Topping-out ceremony for new lung research institute: Gießen in the focus of science!

Topping-out ceremony for new lung research institute: Gießen in the focus of science!

The topping-out ceremony for the Institute for Lung Health (ILH) at the Justus Liebig University of Giessen (JLU) was celebrated on March 21, 2025. The new building is intended to strengthen Giessen as an international location for lung research. This represents a significant step in the development of modern research infrastructure in Germany.

State Secretary for Finance Uwe Becker and State Secretary for Science Christoph Degen, among others, gathered for the celebrations. Both praised the completion of the shell work and the extensive investments by the state of Hesse, which amount to around 38 million euros for the construction and an additional 8 million euros for the initial equipment. In total, more than one billion euros have been invested in university construction at JLU over the last two decades.

Modern infrastructure for lung research

The ILH's modern infrastructure is designed to effectively combine basic research and clinical application. With a total usable area of ​​approximately 2,600 square meters and a reinforced concrete frame structure spread over four floors, the building offers an optimal environment for laboratory use. The basement houses a technical center, while the facade is made of prefabricated concrete parts and painted metal elements.

The ILH is part of a network of lung research institutions on campus, which includes institutions such as the Federal Center for Lung Research (BFS), the Center for Integrative Gießen-Lung Research (CIGL) and the Cluster of Excellence “Lung Cancer: Opportunities through Integration of Basic, Disease and Patient Research” (ECCPS). This cooperation strengthens interdisciplinary exchange and research activities in lung research.

Financing and operation of the institute

The financing of the new building is outside the HEUREKA budget, as the ILH is viewed as a non-university institute. The federal government covers 75% of the operating costs, while the state of Hesse covers 25%. It is planned that the new building will be handed over in the fourth quarter of 2026.

The German Center for Lung Research (DZL), which brings together 28 leading university and non-university institutions, plays a central role in the context of the ILH. With a clear focus on research into lung and respiratory diseases, the institutions coordinate basic, disease- and patient-oriented research at a top international level. Translational research, which describes the long path from laboratory findings to medical innovations, is particularly important here - new active ingredients take an average of around 15 years to develop.

In addition, the DZL Academy offers support for the career development of students and doctoral candidates in medicine and life sciences, with a special connection to lung research. The DZL has a total of five locations in Germany, which underlines the nationwide importance of lung research.

Overall, the topping-out ceremony of the ILH not only marks a milestone for the Justus Liebig University, but also significant progress for the scientific community in Germany, especially in lung research. [uni-giessen.de] reports that… [finanzen.hessen.de] offers further information and [dzl.de] deepens the context of lung research in Germany.