With a festive ceremony, the Helmholtz Institute for RNA-based Infection Research (HIRI) today celebrated the topping-out of its new institute building in Würzburg. Bavaria’s Minister of Economic Affairs, Hubert Aiwanger, emphasized the international significance of the project and highlighted HIRI’s role as a beacon for RNA research and medical innovation.
At the topping-out ceremony for the new building of the Helmholtz Institute for RNA-based Infection Research (HIRI), Minister Aiwanger praised the project as a decisive contribution to strengthening Bavaria as a leading hub for science and business: “HIRI is a central pillar of Bavaria’s research landscape. With the new building, we are creating the best conditions for top-level research to continue here in the future. This investment strengthens both Lower Franconia and all of Bavaria and sends a clear message: we want to be at the forefront of future technologies worldwide.”
Construction of the modern research facility with more than 4,700 square meters of usable space on the Würzburg Medical Campus has been underway since July 2023. Completion is scheduled for early 2027. The Free State of Bavaria, together with the European Union, is providing around 60 million euros for the project. “This is where cutting-edge infrastructure is being created to further enhance Bavaria’s competitiveness as a research hub. Würzburg benefits twice: through new jobs in science and through a boost to the regional economy. HIRI is a lighthouse project with international visibility,” Aiwanger added.
HIRI was founded in 2017 as a branch of the Helmholtz Centre for Infection Research (HZI) in cooperation with Julius-Maximilians-Universität Würzburg (JMU). It is the world’s first institution to combine RNA research with infection biology under one roof. The institute’s mission is to develop novel RNA-based diagnostic and therapeutic approaches for infectious diseases, antibiotic resistance, cancer, and rare genetic disorders. Today, more than 100 employees from around 20 nations work at HIRI.
With the new building, the institute will have its own dedicated facilities for the first time, enabling it to further expand its role as an internationally visible research partner at the Würzburg site.