New and re-emerging infectious diseases pose a rising threat to global health as well as to economic growth and development and will complicate global security over the next 20 years. Sub-Saharan Africa will remain the region most affected with nearly half of the infectious disease-caused deaths worldwide. It is the aim of SFB544 "Control of Tropical Infectious Diseases" to contribute to the fight against some of the major infectious pathogens on all levels. It constitutes a unique research network that combines basic research projects identifying suitable drug targets and testing compounds with clinical research projects implementing therapeutic regimens through controlled trials and with public health projects, making sure that those interventions reach the people who need them.