“Bacteria don’t stop at frontiers and neither should scientists”
Professor Dr Seyed E. Hasnain, microbiologist and Vice-Chancellor of the University of Hyderabad

Professor Hasnain exchanges views with doctoral student Eva Schunder (AA, Foto: Jan Greune)

Just a few decades ago, almost no one would have thought that Professor Hasnain’s research area would still be so important in the 21st century: after all, infectious diseases were considered to have been virtually eradicated. In fact, however, new pathogens and previously unknown variants are constantly emerging: for example, BSE, SARS, bird flu and now swine flu. In a globalized world, infectious diseases spread at jet speed and fuel fears of pandemics. Growing megacities and climate change also ensure that new strategies for combating these diseases will remain extremely important in the future. One of the focal points of Professor Hasnain’s research is tuberculosis: “Every 15 seconds someone somewhere in the world dies of tuberculosis,” says the microbiologist and Vice-Chancellor of the University of Hyderabad. Tuberculosis today heads the league table of deadly infectious diseases. “And that is true more than 125 years after Robert Koch’s discovery of the tuberculosis bacillus.”

Following in Robert Koch’s footsteps

The German scientist Robert Koch discovered that the microscopically small pathogens were the cause of numerous infectious diseases and is regarded as the father of bacteriology. “It is an inspiration for me to be working in the same building in which Robert Koch conducted his research,” says Professor Hasnain. The 55-year-old has been honoured with the Research Award of the Alexander von Humboldt Foundation, which also involves a research stay of several months in Germany. Professor Hasnain decided to divide his time between the Robert Koch Institute in Berlin and the Institute for Molecular Infection Biology at the University of Würzburg. The Humboldt Research Award is an honour for outstanding international scholars: Seyed Hasnain developed new methods for the swift diagnosis of pathogenic mycobacteria and identified antigenic substances in the tuberculosis pathogen that hold considerable promise for the development of a new vaccine. Although tuberculosis can be cured, the treatment is painstaking and often difficult to carry through in the developing countries that are most frequently affected. Additionally, tuberculosis pathogens are developing more and more forms, which are proving to be extremely resistant to medication. As a result, this highly infectious disease is again gaining ground internationally. The WHO estimates that there are nine million new infections a year.

Biological material is stored in the cool chamber at -80 degrees Celsius (AA, Foto: Jan Greune)

Researching a bacterium’s genome

The decision in favour of Berlin and Würzburg was an easy one for Hasnain to take: “I have been working closely with Jörg Hacker for some ten years now.” The renowned German infection biologist has been President of the Robert Koch Institute for a year and was previously professor in Würzburg. In 2005, the two scientists together set up the Indo-German Liaison Office (IGLO), which has already initiated a dozen research collaborations. The research Hasnain will be doing during his stay in Germany is linked with Hacker’s main scientific achievement: he identified the pathogenic sections in the genome of the intestinal bacterium Escherichia coli. A microorganism only causes a disease if it contains so-called “pathogenicity islands” (PAIs). This discovery is opening up new ways of diagnosing, treating and preventing infectious diseases and Professor Hasnain wants to examine the role pathogenicity islands play in the tuberculosis bacterium.

Indo-German cooperation

“Bacteria and viruses don’t stop at frontiers and neither should scientists,” says Seyed Hasnain, who is also the first Indian to become a fellow of the German National Academy of Sciences Leopoldina. He says the standard of technology in Germany is exemplary, while India has a lot to offer in the field of bioinformatics: “It’s a win-win situation.” International research is also routine for Professor Hacker: “As an emerging nation, India is a particularly interesting partner and has very good groups, especially in tuberculosis research.” Seyed Hasnain has always been motivated by the aspiration to be among the best. That’s why he also plays an active role in improving standards at Indian universities as a member of the Scientific Advisory Council to the Prime Minister. “There is always room at the top” is one of his maxims.

Text: Janet Schayan

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