Heike Köhler

Dr. Heike Köhler serves as Laboratory Head at the Institute of Molecular Pathogenesis (IMP), specializing in the Pathobiology of Mycobacterioses working group. She holds a Doctor of Veterinary Medicine (Dr. med. vet.) and is a Recognised Veterinarian Specialist in Immunology and Serology.

Her educational background includes:

• Doctor of Veterinary Medicine (Dr. med. vet.)
• Specialist certification in Immunology and Serology

Dr. Köhler's research focuses on molecular pathogenesis of mycobacterial infections, particularly paratuberculosis and bovine tuberculosis. Her work integrates veterinary immunology, serological diagnostics, and host-pathogen interaction studies to advance understanding of disease mechanisms in livestock. This research directly supports national reference laboratory functions for critical animal diseases.

She supervises graduate theses through institutional partnerships and leads research activities within the National Reference Laboratories for Paratuberculosis and Bovine Tuberculosis. Her laboratory maintains close collaboration with the IMP's core reference functions and working groups focused on bacterial pathogenesis.