Research-at-itm-1

Research

Scientific progress in the fields of tropical medicine and international health is at the heart of our academic mission. Our research activities range from basic to operational research and, ultimately, all aim to tackle important health challenges. We focus particularly on low-resource settings and vulnerable populations.

Our research ambitions

Diseases know no borders, they affect all of us. At ITM, we respond to the formidable challenges and opportunities in today's rapidly changing and interconnected world by:

Outbreaks-2

Researching (re-)emerging infections and outbreaks

We prepare ourselves for emerging infections and future disease outbreaks.

Health-systems-1

Designing sustainable health systems and strategies

We design more sustainable health systems and (patient) care.

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Accelerating disease elimination

We reduce the burden of (neglected tropical) diseases and eliminate them in specific areas or populations.

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Taking on antimicrobial resistance

We address antimicrobial resistance, a global health threat, by integrating it across all three research ambitions.

Research themes

  • antimicrobial-resistance-amr
    Bacteria have found various ways to develop resistance (AMR), of which resistance to antibiotics has become a universal health crisis relevant to the many different domains we are addressing.
  • tsetse-fly
    Tireless effort is crucial to eliminate human African trypanosomiasis, also known as sleeping sickness, in the world. For more than a century, ITM has been playing its part.
  • mosquito-on-human-skin-arboviruses
    Arboviruses such as dengue, chikungunya and Zika are urgent public health threats in tropical and subtropical areas.
  • Malaria-header
    By combining efforts on biological, human and societal aspects of the disease, ITM hopes to control and ultimately eliminate malaria in the long term.
  • paulin-madingi-analyses-sample-of-sleeping-sickness-ntd-itm
    Neglected (tropical) diseases are high on the agenda. For many years, ITM has been actively involved in research on NTDs, in particular on leishmaniasis, leprosy and sleeping sickness.
  • vaccination-ctc
    Before vaccines or drugs can be used in the general population, their safety and effectiveness are thoroughly investigated in clinical trials.
  • hiv-test-positive-itm-clinics
    The research of ITM on the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) and AIDS is of inestimable value.
  • larval-sampling-MEMO
    For more than 10 years, ITM has been actively monitoring exotic mosquitoes in Belgium.
  • microscope-monkeypox
    ITM is closely monitoring the development of the mpox disease, both in Belgium and the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC).
  • women-participating-in-pregact-trial-nazoanga-burkina-faso-sexual-and-reproductive-health-itm
    We help improve sexual and reproductive health in the world by combining scientific research, advanced education, policy support and capacity-strengthening initiatives.
  • tuberculosis-lab-itm-1
    ITM’s research on tuberculosis (TB) is world-renowned. Its shorter combination treatment for resistant tuberculosis was a worldwide breakthrough. Our researchers study new diagnostics and case detection techniques, with the largest public collection of TB strains in the world at their disposal.
  • plant-in-soil-ecohealth
    EcoHealth is an interdepartmental group that unites researchers from different backgrounds and disciplines. We all recognise the need for comprehensive, systemic approaches to address current health challenges that emerge at the interface between humans, animals and their broader natural, social and political environments.
  • blood-sample-sti-hiv-tests-policlinic-itm
    Since the beginning, ITM has been providing medical services to people returning ill from overseas. As such, ITM accumulated profound knowledge of tropical diseases, as well as STIs and HIV.
  • nazoanga-marche-antibiotics-study
    The right to health implies that everybody, everywhere should have access to the needed essential health products, included but not limited to diagnostics, vaccines and medicines.
  • sampling-research-ethics-itm
    We consider a culture of research ethics, research integrity, and fairness in research collaboration to be a primary condition for good science.
  • outbreak-guinea-ebola
    In a highly interconnected world, ITM continues to innovate and develop its outbreak research capacity.
  • covid-19-itm-envelope-1
    ITM has decades of experience fighting infectious diseases and curbing epidemics. We are fully committed to helping stop the COVID-19 pandemic that is threatening the world. To this end, we work together with partners at home and abroad.
  • said-centre-de-traitement-ebola
    Ebola is a deadly disease that was co-discovered in 1976 by researchers of the institute. ITM has been closely monitoring subsequent outbreaks on the African continent, as well as contributing to new developments in diagnostics and treatment.
  • health-care-and-policy-header
    Access to affordable, quality health care is crucial for any individual. At ITM, we conduct comprehensive research and educate the next generation on health systems and policy for the benefit of health worldwide.
  • quality-of-care-for-chronic-conditions-header
    Chronic conditions are an increasing concern of healthcare systems throughout the world. In response to this challenge, our Unit of Health Policy is actively involved in research, education and capacity strengthening of several LMICs.
  • Leishmaniasis-header
    For decades, ITM researchers have been leading the battle against this deadly and stigmatising disease, working with partners around the world to improve global health.
Departments-1 Luka Wouters, Unit of Trypanosoma

Our departments, groups and units

The activities of our three scientific departments are centered around Pathogens, Patients and Populations.

Discover our research departments
Researchers-1 Dr Bouke de Jong, Unit Head of Mycobacteriology

Our researchers

Our scientists and researchers all have their own fields of expertise and pursuits. They can count on the support from our administrative and technical staff.

Get to know our researchers
Laboratories-1 Predoc Janne Wouters (left) and senior researcher Odin Goovaerts (right) working in the clinical immunology lab

Our laboratories

We host thirteen nationally and internationally recognised reference laboratories who contribute to scientific research and expertise in tropical medicine and infectious diseases.

Explore our laboratories

Discover our research

Research themes

Over the past decades, we were able to build in-depth knowledge in several key areas.

Research projects

Through our involvement in various projects, we contribute to fundamental scientific research and capacity sharing in the world.

Research portal

Discover everything there is to know about the research areas, publications and projects of our scientists and researchers.

Joint-partner-meeting-2024 Joint Partner Meeting 2024, hosted at ITM from 16 till 18 Octobre 2024

Partnerships around the world

We work with 24 partners across three continents to conduct joint research, develop joint course curricula and offer mobility grants to staff, to name but a few initiatives.

Discover our extensive international network
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Library

Discover 30,000 books and e-books on tropical medicine and international health.

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Datahub

Datahub offers a selection of open access materials developed at ITM and elsewhere which you can use for research and training.

jobs

Jobs and research opportunities

Browse our open positions and find a job where you can contribute to health worldwide.

Related events

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Live at ITM and online

Workshop on quality of care for chronic conditions

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S.B.003 Stadscampus, University of Antwerp, 2000 Antwerp

Bridging the gap: Health care in a super-diverse society (Migration & Health seminar)

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Live at ITM or online

World AIDS Day: Take the Rights path

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Curious for more?

In Transmission, our award-winning podcast, our reseachers, physicians and partners share their personal and professional experiences as they relentlessly battle diseases and fight for a healthier world.

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