History
The establishment of the institute, which was originally named “The Foundation for the Research of Spinal Poliomyelitis”, can be attributed to two persons: the generous philanthropist Philipp F. Reemstma, who established an endowment fund from the inheritance bequeathed to his son, who had died of polio; and the neurologist Heinrich Pette, who characterized and molded the scientific concept and development of the institute not only during the foundation but also for many years afterwards. Consequently, upon the death of the founder in 1964, “his institute” was renamed The Heinrich-Pette-Institute for Experimental Virology and Immunology at Hamburg University. In 2010 the name was updated Heinrich Pette Institute - Leibniz Institute for Experimental Virology.
1943 Endowment granted by the Hamburg industrialist Philipp F. Reemtsma toward the establishment of a foundation for the “Advancement in the Research of Spinal Poliomyelitis”.
1948 On June 18th, Prof. Dr. med. Heinrich Pette, Professor of Neurology at the University of Hamburg founds the “Institute for the Research of Spinal Poliomyelitis”. Experimental research with the polio virus is conducted in the basement of pavilion 7b of the Neurological Clinic at Eppendorf University Hospital (UKE).
1951-1963 In the early 50’s the institute is renamed “Institute for Research of Spinal Poliomyelitis and Multiple Sclerosis”. (1951)
- Continuing development of the Institute on the grounds of Eppendorf University Hospital - (Construction of animal research facilities, laboratories and enlargement of existing buildings) - due to the expansion of its research program and the increase of requisite equipment and facilities.
1955 Incorporation of the institute into the association of the so-called “Königsteiner Agreement” - research institutes aided and supplied both by the federal government as well as the states. (Since 1977 blue list institutes)
Establishment of the Board of Trustees and scientific Board of the Institute.
1957 First extension of the Institute
1964 Further extension with Electron microscope laboratories.
Death of Prof. Dr. Heinrich Wilhelm Pette (November 23rd 1887 – October 4th 1964)
1965 The Institute is renamed “Heinrich-Pette-Institute for Experimental Virology and Immunology at the University of Hamburg”.
1967 Further expansion with laboratories for experimental work with highly contagious viruses. (1967/69)
1968 Organization of the Institute’s staff and further expansion of the research program and installation of independent research departments.
1972 Death of Prof. Dr. Edith Agnes Bertha Pette (July 3rd 1897 – June 2nd 1972, née Graetz, co-founder of the foundation and institute).
1985 Investiture of the Scientific Advisory Committee. Assessment by the Scientific Advisory Board.
1993 May 15th - Conclusion of the Cooperation contract with the University of Hamburg (faculty of medicine)
1995 -Completion of the expansion program begun in 1990, with a modern laboratory annex.
The Leibniz Association (WGL) becomes the successor to the “Blue List Working Committee”- (Blue List Institute)
1996 Assessment by the Scientific Advisory Board. (AB) The Advisory Board ascertains that an integral national scientific political interest in the research work of HPI exists and recommends continued support as a WGL Institute.
1998 Extension of the cooperation contract with the University of Hamburg to include the faculty of chemistry. On the 11/12th of Sept. 1998, the Heinrich-Pette-Institute celebrates its 50th anniversary with a symposium.
2002 An external and independent assessment of HPI is conducted by the Senatorial Commission’s survey of the WGL. The positive judgment of the previous assessment in 1996 by the Scientific Advisory Board was again corroborated. The quality of research at HPI concerning state-of-the-art procedures, relevance and originality in the undertakings of each working group was ascertained to be altogether very good and in some areas exceptional and that HPI is performing nationally and internationally accredited high quality work in its field of research.
2003 Conclusion of the cooperation contract (public-private partnership) with the children’s Cancer Aid Society headquarters.
2004 Initiation of the construction of the new and building expansion II plan with space enough to accommodate the administration and the most modern of laboratories for virus and tumor research.
2005 Expansion of the cooperation contract with the University of Hamburg to include the faculty of biology.
2006 Opening of a new replacement- and extension building.
2010 The institute is renamed "Heinrich Pette Institute - Leibniz Institute for Experimental Virology"
