Das Klinikum

Prof. Dr. Thirumalaisamy P. Velavan

Prof. Dr. Thirumalaisamy P. Velavan

Akademischer Oberrat

Professor and Head - AG Molecular Genetics of Infectious diseases

Genetic factors of pathogens as well as those of the hosts decisively influence the phenotype of a disease and the immune response. A particular focus of our work is the characterization of pathogens and human genetic factors.

Kontakt

Telefonnummer: Akademischer Oberrat: 07071 29-85981

Faxnummer: +49-7071-294684

E-Mail-Adresse: t.velavan@uni-tuebingen.de

Klinik / Institut / Zentrum

  • Scientists and Postdoctoral Researchers

    Dr. Nourhane Hafza Dr. Tuyet-Nga T. Nguyen

  • Project Managers

    Dr. Alexa Pugreth, PhD (Germany) Mrs. Olga Hase-Bergen (Germany/Vietnam) Ms. Salome Steinke (Vietnam/Germany)

  • Technicians/Laboratory manager

    Mrs. Jutta Kun; Ms. Le Thi Kieu Linh

  • Doctoral students (PhD in Experimental Medicine)

    Jule Rüter -MD/PhD; Dr. Do Duc Anh, MD; Dr. Le Chi Cao, MD; Dr. Do Van Dong, MD; Mr. Do Huy Loc MSc; Ms. Macqueen Ngum Mbencho MSc; Ms. Sephora Jire Mougany M.Sc

  • Masters, Bachelors Students and Internship

  • Infectious diseases continue to pose a major challenge to global health security, disproportionately affecting populations in Southeast Asia and sub-Saharan Africa. Our research focuses on the interplay between pathogen genetics, host susceptibility, immune responses, and environmental drivers that shape disease outcomes. Through collaborative platforms in Vietnam, Indonesia, Congo, Gabon, Nigeria and Cameroon, we apply molecular epidemiology to monitor transmission dynamics, emerging drug resistance, and viral genotype shifts. Complementary host–pathogen interaction and immunogenetic studies reveal cytokine dysregulation patterns that serve as biomarkers of disease severity. Beyond classical approaches, we integrate advanced technologies: nanopore sequencing for rapid diagnosis, machine learning for mosquito vector classification, and low-cost drones with multispectral imagery to map arboviral habitats. These tools bridge molecular research with public health applications, strengthening surveillance and outbreak preparedness.

    The group is integral to the PAN-ASEAN Coalition for Epidemic and Outbreak Preparedness (PACE-UP; www.paceup.org), which focuses on global health challenges from a Southeast Asian perspective. Through a multidisciplinary approach, our team advances scientific knowledge, enhances regional epidemic preparedness, and supports health equity by fostering collaborations across the Global South.

    Prof. Dr. Velavan is founder and the director of the Vietnamese-German Center for Medical Research (VG-CARE), in Hanoi, Vietnam (www.vgcare.org). He coordinates distinct projects on clinical trials, genetic epidemiology, surveillance program on anti-microbial resistances, infectious diseases diagnostics supported by funding bodies such as EU, EDCTP, BMBF, DAAD, EU-JPIAMR, and support from other international pharmaceutical firms and universities.

    Our research contributes to sustained cross-continental networks to embed diagnostics, genomic surveillance, and capacity building into national health systems. By combining pathogen genomics, host genetics, and innovative digital tools, we aim to inform clinical management, therapeutic strategies, and policy interventions that address both current and emerging infectious disease threats.
  • 03/2022Akademischer Oberrat an der Eberhard Karls Universität Tübingen.
  • 03/2019Professor an der Eberhard Karls Universität Tübingen.
  • 06/2016Habilitation - Associate Professor, Faculty of Medicine, University of Tübingen, Human Parasitology; venia legendi
  • 03/2015Certified and Qualified for Teaching in Medicine; Medizindidaktische Qualifikation I, Kompetenzzentrum für Hochschuldidaktik in Medizin Baden-Württemberg
  • 01/2015Director at „Vietnamese-German Centre for Medical Research “ Hanoi, Vietnam (www.vgcare.org)
  • 05/2011Group Head ‘Molecular Genetics of Infectious Diseases’ Institute of Tropical Medicine, Universitätsklinikum Tübingen, Germany
  • 10/2010 - 04/2011Junior Research group Institute of Tropical Medicine, Universitätsklinikum Tübingen
  • 10/2008 – 09/2011Postdoctoral Researcher Institute of Tropical Medicine, Universitätsklinikum Tübingen.
  • 04/2009Dr. rer. nat, Universität Tübingen
  • 08/2008 – 09/2008Postdoctoral Research Scientist Max Planck Institute for Biological Cybernetics, Tübingen
  • 07/2005 – 07/2008Wissenschaftlicher Mitarbeiter, Faculty of Biology, Universität Tübingen, Germany
  • 07/2004 – 06/2005Wissenschaftlicher Mitarbeiter, Faculty of Biology - Westfälische Wilhelms-Universität Münster
  • 10/2002 – 05/2004Junior Research fellow, Centre for Cellular and Molecular Biology, India
  • 06/2002Master of Science Microbiology
  • 04/2000Bachelor of Science Immunology
  • https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/?term=Velavan+TP
  • Publikationen
  • ESCMID: European Society of Clinical Microbiology and Infectious Diseases
  • EASL: European Association for the Study of the Liver
  • DTG: Deutsche Gesellschaft für Tropenmedizin und Internationale Gesundheit
  • ICS: International Complement Society
  • HDIN: Hepatitis Delta International Network
  • FNABS: Fellow of the National Academy of Biological Sciences