Around the world, countless viruses that can also infect humans lie dormant in animals, and with the progressive fragmentation and destruction of natural habitats, biodiversity is shrinking. This increases the risk that more and more people will come into contact with new potential pathogens.
Risk of zoonoses
Measures such as the protection of natural habitats and the regulation of wildlife trade can help to reduce the risk of zoonoses that can cause pandemics. At the LIB, we analyse natural reservoirs of potential pathogens and work with other institutes on modelling future threats and their prevention.
In the new Leibniz Lab "Pandemic Preparedness: One Health, One Future", the LIB brings together its expertise in biodiversity research alongside 40 other Leibniz Institutes in virology, bacteriology, mycology and immunology.