Friedrich-Loeffler-Institut

German federal research institute for animal health with its headquarters on the Isle of Riems near Greifswald and further sites at Jena, Braunschweig, Celle and Mariensee, founded on the island in 1910 by the virologist Friedrich Loeffler and reporting to the federal agriculture ministry. Studies infectious animal diseases and zoonoses with high containment laboratories, runs national and international reference laboratories for diseases such as foot and mouth disease, avian influenza and rabies, develops and tests veterinary vaccines and diagnostics, and advises government on animal health, welfare and nutrition.