The Bundeswehr Institute of Microbiology (IMB) in Munich is the German Armed Forces' essential scientific competence center for medical defense against biological warfare agents and dangerous pathogens. Founded in 1966 and officially made an independent military unit in 1984, its core tasks include providing rapid identification methods, conducting research into disease mechanisms, and developing comprehensive biodefense concepts, while also advising the German Ministry of Defense.
Following a 2001 recommendation after the September 11 attacks, the IMB evolved into a national military competence center, offering crucial diagnostics for both military and civilian healthcare facilities, even for high-risk infectious agents. The institute also deploys specialized rapid response teams for biological threats and unexplained disease outbreaks, spearheading the development of modular, rapidly deployable mobile laboratory systems for quick field responses.
Under the leadership of Colonel Prof. Dr. Roman Wölfel since 2019, the IMB actively collaborates with leading German universities and research centers like the German Center for Infection Research, and organizes the international Medical Biodefense Conference.