T h e  hallmark of the year 1996 was the evaluation of the Institute by the German Science Council (Wissenschaftsrat), an independent advisory body set up to advise the Federal and State Governments of the Federal Republic of Germany on all matters of higher education and research policy. A committee of the Science Council visited the Institute for two days, on February 5th and 6th. On July 12th the comments and recommendations of the Science Council were published. In its statement the Science Council recognized the accomplishments and the nationwide impact of the Institute in research, training, diagnostic service and patient care. Research of the Institute was found to be of excellent, in some cases of exceptional quality. The plans of the Institute for its future research program and development were approved. The Science Council recommended, in spite of the overall difficult financial situation, that the Institute should have more scientist positions to fulfil its functions. It should enhance the interaction of the Clinical Division with the other sections and divisions and the existing cooperation with the Hamburg University Hospital. 

The year 1996 was a year of consolidation. One of the most needful tasks was the expansion and reorganization of the Institute’s administration that had not kept pace with the growth and the development of the Institute. A modern cost accounting system and a finance department were installed. In budget negotiations for 1997 with the ministries in Bonn and Hamburg the Institute was successful in obtaining financing of three additional scientist positions. In addition, in 1996 research grants worth more than DM 6 million were obtained from various funding agencies. 

Also the exterior of the Institute was renewed. A restoration of the institute’s facade has been started. Half of the building was covered by scaffolding and wrapped with foil, the windows were sealed, and a constant and relentless drilling with pneumatic drills began. All 366 windows of the building had to be exchanged. It is admirable that in spite of permanent heat and noise research went on with even increased productivity. 

The planning of the Institute’s Cooperative Research Station in Africa was continued. Main criteria forthe selection of the location were political stability, prevalence of important tropical infections, adequate research partners and infrastructure, as well as safety aspects. An expedition performed by Dr. Thomas Kruppa and Dr. Ernst Diekmann from Macenta, Guinea, to the region of Kumasi, Ghana, revealed the presence of hyperendemic regions for onchocerciasis south of Kumasi. Successful negotiations by Professor Rolf Horstmann with Ghanaian authorities resulted in the Institute’s decision to establish the Cooperative Research Station at the University of Kumasi. Onchocerciasis research in the provisonal laboratory in Macenta was intensified. A completely equipped laboratory for cell culture and immunology work is now available more than 800 km from Conakry, the capital of Guinea. Surveys of villages for diagnosis and subsequent treatment with ivermectin are being performed. O. volvulus adult worms and microfilaria as well as patients’ lymphocytes and sera are continuously transported to Hamburg. 
Fortunately, a careful examination by independent reviewers turned out that the allegations against the Clinical Divison to have mismanaged patients were unsubstantiated and Professor Manfred Dietrich was fully rehabilitated. Dr. Klaus Lingelbach, head of the Malaria Research Group accepted a position as associate professor in the Department of Zoology at the Phillips-University of Marburg. I declined an offer to occupy the chair of Medical Microbiology at the same university. Two members of the Institute, Dr. Barbara Bröker and Dr. Joachim Clos, completed their “Habilitation” at the University of Hamburg. Again a large meeting was organized by members of the Institute: the Annual Meeting of the German Society for Immunology took place in Hamburg in September 1996 with more than 800 participants. 

In conclusion, the Bernhard Nocht Institute presents in an excellent state. Its accomplishments have been recognized, its budget for research has been increased and its future funding is secured.