Dr. Manuel Ritter
Research Scientist
Dr. Manuel Ritter is a researcher at the Institute of Medical Microbiology, Immunology and Parasitology (IMMIP) at the University Hospital Bonn, part of the University of Bonn in Germany. His work focuses mainly on parasitology and immunology of neglected tropical diseases, especially filarial infections.
His research group collaborates with scientists in Africa (e.g., Ghana, Cameroon, and Togo) to study the epidemiology and immune responses related to parasitic infections affecting populations in endemic regions.
Academic Qualifications
- Doctoral degree (Dr. rer. nat.) in a biomedical field related to microbiology/immunology/parasitology.
- Specialized in immunology and parasitology research, particularly host–parasite immune interactions.
Work Experience
Current Position
- Research scientist / group leader at the
International Collaboration
- Works with research partners in Ghana, Cameroon, and Togo on infectious disease epidemiology and immunology studies.
Research Interests
Dr. Ritter’s research mainly focuses on infectious diseases and immunology, particularly:
- Immunology of filarial infections using the mouse model Litomosoides sigmodontis.
- Epidemiology and immunology of human filariasis, including infections caused by
- Mansonella perstans
- Loa loa
- Wuchereria bancrofti.
- Interaction between filarial infections and other diseases, such as tuberculosis or HIV.
- Podoconiosis, a non-parasitic geochemical disease affecting the lower limbs.
- Host immune modulation by parasites and its effect on other infections.