About Us

THEODOR BILHARZ RESEARCH INSTITUTE

Theodor Bilharz Research institute (TBRI) is a medical research institute affiliated to the Egyptian Ministry of Higher Education and Scientific Research. It is located in Warrak district, Giza Governorate. The institute has an attached 300 bed hospital.

 TBRI was founded upon an agreement in 1964 between the Federal Republic of Germany and the Egyptian Government.

TBRI was named after Theodor Maximilian Bilharz(1825-1862), the German physician and parasitologist. He was one of the founders of tropical medicine and is best remembered for his discovery of Schistosomiasis.In 1850, he was sent to Egypt to investigate the worms which infest the Egyptian population.By 1853, Bilharzidentified the worms and their eggs in the bladder and liver of infected patients and described the disease which remains his enduring scientific legacy; which was named after him. He died in 1862 (39 years) and was buried in the German Cemetery in Cairo.

TBRI Mission

The promotion of biomedical science and generation of research findings to better control, diagnose and treat endemic tropical diseases and their complications mainly as result of schistosomiasis and Viral Hepatitis. This is to meet the social, economic and technological needs of Egypt and the regional area. The institute offers training of young scientists in state –of the- art approaches applied to health problems of local importance.

TBRI Vision

To be a leading center in research and training concerning control and management of endemic diseases in the region.

President and Chairperson of TBRI

Prof. Mohamed Abbas Shemis

(2023-Current)

 

Previous Presidents

Prof. Hanan Khafagy                                       (2022-2023)

Professor of Anesthesiology, TBRI

Prof. Wafaa Kandeel                                       (2018-2022)
Professor of Biological Anthropology, NRC

 

Prof. Bothaina Madkour                                  (2017-2018)
Professor of Haematology, TBRI

 

Prof. Youssef Farouk                                        (2015-2017)
Professor of General Surgery, TBRI

 

Prof. Hanan El Baz                                           (2013-2015)
Professor of Immunology, TBRI

 

Prof. Moataz Hasan                                         (2010-2013)
Professor of  Gastroenterology and Hepatology, TBRI

 

Prof. Gihan El Fandy                                         (2002-2010)
Professor of Anesthesiology, TBRI

 

Late Prof. Soad Mokhtar                                 (2000-2002)
Professor of Microbiology, TBRI

 

Late Prof. Sawsan Omran                               (1999-2000)
Professor of Hematology, TBRI

 

Late Prof. Mahfouz  Abdel Gawad               (1994-1999)
Professor of Medicinal Chemistry, TBRI

 

Late Prof.Ali Zain El Abedeen                      (1988-1994)
Professorof Internal Medicine, NRC

 

Prof. Ahmed Ali El Garem                             (1981-1988)
Professor of Tropical medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Cairo University

 

 TBRI Research Strategy

The research strategy of TBRI for better management of endemic diseases depends on an integrated plan based on six research programs:

1-  Control      

    •   New modalities for prevention and control of parasitic, microbial and viral endemic diseases, and their complications.
    •  Implementation of public health tools for combat of endemic diseases.
    •   Development of control strategies for medically important snails utilizing modern technology.

2-  Diagnosis

    •  Development and introduction of new medical, surgical, radiological and laboratory diagnostic maneuvers.
    •  Development of field-applicable diagnostic tests.

3-  Morbidity

    •   Impact of environmental and behavioral risk factors on disease morbidity.
    •  Study of endemic disease pathogenic and pathologic changes, aiming at early diagnosis and management.

4-  Treatment

    •  Search and introduction of new therapeutic modalities, including medical, surgical, gene therapy and cell-based regenerative therapy.
    •  Evaluate current and new therapeutic protocols to increase efficacy and diminish side effects.
    •  Drug bioavailability studies to rationalize drug administration.

5-  Biotechnology &innovations in applied medical sciences

    •  Application of biotechnology, genetic and molecular biology for production and use of diagnostic reagents, biotherapy and vaccines.
    •  Utilization of biotechnology for molecular characterization at cell and pathogen levels.
    •  Innovations or patents in relevant research fields at TBRI are encouraged and supported.

6-  Quality management

    •  Development of new strategies for performance appraisal of hospital, out-patient clinics and laboratories.
    •  Development of quality-based documentation, database and communication systems for technical and administrative units at TBRI.
    •  Development of quality-based safety systems for patients, personnel and utilized tools at TBRI.
    •  Upgrading of human capacity.

TBRI Human Resources

The institute possesses a well-developed scientific and technological infrastructure and highly qualified manpower resources. It employs a total of 1506 person, of whom 329 are research staff members.

Total TBRI employees: 1506