifteen research groups in the fields of antimicrobial resistance, applied biosafety, central nervous system infection, diagnostic innovation, experimental virology, microbial genomics and host-microbe interaction, experimental microbiomics, mucosal infections, and parasitology.
  • Teaching programs for university students of human medicine, dental medicine, pharmacology, biomedical sciences, and biology, and FAMH postgraduate training in Clinical Microbiology

Grants

  • Swiss National Science Foundation: 10002480; 207675; 200382; 205389; 236190, 197083; 192067; 219372; 169791; 236265; SNF-COST grant 220329; NRP79 grants 206400; 167066, 192514, Eccellenza 194618; NCCR Microbiomes; Lead Agency with South Africa 215366; SNSF-Spark CRSJK-3_237201
  • Innosuisse: 36198.1 IP-LS; 53709.1 IP-LS, 53709.1 IP-LS, 112.285 IP-LS
  • BRIDGE Discovery: 40B2-0_203615
  • Swiss Personalized Health Network (SPHN): Personalized Swiss Sepsis Study
  • Swiss national SARS-CoV-2 genomic and variants surveillance program (FOPH)
  • University of Bern: Bern Center for Precision Medicine: Ma_23; Multidisciplinary Center for Infectious Diseases: MCID-MA-25-02, MCID-MA-03, MCID-MA-11, MCID-MA-23, MCID Project MA_18, MCID - MA25_25

Foundations:

  • Pierre Mercier Foundation: ObiRisk
  • Diabetes Center Berne & Vontobel Foundation: The FibreGum Study
  • Helmut Horton Foundation: Woundomics
  • Novartis Foundation for Medical-Biological Research: 25C069
  • Swiss Red Cross Humanitarian Foundation
  • CSL Behring
  • INCATE
  • Venture Kick stages 1 and 2 grants

Highlights 2025

Growth of pneumococcus in CSF of a meningitis patient studied ex vivo (in red) and its growth suppressed in the presence of therapeutic peptide V11A (in blue).

First-in-class peptides as a novel intervention against Streptococcus pneumoniae

Peptides have been discovered at IFIK which specifically reduce pneumococcal growth, including antibiotic-resistant strains, while also reducing inflammation compared to treatment with antibiotics. New research, in press, shows the potential as a novel treatment for meningitis. PCT filed in 2025. The spin-off Alterbiotix is currently under development.

Alterbiotix.ch

Frontiers in Cellular and Infection Microbiology, in press

Strengthening Global Partnerships to Combat Antimicrobial Resistance: Visit of the Indian Delegation to Bern

In May 2025, the University of Bern’s Faculty of Medicine played a central role in hosting the Indian delegation as part of the Indo-Swiss AMR Innovation Dialogue 2025 — a high-level scientific exchange addressing the global challenge of antimicrobial resistance (AMR). The dialogue convened leading experts from Switzerland and India across academia, clinical practice, industry, and policy to share insights, forge collaborations, and explore innovative strategies against resistant pathogens.  Delegates engaged in in-depth discussions on surveillance, diagnostics, stewardship, and research frameworks, reflecting the interdisciplinary and international effort required to tackle AMR effectively. The University of Bern’s Institute for Infectious Diseases and Swiss Antibiotic Resistance Centre (ANRESIS) contributed key expertise on national resistance surveillance and translational research, reinforcing Bern’s position as a hub for infectious disease science and public health.  This visit not only highlighted the strong bilateral ties between Swiss and Indian scientific communities but also underscored the Faculty’s commitment to global health challenges through collaborative research and innovation. Outcomes from the dialogue are expected to catalyse joint projects and sustained engagement, exemplifying the University’s strategic role in international health partnerships. 

Indo-Swiss AMR Innovation Dialogue 2025 - Swissnex in India