Center for Sepsis Control and Care

The Center for Sepsis Control & Care (CSCC) is a Center at the Jena University Hospital (JUH) and coordinates the JUH’s activities connected to the focus research area Sepsis and Infection. The CSCC supports interdisciplinary networks of patient-oriented basic research and clinical research in the areas of sepsis and difficult-to-treat infections. In doing so, the CSCC facilitates open and broad scientific exchange and promotes training and career support for young researchers, in particular clinician scientists.

The Center for Sepsis Control and Care was founded in 2010 as one of Germany-wide eight „Integrated Research and Treatment Centers“ that were funded by the Federal Ministry for Education and Research (Bundesministerium für Bildung und Forschung, BMBF) for ten years.

The mission and aims of the CSCC comprise organization and management of the core research area Sepsis and Infection at the JUH, structured training of junior scientists and support of career development as well as improved sepsis and infection care. Not least, the Center aims to improve information and education of the general public regarding life-threatening infections and sepsis.

Organization und Governance

The CSCC is a Center at the JUH. The Board is elected from and by the CSCC members for a period of three years.

Participating Institutions

Numerous clinics and institutes contribute their expertise to the Center for Sepsis Control & Care.

Mission and Aims

Research

The CSCC coordinates and supports translational and clinical research on life-threatening infections, in particular on sepsis and its sequelae. Advancing translation from results of basic research to improved prevention, diagnosis and therapy is crucial in this connection. Accordingly, transdisciplinary exchange and collaboration are central elements of the Center’s work as well as enhancing networks between regional, national and international partners.

Career development

The CSCC supports the scientific training of students and junior scientists in life and natural sciences as well as of young physicians and clinicians. Protected time for research and interdisciplinary exchange are two key elements to this end. The Center actively contributes to the further development of career support structures at the Jena University Hospital.

Outreach and improvement of patient care

The CSCC aims to increase awareness regarding the prevention, timely diagnosis and treatment of sepsis and severe infections in the general public as well as medical and clinical personnel. It contributes to the evidence-based further development of medical guidelines on these topics.

Functional structure

According to the aims of the network, the CSCC has a broad functional scope. Of central importance is the support and integration of research and treatment, i.e., the initiation and realization of scientific projects and clinical trials in the four research areas of the Center.

Key infrastructure has been established and further developed during the 10 years of federal funding. The resulting sustainable methods platforms are now available at the relevant member institutions and support scientific projects within the CSCC with their methodic expertise.

Training and career development are embedded in the Center’s research activities. Besides integration of junior scientists into translational and clinical research as early as possible, the CSCC offers structured training, including scientific core and interdisciplinary competences as well as soft skills courses.

The managing office coordinates the all these activities and takes care of administrative tasks. Besides, quality management and outreach are parts of the management’s functions.